The Way of the Shaman

The entire book seemed like a printed "infomercial" for training workshops. Telling you not quite enough of the serious material, and an overabundance of the fluff. There is a fixation/mandate for drums, and rattles when such things are in reality not necessary.

You will get some historical insight into some cultural shamanic practices, and this alone justifies reading the book.

If you're looking for SERIOUS information on trance, journeying, and other things uniquely shamanic; this is not a book that I can recommend to you.

Mr. Harner studied Shamanism with the Jivaro and Conibo indians, and relates his experiences.
Mr. Harner began by using halucinogenic substances when he received initiation by Jivaro shamans.
However; in the book he gives techniques that do not use halucinogenic substances.
I also recommend:
"Secrets of Shamanism..." Jose and Lena Stevens
"Shamanism: as a Spiritual practise..." Tom Cowan

I only read about half of this book. The chapters on the cultural and philosophical underpinnings of shamanic practice were interesting, but I couldn't care less about actual practical techniques of shamanism.

Harner starts by considering the universal nature of shamanism. He notes that most shamans do very similar things, so that these constants of shamanism must have fulfilled some ancient social or psychological purpose. This is pretty much the same thing with modern religion.

I did find his discussion on states of consciousness and alternate realities quite fascinating. He accepts that all states of consciousness are valid ways to look at reality, and even to look at a "hidden reality." From a primitive experiential standpoint, I can see how this make sense, and Harner does also state that these terms only apply to the specific context of shamanic religious practice. However, I have a few issues with it:

1. He says that shamans do not confuse non-ordinary reality (NOR) with ordinary reality (OR), and that the two realms are fundamentally separate. If this is the case, why do they feel that spirits from one reality can help them solve problems in another?

2. He uses the term "reality" quite vaguely. He seems to think that NOR is the same sort of reality as OR. He also states that every shaman's experience of the NOR is valid and true (45). These two statements seem incompatible; after all, the nature of this OR is that everyone agrees on it, for the most part. I do not see how we can know anything about what is real beyond our shared experience. NOR is different because it exists for selected individuals but not as a shared reality.

One major question this book raised for me is whether or not other animals have religion or superstition. Even something as human as language has lower equivalents in the animal kingdom; shouldn't religion as well?

In sum, I would place shamanism into the category of psychological therapy. It places a large emphasis on inner strength and being able to overcome illness. However, it is not "medicine" in the same way chemotherapy is, because we have no proof that it physically works or has a mechanism by which it works.

I would also say that shamanism makes sense given its cultural assumptions. If a culture really does see all creatures as non-material spirit, then it may think that medical practices based on this animism are valid. Also, without the idea of modern science and binary reasoning, they have less of the true vs. false concept instilled in their minds. Trying to understand whether they meant these "spirits" in a symbolic/metaphoric or literal way may be pointless if they do not even have such a distinction in their culture.

All in all, this is a good book with a nice balance between theory and practice.

Harner's Foundation for Shamanic Studies: [..]

I took Dr. Harner's intro class, some years ago. It was useful. Shamanic work is something one needs to enter for a lifetime, with commitment to help others. One doesn't really get that from this book. This is an ok left-brain discussion. If you want to go further, though, you need more books, and live instructors. Another reviewer called this a "sanitized teflon-wrapped package". I understand why Native AMericans bitterly resent the ripoff of their traditions.

The reviewer noted that "It takes decades to train an indigenous shaman". Actually, the training period is around 40 years, and it requires several major peak experiences, that feel like rebirth. The reviewer recommends that "If you want to be a shaman, go into nature, pray to God, talk to your allies and ask them to send across your path a true teacher who will be devoted to your progress into this amazing Mystery. God ALWAYS answers when the plea comes from a pure, humble heart." This is very true. This book is basically a Rand McNally map of the subconscious. The map is never the territory, though it can be a nice intro, and even metaphor. You might also want to look at Secrets of Shamanism: Tapping the Spirit Power Within You,You the Healer: The World-Famous Silva Method on How to Heal Yourself and Others,The Secret of Instant Healing,The Physics of Miracles: Tapping in to the Field of Consciousness Potential,Urban Shaman,The Future Is Yours: Do Something About It!, and so on.

