The Mapuche People: Cultural Beliefs Related to Consciousness, Mind, and Body
Journal of Consciousness Studies June 1, 2023 C. Pérez, Giuseppina Marsico
Mapuche thinking (rakizuam) is a form of reflexivity that recognizes the interdependence of people with natural and spiritual entities, representing a relational ontology distinct from individualistic Western approaches. The mind-body distinction is not central in Mapuche culture, but these dimensions can be explored through life-cycle processes such as socialization, illness, and death. The paper draws on cultural psychology and Indigenous psychology to address the interplay between culture and the human psyche.