Shamanism as a Spiritual Practice for Daily Life

The Cowans have done it again.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.

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.

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.

I have read MANY book on Shamanism and various Shamanic religions, and this is the only book that has been given a place of honor in my personal library.I also recommend"Secrets of Shamanism..." Jose and Lena Stevens"The Way of the Shaman" Michael Harner

This is in my "top ten" list of favorite books, and I refer to it often. As a Westerner trying to learn about shamanism and how I might apply shamanic principles and practices in my life, I found this to be THE book. It's a perfect place to begin. Cowan provides the essentials of core shamanic practice without bewildering the reader with the incredible diversity that more scholarly and anthropologically oriented books do. After reading it, I was able to bring together the gleanings of thirty years of spiritual seeking into a simple, coherent framework that has allowed me to connect with others in ways I never imagined were possible. It has definitely been a factor in deepening my ability to help others through my ministry.