Shamanic growth. How can I describe it. OK, a kid of 8 has no real idea what sex is. Around 12, the hormones start flowing, and by 16, s/he's a bag of hormonal insanity. By 22, hopefully, they are more focused. By 30, they may have a partner. Sexual maturity changes a person. Shamanic growth is somewhat similar; one has to learn to totally re-interpret the world. One course, one book; it's not enough. As with sex, one needs to commit to serving others, to get the best results. I won't cut down Harner, as others do, he performs a useful service- getting people started- just understand that nobody has all the knowledge. As the Hawaiians say, "Think not that all truth is in your school", i.e. be open to truth wherever you find it.

New age white plastic pseudo shamanism, harmful to legitimate Native holy people, totally inappropriate and appropriative. Harner claims that anyone can be a "Shaman," and what consumer-driven American is going to dislike that? A bunch of baloney.

In my quest to learn about many different types of healing, I picked up this recommended book as a starting point on the study of shamanism. It was a good choice. Examples of students’ first shamanic journeys, coupled with some basic exercises for beginners and background information on shamanistic practices in other parts of the world, provided an interesting and informative introduction.

As healing is fundamental to shamans, I would have liked to have learned more about the lives and experiences of well-known North American healers, however only one was mentioned in any detail. Still, there’s plenty of good information for those who are interested in learning about shamanism.

I like this book. Other people say what they say. I like reviews that mention similar books, at least books on the same path, so I do that. Getting out of the box of White Man culture is not so easy, for those who live in their heads. This book is a good start. One does need to spend time in Wilderness, or solitude, alone, to let the spirit bubble up into consciousness, no book can substitute for that. I took a course many years ago with the author, which I enjoyed greatly. Other books help with this subject-Lost Secrets of Ancient Hawaiian Huna, Volume 1,Secrets of Shamanism: Tapping the Spirit Power Within You,The Future Is Yours: Do Something About It!,Redneck Shaman, and ThetaHealing. There is a Sufi story about moths, and the only moth that really understands the candle is the one who gives himself totally to the light, and the light gives itself to him. This applies to shamanic work. Shamanic techniques work from the larger self, especially in service to others. Shamanism means working with the subconscious, and at times superconscious minds. It cannot be apprehended by the conscious mind, the ego. Without a strong intent of service to others, many things just don't work, or work only slightly. Whispers of the Ancients: Native Tales for Teaching and Healing in Our Time gives you some idea of how very different natives storytelling is, how stories shape the Universe, and so does House of Shattering Light: Life as an American Indian Mystic, & Journey to the Ancestral Self: The Native Lifeway Guide to Living in Harmony With Earth Mother, Book 1 (Bk.1) These are very good basic books, to getting out of the box of White Man culture. Wong Kiew Kit's books on Chi Kung show how ideas like this survive in Chinese culture. Western culture is lost in the literal, and won't look at the deeper meanings of its stories. Neville Goddard has ideas on this, as one example among many. So does Max Freedom Long Secret Science Behind Miracles and Serge King, in Urban Shaman. This book is a good start in the subject. The service idea is not stated enough in this text, however. I would not dare enter the Shamanic realm without the very strong intent of service. To me, there is very slightly too much of WhiteManWorld in this. Shamanic imagery is all over Western literature- Dickens' A Christmas Carol is unquestionably a near death experience. Jack and the Beanstalk is unquestionably a shamanic journey. Jesus' 40 days in the Wilderness is unquestionably a VisionQuest, to those who have experienced a VQ directly. Tom Brown, Jr., writes about shamanic work in a somewhat veiled way, which gives one an idea of the Shamanic realm which balances this book. This book reminds me of military manuals, which state the subject simply, but which experienced people go way beyond. I love drumming- and I enter the realm by diving into it, instantaneously. This is a good book, to start out with, but don't stop here.

Michael Harner seemed a serious scholar at the New School For Social Research in the 1970's, and his The Jivaro seemed a serious book. But this collection of rambling instructions, which goes along with his silly website, does not approach anything near his previous work and casts doubt on the worth of anything he has done before.

I am astounded and shocked at the dissention and misunderstanding of shamanism that I have read here in these reviews.

