WHAT IS SHAMANISM?
Shamanism is a spiritual tradition, and personal philosophy to help you live in harmony with all living things.
· Shamanism teaches us how to trust our intuition and connect with our spiritual nature. If you don’t do it with intention, it passes you by without ever knowing your full potential. Think of it as set of values that bring order to the modern World, and our connection to others.
Our thoughts shape our reality, and change occurs as we open ourselves to new ideas. Explore your potential and imagine a future full of inspiration and growth.
Why it Matters
The Need for a Modern Spirituality
Enter Dr. Michael Harner Ph.D., Anthropologist and Educator. Regarded as one of the world’s foremost authorities on shamanism, having had an enormous influence on academia: UC Berkeley, Director of the Lowie Museum of Anthropology, and distinguished visiting Professor at Yale and Columbia Universities.
He created the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, in 1983, a not-for-profit educational organization, created to bring awareness to shamanism and particularly, a Western interpretation of it he called Core Shamanism. This is based on universal or near universal practices from his own experience of working with remote aboriginal communities around the world.
“Consummate professional, deep compassionate engagement., recommend it to anyone...perfect interaction and discussion.”
There was something about the knowledge and wisdom of the ancient medicine man/woman, that made Dr. Harner believe there was something deeper to their healing powers that were too convincing to ignore.
Intrigued, Dr. Harner set off around the world to visit remote primitive cultures, to help him understand the role of the medicine man/woman within their tribes.
This research became his seminal book: The Way of the Shaman, a 21st Century interpretation of their ancient wisdom, for the Western World, which he referred to as Core Shamanism.
A New Healing Modality
Since then, core shamanic principals have become readily available around the World through his series of masterclasses, and it continues to attract considerable interest, a testament to its effectiveness.
Dr. Harner went on to create the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, in California, which is dedicated to the preservation, study, and teaching of core shamanic knowledge, and made it available to others for the welfare of the planet, and its inhabitants.
THE MASTERCLASS
Go Deeper
Dr. Harner turned his research into a series of 11 interactive workshops, called: Shamanic Journey: Pathway to Knowledge & Power.
Each workshop advancing our understanding of its principles, and how to apply them to our own lives.
This masterclass is divided in two parts: The Knowledge Series, and the Healing Series, and is outlined in detail on the Website page.
As a qualified member of the faculty of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, I present this series of workshops twice a year. Starting in January, and the second one in September.
Spritual Health
Living in Harmony
It’s about learning to be aware of the world around you, developing a greater understanding of what it represents, and what it means to us.
· Shamanism invites us to slow down and truly listen—not only to the natural world but also to our inner landscape.
· Through rituals, meditation, and connecting with the cycles of nature, we begin to recognize patterns that were once invisible. This heightened awareness creates a sense of belonging, reminding us that everything is interconnected.
· By engaging with these practices, we can access deeper wisdom, heal old wounds, and cultivate a more meaningful sense of purpose in our lives.
· It will change the way you think and feel…a moment of inspiration can lead to a lifetime of new possibilities.
· The journey of shamanism is a continuous unfolding of insight and transformation. As we deepen our practice, we learn to trust our intuition.
· The boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds become more transparent, allowing us to open to guidance from dreams, symbols, synchronicities, and helping spirits.
Over time, this process can build our confidence and sense of hope, empowering us to face life’s challenges with greater resilience and creativity. It’s for you to define for yourself. You have the control…it restores the very thing many of us feel we’ve lost.
“This workshop provided an important framework for understanding myself. ”
Michael Harner’s classic book, The Way of the Shaman is available here, or at all good booksellers.
More articles and information can be found on the Foundations website.
*Content based on my original article,
refined by AI for copy editing and clarity.
The Foundation for Shamanic Studies is a non-profit public 501(C)(3)
Charitable and Educational Organization.
It’s dedicated to the study, teaching, and preservation of shamanic knowledge,
for the welfare of the planet, and all who live here.