Week 2 Animism J.Maisano-Mays (1) 2
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Dec 6, 2023
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1
Validate and Embrace Spiritual Beliefs
Northcentral University
Jamie Maisano-Mays
September 3, 2023
2
Animism
Animism is the attribution of a soul to plants, natural phenomena, and inanimate objects
and derives from Latin meaning spirit, breath, and life. Animism further explains that it is the
belief that places, objects, as well as creatures will all possess a distinct spiritual essence.
Science
and animism are advanced different ways of looking at the world (Hans, 2023).
Animism is
perceived as all things such as rocks, animals, plants, rivers, weather systems, and human
handywork are all alive as all animism is with an anthropology of religion. Animism has a focus
on the metaphysical universe as it is specifically geared to the concept of immaterial soul.
Animism has its own mythology as does each culture which is described as most common and is
foundational within indigenous people known to be “supernatural” perspectives. The definition
of animism was developed within the late 19
th
century. Animism portrays the belief that all
material phenomena have agencies in which there will exists with no categorical distinction
between the physical and the spiritual world. Animism also beliefs that spirit, soul, and sentience
exists within not only human form but also within plants, rocks, animals, and geographic
features.
Among biologists and psychologists, animism refers to the view that the human mind is
a nonmaterial entity that nevertheless interacts with the body via the brain and nervous system
(
Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, 2018).
As Edward Tylor initially described the confusion with relating animism through the
modern religion of spiritualism and then developed the term animismus in 1708 through the
biological theory which was how souls formed the vital principle. The origin of the word is Latin
and comes from the word anima and it means life or soul.
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Animism is a foundational element within the development of ancient human spirituality
as it is identified within different forms throughout the modern religion world and takes on the
idea that things inanimate or animate. Animism is indigenous to tribal cultures and is a
foundational element within the development of the ancient human spirituality and is known to
be identified in various forms. Animism frequently is used to illustrate the contrast between
modern organized religion and ancient beliefs and is in some cases considered to be a religion
within its own right. In today's world animism is used as an anthropological term when
referencing the various systems of beliefs. It is practiced as both modern and spiritual and dates
to the paleolithic times.
Animism religion displays hope and honor through respecting the differences as each
person’s path of destiny, giving reverence to the spirit forces, discovering the shared forms
within other forms of praise, and to draw within the nurturing aspect with close individual
connections which all support the animist values which are in human relationships. Animism is
also known to be a fundamental form of religion.
Within the religion of Animism, it supports healing through respecting the diversity of
relationships which is among humans as well as other beings in the world, and through restoring
that connection which is between the material world and the spiritual world. Animism recognizes
personhood of all things within the role in maintaining a balance in life. In addition, some
ancestral healing will involve healing wounds within one’s lineage and in honoring one’s
ancestors.
Animism focuses on healthy, collaborative, balanced relationships within the natural
world. As it believes in the idea that everything around us is alive, and everything holds a unique
diverse perspective as well as diverse experiences. It is believed all things are intelligent and
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have agencies. Animism is a way of practicing a more relational way and any age and
background can learn as it is nourishing within one's spirit, it supports systemic change, and is
essential for humanity.
Reflecting on my own beliefs and making a connection with animism I would say I can
relate as I believe in more of being a spiritual person. Spirituality is a broader concept as beliefs
are in something which is beyond oneself. As it does incorporate from religious traditions as it is
centered in the belief within a higher power, but it is also a holistic belief within an individual's
connection that is made with others. As spirituality is different from other religions and can be
practiced even if someone is not into religion. Spiritualist is the core belief of spiritualism and
was developed early on during the decades of which was when the movement occurred. As
relating to animism spirituality too strives to find meaning and seek out questions withing the
meaning of life, truths within the universe, how people can be connected, and other mysteries
that are presented in the human existence. There is more to life than just what people will
experience through the physical or on a sensory level as there is something greater which
connects all beings within each other. Spirituality supports a sense of relief and comfort from
being stressed for many who practice. As it is known that many individuals who do participate
with certain religions do also follow spirituality to help cope with everyday challenges in life as
it is not a single belief system. With spirituality there are many ways to experience the benefits
through how it is defined. Spirituality for me provides a sense of inter-connectedness with
humanity and nature. Spirituality could include deepening your connection with others, curiosity
about what will happen after death, having empathy and compassion for others, being
interconnected, seeking happiness beyond possessions, finding purpose, and meaning, and
wanting for the world to be a better place. These spiritual moments can occur differently with
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people as some might find that they are more spiritual in a church setting as some may feel it
while enjoying nature. Some forms of spirituality could be meditation, prayer, new age
spirituality, time spent with nature, yoga, or even retreats. What I enjoy most and does also relate
to animism is that the focus is more so on a personal journey through discovering the meaning of
life and it can be practiced individually as well as not having to adhere to specific set of rules.
Integrating ways that religion or spirituality can be a part of my own clinical work is
through the understanding that someone's spiritual or religious beliefs may be relevant to what
the clients underlying issues which prompted the client to seek out support. Some issues that
become relevant which relate to beliefs can be conflicts which can occur over religious beliefs,
the feeling of being alienated from or because of one's religious beliefs, crises of faith, or even
distortion of practices and religious beliefs. As a therapist addressing each client spiritual or
religious beliefs provides support and acknowledging that it is not the therapists' beliefs, practice,
or values that are of the importance but that it is the clients. As with therapy, incorporating the
key ethical issues as well should always be applied and considered when therapy is being
conducted with every client. Through integrating spirituality and religion in therapy, it can go
from asking questions about the client's beliefs, values, and practice of the religion. Some of
what may be incorporated within therapy can be activities such as reading selected passages and
even praying with the client in support of what they believe to be helpful in the therapeutic
process for them. Through therapy properly and respectfully assessing the client's beliefs, we
assess any connection between the presenting problem and the practiced beliefs of the client.
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References:
Harvey, Graham.
Animism: Respecting the Living World
. Hurst & Company, 2017.
Aristotle.
On The Soul: and Other Psychological Works,
translated by Fred D. Miller, Jr., Kindle
ed., Oxford University Press, 2018.
Boyd-Franklin, N. (2010). Incorporating spirituality and religion into the treatment of African
American clients. The Counseling Psychologist, 38(7), 976–1000.
Walsh, F. (2019). Spirituality, suffering, and resilience. In M. McGoldrick & K. Hardy (Eds.).
Re-visioning Family Therapy Chapter 5 (pp. 73-92). The Guilford Press.
Van Eyghen, H. (2023). Animism and Science.
Religions
,
14
(5), 653.
https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14050653
Animism. (2018).
Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia
, 1;
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