Phenomenological Analysis of Experimentally Induced Visual Mental Imagery Associated with Shamanic Journeying to the Lower World

Abstract

This study explored ostensibly shamanic journeying imagery by (a) assessing visual images across induction techniques (i.e., sonic driving, Ganzfeld, relaxation, and sitting with eyes open); (b) determining combi- nation(s) of induction technique and instructions most associated with religious imagery; and (c) investigating the origins of visual imagery. Six participants were randomly assigned to factorial combinations of a 3 x 4 mixed design (levels of instruction x levels of induction) 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. Harners (1990) 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.