Started in 1979 as the Center for Shamanic Studies, the Foundation for Shamanic Studies presents the world’s foremost training programs in shamanism and shamanic healing. They are based on the pioneering work of anthropologist Michael Harner, who brought shamanism to contemporary life in the West after extensive field and cross-cultural investigation, experimentation, and personal practice.
He originated, researched, and developed core shamanism, a system designed for Westerners to apply shamanism and shamanic healing successfully to their daily lives. This system is based upon the underlying universal, near-universal, and common features of shamanism—together with journeys to other worlds—rather than upon culture-specific variations and elaborations.
Training in core shamanism includes teaching students to alter their consciousness through classic shamanic non-drug techniques such as sonic driving, especially in the form of repetitive drumming, so that they can discover their own hidden spiritual resources, transform their lives, and learn how to help others. Core shamanism does not focus on ceremonies, such as those of Native American medicine men and women, persons who do both shamanism and ceremonial work.
1929 - 2018
World-renowned Anthropologist & FSS Founder
The founder of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, Dr. Michael Harner pioneered the introduction of shamanism and the shamanic drum-journey to contemporary life and is recognized as the world leader in this movement.
In his half century of anthropological fieldwork, cross-cultural studies, experimental research, and firsthand experience, Michael Harner arrived at the core methods of shamans worldwide. The applicability of this core shamanism to contemporary Westerners has been substantiated by the experiences of his thousands of students. The experiential methods are simple, safe, and have been used successfully by them with positive life-changing results.
Have you ever felt that there was something more to life than simply what’s tangible? Do you feel connected to something greater than just you, but religion and notions of God don’t quite seem to fit? Then perhaps you are like me: a spiritual person.
This practise lets you connect with all the hidden messages around us in a disciplined and structured way. It helps you make sense of synchronistic things, re-occurring patterns and enigmatic situations. Spiritual practise through shamanic techniques help you develop and trust your intuition.
This work is incredibly grounding and helps you mature into the best version of yourself. I encourage you to discover a path that allows you to connect with like-minded people, nature, the universe, but most importantly- reconnect with yourself.
