In Lascaux and other sites, hoofs are depicted to show their underside, or hoofprint.

Shamanism is not simply a component of society: on the contrary, shamanism, together with its tiered cosmos, can be said to be the overall framework of society.

Consciousness has evolved biologically and can therefore be explained biologically.

Primary consciousness is a state of being aware of things in the world – of having mental images in the present.But it is not accompanied by any sense of a person with a past and future…

Primary consciousness is a kind of ‘remembered present’…

I believe it is reasonable to assume that higher-order consciousness developed neurologically in Africa before the second wave of emigration to the Middle East and Europe.

Improved memory made possible the long-term recollection of dreams and visions and the construction of those recollections into a spirit world.

Once human beings had developed higher-order consciousness, they had the ability to see mental images projected onto surfaces and to experience afterimages.

For the makers, the paintings and engravings were visions, not representations of visions.

The portable animal statuettes were therefore far more than decorative trinkets: they were reified three-dimensional spirit animals with all their prophylactic and other powers.

Shamans submit to death in order to serve their communities.

It's weird, all you think about when you're young is gaining your independence, but when those final hours come, people want to go home.

. . . you must not build upon foundations of prayer and contemplation alone, for, unless you strive after the virtues and practice them, you will never grow to be more than dwarfs.

Yin and yang are the left and right hands of the Infinite — creator, destroyer, and reproducer of everything that exists.

Bing was always hesitant to accept appreciation in any form.

It is not so important to have all the answers as to be hungry for them.

There is no one who cannot be hated, against whatever odds. Nor anyone who cannot be loved, against all reason.

You will come to know that what appears today to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment that you will ever make.

We can become anything. That is why injustice is impossible here. There may be the accident of birth, there is no accident of death. Nothing forces us to remain what we were.

Beauty is everything.

Is it not enough that we are torn from our country and friends, to toil for your luxury and lust of gain? Must every tender feeling be likewise sacrificed to your avarice?