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The Shamanic Journey: A Practical Guide to Therapeutic Shamanism
" This book, if you let it, will take you on a journey… you will experience first-hand the healing power of shamanism, and your eyes will be opened to a world of mystery and potential that has been there all along. You don’t need any special talents or powers, just an open mind. And you will trust this new way of being because you will personally experience it. To say that this will change your life for the better is a remarkable understatement.” – from " The Shamanic Journey".
Many people feel a growing disenchantment with modern life; that something fundamental is missing or ‘wrong’. Our increased material wealth is making us less happy, not more. Mental health issues are on the rise, and we face an environmental crisis. Somehow, we have lost our way. People long for a deeper sense of connection, a greater purpose, and a more sustainable and natural way of living. Yet people are often unsure as to what they can do to find this. If you are ready, the practice of shamanism holds the answers.
In "The Shamanic Journey" , shamanic practitioner, teacher and psychotherapist, Paul Francis, offers a shamanic apprenticeship for our times. By building upon the work of Michael Harner, author of 1980’s classic ‘The Way of the Shaman’, Francis has created a practical, ethical and experiential guide. It is a ground-breaking and stand-out book on shamanism, written for both complete beginners and for anyone already with experience. At once both practical and deeply thought-provoking, this book examines how to make shamanic practice relevant and central to our modern-day lives.
For those new to the subject, the book is a grounded, easy-to-read and yet comprehensive introduction to the ancient knowledge, wisdom and practices of shamanism. In addition, it provides an easy-to-follow guide, with clearly-explained, practical exercises and suggestions about how to get started on the shamanic path.
Far more than just a beginner’s guide though, the book can be eye-opening to any open-minded shamanic practitioner. As a highly practical form of spirituality, our ancestors always adapted shamanism to the times and environment in which they lived. The book explores how, as we turned away from hunter-gathering, and with the rise of agriculture, domestication and "civilisation" we largely lost our connection with shamanism. This profoundly changed us, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually, and radically altered the environment around us. Facing the challenges of our times, the book discusses how we can reclaim shamanism and, most importantly, how to make it relevant to the changed times in which we now live, and how doing this may be crucial to our very survival and return to sanity.
In "The Shamanic Journey" , Paul Francis draws on his wealth of knowledge and experience in shamanism, anthropology and psychotherapy. Well researched and yet written in an accessible and conversational style, he combines these three elements into a shamanic practice that is spirit-led, down-to-earth, psychologically-aware, ethical and compassionate. What emerges is a spiritual practice that is both deeply rooted in ancient wisdom, and one that we can use to heal not only ourselves, but society, and the planet.
To help with your journeying, contained within this book is a password that gives you access to free shamanic drumming audios from the author’s own website.
The book is the first in the "Therapeutic Shamanism" series, a thorough, step-by-step guide to shamanic practice and the first to go into such detail and depth: an apprenticeship for modern times. The series consist of guides covering the full spectrum of Therapeutic Shamanism including: Soul Retrieval; Healing Ancestral and Family Wounds; Shamanism, Death and Dying; Plant-Spirit Shamanism; Shamanic Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Many people feel a growing disenchantment with modern life; that something fundamental is missing or ‘wrong’. Our increased material wealth is making us less happy, not more. Mental health issues are on the rise, and we face an environmental crisis. Somehow, we have lost our way. People long for a deeper sense of connection, a greater purpose, and a more sustainable and natural way of living. Yet people are often unsure as to what they can do to find this. If you are ready, the practice of shamanism holds the answers.
In "The Shamanic Journey" , shamanic practitioner, teacher and psychotherapist, Paul Francis, offers a shamanic apprenticeship for our times. By building upon the work of Michael Harner, author of 1980’s classic ‘The Way of the Shaman’, Francis has created a practical, ethical and experiential guide. It is a ground-breaking and stand-out book on shamanism, written for both complete beginners and for anyone already with experience. At once both practical and deeply thought-provoking, this book examines how to make shamanic practice relevant and central to our modern-day lives.
For those new to the subject, the book is a grounded, easy-to-read and yet comprehensive introduction to the ancient knowledge, wisdom and practices of shamanism. In addition, it provides an easy-to-follow guide, with clearly-explained, practical exercises and suggestions about how to get started on the shamanic path.
Far more than just a beginner’s guide though, the book can be eye-opening to any open-minded shamanic practitioner. As a highly practical form of spirituality, our ancestors always adapted shamanism to the times and environment in which they lived. The book explores how, as we turned away from hunter-gathering, and with the rise of agriculture, domestication and "civilisation" we largely lost our connection with shamanism. This profoundly changed us, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually, and radically altered the environment around us. Facing the challenges of our times, the book discusses how we can reclaim shamanism and, most importantly, how to make it relevant to the changed times in which we now live, and how doing this may be crucial to our very survival and return to sanity.