Personally, the teachings of Dr. Harner and the Foundation for Shamanic Studies saved my life. When I first read The Way of the Shaman and began training in shamanism (from various venues), I was suffering from CFIDS and fibromyalgia. This book and the subsequent training helped me clear out the baggage both programmatically and energetically, fill with life force energy and become a whole, vibrant human being again. Enough so, that I resumed my counseling practice with vigor, began teaching self-healing, Reiki and shamanism classes, and after years of training began a healing practice and authored four books. I couldn't have done this without Dr, Harner and the work of the dedicated, humble, spirit-connected staff at the F.S.S. Through years of hard work and study, diligent, sometimes devastating personal clearing work, and daily journeying I am thrilled to say that I am fully recovered from an illness that the medical community can not even treat, let alone cure. Dr. Harner is not responsible for this. I am. That is the beauty of shamanism. We learn that we are responsible for our selves, our healing, and our lives. As a Licensed Professional Counselor for over 25 years I know through experience that talk therapy only goes so far. There is a spiritual and an energetic component to our woundings, and therefore our healing, that must be addressed for complete healing to occur. The Way of the Shaman can help anyone interested in personal healing and growth. It is one of the golden keys that unlocks the great healing power that resides within each person. I use the techniques described in this book everyday in my practice to help people become whole and reclaim their life, and to maintain my health. As an author of several books on shamanism and energy healing, Seeing in the Dark: Claim Your Own Shamanic Power Now and in the Coming Age,Energy for Life: Connect with the Source (Next Step), and Inner Power: Six Techniques for Increased Energy & Self-Healing I appreciate Dr Harner's dedication to sharing his life's passion and work. I have had the honor of studying with Michael and can assure you that he is the real deal. Having had the opportunity to learn from, and participate in healing sessions with Michael is a life-changing experience that I am deeply grateful to have had. I highly recommend this book!

I have always been curious about Shamanism. I have picked up bits and pieces from Bradford Keeny's books, and a few others. This book seems to get into the mechanics of things a little deeper than most.

The book made me think why would I want to do this, other than being lazy. And why would I want to have to deal with spirits/entities. I think the spiritual path were one does stuff for themselves, such as in Yoga, Tia-Chi, Chi-Gong, etc. will be much more full-fulling in the end. One will get the same benefits, but on your own terms. Plus you don't have to worry about entities feeding off your energy field.

If your curious about Shamanism I think this is a good book to buy. If you want to become a Shaman, well, I have been told by a few that you don't become a Shaman, you are born a Shaman.

Can all these negative reviewers be quiet?. We are all indigenous to Planet Earth and thus you may think that just because you came from a tribe that happens to have been in the Americas for whatever period of history you are somehow superior in your connection. I come from the indigenous peoples of Europe, the Witches and Druids... Those practices and the blood of the people that come from that heritage are just as connected to Earth and Cosmos as yours is.
That being said, I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
I first came upon it as a 15 year old in rural n. Wisconsin and with some other people there we did the journeys, the exercises and it provided some really deep and wonderful experiences that were also ALOT of fun.
Now 23 years later I find myself back in the saddle with Witchcraft and Shamanism and this book is the first thing I am reaching for. I noticed this Villolo guy offers a one month intensive for 12000!!!! A shame since if we are going to heal the hoop we need more than just shamans in the 1%
Highly recommend this book, and also you should get at least one of his drumming tapes if you don't have a friend or group to get drummed by.

I am astounded and shocked at the dissention and misunderstanding of shamanism that I have read here in these reviews.

