Remembering Michael
Continuing Michael Harner’s work in the Foundation
A Statement from FSS President Susan Mokelke
& The Life and Work of Michael Harner by Andreas J. Hirsch, Ph.D.
© Shamanism Annual, December 2018, Issue 31
April 23, 2018
Remembering Michael Harner: A memorial celebration of the life and work of Michael Harner, 1929 – 2018. A recording of the live stream of the event held on April 14, 2018 in northern California is now available to view free online.
February 3, 2018
It is with great sadness that we inform you that Michael Harner, Founder of the FSS and originator of Core Shamanism, transitioned early in the morning of February 3.
He was supported in the days prior to his passage by his loving wife Sandra Harner and his devoted family. He passed peacefully out of this world and on to the next.
Michael’s legacy lives on in this world through all of you — his tens of thousands of students and practitioners of shamanism. His work will continue into the future through the educational efforts of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies.
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In memoriam, “The Way of a Shaman” — from the Foundation for Shamanic Studies Europe.
Yours in spirit,
Susan Mokelke
President
Thank you for all that you’ve done. You’re an inspiration. We are Spirit.
I have not personally met Michael, but his influence has made it my way. Since 2001 we have hosted many many Harner workshops ..here at SpiritMatters. I can attest to the excitement and the joy that so many of the participants , and I myself, have felt and expressed after learning and practicing the age- old healing practices that he, throughout his lifetime, has tirelessly and generously offered to a world in need of meaning and wholeness. Another of his legacies that I loved from the moment I heard about it, is the library of shamanic journeys. What a gift! Bless you and your work Michael.
I am so grateful to have met him and appreciative of his foundation that taught me how to live again and in a greater way. I am honor.
Dr Michael Harner was a professor of mine when I was obtaining my doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the New School. He was the Head of the Anthropology department and I snuck over to take some courses with him. He was a fun loving compassionate person who introduced me to realms of experience that I was unaware of and fascinated by. I have been influenced by him in the psychotherapy I provide as well as my studies and immersion in Shamanic Judaism. He had a great sense of humor and openness and I was sad to hear of his transition.Rest in peace.
Our first weekend in Rhinebeck at Omega a few decades ago with Michael and a few hundred others a gateway for me that opened to what I had been doing since a young boy in an informal way. Everything was alive and could talk to me. It was a time for what I have come to call Magic In The Making as that weekend provided a focus, a ritual for coming Home to the privilege of practicing Shamanism. His book showed me the Way and helped me to make sense of who I am given my family was unaware. Doing does it, to borrow that expression. And Michael gets right to it without any pretense. One stands at the precipice and jumps with Michael into the Void. The Miracle, for me, is the revelation and outcome. He made the Miraculous a ritual practice. Anne Marie Perez describes my experience with Michael insightfully. He inspired me to discover a kind of GPS for the Soul, Medicine, Magic and Miracles that promote transformation, accomplishment and are reproducible. I don’t think I will miss him in the traditional way as Michael is with me whenever I work, the Good Father who showed me the Way Of The Shaman. As in the Spiritual Law of Gratitude: What one is grateful for increases. I ask that Grace be extended to Michael.
Thank you, Michael Harner.
With deepest gratitude, thank you.
THE WAY THAT M. HARNER CREATED AND PRESENTED HIS STUDY AND PRACTICE OF SHAMANISM, OF THE ONES THAT ARE OUT THERE, WERE TO ME THE MOST HUMBLE, RESPECTFUL, AND INNOCENT AND LOVING TO SHAMANS, FELLOW SEEKERS, AND NATURE ITSELF. HE SEEMED TO BE ABLE TO STEP BACK FROM ALL EGO. I AM GRATEFUL FOR HIS GREAT WORK. ANNE MARIE PEREZ
Reviving the practice of shamanism in today’s world was truly a massive Soul Retrieval for the human community. I can’t even imagine how I would have navigated the world and my life without learning to seek out and cultivate relationships with the compassionate ones. Endless gratitude, honor and respect to Michael. Great blessings to Sandra, all the family and staff of the Foundation. He must feel deep comfort knowing that he leaves the work of his life in such capable hearts and hands. His laughter forever graces my heart.
Michael and I received the news of Michael’s passing with a mixture of emotions, ranging from deep sadness, to peaceful stillness. I will be forever grateful for the privilege of having served as a member of the Foundation’s board, as well as the friendship that we shared with Michael and Sandra over the years. Michael’s teachings have had an enormous impact on both of our lives and we take great comfort in knowing that the legacy that he and Sandra have created will continue to benefit this planet and all who are drawn to this path.