In "The Shamanic Journey" , Paul Francis draws on his wealth of knowledge and experience in shamanism, anthropology and psychotherapy. Well researched and yet written in an accessible and conversational style, he combines these three elements into a shamanic practice that is spirit-led, down-to-earth, psychologically-aware, ethical and compassionate. What emerges is a spiritual practice that is both deeply rooted in ancient wisdom, and one that we can use to heal not only ourselves, but society, and the planet.
To help with your journeying, contained within this book is a password that gives you access to free shamanic drumming audios from the author’s own website.
The book is the first in the "Therapeutic Shamanism" series, a thorough, step-by-step guide to shamanic practice and the first to go into such detail and depth: an apprenticeship for modern times. The series consist of guides covering the full spectrum of Therapeutic Shamanism including: Soul Retrieval; Healing Ancestral and Family Wounds; Shamanism, Death and Dying; Plant-Spirit Shamanism; Shamanic Counselling and Psychotherapy.
- GenresSpirituality
259 pages, Paperback
Published October 5, 2016
145 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 23, 2017
As hunter gatherers, we were all shamanic people. Then we "fell" into civilisation and lost our way, eventually creating all the psychological traumas and difficulties so many of us struggle with today. The great news is that we can reclaim shamanism and learn to practise it for ourselves, each and every one of us, to heal ourselves, society and possibly the planet.
As a psychotherapist and shamanic practitioner and teacher, with a background in anthropology, Paul Francis is well placed to teach how we can do this. Both practically and inspirationally he explains the difference between the way shamanism was used and, indeed, lived in the past, and how we need to adapt it for today's domesticated and "civilised" humans. Buy a copy, think about what he has to say and, most importantly, go on your own journeys! You won't regret it.
March 16, 2019
Great introduction to shamanism, brilliant how he links psychotherapy and shamanic tools to help you navigate the stresses and strains of modern living.
July 31, 2019
This book came into my life at exactly the right time. I didn't know what I was getting into with it, but went in with an open mind and left with more than I'd have imagined. I found myself constantly thinking, "YES!" and highlighting things and overall feeling pretty validated and excited about what I was learning. I resonated with how down-to-earth the author is and love that he addressed things like cultural appropriation, environmental concerns/the state of humanity, the issue of calling oneself a shaman vs. shamanic practitioner, and ethics involved in shamanic healings. As a psychotherapist-in-training, his perspective on bringing psychotherapy and shamanism together was right up my alley.
I learned that the author has a background in anthropology, which makes sense given the dedication in the book to explaining our trajectory of moving from hunter-gatherer cultures to modern civilization, how that has harmed us/the planet, how we are moving towards healing, and what we need to do to continue that path of healing.
There are experiential exercises in the book that are very straightforward and easy to follow. In general, the writing style is so effortless and easy to read. He offers practical tips throughout based on his years of practicing and teaching. I'm looking forward to his next books in the series.
If I have one small nit, it's that his referring to organized religions as "sky-religions" feels on the disparaging side. That may just be how I am reading it, and he has personal history with different religions, but it would have been more neutral to just call them organized religions, I think. At the same time, I can understand his point of view, and perhaps "sky-religions" is a term simply referencing how we moved from a place of balance among the three realms to an unbalanced, top-heavy approach when organized religions declared the upper realm holy and good and the lower realm evil.
Overall, I loved this book and highly recommend it.
I learned that the author has a background in anthropology, which makes sense given the dedication in the book to explaining our trajectory of moving from hunter-gatherer cultures to modern civilization, how that has harmed us/the planet, how we are moving towards healing, and what we need to do to continue that path of healing.
There are experiential exercises in the book that are very straightforward and easy to follow. In general, the writing style is so effortless and easy to read. He offers practical tips throughout based on his years of practicing and teaching. I'm looking forward to his next books in the series.
If I have one small nit, it's that his referring to organized religions as "sky-religions" feels on the disparaging side. That may just be how I am reading it, and he has personal history with different religions, but it would have been more neutral to just call them organized religions, I think. At the same time, I can understand his point of view, and perhaps "sky-religions" is a term simply referencing how we moved from a place of balance among the three realms to an unbalanced, top-heavy approach when organized religions declared the upper realm holy and good and the lower realm evil.
Overall, I loved this book and highly recommend it.
December 28, 2019
I'm blown away by how pragmatic this guide is. I'd expected a book on shamanic practitioning to be more opaque, but this is essentially a how-to, and easier to follow than a guide to a new TV.
