The Nature of Shamanism and the Shamanic Story
The Nature of Shamanism and the Shamanic Story

Author: Michael Berman

Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing

Published: 2009-03-26

Total Pages: 175

ISBN-13: 1443808148

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The book makes out a case for the introduction of a new genre of tale, the shamanic story, which has either been based on or inspired by a shamanic journey, or contains a number of the elements that are typical of such a journey. The stories featured are the Book of Jonah from the Old Testament, two traditional stories from the Republic of Georgia–The Earth will take its Own and Davit, a contemporary German tale Bundles, and the Korean story of Shimchong, the Blindman’s Daughter. By making use of textual material from a number of different cultures and times, the intention is to highlight the pervasive influence shamanism has had and to show how the “new” genre being proposed is a universal one. The research questions addressed include 1) defining what shamanism is, deciding whether it should be classified as a religion, a methodology or a way of life 2) considering whether a case can be made out for the introduction of a new genre of tale and, if so, what its characteristics are. It is hoped the book will be of interest not only to those involved in the study of shamanism but also to those whose interest is in the study of literary texts. Since the old bearers of shamanic traditions quite often were, and even today are, illiterate, the study of their folklore–epic songs, laments, narratives–undoubtedly provides a rich source for research.

Wayward Shamans
Wayward Shamans

Author: Silvia Tomášková

Publisher: University of California Press

Published: 2013-05-03

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 0520275322

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Wayward Shamans tells the story of an idea that humanity’s first expression of art, religion and creativity found form in the figure of a proto-priest known as a shaman. Tracing this classic category of the history of anthropology back to the emergence of the term in Siberia, the work follows the trajectory of European knowledge about the continent’s eastern frontier. The ethnographic record left by German natural historians engaged in the Russian colonial expansion project in the 18th century includes a range of shamanic practitioners, varied by gender and age. Later accounts by exiled Russian revolutionaries noted transgendered shamans. This variation vanished, however, in the translation of shamanism into archaeology theory, where a male sorcerer emerged as the key agent of prehistoric art. More recent efforts to provide a universal shamanic explanation for rock art via South Africa and neurobiology likewise gloss over historical evidence of diversity. By contrast this book argues for recognizing indeterminacy in the categories we use, and reopening them by recalling their complex history.

The Way of the Shaman
The Way of the Shaman

Author: Michael Harner

Publisher: Harper Collins

Published: 2011-07-26

Total Pages: 210

ISBN-13: 0062038125

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

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 and practical guide to the art of shamanic healing and the technology of the sacred. Michael Harner is not just an anthropologist who has studied shamanism; he is an authentic white shaman." STANILAV GROF, author of 'The Adventure Of Self Discovery' "Harner has impeccable credentials, both as an academic and as a practising shaman. Without doubt (since the recent death of Mircea Eliade) the world's leading authority on shamanism." NEVILL DRURY, author of 'The Elements of Shamanism' Michael Harner, Ph.D., has practised shamanism and shamanic healing for more than a quarter of a century. He is the founder and director of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies in Norwalk, Connecticut.

In the Shadow of the Shaman
In the Shadow of the Shaman

Author:

Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide

Published: 1988

Total Pages: 390

ISBN-13: 9780875428888

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

In the Shadow of the Shaman is about the importance of connection to the deepest power of Nature. It tells you how to use natural objects from the shamanic worlds -- Plant, Mineral, Animal, and Human -- to help make this personal connection with Earth energies. In doing this, you are able to reconnect with the center of your own power. Because the shamanic path is such a personal one, often not able to be shared, this book has been designed so that it has the experiential quality of the shamanic journey traditions. The author is also careful to present the information in a clear, organized manner. In doing so, she blends the deeply personal wisdom of a shamanic path with the shared, community wisdom of a medicine path. This represents an ideal for Aquarian shamanism. But this book is not simply about shamanism -- it shows, through techniques, exercises, meditations, and rituals, how anyone can become a shaman. You will learn how to attune yourself with the shamanic worlds of Nature, and with the Higher Self, for self-healing and self-empowerment. You will learn to develop shamanic balance, to become the living tree, and you will do this by using such tools as stones, crystals, feathers, masks, drums, and incense. Book jacket.

