> > >And can you Integrate a spirit entirely by
> > >agreement, with no Spirit Combat?
> >
> > I generally feel the answer to this is the same as the answer
> > to "Can you enslave a person entirely by agreement, with force
> > of any kind?"
>
> I have to agree with this.
Well I disagree with this actually.
Well ; partially at least.
> Intergration is a loss of identity.
Not in *every* Tradition of shamanism IMO. In fact, from an average shaman's POV, Integration of Spirits is a reinforcement of Identity ; and moving away from the Community. Let's play with these words : it's a loss of identity with the community ; but an increase of your individuality.
Also, from another POV, Integration can, in some Traditions, be seen as an awakening of one's inherent potentials. In such Traditions, the Shaman goes on an Inward Journey, to realise his own hidden powers, rather than travelling Outwardly to an Alien Spirit World to bring Spirits back into the microcosmos of the clan.
> You subsume it into your own self and *intergrate* it.
> This is probably something you'd have to force.
But not always, IMO.
cheers,
Julian Lord
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