The World of Shamanism: New Views of an Ancient Tradition

Fascinating, comprehensive, and eminently readable, this guide explores shamanism—the world’s most enduring healing and religious tradition—in the light of modern medicine, psychology, neuroscience, consciousness disciplines, and religious studies.

“…Unquestionably the most rounded compact introduction to shamanism, particularly the inner world of shamans, available today. A door-opening book for students of consciousness and spirituality.”
—Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D., M.Litt, author of The Yoga Tradition

The World of Shamanism has several aims. The first is to introduce shamanic practices and the second is to examine them in the light of modern research to assess how, when, and why they work.

A third goal is to evaluate extreme claims about shamans. On one hand, many early researchers diagnosed and dismissed them as merely neurotic or psychotic, charlatans or con-men. On the other hand, popular writers sometimes portray them as superhuman saints or sages. Careful examination explodes both myths.

Roger Walsh, The World of Shamanism