Personally, the teachings of Dr. Harner and the Foundation for Shamanic Studies saved my life. When I first read The Way of the Shaman and began training in shamanism (from various venues), I was suffering from CFIDS and fibromyalgia. This book and the subsequent training helped me clear out the baggage both programmatically and energetically, fill with life force energy and become a whole, vibrant human being again. Enough so, that I resumed my counseling practice with vigor, began teaching self-healing, Reiki and shamanism classes, and after years of training began a healing practice and authored four books. I couldn't have done this without Dr, Harner and the work of the dedicated, humble, spirit-connected staff at the F.S.S. Through years of hard work and study, diligent, sometimes devastating personal clearing work, and daily journeying I am thrilled to say that I am fully recovered from an illness that the medical community can not even treat, let alone cure. Dr. Harner is not responsible for this. I am. That is the beauty of shamanism. We learn that we are responsible for our selves, our healing, and our lives. As a Licensed Professional Counselor for over 25 years I know through experience that talk therapy only goes so far. There is a spiritual and an energetic component to our woundings, and therefore our healing, that must be addressed for complete healing to occur. The Way of the Shaman can help anyone interested in personal healing and growth. It is one of the golden keys that unlocks the great healing power that resides within each person. I use the techniques described in this book everyday in my practice to help people become whole and reclaim their life, and to maintain my health. As an author of several books on shamanism and energy healing, Seeing in the Dark: Claim Your Own Shamanic Power Now and in the Coming Age,Energy for Life: Connect with the Source (Next Step), and Inner Power: Six Techniques for Increased Energy & Self-Healing I appreciate Dr Harner's dedication to sharing his life's passion and work. I have had the honor of studying with Michael and can assure you that he is the real deal. Having had the opportunity to learn from, and participate in healing sessions with Michael is a life-changing experience that I am deeply grateful to have had. I highly recommend this book!

I have always been curious about Shamanism. I have picked up bits and pieces from Bradford Keeny's books, and a few others. This book seems to get into the mechanics of things a little deeper than most.

The book made me think why would I want to do this, other than being lazy. And why would I want to have to deal with spirits/entities. I think the spiritual path were one does stuff for themselves, such as in Yoga, Tia-Chi, Chi-Gong, etc. will be much more full-fulling in the end. One will get the same benefits, but on your own terms. Plus you don't have to worry about entities feeding off your energy field.

If your curious about Shamanism I think this is a good book to buy. If you want to become a Shaman, well, I have been told by a few that you don't become a Shaman, you are born a Shaman.

Can all these negative reviewers be quiet?. We are all indigenous to Planet Earth and thus you may think that just because you came from a tribe that happens to have been in the Americas for whatever period of history you are somehow superior in your connection. I come from the indigenous peoples of Europe, the Witches and Druids... Those practices and the blood of the people that come from that heritage are just as connected to Earth and Cosmos as yours is.
That being said, I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
I first came upon it as a 15 year old in rural n. Wisconsin and with some other people there we did the journeys, the exercises and it provided some really deep and wonderful experiences that were also ALOT of fun.
Now 23 years later I find myself back in the saddle with Witchcraft and Shamanism and this book is the first thing I am reaching for. I noticed this Villolo guy offers a one month intensive for 12000!!!! A shame since if we are going to heal the hoop we need more than just shamans in the 1%
Highly recommend this book, and also you should get at least one of his drumming tapes if you don't have a friend or group to get drummed by.

I have read the critiques knocking Harner. Well, I agree that it is not the traditional idea of shamanism, but having said that, I'm glad I read the book years ago and learned how to "journey." Now, I don't believe in spirits or gods, but I suspend my disbelief, you might say, when journeying. I actually think of it as an exploration of my own subconscious mind, and yet I'm fascinated by what I've encountered on my journeys and I'm very grateful to Harner for showing me how to do it. Apparently the problem is that he calls it shamanism, which gets shaman traditionalists in a pique. It is BASED on shamanic techniques, but I wouldn't consider it traditional shamanism either. I have no wish to spend years trying to become a shaman, and it's doubtful that I could, since I'm a skeptic about gods and spirits, but I've derived much benefit from my journeying, no matter what you call it. If, as I suspect, it is all in my mind, then Wow, I'm impressed by what I find in the cellar (or cave), and I'll let it go at that. Thanks again, Dr. Harner, for teaching me the techniques for journeying and meeting my power animal. It's been an instructive and entertaining trip for an atheist who's open to elements of traditional wisdom without swallowing everything I find.

