Neoshamanism

Neoshamanism is a modern, Western-inspired family of spiritual movements that draw on traditional shamanic practices and cosmologies. It emerged in the mid‑ to late 20th century within the broader New Age and psychedelic exploration milieu and is characterized by adapting shamanic techniques for individual growth, healing, and personal insight rather than community-based, lineage-driven apprenticeship.

Practices commonly associated with neoshamanism include drumming or rattling to induce trance states, guided visualizations or journeys to the spirit world, and the cultivation of relationships with spirit guides, power animals, or other symbolic allies. Some practitioners use rituals, singing, and ritual tools such as feathers, smudging, or altars. While many neoshamanists emphasize non-psychedelic methods, some strands incorporate entheogens such as ayahuasca or peyote, typically within specific cultural or legal contexts, which has fueled ongoing ethical and safety debates.

Origins and influences are closely linked to Michael Harner’s Core Shamanism, which sought to extract widely shareable techniques from various indigenous traditions for Western use. Sandra Ingerman and other contemporary teachers further popularized these approaches. Critics argue that neoshamanism often involves selective borrowing and cultural appropriation, stripping practices of their indigenous contexts and meanings. Supporters contend that the movements offer accessible paths to ecological reverence, personal healing, and a practical form of spirituality compatible with secular or multi-faith environments.

In practice, neoshamanism tends to emphasize personal experience, eclectic adaptation, and self-directed exploration, rather than a single doctrinal creed.