Happy trails, Michael
I was lucky to spend two days in 1997 on workshop in Vancouver Canada with Michael. Michael was humorous, jovial and loving. I remember him laughing! 🙂
What a brilliant being!
While a sad loss, I trust that Michael’s spirit gleefully soars with ease.
I feel blessed and honored to have been taught by Michael in a few workshops, and to have been a student of a few of his spiritual descendants, if you will, in the three year and other workshops.
He leaves an invaluable legacy.
I loved Michael’s quick wit and deep wisdom, and appreciate the accompanying complexities involved in being a great teacher to so many.
He will be missed.
Love and Light to Sandra Harner, FSS, and all of Michael’s loved ones.
Thank you, Michael, for opening my heart and mind to the psychoactive component of drumming. It changed my life 20 years ago and I continue with my daily drumming as part of my nourishment and my blessing to others.
Rest in Peace.
I’ve often thought that only Michael, with his impeccable refusal to play guru to his beginning students, could have ushered me through this door that has changed and enriched my life immeasurably. I will never forget the humor in his eyes as he answered students repeatedly (and respectfully) with the comment “What a wonderful question! Go journey on it!”
The drumming will never stop. Michael’s shamanic teachings opened up for me a profoundly spiritual life. He led me to an awareness of my own healing powers. Thank you for the journeying. I am forever grateful that I had the pleasure of being in our workshops.
I feel so blessed to have gone through the shaman training developed by Michael Harner based on his decades of observing and participating with indigenous peoples around the world. This information and practice has helped me have a better understanding of the spirit world within our daily existence. This also has helped me as a medical provider assist people who are ill but may not have any abnormal lab, scans, or physical exam.
Blessings on his family,on those who worked with him for so many years, the shamans who invited him into their world to share their information, and those of us who continue his legacy in and to the world. Namaste.
A teacher who’s work is barely understood by so many of us who adored him and were his grateful students. I trust that his legacy will continue to unfold through the FSS and the lives of all of us who he touched so deeply. His work has saved my life…several times at least. Much love to Sandra, Susan and all who were touched by his passing.
What an inspiration! His works were not only inspirational to me but helped me understand so much about myself. It was like backing up and studying to intellectually understand what seemed difficult to understand. He will be missed by many but remembered for how he changed others lives by even more.
I had the pleasure of being in a two-week seminar with Micheal at Esalon Institute in 1987. His work opened the cosmos of consciousness to me and changed the entire trajectory of my life. As a teacher, he is without parallel in my world. And he was true to his message, correcting us students when we edging into diluting the ancient teachings and methods. Being with him was a cosmos-opening experience. Thank you, Michael, thank you.
I am truly grateful for Michael’s work, the Foundation and his teachings. They have forever touched my life, and I will continue on for the rest of my life. In honor and gratitude, may the work that you bestowed to us continue to grow, and may the countless blessings this brings to all come back to you and your family Michael, ten thousand fold.
Words fail me to express what Michael and his work have meant to my life. Both have transformed my life. I’m sad, and very, very grateful!
To Michael Harner… words, I feel, could never do justice to how I feel about a life that I now consider more beautiful than I had ever thought possible; brought into being as a direct result of your love of humanity and your selfless gift in bringing shamanism to the West. Thank you seems such a simple phrase, but thank you I do, from the bottom of my heart. xx
He had such great humor, laughing out loud about his own mistakes wth the indigenous peoples. I was part of the first 3 year program in Europe 2005 and it was a pleasure to listen to him. He showed us the the bonded shaman. Pure humility. I took part in nearly every seminar of the fss Europe with Paul Uccusic and work now round about 15 years in my own practice in the tradition of the fss. So I’m not exaggerating when I say, he and his work changed my life. Thank you.
Michael Harner opened a door for so many, and gave validity in today’s times, to the study of Shamanism. I send condolences to his family. May their grief be bearable.
Godspeed, Michael. Job well done.
I will always remember your humorous, loving presence in my week-long workshop. Your transition is a tremendous loss for the world, mitigated by all you have left behind – FSS and all the teachers and students. May this become an enduring legacy that will last for centuries.
Thank you for all you have done for humanity and the Earth, keeping the important lineages of shamanism alive and making it available to more people.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I encountered Michael’s THE WAY OF THE SHAMAN shortly after it was published, over 35 years ago. At the time I was not ready to enter the world he opened to me, even though (or because) my life had recently been saved by my contact with shamanism.
