What are the origins of shamanism and what is its future? 

How do shamans understand their powers? 

What can we learn from indigenous healing practices?

Live Discussion with Manvir Singh

Anthropolist and author of Shamanism: The Timeless Religion

"Anthropology is all about making the strange familiar and the familiar strange."

What are the origins of shamanism? What does it reveal about human nature? Do biblical prophets and other messianic figures meet the criteria for shamans? Do modern professional doctors, stockbrokers, religious leaders who claim insight or control over the uncertain, fulfill a similar psychological role?

From Silicon Valley dopamine fasts to the psychedelic ceremonies at Burning Man, we're surrounded by figures who promise mastery over uncertainty through extreme rituals, punishing schedules and claims of unique insight. They look new. They aren't. Anthropologist Manvir Singh argues that it's they use practices as old as humanity, and ones that never actually went away.

Manvir Singh spent over a decade travelling from Indonesia to the Amazon, living alongside shamans and tracing the practice back through Ice Age hunters to the offices of today's CEOs and money managers. Shamanism: The Timeless Religion makes the case that these specialists endure not because of any lost wisdom, but because of a deep and universal psychological need to exert control of the uncontrollable. The book has been praised by Paul Bloom as one that "will change how you think about religion, spirituality, consciousness, and human nature," and by the Spectator for its "beguiling mixture of erudition and sheer delight."

Join us on Manvir's journey into humanity's oldest spiritual practice.

Shamanism: The Timeless Religion can be purchased at Amazon, Penguin, and Waterstones.

Ask Your Questions

Every ticket holder will be invited to submit questions in advance, which will be woven throughout the discussion. Whether scientific, philosophical, practical or speculative, your questions will help shape the conversation.

Manvir Singh

Manvir Singh is an assistant professor of anthropology at the University of California, Davis. He holds a bachelor's degree from Brown University and a PhD in human evolutionary biology from Harvard University. He is a regular contributor to The New Yorker, and his writing has also appeared in Wired, Vice, Aeon and The Guardian, as well as in academic journals including Science, Nature Human Behaviour and Behavioral and Brain Sciences.

Your Organiser

Kate is an event coordinator at the Psychedelic Society. Her research background spans clinical sleep studies, altered states of consciousness, and personalised gene therapies. She currently works applying neuroscience to the arts at the neuroaesthetics lab, Kinda Studios. Working with Onaya Science, she explores how rituals, music, and plant medicines support trauma recovery. Kate brings curiosity and care to the ways we feel, connect, and transform (and will usually be found outside).

@katedalbyy

Please reach out if you require concessionary tickets.

REFUNDS POLICY: Please note, we do not arrange refunds or exchanges. When possible we encourage reselling on Ticketswap.

ACCESS:  We do our best to include everyone in our events, regardless of health circumstances. If you have access requirements please email the event organiser directly to discuss. Many facilitators are able to offer reduced ticket prices for those truly unable to afford the ticket price. If this applies to you, do please get in touch with the event organiser.

For PSYCHEDELIC KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES please check out the Psychedelic Society website. 

Our facilitators have agreed to our code of conduct. Learn about our procedure for raising concerns

MEMBERS of the Psychedelic Society get a discount off almost all of our events.
Join from £5 a month and become part of this amazing community with invites to special events and more.