Background <p>In recent years, the renewal of soul-centred shamanic soul retrieval theories has provided various theoretical interpretations of the shamanic soul retrieval phenomenon and has exacerbated the “explanatory gap” found in “mind–mater” dualism. However, these theories cannot explain the body-centred turn of modern Chinese shamans under the influence of the body revitalization movement and their unique soul retrieval process.</p> Methods <p>Using the phenomenology of the body as a working platform, this paper uses the three body states between body schema and body image as a case study of modern Chinese shamanic soul retrieval.</p> Results <p>The study of the three processes of soul loss, evocation and return shows that soul retrieval is not a purely spiritual mystical event or a purely material and scientific event but rather a body technique for shamans to adjust, configure, and reposition the dislocated state of the patient’s body while temporarily sharing a body (einleibung) with the patient.</p> Conclusions <p>This paper traces a discernible shift toward body in contemporary Chinese shamanic soul-retrieval practices. Through the analysis of select ritual case studies and the application of Schmitz’s concept of Einleibung, we seek to delineate an interpretive “body–situation” einleibung mechanism that moves beyond conventional mind-matter dualism. Ultimately, this work aims to advance scholarly dialogue regarding how contemporary shamans negotiate the semantics of illness and healing through “body–situation” einleibung mechanism in present-day China.</p>