I have taken Harner's intro seminar, and I bought this book when it first came out. Harner came out of the academic tradition. This is actually a good beginner's book, if you know nothing of shamanic experience. However, as you advance, you will need to unlearn what you learn here. Secrets of Shamanism: Tapping the Spirit Power Within You,Theta Healing: Introducing an Extraordinary Energy Healing Modality,Redneck Shaman,Urban Shaman,The Secret of Creating Your Future,The Future Is Yours: Do Something About It!,You the Healer: The World-Famous Silva Method on How to Heal Yourself and Others,Matrix Energetics: The Science and Art of Transformation,The Reality Creation Technique, and even House of Shattering Light: Life as an American Indian Mystic would broaden your awareness quite a bit. I was in Anthropology classes, in college, where they went into great detail on the physics of making flint arrowheads. It sounded like the most complicated thing there was. Then I went to a wilderness skills class, and knocked out an arrowhead in about 5 minutes, which was functional. No, it wasn't a Clovis point, but it was functional. Academic stuff has its place. However, anybody who is practiced in these methods enters heartspace in about 5 seconds. The book The Genie and the Hair is a story about this; you have to keep the conscious mind active, or it will consume you alive. Also, you need to understand the lifeways of shamanic cultures. Journey to the Ancestral Self, by Tamarack Song, is useful for that. I am not at all sorry for having studied with Harner, but I wouldn't dare take on some of the problems in the shamanic realm without a lot more knowledge than he offers. I have moved on. Sandra Ingerman, one of his students, has an interesting book on soul retrieval. I have done that, also, it's an ok modality, however there are other modalities. Mchaelle Small Wright has an interesting take on shamanic work, as in her books. Tad James' book Secrets of Ancient Hawaiian Huna Vol. 1, which is no longer on the store, also gives some useful cultural background. Max Freedom Long talks about Hawaiian Kahuna La'auao shamans, in his books. Being a shaman means making a commitment to service, to help people, to live in your larger self, it means working with the larger world of oneness. It is not something to do lightly, or without good reason. Harner does not emphasize this nearly enough. Also, one needs to understand a lot about intent, because intent is the seed of everything else. This is a good intro book, but read more before you start playing in the realm, ok? If at all possible, spend time with a shamanic practicioner who helps people, you'll learn more than any book can teach. You'll also learn just how easy it is to help others, how answers just flow, and so on, which no book can teach.

OK. I took his introductory workshop some years ago. It was useful. This book is also useful, for a beginner. However, I would not recommend that you take on the shamanic world with only this book, or even with his seminar. You need to spend some time in wilderness. You need to fast, at least a day, to clean out, and preferably do a full vision quest, or something similar. If you choose to mess with entities, or spirits, you need some solid backing in dealing with them. I use the methods of Theta Healing: Introducing an Extraordinary Energy Healing Modality,Freeing the Captives: The Emerging Therapy of Treating Spirit Attachment,Exorcism: How to Clear at a Distance a Spirit Possessed Person,The Pendulum & Possession, Raymon Grace, Richard Bartlett, and others. You need to either take yourself up into a high energy level, or have protection. This book doesn't really discuss this. Harner came out of the academic tradition, which is fine for theory. I don't do shamanic journeying much- I enter the state immediately, do what I need to, and leave it. Change can be achieved very quickly, once one is in state. I sometimes use drums, but in our society, they aren't necessarily handy. Harner doesn't really tell you that you need a strong, strong intent to help people, to be in your larger self. Entering the shamanic world is simply not wise, for the merely curious. As an introductory text, this is acceptable. Know that there is much more on the path. There are also times I clear problems with very simple prayer- I feel it already done, and it is. The Gentle Way: A Self-Help Guide for those who Believe in Angels is also shamanic. It gets results. There is no journeying, only simple statements of intent. One critic hates Harner for charging for his workshops. Hey, buddy, nobody forces people to go. He offers a simple product. People have the choice to go or not go. If you're so smart, put on your own workshops, and get the truth out. Perhaps Harner is all you say he is. Are you all that you seem? How much do you know? Running workshops is not easy. I've done it, at small levels, and it is very exhausting. Let's see you get some books published, that really add to the world. We welcome your learning.

