Why Explore Shamanism?

Why do people come to us, the Foundation for Shamanic Studies Europe, and participate in our workshops?

Most people get in touch with us because they’ve heard about shamanism and want to find out more about it. Either they’ve read something that has fascinated them and piqued their curiosity, or they’ve had an experience they can’t understand or make sense of. In either case, it’s important to these people to get introduced to shamanism in a safe and professional manner. They want to be able to integrate their spiritual experiences into their usual, scientifically-based world view.

Others see a need for change in their lives and want to find out whether shamanism could be useful for them in this regard. These changes may relate to personal or work-related matters, or they may be seeking spiritual support for challenges in their lives.

All these people are totally at the right place with us. What we teach at the Foundation for Shamanic Studies Europe – Core Shamanism, a methodology developed by anthropologist Michael Harner – is perfectly suited for those “seekers of balance”.

Finally, there are also the ones looking for spectacle or a guru. We don´t have anything to offer for them. Nor do we tell people what their path is or what is right or wrong. Nobody needs that. Rather, we provide our participants with tools that enable them to become more complete, more powerful and more autonomous. Shamanism, understood in this way, is a classical way of empowerment.

But now back to the actual question: Why take up shamanism?

Any answer that comes even close of being complete would go beyond the scope of this article. So, here’s the short version:

1. Shamanism offers a different way of understanding nature and life

It is one of the most comprehensive and coherent working hypotheses for explaining what we call nature and life.

2. Shamanic practice changes your perspective dramatically

The shamanic worldview and practice enrich life immensely, make it more colourful and intense. Shamanism refreshes, unsettles, expands space, time and perspective – and allows you to perceive the world in a completely different way.

3. Shamanism works

Feel invited to embark on the journey and explore Core Shamanism first-hand, by attending in one of our Basic Workshops.