Change Your Story, Change Your Life
Change Your Story, Change Your Life

Author: Carl Greer

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2014-05-01

Total Pages: 291

ISBN-13: 1844098605

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Change Your Story, Change Your Life is a practical self-help guide to personal transformation using traditional shamanic techniques combined with journaling and Carl Greer’s method for dialoguing that draws upon Jungian active imagination. The exercises inspire readers to work with insights and energies derived during the use of modalities that tap into the unconscious so that they may consciously choose the changes they would like to make in their lives and begin implementing them.

Shamanism in the Contemporary Novel
Shamanism in the Contemporary Novel

Author: Özlem Ögüt Yazicioglu

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2022-03-14

Total Pages: 189

ISBN-13: 1498591167

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Shamanism in the Contemporary Novel examines how shamanism is used as a significant trope in a selection of novels. Özlem Öğüt Yazıcıoğlu contends that the shamanic figures and societies featured in these works have been subjected to marginalization, dislocation, and dispossession through imperialist, colonialist, and capitalist encroachments in different historical contexts.

Shamanism
Shamanism

Author: Merete Demant Jakobsen

Publisher: Berghahn Books

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 9781571819949

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Shamanism has always been of great interest to anthropologists. More recently it has been discovered by westerners, especially New Age followers. This book breaks new ground byexamining pristine shamanism in Greenland, among people contacted late by Western missionaries and settlers. On the basis of material only available in Danish, and presented herein English for the first time, the author questions Mircea Eliade's well-known definition of the shaman as the master of ecstasy and suggests that his role has to be seen as that of a master of spirits. The ambivalent nature of the shaman and the spirit world in the tough Arctic environment is then contrasted with the more benign attitude to shamanism in the New Age movement. After presenting descriptions of their organizations and accounts by participants, the author critically analyses the role of neo-shamanic courses and concludes that it is doubtful to consider what isoffered as shamanism.

Demystifying Shamans and Their World
Demystifying Shamans and Their World

Author: Adam J. Rock

Publisher: Andrews UK Limited

Published: 2011-10-14

Total Pages: 249

ISBN-13: 1845403320

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Shamanism can be described as a group of techniques by which its practitioners enter the “spirit world,” purportedly obtaining information that is used to help and to heal members of their social group. Despite a resurgence of interest in shamanism and shamanic states of consciousness, these phenomena are neither well-defined nor sufficiently understood. This multi-disciplinary study draws on the fields of psychology, philosophy and anthropology with the aim of demystifying shamanism. The authors analyse conflicting perspectives regarding shamanism, the epistemology of shamanic states of consciousness, and the nature of the mental imagery encountered during these states.

The Shaman's Spirit
The Shaman's Spirit

Author: Mike Williams

Publisher: Watkins Publishing

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781780284941

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The shaman is a visionary who has the ability to connect with nature and the spirit world, and to heal. Shamanism is increasingly popular today as we recognise its power to reaffirm our links with the natural world and bring us to greater awareness and spiritual fulfilment. Drawing on traditional ethnic as well as contemporary Western practice, this beautifully illustrated book reveals the ancient heart of shamanism and its continuing relevance for the way we live today. It contains practical exercises that anyone can perform. Part One, Place, explores sacred sites and landscapes - key places of spiritual power where we can tune into natural energy flow, through vision quests and medicine wheels. Part Two, 'Plant', looks at plants for healing and spiritual development, with reference to sacred cacti, the energies of trees, and herbs. Part Three, 'Animal', focuses on the role played by power animals - as spirit guides and intermediaries between worlds. Part Four, 'Ritual', explores traditional ways of finding your spirit power, including sacred dance, shape-shifting and sacred objects. Finally, Part Five, 'Spirit', offers powerful practices such as soul retrieval, divination and spiritual protection, describing how to work with these for spiritual growth and development.

Shamanism in North America
Shamanism in North America

Author: Norman Bancroft-Hunt

Publisher:

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Native Americans believed that it was their responsibility to maintain harmony in the natural world on which they depended by performing a variety of rituals. Shamans were credited with exceptional powers to act on behalf of the community. They claimed to be capable of separating their spirits from their bodies and interceding with those spirits that controlled the many forces of nature. Having studied the subject at first hand during his many visits to American tribes, Dr. Norman Bancroft Hunt sets out the richly rewarding results of his research in this survey of shamanic traditions and practices in various Native American groups. Shamanism in North America is profusely illustrated with the most remarkable masks, effigies, and implements used by shamans and includes evocative images of the often harsh wilderness inhabited by the tribes under discussion, as well as some revealing historical photographs of shamans.