Learning about Shamanism

It all depend what you are looking for really. For journeying read Sandra Ingerman's Journeying for Beginners, for Shamanic Healing it's got to be Ross Heaven's Medicine for the Soul.

I am sure others will disagree but one thing about shamanism is that you need to learn to be discerning and make your own mind up.

The Way of the Shaman by Michael Harner is a good introductory type book on shamanism

A book which gives a comprehensive explanation of contemporary shamanism (and is a good read) is "Awakening to the Spirit World" by Sandra Ingerman and Hank Wesselman. This is what I recommend to people all the time.

Sorry this is a bit late, but excellent articles

Also, the Core Shamanic Practitioners' Circle recommends the following books:

Sandra Ingerman – Shamanic Journeying for Beginners (includes a drumming CD)
Michael Harner – The way of the Shaman
Jane Shutt – The Spirits are Always With Me
Jan Wood – Easy to Use Shamanism
Sandra Ingerman – Soul Retrieval
Leo Rutherford –Principles of Shamanism
Mercia Eliade – Shamanism:- Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy
Piers Vitebsky – Shaman
Nick Wood – Voices from the Earth

Sorry this is a bit late, but excellent articles

Also, the Core Shamanic Practitioners' Circle recommends the following books:

Sandra Ingerman – Shamanic Journeying for Beginners (includes a drumming CD)
Michael Harner – The way of the Shaman
Jane Shutt – The Spirits are Always With Me
Jan Wood – Easy to Use Shamanism
Sandra Ingerman – Soul Retrieval
Leo Rutherford –Principles of Shamanism
Mercia Eliade – Shamanism:- Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy
Piers Vitebsky – Shaman
Nick Wood – Voices from the Earth

I would like to learn Shamanism too, which websites would you recommend?

I would like to learn Shamanism too, which websites would you recommend?

Some of the best known (as far as Core Shamanism is concerned) are
The Scandinavian Center for Shamanic Studies, .
The Foundation for Shamanic Studies (American, but their UK teacher, Simon Buxton of the Sacred Trust, is .)
North Yorkshire Shamanism –
Other teachers who are members of the Core Shamanic Practitioners’ Circle can be linked to from .
I really don't advise trying to teach yourself - you'd be much safer on a well run Introductory workshop.
Just something to bear in mind - most teachers will expect you to do their Introductory, regardless of how much work you have done with other teachers. Both Scandinavian and North Yorkshire will take previous experience into account.
(Just in the interests of honesty - North Yorkshire Shamanism is me.)
Jane

I have downloaded and read Sandra Ingermans book (sadly no CD of course as I got it on my kindle). And I realised I have used a 'guided meditation' to meet my power animal which I now believe is more like a shamanic journey. It has no music just a drum beta, it speaks about the lower world, access is via a cave/tree trunk, lake etc. And as I said it is to meet a power animal.

I have done it before - as has my husband - and I have to say it is one we both find very good. In fact i am hoping my husband can be persuaded to look at shamanism as I suspect he may find it interesting.I did it again this morning and certianly plan to do it again. In fact there are some 'self guided' tracks on the CD (just drum and no words"

But what is the difference between a shamanic journey and a meditation?

I have downloaded and read Sandra Ingermans book (sadly no CD of course as I got it on my kindle). And I realised I have used a 'guided meditation' to meet my power animal which I now believe is more like a shamanic journey. It has no music just a drum beta, it speaks about the lower world, access is via a cave/tree trunk, lake etc. And as I said it is to meet a power animal.

I have done it before - as has my husband - and I have to say it is one we both find very good. In fact i am hoping my husband can be persuaded to look at shamanism as I suspect he may find it interesting.I did it again this morning and certianly plan to do it again. In fact there are some 'self guided' tracks on the CD (just drum and no words"
But what is the difference between a shamanic journey and a meditation?

A meditation or a guided visualisation (anything with a voice telling you what to do) is in your head. Of course, many people consider a shamanic journey to be ‘in your head’ as well. I would suggest that they are missing something.
A shamanic journey is an actual journey to the three spirit worlds (Upper, Middle and Lower) done by your soul (hence the occasional term ‘shamanic soul flight’), while your body remains here. This is a much more dangerous thing to do and is why good training is necessary. If all you do is follow Sandra’s instructions to find a power animal you are likely to be fine but, if you want to take it further, find a good teacher. One safety point – Starting from ‘a cave/tree trunk lake etc.’ may be fine for a meditation. For a journey you should start from somewhere you know in this reality (which can still be a cave or a hole in a tree, but which you know, here). This is because you need to return to this world afterwards. Be wary of animal holes – badgers particularly can get irritated by people walking through their setts.
You say “ I did it again this morning and certainly plan to do it again.” How many times do you need to meet your power animal?