Read this book for the Ayahuasca descriptions. I can almost here the huge cry of shock from the pseudo-shamans of the cosy sanitised new-age community. How dare I mention Ayahuasca and Shamanism together! Real shamanism is done by 'journeying' listening to drumming CDs and meeting benevolant and pleasant animal guides , all in comfort of your own home. We shall have no 'drugs' here in our drumming circle of middle-aged professional modern civilized people. The great Michael Harner has extracted the core of whats good and true about shamanism and left the nasty stuff back in the the store jungle!
Well actually Michael Harners' initiation into the shamanic realms were with Ayahuasca, as described in this book. This is a fact which is willingly forgotten or unknown by the masses of pseudo-shamans who act as though they are better for not using plant potions than the 'less civilised' natives who need plant 'drugs'.
I read this book many years ago and was amazed by the author's descriptions of his Ayahuasca journeys. I refused to believe that any plant potion could produce such experiences. I took up the author's challenge as he descibes in the book of trying Ayahuasca for myself and I found exactly what he found and more; a shamanic realm which was powerful, frightening and very real. And not a single fluffy animal guide in sight! Shamanism as done in the the store, and elsewhere, is a most serious thing. The idea of extacting core techniques as descibed in the book baffles me. That is no more real shamanism that day-dreaming. I suspect Harner developed it as he knew full well that plant drugs,one of the major keys to the shamanic realm, are banned in most western countries . Or maybe he was wise enough to know that plant-based shamanism is not for the masses and has is not a commercially viable project.
I respect the book immensly however for helping to bring the concept of shamanism and all its controversies into the modern world.

I was very excited to read this book, thinking maybe I could become a Shaman.Plus my sister lives in Mill Valley, so it would be convenient to take the courses. I'm very glad I read the book, as now I know I cannot be a Shaman. It requires a passion for deep specific meditative states of consciousness, where you are confronted another world of consciousness. I believe the life of a Shaman is a benefit to self and others. and that is indisputable. I have been able to determine however, that this is not the path for me. I like to stay put in my meditations and this puts you in another world which is very real. I applaud those who have the strength and courage to make this journey. This is the book for you if you want to know what the real Shamanism life is about. Good luck. May you be protected by divine love.

As far as I can tell, Michael Harner is responsible for creating the new age phenomenon of Neo-Shamanism. This book was the first of its kind, and although many books on the subject litter the bookstore shelves these days, Harner's is by far the best of the ones I've read and perused.
Most of the complaints by reviewers here are concerned with Harner "stealing" the traditions from other cultures and/or "corrupting" these traditions. Ignoring the obvious flaw in thinking regarding "theft" of cultural or spiritual traditions, I think this is exactly where Harner excels over the others. Rather than turning out some new-age fluff that pretends to adhere painstakingly to any particular tradition, Harner cuts to the viscera of the real phenomenon of Shamanism.
Although there are specific exercises and methods in this book, the fact that they don't rigidly conform to any one tradition is what makes it great. It is rather like the approach of Chaos Magick, which doesn't rely on precise traditional incantations, sigils, etc, to perform magick. Instead, the idea is that this power is latent within us, and is basically archetypal within the framework of the psyche.
In cultures with Shamanism, every once in a while a shaman is born; they are discovered to be "special" (in a way specific to that culture) and/or predisposed to this sort of thing. Even though the modern Western world doesn't have any significant "place" for these sorts of individuals, they are still are born into our society. I like to call them (us) the weirdoes. These are latent shamans or mystics. Books like Harner's just might be a key to helping us "weirdoes" find our "place".

'The Way of the Shaman' by anthropologist and practicing shaman Michael Harner does an admirable job in presenting core shammanic beliefs, vivid personal experiences with indigenous practicing cultures and how-to-techniques and training for individual and group shammanic journeying.

Contents (Chapters 1-7):
Discovering the Way
The Shamanic Journey: Introduction
Shamanism and States of Consciousness
Power Animals
The Journey to Restore Power
Power Practice
Extracting Harmful Intrusions
Appendix A: Drums, Drumming Cassettes and Training Workshops
Appendix B: The Hand Game of the Flathead Indians

My favorite part of the book is the beginning where he shares his first experience with hallucinogenic substances administered by the Jivaro Indian shaman of Ecuador where he encounters beings known as the "Rulers of Outer Darkness". Fascinating stuff!

