二次戰後及全球化的影響之下,靈媒的種類又有不同的展現,1989年「中華民國靈乩協會」成立之後,「靈乩」一詞始正式定調,靈乩在台灣社會的出現,實屬一種「新乩」,因此本文將以此宗教新興之角色為研究對象,試圖了解其於宗教實踐的經驗背後,形而上的靈界觀念呈現出如何的面貌,以及在形而下的實際辦事過程中,在其靈觀的影響之下,又展現出較傳統靈媒何種不同之處。 本研究採質性研究,以文獻分析法、參與觀察法及深度訪談法為主,訪談宮壇主事靈乩及其親屬各五位,除分析靈乩們種種宗教經驗所形成的靈觀及人生觀之外,也對其家人之感受進行了解,以求得較全盤性的觀點。 本研究結果發現:一、靈乩通靈辦事救渡「人」、「靈」具有正面意義;二、靈界的問題會對信眾、乩者及其家人造成影響;三、「通」的功能是辦事的重要工具;四、簡化的儀式及以自性為主的通靈方式造就了新一代的靈媒角色;五、具體的使命感使靈乩在個體化歷程中易在心靈地圖裡找到方向;六、「靈山本元故鄉」的提出,為神話體系勾勒出前所未有的架構;七、對待靈界的態度及對靈界之處理方式符合「靈本精神」。
A variety of spirit mediums have been shown after the World War Ⅱ and the influence of globalization. The definition of spirit mediums in Taiwan was formally confirmed since the establishment of Spirit Mediums’ Association of ROC in 1989. Different from the traditional ones, the spirit mediums in Taiwan are part of new spirit mediums. Hence, the main aims of this study are to investigate the metaphysical concept of these oncoming roles and to understand the differences between their physical task-handling and traditional spirit mediums’. A Qualitative Research, which included documentary analysis, participant observation, and in-depth interview, was carried out in order to collect the crucial information for the present study. To accumulate more comprehensive viewpoints, not only the metaphysics and philosophy of the host spirit mediums but also the understanding of their relatives were gathered. Five host spirit mediums and five relatives of the host spirit mediums separately accepted a semi-structured interview. The results indicate that firstly, there are positive meanings for human beings and spirits when a psychic perceives information through extrasensory perception. Secondly, believers, spirit mediums, and mediums’ families are usually influenced by the issues of the spirit world. Thirdly, perceiving information between the spirits and humans is a very crucial tool for extrasensory perception. Fourthly, the new spirit mediums are reformed due to the simplified process and the ability of self-mediate communication. Fifthly, it is easier for spirit mediums to find their own soul of map during individuation when they have more specific sense of commitment. Moreover, the structure of myths has been highly sketched owing to the proposal of the origin of Lingshan. Lastly, most spirit mediums’ attitudes toward spirits and how they cope with spirits follow the spirit-based perspective.