The shamanic quest is geared towards expanding the self and seeking deeper and deeper wisdom

I just got through his discussion of Shamanism and was struck by his contrast between the shamanic religions of hunters and the priestly religions of hierarchical civilizations. 

The distinction is that the shamanic quest is geared towards expanding the self and seeking deeper and deeper wisdom. 

In contrast, the priestly quest is that of submitting to the will of the collective society. I found this statement important to me because it resonates with my experience as a recluse. 

Daoism is a tradition that has connections with shamanism---even to the point where there are still practitioners who become possessed by individual gods and spirits. 

Moreover, Daoism has always been a faith where wisdom is perceived to come from an isolated individual who pursues his own wisdom. (Indeed, one of the translations of the word Xian--usually translated as "immortal"--is "mountain man", or, recluse.) 

http://urbanecohermit.blogspot.com/2007/06/interior-life.html