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Mircea Eliade - Struck by lightning
Identifier
011435
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
We have a difficulty here because this could be a symbolic reference to the kundalini experience or a literal reference to being struck by lightning - which is statistically less likely but is not unknown
A description of the experience
Mircea Eliade – Shamanism Archaic techniques of ecstasy
Among the Buryat of Southern Siberia, shamanism is usually hereditary, but sometimes one becomes a shaman after a divine election or an accident; for example, the gods choose the future shaman by striking him with lightning ………… the role of lightning in designating a shaman is important; it shows the celestial origin of shamanic powers. The case is not unique; among the Soyut too, one who is touched by lightning becomes a shaman and lightning is portrayed on the shaman’s costume