The Way of the Shaman

by Michael Harner

Book Overview

This classic on shamanism pioneered the modern shamanic renaissance. It is the foremost resource and reference on shamanism. Now, with a new introduction and a guide to current resources, anthropologist Michael Harner provides the definitive handbook on practical shamanism - what it is, where it came from, how you can participate.

"Wonderful, fascinating... Harner really knows what he's talking about."
CARLOS CASTANEDA

"An intimate...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0062503731
• ISBN13: 9780062503732
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Terrible condition

This isn’t a review of the book itself. I actually have to purchase another one through Amazon because I’m unable to read the book due to the extensive damage it has. The book arrived bent, wet, holes and missing pages without any damage to the package it came in. I’m disgusted by the person that decides to send me this book. Money wasted.

A Wonderful Introduction

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!

The first and the best.

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".

A validation of the shaman's path

When I first read this book I thought that it was the greatest thing I had ever found. Not only did it describe experiences that I thought were unique to myself, but I found that there was actually a name for such things- shamanism. I had never even heard the name before. Yet, I knew exactly what was being described. That's just it, though, this book's importance to me was in its validation of the path that I had already traveled- alone. When I see people claiming that they are shamans, or "neo-shamans", based on reading a few books or attending a workshop or two, I can only shake my head. I mean, I see nothing wrong with such things, no more than I see anything wrong with dabblers in Wicca, it is just that I don't personally believe that it is shamanism. I don't say this out of arrogance, self-righteousness, or a sense of superiority- it is just that I have found that the transition involved in crossing over to the spirit world is absolutely life shattering and soul transforming. There is a good chance that it may kill you. Actually, in a sense, it does kill you, for to be a shaman means to die and be reborn. It is not the sort of thing that a bored yuppy can do on a weekend to demonstrate his "spiritual sensitivity."Personally, I think shamans are either born, or they result from a certain type of near death experience. As much as I respect Native American medicine people, I do not think that they have any sort of inside track or "secret knowlege." Their advantage lies in being outside of the artificial hell of the modern world- and perhaps in having more of an "opportunity" to hit bottom and reflect on it. They also have open minds- they KNOW the realities of spirits and of a world beyond. These are the advantages of any outsider....

Want to understand the basics of shamanism? Read this book.

I have read many books on the subject of shamanism and have been very dissapointed...until now. Michael Harner provides the clearest explanation I have been able to find about what shamanism IS without loading the reader down with vague New Age references and ego stroking. Expectionally clean presentation of information on a very weighty subject.