This study explored ostensibly shamanic journeying imagery by assessing visual images across induction techniques ; determining combination of induction technique and instructions most associated with religious imagery; and investigating the origins of visual imagery. Six participants were randomly assigned to factorial combinations of a 3 x 4 mixed design and were administered the Modified Affect Bridge to explore the origins of mental imagery reported during the experimental conditions. Phenomenological analysis yielded comprehensive constituent themes. Harner’s shamanic journeying, coupled with religious, instructions (...) were associated with the highest religious imagery, while visual images associated with shamanic journeying were derived primarily from autobiographical memories. (shrink)

Felicitas Goodman (1990) observed that naive participants experienced unique trance states, characterized by specific visionary content, when they assumed particular postures and listened to monotonous rattling. Students (n = 284), enrolled in various sections of the course Introduction to Psychology, experienced one of four conditions with their eyes closed: Sitting Quietly with and without Drumming, Standing (Feather Serpent) Posture plus Drumming with and without Suggested Experiences. Participants completed the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (Pekala 1982, 1991c) and wrote narratives following their (...) respective stimulus conditions. Participants reported less imagery, joy, and absorption, but more internal dialogue, self‐awareness, and muscular tension in the posture, compared to the sitting quietly, conditions. Goodman's results of specific posture (content‐related) effects with naive participants were not replicated. (shrink)