Rating: 
Summary: Want to understand the basics of shamanism? Read this book.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic in all Respects
Review: I just can't say enough good things about Way of the Shaman, it is simply the best book of shamanism I have read. Harner dared to venture into territory which other main stream academics in the United States were too afraid to touch. This is a great book in all respects, though I wish Harner had mentioned a little more about the potential negative effects of Shamanism -- its not all positive. But, I still say unequivicably if you want to learn about real shamanism this is the place to go. Buy this one.
Recently I finished another shamanic book entitled 'Memetic Magic' by Kirk Packwood. While comparable to Harner's text, it actually breaks new ground and discusses shamanic techniques which no one has yet dared to discuss. MM is another good one to check out if you are not afraid of the darker aspects of shamanism.
Rating: 
Summary: A misleading book
Review: I think Harner's error is not that much in that he takes shamanic work out of native context, but that he puts people at danger by making them believe his sanitized teflon-wrapped package. If this is all day-dreaming - then it's no big deal, why can't suburbanites spend some time reconnecting with their subconsciousness? If, on the other hand, we take this stuff for real - if there is an energy body, if there are worlds into which the energy body travels during the "altered states of consciousness", then the Harnerian method is not only irresponsible, it is downright dangereous. It takes decades to train an indigenous shaman precisely because these passageways into the astral and beyond are so tricky, its inhabitants so unpredictable and our mind so untrained and incapable of distinguishing between what is personal and what is impersonal. Any would-be "shaman" working out of his own personal space, or "subconsciousness" is asking for trouble. I have, as the years go by, started to look at the Harner Enterprise (which he runs together with his wife) as a tremendous money-making machine. It is all rather shameless and it is perhaps no wonder that Harner himself is not being taken seriously anymore. If you want to be a shaman, go into nature, pray to God, talk to your allies and ask them to send across your path a true teacher who will be devoted to your progress into this amazing Mystery. God ALWAYS answers when the plea comes from a pure, humble heart. I think the Harners lost that innocence necessary for contacting the spirit world in a wholesome and beneficial manner. Moreover, they have apparently never been trained in understanding the energy body and how it works during ASCs. That's why this book is unconvincing, unreliable and potentially dangereous.
Rating: 
Summary: don't be fooled
Review: I'm a bit upset by the number of people who have been fooled by this book. I can say this because I am Native American, and 'Shamanism' has always been in my family. This author has stolen our traditions, took them as his own, warped them, and is now attempting profit. I would have given this book a lower rating if it were possible. Please don't look to him as an authority on this subject. He doesn't even always focus on the important aspects of 'Shamanism' anyway, he kind of gets caught up in his own ideals of it. For those of you who're sincerely interested in this subject, just look inside yourself. Realize there is no 'imagination', pay attention to what you feel, and knowledge will come. If you Really want a book on it, try a book written by Natives, such as "Medicine of the Cherokee" by Garrett. Hey, you wouldn't go to a Russian to learn about South American beliefs, or an Australian to learn about Canadian beliefs, would you?
Rating: 
Summary: aseptic
Review: In this book one gets a series of exercises which guide one to accomplish such tasks as "finding one's power animal", "spirit extraction" and so on. TWS has a lot to recommend it and since the good stuff has been pointed out in other reviews, i myself will ignore it here. Harner has, almost single handedly, ushered in the era of "neo-shamanism". As i understand it, the basic idea behind neoshamism is to find a way to enter the "altered state of consciousness (ASC)" without having to use medicine plants. These plants are illegal, may be diffult to prepare correctly and are altogether too unpleasant to deal with. So, in comes the drum. And the rattle. The premise is that, somehow, using the same utensils as, say, Siberian shamans, one is going to enter the same ASC. Nothing could be further from truth. In the absence of the mythological and spiritual context, the neoshamanic drums and rattles are toys for children. The "shamanic" methods described in TWS were developed by Harner 30 years ago and have not changed one iota since then. All his imagination, creativity and inspiration seems to have vanished into thin air once he left UC Berkeley and now this guy keeps selling the same old stuff decade after decade. Academically! Seriously! Businesslike! TWS is Harner's Nicean Council - it has frozen his tracks. The Way of Shaman gives us an aseptic, soul-less and (for me) ultimately boring way into the spirit world. Well, what *is* a shaman anyway? Is the mestizo in Iquitous peddling his ayahuasca a shaman? Is someone who finished her coursework at "The Foundation for Shamanic Studies" a shaman? For me, a shaman is someone whose task is to care for Life and whose role is to connect individual strands of consciousness to the large, universal and delicious Life consciousness. A good shaman is aware of the great Mystery and of the fact, that we are just players in it and why not go for the ride for the beauty of it. The (traditional) shaman is also plugged into the spiritual and mythic universe of his/her society and therefore connected to this mystery. We have lost this connection and are looking for it - (neo)shamanism, if it is to survive, will have to provide it somehow, somewhere. Right now, i think it is failing - one traditional Lakota lodge is worth ten courses taken at the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. In order to find one's power animal in the traditional society one does not just lie on the floo and daydream with the drum. Usually, much legwork is done and a lot of sweat/tears are shed; it can be dangereous and it takes a lot of patience, courage and ingenuity - all qualities necessary for serious work in ASC. One brings in the ancestors and the spirit world with reverence and respect. Harner ignores all this (most important stuff) and this is why this book is ultimately unsatisfying.
