Core Shamanism

Core Shamanism is a system of shamanic beliefs and practices synthesized by Michael Harner. Core shamanism does not hold a fixed belief system, but instead focuses on the practice of shamanic journeying and may on an individual basis integrate indigenous shamanism, the teachings of Carlos Castaneda and other spiritualities.

Specific practices include the use of rapid drumming [about 220 beats per minute] to attain the Shamanic State of Consciousness, communication with "power animals", and ritual dance. Those who practice core shamanism do not usually refer to themselves as shamans, preferring "shamanic practitioner." They say this is out of respect for indigenous peoples, and that they are usually very careful to avoid cultural imperialism.

Criticism

Critics Daniel C. Noel and Robert J. Wallis see Harner's teachings as based on cultural appropriation and a misrepresentation of the various cultures he claims to have been inspired by (reference: "The Soul of Shamanism: Western Fantasies, Imaginal Realities"). Critics believe Harner's work laid the foundations for massive exploitation of Indigenous cultures by "plastic shamans" and other cultural appropriators (reference: "The Soul of Shamanism: Western Fantasies, Imaginal Realities", "Shamans and Religion: An Anthropological Exploration in Critical Thinking"). However, recent work by Peter N. Jones questions this criticism, as his work shows that the term shamanism has been used by a wide number of individuals, groups, and cultures across time and can not be linked to a specific group, culture, or ethnic identity (reference: "Shamans and Shamanism: A Comprehensive Bibliography of the Terms Use in North America").

References

• Harner, Michael, The Way of the Shaman: A Guide to Power and Healing, Harper & Row Publishers, NY 1980
• Jones, Peter N. Shamans and Shamanism: A Comprehensive Bibliography of the Terms Use in North America. 2008. Boulder: Bauu Press. ISBN 978-0-982046715
• Kehoe, Alice. Shamans and Religion: An Anthropological Exploration in Critical Thinking. 2000. London: Waveland Press. ISBN 1-57766-162-1
• Noel, Daniel C. Soul Of Shamanism: Western Fantasies, Imaginal Realities, Continuum International Publishing Group ISBN 0-8264-1081-2
• Wallis, Robert J. Shamans/neo-Shamans: Ecstasy, Alternative Archaeologies and Contemporary Pagans. London: Routledge, 2003. ISBN 0-415-30203-X

External links

• Michael Harner's Foundation for Shamanic Studies
• Scandinavian Center for Shamanic Studies
• Sacred Hoop Magazine a leading international magazine about shamanism and shamanic practice

This New Age-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Shamanism Neoshamanism New Age stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР? Districts of Uttar Pradesh Michael Harner Look at other dictionaries: Core shamanism —    Term used by Michael Harner and colleagues, including Sandra Ingerman, at the Foundation for Shamanic Studies to define the key features of shamanism, specifically the journey to other worlds in a willfully induced (controlled) altered state… …   Historical dictionary of shamanism Shamanism — Shaman redirects here. For other uses, see Shaman (disambiguation). Russian postcard based on a photo taken in 1908 by S. I. Borisov, showing a female shaman, of probable Khakas ethnicity.[1] Shamanism is an anthropological term referencing a… …   Wikipedia Neo-Shamanism —    Also neo Shamanism, neoshamanism, new shamanism, whiteshamanism, contemporary shamanism, urban shamanism, Western shamanism. A term applied by scholars to engagement with, application of, or appropriation from indigenous or prehistoric… …   Historical dictionary of shamanism Chronology —    Shamanism is sometimes said to be the earliest religion, the original religion. In fact, there is no evidence that could prove or disprove such a claim. To the contrary, it is certainly the case that every shaman living today utilizes skills… …   Historical dictionary of shamanism Korean shamanism — A Baksu holding a gut. Korean shamanism Hangul 무 …   Wikipedia North America —    Shamanism has been identified among a wide range of indigenous nations in North America, from the Yaqui living around the Mexican border to the Inuit of the Arctic. Objections have been raised to the use of the word shaman with reference to… …   Historical dictionary of shamanism Bibliography —    As the scope of the dictionary entries and extent of this bibliography make clear, there is a huge range of literature on shamans, from introductory works, general discussions on such topics as definition, and culture specific ethnographic… …   Historical dictionary of shamanism Townsend, Joan —    Professor emeritus in anthropology at the University of Manitoba, Canada. Broadly concurring with Michael Harner’s definition of core shamanism as the essential character of indigenous shamanisms, Townsend’s analysis of “modern shamanic… …   Historical dictionary of shamanism Eliade, Mircea — (1907–1986)    Historian of religions and fiction writer who was born in Romania but lived most of his life as an exile in France and the United States, where he became professor of the history of religions at the University of Chicago. Eliade… …   Historical dictionary of shamanism Foundation for Shamanic Studies — (FSS)    A nonprofit educational organization located in Mill Valley, California (formerly the Center for Shamanic Studies in New York, established in 1983), founded and directed by Michael Harner. The FSS aims to “preserve and revive indigenous… …   Historical dictionary of shamanism 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”