Shamanic Journey, The

This book, if you let it, will take you on a 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 the 1980s classic The Way of the Shaman, Francis has created a practical, ethical and experiential guide for both complete beginners and for anyone already with experience. 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. As a highly practical form of spirituality, our ancestors always adapted shamanism to the times and environment in which they lived. Facing the challenges of our times, the book discusses how we can reclaim shamanism and make it relevant to the changed times in which we now live. 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.