Rating:
Summary: aseptic
Review: In this book one gets a series of exercises which guide one to accomplish such tasks as "finding one's power animal", "spirit extraction" and so on. TWS has a lot to recommend it and since the good stuff has been pointed out in other reviews, i myself will ignore it here. Harner has, almost single handedly, ushered in the era of "neo-shamanism". As i understand it, the basic idea behind neoshamism is to find a way to enter the "altered state of consciousness (ASC)" without having to use medicine plants. These plants are illegal, may be diffult to prepare correctly and are altogether too unpleasant to deal with. So, in comes the drum. And the rattle. The premise is that, somehow, using the same utensils as, say, Siberian shamans, one is going to enter the same ASC. Nothing could be further from truth. In the absence of the mythological and spiritual context, the neoshamanic drums and rattles are toys for children. The "shamanic" methods described in TWS were developed by Harner 30 years ago and have not changed one iota since then. All his imagination, creativity and inspiration seems to have vanished into thin air once he left UC Berkeley and now this guy keeps selling the same old stuff decade after decade. Academically! Seriously! Businesslike! TWS is Harner's Nicean Council - it has frozen his tracks. The Way of Shaman gives us an aseptic, soul-less and (for me) ultimately boring way into the spirit world. Well, what *is* a shaman anyway? Is the mestizo in Iquitous peddling his ayahuasca a shaman? Is someone who finished her coursework at "The Foundation for Shamanic Studies" a shaman? For me, a shaman is someone whose task is to care for Life and whose role is to connect individual strands of consciousness to the large, universal and delicious Life consciousness. A good shaman is aware of the great Mystery and of the fact, that we are just players in it and why not go for the ride for the beauty of it. The (traditional) shaman is also plugged into the spiritual and mythic universe of his/her society and therefore connected to this mystery. We have lost this connection and are looking for it - (neo)shamanism, if it is to survive, will have to provide it somehow, somewhere. Right now, i think it is failing - one traditional Lakota lodge is worth ten courses taken at the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. In order to find one's power animal in the traditional society one does not just lie on the floo and daydream with the drum. Usually, much legwork is done and a lot of sweat/tears are shed; it can be dangereous and it takes a lot of patience, courage and ingenuity - all qualities necessary for serious work in ASC. One brings in the ancestors and the spirit world with reverence and respect. Harner ignores all this (most important stuff) and this is why this book is ultimately unsatisfying.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm Divided On This Book
Review: It really would be more fair of me to give this book three and a half stars, but it doesn't work that way so I'll leave it at four. Anyway, I must admit that I am of two different mind concerning this book. Harner, who has indeed studied Shamanism amongst various indigenous peoples such as the Jivaro of Ecuador, certainly does know his stuff. I will grant him that. However, in this book he strips it down to it's core, removing many of the cultural trappings, in order to take the reader into the world of the Shaman. This is not a book about Siberian, Native American, Aboriginal, African, Voudon or any other form of Shamanism. Instead, it focuses on Harner's "Core Shamanism" and even attempts to instruct the reader on how to become a Shaman. This presents some serious questions for us. First of all, is this cultural piracy? Shamanism is an old tradition, and can be found among many traditions. No one people, however, have a monopoly on Shamanism. After all, the Shamanic traditions of, say, the Yakuts, Chuckchi and Buryat are just as ancient and valid of those of the Pygmies, Bushmen or Yanomami. Harner seems to be very aware of this and tries not to attach his Shamanic tradition to that of any one particular culture. And certainly more recent traditions do draw from Shamanic background. Voudon and Santeria, as well as certain movements amongst the Native Americans and Australian Aborigines illustrate this. Why shouldn't westerners find a tradition that is acceptable to them? In the end, the reader needs to come to his own conclusions on these issues before he reads through this book. After all, it is a book instructing the reader in Harner's Core Shamanism. I certainly would recommend it to people with an interest in Shamanism and/or Neo-Shamanism, whether from an anthropologic perspective or from a "New Age" perspective. Others, however, might be disappointed or even offended in this book. It all depends on your views I suppose. The best I can say is buyer beware.
Rating:
Summary: Was not enlightening
Review: Michael Harner expresses some mystical concepts in the tradition of shamanism except he misses the sybolism and takes it all too literally. Rather disburbing book.
Rating:
Summary: The classic source book on shaminism worldwide
Review: Michael Harner, recogized as the foremost authority on shaminism, takes the reader on a personal journey through the mysteries on the mind. You are offered a glimpse of the world that we often consider "non reality" and walk away questioning our concept of what is real. Michael has lived with and studied shamins from the Amazon rainforest to the Siberian plateau for decades. He has ventured beyond the edge of sanity and ,with their help, has returned to share their world
Rating:
Summary: Shamanism defined in an understandable way
Review: Mr. Harner has taken a misunderstood and often misinterpreted subject and has written a very good book for those who have little to no experience with cultural shamanism. He has extensive experience with native shamen and tells of his adventures in a way that allows the reader to grasp the ecstatic methods of these priests. His is not the sum of all knowledge on shamanism and it can be seen as a condensed version, but this is still a very good book to begin with. His techniques are good enough to allow one to develop a shamanic connection from within themselves and their own culture. This book is NOT a rip-off of native practices. No one culture can claim to be the first shamen, everyone's ancestors practiced it at some point. For those who wish to journey, this book will guide you to your path and from there, you can fly.
|
