Tomasz Wiśniewski

is a cultural studies scholar, writer, editor of the Imagination Section, researcher of human encounters with gods and goddesses.
Sacred Returns
World + People
Dreams and Visions

Sacred Returns

Scholar of religion Mircea Eliade observed that myths help similar customs and behaviors to develop in both religious and secularized societies.
Tomasz Wiśniewski
Where Does War Come From?
World + People
Science

Where Does War Come From?

Conflict is usually attributed to disputes over land and resources, inherent aggressive tendencies, or gender. Yet perhaps none of the above provide an adequate explanation.
Tomasz Wiśniewski
The Hero in the Labyrinth
Art + Stories
Experiences

The Hero in the Labyrinth

The American mythologist spent his life examining the cultural role of stories and synthesizing their common motifs into a universal tale of the human experience.
Tomasz Wiśniewski
Inhuman Slaughter
Art + Stories
Experiences

Inhuman Slaughter

History suggests that, in order to kill, people must reject their natural reflexes—often by taking on an animalistic identity.
Tomasz Wiśniewski
Is War Natural?
Art + Stories
Experiences

Is War Natural?

While some scholars suggest that war is an innate, biological phenomenon, others argue that it is rooted in social and cultural factors.
Tomasz Wiśniewski
The Origins of Immortality
Soul + Body
Good Mood

The Origins of Immortality

The archaeology of prehistoric burial sites suggests a number of interesting aspects to the belief in life after death.
Tomasz Wiśniewski
Practice Courage, Abstain from Wrongdoing
Soul + Body
Good Mood

Practice Courage, Abstain from Wrongdoing

The Celtic Druids possessed great knowledge and were highly respected, yet they tended to be violent—and did not have to be men.
Tomasz Wiśniewski
Bleeding for the Sun
Soul + Body
The Four Elements

Bleeding for the Sun

The Aztecs didn’t only carry out human sacrifices—assisted by priests, they also offered their own blood to the gods.
Tomasz Wiśniewski
Tripping Like Ancient Greeks
Soul + Body
Good Mood

Tripping Like Ancient Greeks

The sages and mystics of ancient Greece engaged in practices that bear resemblance to those of Siberian shamans. How might they be connected?
Tomasz Wiśniewski
Deadly Spells
Art + Stories
Experiences

Deadly Spells

In some of Australia and New Zealand’s Indigenous communities, shamans are able to successfully will death on others – as long as the target believes in such ‘spells’.
Tomasz Wiśniewski
The Touch of God
Soul + Body
Good Mood

The Touch of God

At the temples of Asclepius, patients were cured by the ancient Greek god of healing, who would visit them in visions or dreams.
Tomasz Wiśniewski
People, Plants and Gods
World + People
Nature

People, Plants and Gods

The Neolithic revolution brought with it the advent of agriculture. What exactly did this entail and who should we thank for it?
Tomasz Wiśniewski