If you are looking for a practical, beautiful, meaningful handbook for core shamanism ... look no further.

This book is packed full of exercises, ideas, journeys, interpretations and core shamanic values. I have been studying shamanism, and this is the most useful introductory text I have come across. It will give you the principles you need in order to build your own shamanic practice, without forcing you down the path of a certain cultural shamanic tradition.

As Cowan says: not all of us are cut out to be actual Shamans, but anyone can be a shamanic practitioner.

I highly recommend this book, whether you are already a practitioner, or are interested in learning more. This is not a book you will regret buying, no matter how advanced your practice becomes over time.


a gentle introduction to journeying   July 1, 2002
 59 out of 62 found this review helpful

Having never read anything about Shamanism before, and being rather intimidated by the subject, this book was a great way to gently learn about Shamanism. With this book as my guide, it felt safe to explore journeying, and this has become a great gift in my life! The idea of shamanic practice seems possible for everyone through this book. I have learned a lot from it and would recommend it to anyone who wants to understand shamanic practices as well as experiment a little with them. This book shows you how.


Excellent Guide for Beginning Journeyers   June 3, 2002
 13 out of 16 found this review helpful

This is a book that I often recommended to people who have learned the technique of shamanic journeying. This book is the best one available for folks who have the technique and want to do more with it. It is easily understandable, and contains lots of helpful and valuable information. I have been teaching the Journeying technique for 10 years and recommend this book to new folks.


A Trustworthy Introduction to a Vast Realm   January 6, 2002
 35 out of 36 found this review helpful

Half the battle of shamanism is undoing our conditioning and fragemntalist consciousness that has been modeled to us by modernity. Shamanism As A Spiritual Practice for Daily Life offers just such an invitation. Fans of Cowan's Fire in the Head: Shamanism and the Celtic Spirit who wanted 'the next step' in terms of practices will find a trustworthy introduction to the vast realm of shamanism and shamanic practice--though anyone, regardless of ancestral background, will enjoy the book as it was written from more of a "core shamanic" or "core shamanist" perspective. In addition to introducing readers to the sacred topography of shamanism--usually but not always experienced as the Lowerworld, Middleworld and Upperworld, readers will also feel an astonishing sense of support offered to remember and reclaim their own inherent shamanic sensibilities that we all knew as children. The chapter on childhood is a masterpiece to contemplate, as it conjures up our old childhood haunts and explores the relevance of these to shamanic practice, while also offering words of support to parents who either have a shamanic-child or who want to, more generally, support the animistic nature of their children. Overall, this book is an inexpendable "co-walker" for those seeking to rekindle an animistic pathway of living.


An Eclectic Blend   October 24, 2001
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

I came upon this book when I first began to explore the depths of shamanic practice. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Within this volume are simple, thorough exercises which teach the basics of core shamanic technique ( such as discovering your totem, the journeys, etc.) The authors also includes many exercises of a more eclectic bent to deepen connections to the natural world in and around us. What is most refreshing is the honesty in which the teachings are presented. The authors do not claim that their teachngs will ultimately turn you into a traditional tribal shaman. They present a shamansim for the modern day and yet manage to pay due respect to the teachings of the ancient indigenous cultures where shamanism was born. Anyone with an intent to explore modern shamanic technique would do well to pick up this one.