‘The shamanic journey’ addressess an increasing disenchantment with how we experience our lives: something fundamental is missing. We have a longing for a deeper connection, a greater purpose and an enlightened approach to living, and yet we are unsure of what we can actually do to feel better and more alive; to get ‘home’.
If you are ready, the practice of shamanism holds the answers. 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.
PRACTICAL, ETHICAL AND EXPERIENTIAL GUIDE
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.
MAKING SHAMANISM RELEVANT TO MODERN TIMES
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.BOOK CONTENTS
In “The Shamanic Journey”, shamanic practitioner, teacher and psychotherapist, Paul Francis, offers an 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, that includes:
- a clear description about what shamanism is;
- a full introduction to the shamanic realms – lower, middle and upper worlds;
- an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to your first shamanic journey;
- guidance on how to connect and nurture a life-long relationship with your Power Animal;
- instruction on how to do basic shamanic healing on other people;
Moreover, it teaches at a fundamental level the ways in which we can place the ancient art of shamanism at the centre of our modern lives, to experience that longed-for connection with our true selves, others and the universe..
“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 do not 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
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.
Average customer review is 4.8 out of 5
634 5-star reviews on Amazon (U.K.) and counting.
Now also available in French and slovene!
READERS ABOUT 'THE SHAMANIC JOURNEY'
I have long sought a fulfilling book on the practice of shamanism in a modern context, one which doesn't leave me needing something more. I think I have, at last, found just that book! Paul Francis explains how Shaman would have worked in an indigenous pre-Fall world and how today, due to our collective insanity, our domestication and separation from Nature, traditional shamanic practices have their limitations. The fact that Paul is a practising psychotherapist and trainer of many years standing gives acknowledgement to the need for psychotherapy in modern life, but also to it's limitations. But Paul's skillful weaving of the two practices together bring a powerful mix, and nothing less than an antidote to our collective insanity.
Paul Francis speaks lucidly but passionately about shamanism, psychotherapy and the benefits of combining the two. I've read many books by good authors on both subjects but I have to say that this is the most in-depth examination of basic "core" shamanic practice I've come across. The book doesn't try to cover too much, instead it looks in some detail at basic principles. This makes it excellent as a beginner text and also useful for those like me who have some experience in the area and now wish to take it further. The exercises are simple but powerful and have had a very positive effect on my own journeying and connections with my guides.
This is the best book about Shamanism and shamanic journey that I have ever read. In fact it is the only one that I have read all the way through, having tried with other authors and given up/lost interest. This book's topics were well thought out and encouraged me to actually stop and do the exercises before reading on. Paul Francis's writing is clear and sensible, and the exercises are clearly described. Truly, I cannot recommend this more highly.
This is an incredible book. As someone who read all Carlos Casteneda's books many years ago and wished there was a practical way to learn how to be a shaman for people who lived in normal western society - this book is a gift from the Great Spirit. This is the real deal - no fluffy New Age nonsense, it is practical, serious and very easy to understand. It is a "work book" about shamanic journey, not just a casual read for the curious but a way to change your life for the better. It has certainly changed mine. Thank you Paul Francis.
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Quotes from reviews
A book that shines in the darkness
This book is one, huge, big heart of giving
It's rare to encounter a book that inspires so much spiritual practice with such clear guidance
Honest and thought-provoking
Beautifully written and like nothing I have ever read on shamanism before
Excellent for beginners and more advanced practitioners
RELEVANT BLOG POSTS
WHAT IS SHAMANISM?
Shamanism is practical application of animist experience that not just humans, but all things have a soul – a life force and consciousness. The world, and everything in it, is alive, conscious and sacred (albeit conscious in a way that might be quite different to human consciousness).
THE SHAMANIC JOURNEY – A JOURNEY TO THE THREE SHAMANIC REALMS
Shamanism tells us that there is another, deeper reality behind this day-to-day, physical one. Whilst shamanic people live with the sense of both ordinary reality and shamanic reality being side-by-side, there are times when they choose to deliberately and temporarily immerse themselves more fully in shamanic reality; to enter one of the shamanic realms and go on a shamanic journey.
SPIRIT ANIMALS – FINDING AND RETRIEVING YOUR POWER ANIMAL
It is not the shaman that does the healing, but the guides. Shamans invite the helpful spirits to work through them. Your first and foremost guide working through you in shamanic journey should be your Power Animal.
You are the apprentice and your Power Animal is your principal teacher.
HOLLOWING-OUT MEDITATION PRACTICE
Hollowing out means stepping aside from our middle-world stuff as much as possible, and from our own agendas and drives, beliefs and preconceptions, so the healing Spirits can communicate and work through us without all that getting in the way.
We need to hollow out, or our shamnic journeys will be coloured, driven and distorted by our ego.
THERAPEUTIC SHAMANISM SERIES
The book is the first in the Therapeutic Shamanism series. The series is a thorough, step-by-step guide to shamanic practice, the first of its kind to go into such detail and depth. An apprenticeship for modern times.
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES
