The Ritual View and Inner Workings of Mongolian Shamanic Healing: Analysis from a Freudian Psychological Perspective

Abstract The “irrational” nature of communicating with spirits in shamanic culture possesses a cultural and spiritual healing power that is difficult for modern science to match. The paradox of shamanic culture is that reason does not require us to eliminate irrational elements of emotion, mystical fantasy, and religious belief; rather, all that reason requires of us is to discursively understand, and critically balance these irrational elements. Based on Freudian psychology, we analyze the “irrational” qualities of Mongolian shamans and identify the inherent differences between Mongolian shamanic beliefs, the nature of religion, and the laws governing their operation.