Consciousness Quote by James David Lewis-Williams
““Under certain social circumstances, which may have varied from time to time and place to place, certain people (shamans) saw a relationship between the small, three-dimensional, projected mental images that they experienced at the far end of the intensified spectrum and fragments of animals that lay around their hearths.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Archaeology of Mind by James D. Lewis‑Williams, 2002
Shamans linked vivid mental images from altered states to nearby animal remains, interpreting them as meaningful connections.
In simple terms: Shamans saw links between visions and animals.
Key Takeaway
Recognize symbolic links in altered perception.
Themes
spirituality
perception
archaeology
Mood
curious
analytical
Type
interpretive
anthropological
When to use this quote
- ritual practice
- interpretation of artifacts
- anthropological research
Key Concepts
symbolic interpretation
cognitive anthropology
shamanism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do cultural contexts shape visionary interpretation?
- Can modern science validate these symbolic links?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations may be culturally biased and not universally applicable.