Francis covers many elements for shamanic practitioning, from history to the necessity for more shamanic practitioning in our world today. There are also a great many hands-on exercises, from journeying to the lower world to conducting a spirit healing. It's all described in an incredibly frank and straightforward fashion.
Honestly, I thought this book was fantastic. Most religious or spiritual books are not written with this degree of candour and pragmatism (in my experience, anyway) but this seems to be one of a kind.
Francis covers many elements for shamanic practitioning, from history to the necessity for more shamanic practitioning in our world today. There are also a great many hands-on exercises, from journeying to the lower world to conducting a spirit healing. It's all described in an incredibly frank and straightforward fashion.
Honestly, I thought this book was fantastic. Most religious or spiritual books are not written with this degree of candour and pragmatism (in my experience, anyway) but this seems to be one of a kind.
June 30, 2017
The Shamanic Journey by Paul Francis is a much needed book, certainly for today's times. The author explains, in easy to understand language, the underpinning philosophy behind western shamanic practice, with practical exercises to get started with your own journeying. The book gives us a new and unique, developed vision of what shamanic practice can be by pulling in knowledge and ideas from psychotherapy. It is a clear map to an ethical, peaceful, grounded way of being, whilst cautioning us to not forget we are part of, and also responsible for our actions within the much, much more than Human.
November 9, 2019
Refreshing change.
At last, a direction, a spiritual compass. Thank you, thank you and thanks again for writing this book.
It can be a lonely road when attempting to realise your own path. This book is a refreshing change from the ' jam tomorrow. ' Channels and guru style literature.
This feels like a very honest and down to earth book, no pun intended. I can't wait to read the rest and look forward to all of the exercises and meditations.
Like I said, what a refreshing change.
At last, a direction, a spiritual compass. Thank you, thank you and thanks again for writing this book.
It can be a lonely road when attempting to realise your own path. This book is a refreshing change from the ' jam tomorrow. ' Channels and guru style literature.
This feels like a very honest and down to earth book, no pun intended. I can't wait to read the rest and look forward to all of the exercises and meditations.
Like I said, what a refreshing change.
January 11, 2025
Practically great, with a lot of exercises and advice. Theoretically quite bad, with oversimplified history and philosophy, lacking the nuance we need today to make this relevant for more people..
November 22, 2020
I started thoroughly enjoying the author's approach to this material - his experience may or may not match yours, take what works. He addresses his efforts to address and avoid cultural appropriation and biases; wonderful.
However the text itself is loaded with biases and experiences presented as a measure for the reader to evaluate his or her own experience; dogmatic.
I would not recommend this text to the uncritical reader or to the initiate.
This isn't to say there is not material in here worth reading. I enjoyed the discussion around techniques, just not the measure of what is or is not a valid reader experience.
However the text itself is loaded with biases and experiences presented as a measure for the reader to evaluate his or her own experience; dogmatic.
I would not recommend this text to the uncritical reader or to the initiate.
This isn't to say there is not material in here worth reading. I enjoyed the discussion around techniques, just not the measure of what is or is not a valid reader experience.
May 13, 2022
mixed
There is not a huge amount of detail about actual Shamanism, I guess that comes in later volumes. The basic beliefs seem to be a sense of the sacred, a feeling of connectedness, back to nature and spirits everywhere. Real. Not imaginary. Well fair enough except for the last bit. An extraordinary claim requiring extraordinary evidence as they say.
The author then presents us with a standard diatribe against civilisation and all of its evils. Agriculture, industry, science. The Fall as he calls it. It is all simplistic and a bit amateurish. Though I did like his discussion of how the psychopaths are now running the asylum. He at least admits there is no going back to hunting gathering lifestyles as desirable as that might seem to be. Not to me I should quickly add. But in any case 99.9% of humans would have to go. There are brain dead extremists advocating that too.
The author seems to be genuine and authentic. It’s hard to tell these days especially with books like this one. He advocates the use of shamanic practices in psychotherapy and suggest a number of practices to try out. Along with some references should you wish to pursue it further. Fair enough. Whatever works.
There is not a huge amount of detail about actual Shamanism, I guess that comes in later volumes. The basic beliefs seem to be a sense of the sacred, a feeling of connectedness, back to nature and spirits everywhere. Real. Not imaginary. Well fair enough except for the last bit. An extraordinary claim requiring extraordinary evidence as they say.
The author then presents us with a standard diatribe against civilisation and all of its evils. Agriculture, industry, science. The Fall as he calls it. It is all simplistic and a bit amateurish. Though I did like his discussion of how the psychopaths are now running the asylum. He at least admits there is no going back to hunting gathering lifestyles as desirable as that might seem to be. Not to me I should quickly add. But in any case 99.9% of humans would have to go. There are brain dead extremists advocating that too.