I don't endorse everything in the book, but it's a good introduction to the topic, just maintain and open and discerning mind as you go through the material.

While I truly appreciate the information and insight Harner has brought to the west, his writing is amazingly academic and cerebral. I hesitate to recommend this book because Harner stepped on a lot of cultural toes to present something he calls "cultureless," something that's not even possible. Despite that assertion, the cosmology presented in his core shamanism is very Abrahamic and most definitely culturally influenced. For an academic understanding of shamanism, this is a good primer. To learn *why* shamanism, absorb every page. If you are seeking an experiential glimpse of shamanism or a more instructional text, this book is not it. If you want insight into the many cultures of shamanism or the understanding of how we are all hardwired to experience awe, read the work of Karen Vogel, Roma Morris, and Robert Wallis.

There will be people who are thrilled to read this book and other people who will be disappointed that Mr. Harner does not present shamanism is it traditional form and does not expect us to endure the training of traditional shamans. Fair enough. I would just like to point out that teachers of every tradition or lineage that has either come from The East or is trying to be revived in current Western society has had to accomodate itself to the lack of a context that enables people to follow the traditional training. Whether it's Tibetan Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, Hindu, or Sufi lineages, or even Christian monastic practice, all have had to adjust to the fact that our scientific, materialistic rationalism makes it very difficult to
find support for individuals, especially those with families, or who are not independently wealthy to pursue "the Old Ways." I'm just not as fussy as I used to be. That purity business was just my own fantasy. I applaud anyone with the persistence of Michael Harner to keep plugging away and just planting seeds into the minds of people of the reality of other forms of consciousness. Why don't we wait until we grow up as a culture before we insist on "purity" which is too often just another way of saying "my way is the best."

As noted in the professional reviews this is a reissue of Harner's original and classic book. There is simply no better "how to" written on the basics of shamanism. He takes the reader step by step through how to connect to the Helping Spirits safely and build a relationship with those entities in Nonordinary Reality. The ethics of shamanism are discussed, the shape of the shamanic world map is discussed (lower, middle and upper world) as are the shamanic healing interventions (guided by Spirit) such as soul retrieval, and extraction healing. Highly recommended.

This is the book that started the whole notion of practical application of shamanic-style visionary methods among westerners. Whether or not a western apartment dweller can 'be a shaman', we can certainly apply shamanic methods to our own spiritual work, and this is the book that started it all. Harner begins with a simple discussion of the background ideas of the shamanic worldview, then gives instructions for the basic methods of shamanic trance, gaining a spirit-ally and using the new skills for healing and personal power and growth. Read this and learn the methods before bothering with any later books on the subject.

Ian

I appreciate Harner's approach because he does not diminish the varied ways of doing shamanistic travel. This book is the starting place for his techniques which primarily rely on drums or rattles. It is an easy to follow book with a very applicable and straightforward technique. A 10 year old could do it.

If the book works for you, you can contact the foundation that Harner has and find local groups or techers to build on what the book teaches.

Shamanism is not a religion.

A shamanic journey is something you can do, rather easily, if only you try.

you do not need anything other than this book.

Mr. Harner is not in the business of lying to you. He has no time for telling you "truths."

This is a "For Dummies" guide to shamanic practice.

Do not be afraid. If you are interested, buy the book. Do the excercises. See what happens.

