Ethical Practice FAQ

Ultimately, we have found that success as a shamanic practitioner is dependent upon:

• Developing spiritual power through working with the compassionate helping spirits over a period of time;
• Disciplined and ethical application of the core shamanic healing methods taught in the workshops and trainings under the guidance of one’s own helping spirits.

Shamanic practitioners are part of an ancient lineage of spiritual healers. Since shamanic healing is a form of spiritual healing, the question of ethics is of particular importance. Core shamanic practitioners work with fully compassionate spirits of the Upper and Lower Worlds, who will not support the unethical or harmful use of their power. Without the helping spirits’ power, the shaman loses not only the ability to offer effective healing, but also the support and protection of the spirits.

“… sometimes healers would get angry and lose their discipline and use their powers to get even. But it is important to know that this is a big mistake, not just ethically, but in terms of self-preservation. No matter how justified a person feels emotionally at the time, those spiritual beings who are representative of the great, loving, hidden universe will disconnect. It's like we're rechargeable batteries. We still have some power, and we can do damage, but the power source is no longer charging us.” —Michael Harner, We Are Not Alone

In shamanic healing, permission means the express, informed consent of the client for a specific individual or group to perform shamanic healing or divination. This means that the potential client understands generally what shamanic healing is and that we work with fully compassionate spirits of the Upper and Lower Worlds. The client must give specific verbal or written consent to the work. Healing without permission is unethical and strays into the realm of sorcery. It is unethical because each person has the right and the responsibility to decide what to do in matters of their own soul. Permission is also an issue when dealing with animals, nature, and disasters. See Ethical Considerations in Shamanic Healing.

The Foundation’s authentic and powerful training in shamanic methods, developed and originated by Michael Harner, provides the basis for an effective shamanic practice. To practice successfully, in addition to the methodology, one must build strong connections with the helping spirits. These connections develop in strength over time through disciplined training and experience.

The FSS curriculum, provided through our workshops and advanced residential programs, is designed to provide step-by-step training in shamanic methods. Workshops are taught by the Foundation’s highly qualified international faculty. FSS faculty members have completed a rigorous training program in Core Shamanism and have several years of hands-on shamanic healing practice with private clients.

The Foundation for Shamanic Studies acknowledges the responsibilities involved in its mission, which is the preservation, study, and transmission of ancient shamanic knowledge. With this in mind, FSS faculty members are expected to observe the following guidelines as they teach on the Foundation’s behalf.

• Strive to work in harmony with and for each other.
• Teach for positive use, as a healing force in the world.
• Refrain from taking advantage of students by virtue of their positions as faculty members, avoiding inappropriate personal relationships, including those of a sexual nature. The Foundation also advises those engaged in shamanic practice to follow the same guidelines with their clients.
• Carefully consider their actions as teachers, treating self and others with care, patience, tolerance, and compassion.

The Foundation does not offer degrees or certify students as shamans. It is not possible for an organization or individual to “certify” that a person is a shaman since it is successful results in shamanic healing that make a person a shaman. If a person consistently helps others through shamanic healing, that person may be recognized by clients as a shaman or shamanic healer. Because it is the fully compassionate helping spirits that provide the power for healing, even that status can change at any time according to a practitioner's relationship with their helping spirits. However, the Foundation offers Certificates of Completion to publicly acknowledge the considerable time and effort invested by students in the completion of the Foundation's training programs in advanced shamanism and shamanic healing.

The FSS offers experiential workshops in person and online in ethical and effective practice. An effective shamanic healing practice depends on a combination of factors, including authentic and rigorous training in methods and direct experience with clients. As a spiritual healing method, the pragmatic aspects of the profession may be easily overlooked, and yet can make the difference between a valuable experience and a profoundly healing one from the client's viewpoint. A well-designed container for your healing practice that supports your clients and inspires you, can considerably enhance the effectiveness of your work.

• IN PERSON: Shamanism in Practice: Ethical, Effective, and Inspired Shamanic Healing
• ONLINE: Inspired Shamanic Practice: Essentials of Effective & Principled Shamanic Healing