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.
Roger Walsh is professor of psychiatry, philosophy, and anthropology at the University of California at Irvine. His writings and research have received over two dozen national and international awards and honors while his teaching has received one national and six university awards.
Praise for The World of Shamanism
"As if on cue, just when I am beginning to think that shamanism is the ground from which all religions spring, along comes this book. I cannot imagine a book that would be more helpful to me in thinking through this important subject."
"...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."
"A splendidly clear and timely survey of shamanism."
"Quite simply, this book is a major step forward in understanding the vital phenomenon of shamanism. I recommend it highly."
Huston Smith, author of The World's Religions
Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D., M.Litt, author of The Yoga Tradition
Jean Achterberg, Ph.D., author of Imagery in Healing
Charles Tart, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Psychology,
University of California at Davis, author of States of Consciousness