In this book one gets a series of exercises which guide one to accomplish such tasks as "finding one's power animal", "spirit extraction" and so on. TWS has a lot to recommend it and since the good stuff has been pointed out in other reviews, i myself will ignore it here. Harner has, almost single handedly, ushered in the era of "neo-shamanism". As i understand it, the basic idea behind neoshamism is to find a way to enter the "altered state of consciousness (ASC)" without having to use medicine plants. These plants are illegal, may be diffult to prepare correctly and are altogether too unpleasant to deal with. So, in comes the drum. And the rattle. The premise is that, somehow, using the same utensils as, say, Siberian shamans, one is going to enter the same ASC. Nothing could be further from truth. In the absence of the mythological and spiritual context, the neoshamanic drums and rattles are toys for children.
The "shamanic" methods described in TWS were developed by Harner 30 years ago and have not changed one iota since then. All his imagination, creativity and inspiration seems to have vanished into thin air once he left UC Berkeley and now this guy keeps selling the same old stuff decade after decade. Academically! Seriously! Businesslike! TWS is Harner's Nicean Council - it has frozen his tracks.
The Way of Shaman gives us an aseptic, soul-less and (for me) ultimately boring way into the spirit world. Well, what *is* a shaman anyway? Is the mestizo in Iquitous peddling his ayahuasca a shaman? Is someone who finished her coursework at "The Foundation for Shamanic Studies" a shaman? For me, a shaman is someone whose task is to care for Life and whose role is to connect individual strands of consciousness to the large, universal and delicious Life consciousness. A good shaman is aware of the great Mystery and of the fact, that we are just players in it and why not go for the ride for the beauty of it. The (traditional) shaman is also plugged into the spiritual and mythic universe of his/her society and therefore connected to this mystery. We have lost this connection and are looking for it - (neo)shamanism, if it is to survive, will have to provide it somehow, somewhere. Right now, i think it is failing - one traditional Lakota lodge is worth ten courses taken at the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. In order to find one's power animal in the traditional society one does not just lie on the floo and daydream with the drum. Usually, much legwork is done and a lot of sweat/tears are shed; it can be dangereous and it takes a lot of patience, courage and ingenuity - all qualities necessary for serious work in ASC. One brings in the ancestors and the spirit world with reverence and respect. Harner ignores all this (most important stuff) and this is why this book is ultimately unsatisfying.

This introduction to shamanism is based on the vivid experience of the author with shamans from native societies and his sometimes dramatic adventure in the realms of the Shamanic State of Conscience. It is a compact but comprehensive report of experiences, techniques and thoughts of shamans and scholars that devoted to the study of shamanism. The book denotes a long period of serious practical learning and research. It presents also a very intersting philosophical and spiritual point of view of the relation of humans with all other beings and Nature. The comments presented and the techniques proposed by the author as adapted to our western way of life, consitute a practical guide to those intending to introduce themselves to the practice of shamanism.

Mr. Harner has taken a misunderstood and often misinterpreted subject and has written a very good book for those who have little to no experience with cultural shamanism. He has extensive experience with native shamen and tells of his adventures in a way that allows the reader to grasp the ecstatic methods of these priests. His is not the sum of all knowledge on shamanism and it can be seen as a condensed version, but this is still a very good book to begin with. His techniques are good enough to allow one to develop a shamanic connection from within themselves and their own culture. This book is NOT a rip-off of native practices. No one culture can claim to be the first shamen, everyone's ancestors practiced it at some point. For those who wish to journey, this book will guide you to your path and from there, you can fly.

First off, this book gives extremely useful practical information on how to use the techniques of Shamanism. I was able to use them after reading this book. If you want to stop reading about Shamanism and do it, this is the book for you.
As to the claims of stealing Shamanism from native cultures, I'll just remind the previous reviewers that Shamanism is a universal practice that all people used at some time, including Europeans. Many of us of European descent still use them, through non-Native techniques. European and Native American Shamanic practices are very similar. There are some things that are unique to each, of course, but at the base, they are the same. My knowledge of one greatly aided my learning the other.

Harner's work has been eclipsed by many authentic ethnical and tribal sources. The reading here is very dated. What he presents is a stripped down version (antiseptic) of some techniques for journeying. But Harner's philosophy is pretty locked into what drum-beat rhythms work and this is simply not true, not required to do shamanic journeys. You will get a very slanted almost confined view. And that is the antithesis to shamanism in general.

Shamanism is best accessed, especially for the beginner, within some cultural context and Harner has cleansed his techniques away from their cultures. Even his views (and his disciples Ingerman) on soul retrieval are still changing due to lack of root within cultural context.

If you are new to shamanism then start instead with The Book of the Shaman by Nicholas Wood. If you are into some healing aspects then goto Shaman, Healer, Sage by Villoldo or Woman who glows in the dark by Elena Avila.

This book is very good, and was my introduction to Shamanism back in 1995. It is very hands-on, it will share with you things that you can do yourself to practise this. I feel the book can't be beat in retrospect.