Northwest Shamanism (Shaman means medicine-man): During initiation or becoming possessed by, or for communication with, mystic power, the devotee not only fasts but also abstains from drinking water. The most common way of acquiring or deliberately seeking Shamanistic power is by individuals entering the state of dreaming, of waking vision, and of trance while physically conscious, wherein a spirit-being visits the candidate; communion and the connection thus established between them is the source and basis of the medicine-man's power. This spirit becomes his guardian spirit, from whom he receives the mantram, the understanding, and the capacity which enable him to cause or remove disease, to do and endure what other men cannot, and to practise psychic powers. At first he may become demented but after a time he becomes normal and has control of this supernatural "influence."
-- Notebooks Category 16: The Sensitives > Chapter 13 : The Occult > # 78
