Neoshamanism

Neoshamanism refers to "new"' forms of shamanism, or methods of seeking visions or healing. Neoshamanism comprises an eclectic range of beliefs and practices that involve attempts to attain altered states and communicate with a spirit world. Neoshamanic systems may not resemble traditional forms of shamanism. Some have been invented by individual practitioners, though many borrow or gain inspiration from a variety of different Indigenous cultures. In particular, indigenous cultures of the Americas have been influential.

The word "shaman" originates from the Evenki word "šamán". The Tungusic term was subsequently adopted by Russians interacting with the indigenous peoples in Siberia, and then applied very broadly by western anthropologists to many, diverse spiritual systems that share some kind of practice of calling upon, and mediating with, spirit beings.

Neoshamanism is not a single, cohesive belief system, but a collective term for many philosophies and activities. However, certain generalities may be drawn between adherents. Most believe in spirits and pursue contact with the "spirit-world" in altered states of consciousness which they achieve through drumming, dance, or the use of entheogens. Most systems might be described as existing somewhere on the animism/pantheism spectrum. Some neoshamans were not trained by any traditional shaman or member of any American indigenous culture, but rather learn independently from books and experimentation. Many attend New Age workshops and retreats, where they study a wide variety of ideas and techniques, both new and old.

Astral projection

Astral projection (or astral travel) is an interpretation of an out-of-body experience (OBE) that assumes the existence of an "astral body" separate from the physical body and capable of travelling outside it. Astral projection or travel denotes the astral body leaving the physical body to travel in an astral plane. The idea of astral travel is rooted in common worldwide religious accounts of the afterlife in which the consciousness' or soul's journey, or "ascent", is described in such terms as "an... out-of-body experience, wherein the spiritual traveller leaves the physical body and travels in his/her subtle body (or "dreambody", or "astral body") into ‘higher’ realms." It is frequently reported in association with dreams, and forms of meditation.

Some patients have reported perceptions similar to the descriptions of astral projection, induced through various hallucinogenic and hypnotic (including self-hypnotic) means. There is no scientific evidence that there is any manifestation of a consciousness or soul which is separate from neural activity. There is no scientific evidence that one can consciously leave the body and make observations. Claims of scientific evidence of astral projection are pseudoscientific.

Person

A person is a being, such as a human, that has certain capacities or attributes constituting personhood, which in turn is defined differently by different authors in different disciplines, and by different cultures in different times and places. In ancient Rome, the word persona (Latin) or prosopon (πρόσωπον; Greek) originally referred to the masks worn by actors on stage. The various masks represented the various "personae" in the stage play.

The concept of person was developed during the Trinitarian and Christological debates of the 4th and 5th centuries in contrast to the word nature. During the theological debates, some philosophical tools (concepts) were needed so that the debates could be held on common basis to all theological schools. The purpose of the debate was to establish the relation, similarities and differences between the Λóγος/Verbum and God. The philosophical concept of person arose, taking the word "prosopon" (πρόσωπον) from the Greek theatre. Therefore, Christus (the Λóγος/Verbum) and God were defined as different "persons". This concept was applied later to the Holy Ghost, the angels and to all human beings.

Angel of Darkness

Angel of Darkness (Japanese: 淫獣教師, Hepburn: Injū Kyōshi) is a four-part hentai anime series released in 1994 by Pink Pineapple in Japan. The series focuses on tentacle rape and S&M and was adapted into a live action series. The animated series is released in North America by ADV Films under their SoftCel Pictures label. The genre is situated between sci-fi horror and the slasher film.

Plot

Professor Goda is digging under a large tree in the school yard, when he breaks through a mysterious stone tablet and is attacked by a large tentacled creature and is suddenly infected. Later, Atsuko and Sayaka are attending opening ceremonies of the Siren Academy's freshmen welcome. It's at this point we discover that Sayaka and Atsuko are lovers, trying to hide their affair from Atsuko's older sister who is currently playing the organ. We then see Professor Goda, who is also attending the opening ceremonies, looking on the crowd of freshmen with evil eyes.

The scene then shifts to an underground basement in the school in which Professor Goda and The Director are raping a freshman who is tied up. The Director is dressed up in typical red bondage gear. Goda comments that he needs the extracts of younger women in order to provide food for an organism that he discovered. The Director appears to be enjoying watching the rape and involves herself in the process by whipping the freshman with her riding crop until the freshman faints.