Deconstructing 'Magic': A Reflection on Western Beliefs and Indigenous Wisdom
Growing up in a Western Christian family, I was taught very specific things about magic, the afterlife, and the "right" way to worship. As I've grown and learned more about different cultures, like the Balinese, I've felt a sense of shame for the judgments I held when I was younger.
This journey of unlearning has been profoundly shaped by authors like David Abram. His book, The Spell of the Sensuous, sparked a few key insights that have helped me understand the stark differences between a Western perspective and the worldview of many animistic cultures.
A New Definition of 'Spirit'
One of the most powerful "aha!" moments I had while reading was about the word "spirit." Abram explained that in many Indigenous and Balinese cultures, "spirit" isn't limited to a human soul or a ghostly apparition. It refers to any living thing that is not a human being—the wind, the animals, the plants.
Though I knew some people held animistic beliefs, it hadn't fully dawned on me that the word itself could hold such a beautifully different and expansive meaning. This simple shift in definition changes everything; it re-enchants the world and reminds us that we are surrounded by living, spiritual forces at all times
The Missing Piece in Modern Healing: Reciprocity
As I've become more interested in transpersonal topics, I often receive criticism from friends, family, and colleagues. People sometimes look at me like I'm a "weirdo." Abram's work addresses a similar dynamic happening in the field of psychotherapy.
He shared that while many Western psychotherapists are now being trained in shamanic practices—which is a beautiful thing—they often miss a crucial component: reciprocity. They are not engaging in a practice that gives back to the Earth.
According to Abram, without this act of service and gratitude, the psychotherapist isn't truly healing; they are simply transferring the negative energy or disease onto something or someone else. This was a profound insight for me, highlighting a deep flaw in the way Western culture often adopts sacred practices without fully embracing the worldview and responsibilities that come with them.
References
Abram, D. (2017). The Spell of the Sensuous: Perception and Language in a More-than-Human-World. Vintage Books Edition.