The author seems to be genuine and authentic. It’s hard to tell these days especially with books like this one. He advocates the use of shamanic practices in psychotherapy and suggest a number of practices to try out. Along with some references should you wish to pursue it further. Fair enough. Whatever works.
May 8, 2021
This book wasn't for me. I found it to be just one long introduction and not really getting to the point, I don’t mean an introduction to Shamanism (which it is), but an introduction to a text, I just felt like it never really got going. I have read a bit about Shamanism before, but certainly not loads, but I did not feel that this offered anything particularly original. The end section about 'therapeutic Shamanism' simply offers suggestions around gratitude and compassion focussed exercises which, whilst I agree can be useful and beneficial, can both be found in a multitude of disciplines and approaches.
October 26, 2022
Paul Francis has unlocked a new chapter in my spiritual journey and practises.
I am a spiritualist but I am not focused on one particular practice apart from my own journey and growth.
I am a tarot reader and I am venturing into new waters which has lead me to this particular book.
Paul's introduction to the world of Shamanism is guided but honest which is where he has my respect.
This book gave me the tools for my new spiritual chapter and brought me to Lioness which I will be forever greatful.
Thankyou Paul and for anyone interested in understanding our very complicated world and existence, give it a read.
I promise you won't regret it (of you follow the guidance).
I am a spiritualist but I am not focused on one particular practice apart from my own journey and growth.
I am a tarot reader and I am venturing into new waters which has lead me to this particular book.
Paul's introduction to the world of Shamanism is guided but honest which is where he has my respect.
This book gave me the tools for my new spiritual chapter and brought me to Lioness which I will be forever greatful.
Thankyou Paul and for anyone interested in understanding our very complicated world and existence, give it a read.
I promise you won't regret it (of you follow the guidance).
January 7, 2021
Great introduction to modern shamanism. The author provides a thoroughly compassionate diagnosis of the spiritual precarity of modern life and a few exercises to get you started. Still not sure if I'm doing them right but it's quite calming so far if nothing else. Just bought the second book and can't wait to dive in!
October 8, 2021
I love Paul's approach to practicing shamanism. I love how he has the ability to go back and look at the beginning of humans and how they interacted. He doesn't take from one school of thought either and looks at Shamanism as a core and how you can apply it.
January 10, 2023
This book was introduced to me by a great friend. I appreciated the way it was sequenced and came away with many notes and lessons. If you are on a healing journey or already an alternative medicine practitioner this book will deepen your practices.
March 26, 2024
Aclear beginners guide to shamanism. I feel ready to get journeying. The book does do ONE small beginners journey at the beginning of the book, but the emphasis is on you creating space and time for it yourself, sourcing drumming (cds, groups) and experiencing it yourself.
November 8, 2021
Fantastic book
Great book and easy to follow exercises. I am definitely going to read the next volume. Perfect start to the shamanic practitioner living 🙏
Great book and easy to follow exercises. I am definitely going to read the next volume. Perfect start to the shamanic practitioner living 🙏
February 6, 2022
Amazing book!
December 4, 2022
Thorough beginning for shamanic understanding.
July 8, 2023
Excellent introduction. A very honest book.
November 13, 2023
Really Good
This book added some really thoughtful and useful information to what I already know, very helpful, and much appreciated, thanks.
This book added some really thoughtful and useful information to what I already know, very helpful, and much appreciated, thanks.
January 25, 2024
Amazing book with a lot of history and very good explanations. Loved reading every bit of it.
April 19, 2021
Good content
I enjoyed this book. I recommend it to anybody interested in practicing shamanism. It’s a great start rich in content . I have to say however that i was really annoyed at the multiple editing mistakes I found. It made me doubt the validity of the content specifically the part about what ancient tribes used to live like and how old shamanism really is. That was plain speculation and it took away from the book the trust it needs from its readers, given that it is a really sensitive and personal topic. That being said I would recommend anyone that reads the book to pay a lot of attention to the last chapter. It puts it all together well.
I enjoyed this book. I recommend it to anybody interested in practicing shamanism. It’s a great start rich in content . I have to say however that i was really annoyed at the multiple editing mistakes I found. It made me doubt the validity of the content specifically the part about what ancient tribes used to live like and how old shamanism really is. That was plain speculation and it took away from the book the trust it needs from its readers, given that it is a really sensitive and personal topic. That being said I would recommend anyone that reads the book to pay a lot of attention to the last chapter. It puts it all together well.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews