The Way of the Shaman Paperback – January 1, 1990

An easy read and good introduction to the work of Michael Harner. I have recently started taking classes through the Foundation for Shamanic Studies and am very impressed with the work.

This book appears to be a good introduction to shamanism and both its universal teachings and applications that can be found in shamanism throughout the world, separated by oceans and continents and yet with universal concepts beyond the individual tribal codes and interpretations. I think this is a good book for the Westerner to be introduced to basic shamanism, but not for someone from an actual tribe that practices shamanism, as this book is very limited, ignoring or excluding the individual codes based on ethnic and tribal beliefsAs a cultural relativist and somewhat of a deconstructionist and instrumentalist, I pragmatically consider all conceptions, and especially those spiritual frameworks, religious interpretations and the identifying of entities, in this case power animal spirits and plant spirits with journeys to the lowerworld visualized in the shamanistic state of consciousness, as all perceived through the human interpretative mind, the mind that filters, interprets, categorizes and projects reality according to its linguistic, social, tribal and cultural preferences. Therefore I take Shamanism face value while simultaneously recognize the serious limitations it occurs.Shamanism interprets the trance as an entry into a lowerworld, with various spirit guardians and techniques to achieve their presence, as well as the techniques to remove the evil or negative powers spirits that cause illness to others. So there are many specifics you must believe in, in order to accept the whole shamanistic teachings.Ultimately, I find you must be under the influence of a sacred psychedelic plant (as many Shamans are) to understand or perceive reality outside the limited human mind, and once you do you can interpret reality entirely different or with a broader view in perspective. It is under this trance of wider perception, of a "mind at large' (Huxley) that you can at least perhaps enter areas of genius and radical wonder beyond the rational discursive mind, into the world of imagination and visionary realms of non-empirical but entirely "real," despite its subjective nature. The use of psychedelic or etheogenic plants I think is crucial to perceiving reality beyond the Western logic into shamanistic dimensions. And even then reality is limited to our understanding and we must make choices as to the existence of lowerworlds and power animal guardian spirits.And yet there is a level of medicine that modern technology does not cover, another dimension. And it appears that the shaman's consciousness is symbolic for something much different than modern medicine, a realm of emotional, spiritual, neurological that in someway is tapped into with shamanism. This guide, may be a powerful animal spirit, or perhaps our higher selves or our through our DNA messaging us. This guide, or helper could be our own neurological make up, or God, however what it really is beyond the symbols of tunnels, plants, animals and insects is phenomenally not known, however its with shamanism that this part of the human consciousness is touched on and used. So it appears to me that there is something very significant about shamanism despite its lack of explanation through our rational and modern scientific minds.On page 175, Harner writes: "Possibly science will eventually find that the unconscious mind of the shaman's patient, under the influence of sonic driving, is being 'programmed by the ritual to activate the body's immune system against disease. . . The burgeoning field of holistic medicine shows a tremendous amount of experimentation involving the reinvention of many techniques long practiced in shamanism, such as visualization, altered state of consciousness, aspects of psychoanalysis, hypnotherapy, meditation, positive attitude, stress-reduction, and mental and emotional expression of personal will for health and healing. In a sense, shamanism is being reinvented in the West precisely because it is needed."

Great book loaded with knowledge. A must for anyone interested in Shamanism.

This book, recommended by a friend, was my initiation into the world of shamanism. I think Harner gives a great overall description of what shamanism is and where it comes from. There's no mystical, magical ramblings. It's very straighforward and based upon the research Michael Harner did personally as an anthropologist. He's taken the mystery out of shamanism, and presents it more as a science, or methodology.I think it's sad that almost all the negative reviews of this book seem to be coming from angry or resentful "native" people who seem to have more of a personal issue with Harner than an objective opinion of this specific book. The claim that Harner is trying to create everyday shamans is a crock. He clearly does not present anything to lead the reader to this conclusion. From my understanding, he presents a method for the modern-day person to explore shamanism, incorporating traditions from many different parts of the world. Shamanism is not exclusive to, nor are the rights owned by, Native Americans. The core of this approach seems to be derived in large part from Siberian tradition. Either way, it's interesting to me that two negative reviewers both used the term "suburbanites" as a derogatory term aimed at those who study shamanism without being the blood descendant of a sacred medicine man or something. I don't know where this bitterness comes from, but it is in no way a fair assessment of the book we're supposed to be reviewing.It seems to me that every single one of us is "indigenous". Unless some of you are from another planet...(which wouldn't surprise me in the least.) We should try to remember that spirituality belongs to no one.p.s. This is a great book!