. If all you do is follow Sandra’s instructions to find a power animal you are likely to be fine but, if you want to take it further, find a good teacher. One safety point – Starting from ‘a cave/tree trunk lake etc.’ may be fine for a meditation. For a journey you should start from somewhere you know in this reality (which can still be a cave or a hole in a tree, but which you know, here). This is because you need to return to this world afterwards. Be wary of animal holes – badgers particularly can get irritated by people walking through their setts.
You say “ I did it again this morning and certainly plan to do it again.” How many times do you need to meet your power animal?

The 'meditation' was guided by Stephen Farmer (Doreen Virtue's other half) not Sandra. I don't have access to her CD.The second track on HIS cd is to meet a 'teacher' animal to answer a specific question for you. The teacher MAY be your power animal but not necessarily....

I would presume from your comments this was not a shamanic journey despite the similarities with the terms used by Sandra. In fact the images given in the first track (to meet your power animal) were almost identical to the terms used by Sandra .She suggests in the book r to enter the lower world - a cave or a tree root to enter the lower world. Dr Farmer suggests exactly the same.

I know some people feel they do go somewhere when they meditate . My feeling is that in meditation my subconscious becomes more more open to images/ideas from elsewhere. I stay in my mind and body - but am open to receive what I need. I suspect a shamanic journey (if I took one) would also be 'all in my head' Maybe that means shamanism is NOT for me. However i still feel some study of shamanic 'lore' could be helpful.

I have no idea if Dr Farmer practices Shamanism or not - but he is certainly very into power animals. However these may be simply more like guides. You may well feel he is misusing the term power animal.

Thank you for your reply

The 'meditation' was guided by Stephen Farmer (Doreen Virtue's other half) not Sandra.

Sorry, that was my careless reading of your post.

The second track on HIS cd is to meet a 'teacher' animal to answer a specific question for you. The teacher MAY be your power animal but not necessarily.

I would presume from your comments this was not a shamanic journey despite the similarities with the terms used by Sandra.

If it is guided then it isn’t a journey. If there’s just drumming and all instructions are given before you start, then it could be. However, it’s not a safe first journey. One of the precautions that needs to be taken before wandering around the Worlds is a close relationship with a spirit (usually your power animal) who knows his/her way around.

In fact the images given in the first track (to meet your power animal) were almost identical to the terms used by Sandra .She suggests in the book r to enter the lower world - a cave or a tree root to enter the lower world. Dr Farmer suggests exactly the same.

I also suggest a cave or a tree to enter the Lower World – but always one that is well known in this world. This is the starting place.

I suspect a shamanic journey (if I took one) would also be 'all in my head' Maybe that means shamanism is NOT for me. However i still feel some study of shamanic 'lore' could be helpful.

Almost everyone in our culture starts off thinking it is in their head. This attitude changes with experience, for most people. Some, however, feel more comfortable thinking of a journey as a symbolic and psychological excursion into their subconscious. If you would agree with this, then you are right – shamanism possibly isn’t for you. But most people don’t know which category they are in until they have tried. If you do try, then go on a well run workshop.

I have no idea if Dr Farmer practices Shamanism or not - but he is certainly very into power animals. However these may be simply more like guides. You may well feel he is misusing the term power animal.

I had a look at Farmer’s website. I don’t think he mentions shamanism on it and he talks about ‘Spirit’, rather than ‘the spirits’; often an indication that this isn’t shamanism.
Everybody has a power animal, so I can’t claim it as a ‘shamanic’ term. But other’s meanings may not be the shamanic one. If, for example, you were doing the guided journey and each time meeting a different animal, these would not be power animals as I understand the term. (I have had a client who had been taught to do this. After a year she had over 50 animals, none of which she had met more than once. This was very confusing for her, especially as some gave contradictory messages, and was no help in getting nearer to what is one of the most basic aspects of shamanism – a deep, loving and trusting relationship with your spirits.)

The track was mainly drumming - with Stephen Farmer giving guidance about the images needed. But there are also tracks which are SELF guided - just drumming. It would seem he intend you to meet your power animal, then gives you the opportunity to ask a question of a teacher animal then do a self guided...meditation? journey? I don't know.

I feel based on what you have said it is MUCH more of a guided meditation.......... But I have also learned a little more about shamanism. Thank you Jane 🙂

You're very welcome.
Jane