Shamanism is the world’s most ancient spiritual practice. For more than 40,000 years, our ancestors used shamanic methods to seek spiritual power and wisdom. They did so to bring healing, knowledge and practical wisdom to their community.
“Shaman” (SHAH-mahn), from a Siberian tribal word, refers to a person who is able to experience an altered state of consciousness. The shaman travels to non-ordinary reality to interact with helping spirits. Shamans understand that all parts of creation are alive in some way. Everything – you and I, animals and plants, rivers and mountains, the sky, planets and stars – has a spirit. And, all souls are interconnected.
Ancient shamanic practices have survived in the Amazonian jungle and Siberian subarctic. They are also found among indigenous cultures in North and Central America. Unfortunately, many traditional shamanic practices disappear when outsiders intervene in a culture’s spiritual life.
Ancient tools for modern insight
Core shamanism
Over 50 years ago, anthropologist Michael Harner began to study traditional shamanic practices in different cultures worldwide. His research identified common tools, approaches and practices shared by most shamans in almost all shamanic cultures. He referred to these universal features as “core shamanism”.
Core shamanism is not a religion; it’s a set of tools that enables anyone to access non-ordinary reality. The use of repetitive sounds or motion – drums, rattles or dancing – enables any seeker to enter a trance-like state and journey within to access “non-ordinary” reality – the Spirit World. Harner developed The Way of the Shaman, a program that adapts the universal features of shamanism to help people solve problems in life. Anyone can learn:
- How to meet and work with helping spirits, including power animals and spirit guides, to find your way
- How to heal spiritual problems, such as soul loss or entrapment by negative energy
- Divination skills – ways to divine the path ahead for yourself and others
Modern shamans journey to the Spirit World on your behalf. First and foremost, they are your guides to this realm. They help you to access non-ordinary reality to restore balance and for protection, enlightenment and spiritual healing. a modern shaman can teach you how to journey to the Spirit World. A Harner Shamanic Counsellor (HSC) can guide you to deeper understanding with guided journeying.
If you would like to learn more about shamanism and shamanic healing, send me your questions in the form below.