I returned to the shamanic path a little over a year ago, to discover that Michael and Sandra were still keeping the faith, and that a whole series of certified trainings had grown up as a result of the work of the Many who comprise the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. I took the basic workshop just last month.
It was only at the announcement of Michael’s death that I realized how profoundly grateful I was that our lives had overlapped in this way. As I go forward with my life’s journey, I expect to repeatedly honor Michael and the work of FSS in my community, Quakers.
I met Michael when I was 24, 36 years ago, at the Esalen Institute. I spent only three days with him as well as many others at a workshop on, I believe, an introduction to Shamanism. His kindness and instruction have informed my life and I recall his face as he patiently listened to my very young self describe what Rock had to say to me. He remains in my heart.
It is with a mixture of sadness and elation that I receive this news. My deepest condolences to his family, close friends and all who loved him deeply. I am elated because he now knows and see what the rest of us only experience as we journey. Michael’s work has had a profound impact on my life, my healing practice…my very being. I am forever changed because of it, with a grateful, grateful heart. Journey on, dear soul. This planet is a better place to dwell because of you, your beautiful Spirit and your work.
What a privilege it was to know and learn from him! I loved his sense of humor together with his wisdom. Beautiful human being!
Michael, was an incredible man, who I met in the early 70’s,when I was just starting my spiritual journey on world shamanism, I am now 70, and still have fond memories of that meeting, as he was so full of Spirit and was on a mission to enlighten the world on Shamanism. I was honored to have met in briefly, may his work live on through the Foundation. Blessing
Farewell for now, dear Michael. The knowledge you shared enriched my life. Thank you and Godspeed.
Thank you Michael Harner for teaching us the way of the shaman. I have been blessed and have become a blessing because of it. May you journey farther and higher than you ever thought possible. Peace and comfort to all who love you.
I remember attending a course at Omega Institute in New York in the 90’s! It was my first introduction to shamanism . I feel honoured to have had his wisdom then. It changed my life! You will be sorely missed. Now you are with all the spirits . Ho!
Deepest sincere sympathy for his wife Sandra and family. Sending healing light……
What a tremendous being Michael was: full of joy and humor and deepest clarity about the truths of the spirit and the worlds of the shaman! To live in generativity-sharing knowledge with the world from your own passions and love-is a rare gift. I was honored to have been his student in the Basic and Three year programs and the work I do here in Iowa, of all places, has been honored and respected and changed the lives, launched the life paths for many people, all a result of what Michael passed on in his work! God, gods love him and all celestial beings and power animals! HO!
It was Michael’s witty humor mixed with vast knowledge that I will remember him by and appreciate him for. It was an honor and pleasure to have been able to take the Basic Workshop, among others, from him 18 years ago. I will always remember his teaching to take the work seriously, but not necessarily ourselves.
Thank you, Michael, for the gift you have given to generations of shamans. May you enjoy your next grand journey.
The Irish Centre for Shamanic Studies came into being 20 years ago as a direct result of Michaels book “The Way of the Shaman” literally falling off the shelf at my feet in 1990, it set me on a Shamanic Journey that took me all over the world studying with indigenous shamans as well as studying either Core Shamanic teachers trained by Michael himself, I’m forever grateful to you Michael for paving the way for my discovering my own ancient Celtic, Druid, Shamanic heritage. Good luck on your journey home .
Michael Harner open it all up for me through his Way of the Shaman and through the Sacred Trust, the UK branch of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. I’m a Californian living in Ireland for last 26 years, and studied in England. Thank you Michael for the access point and opening the pod.
25 years ago, I had my first shamanic experience with my mentor, Thea Robertshaw, who was a student of Michael’s. Worlds unknown were introduced to me and I was able to connect with my ancestors, who were waiting for me to accept my authentic identity and life calling as a teacher and healer. Since then I have taken many of the Foundation courses and met many beautiful teachers and souls with a common purpose. I was blessed to meet Michael many years later at the newly introduced Shamanic Dreamwork weekend retreat. We had an opportunity to sit and talk, and he spoke kind words of wisdom that ring true to this day. I can still hear his voice and see his wry smile. Blessings to you, Michael, on your next journey! I most certainly would not be the person I am today had you not walked on this planet. I’m sure the Spirits are happy to have you in their company. Say hello to Angeles~
Michaels work in Shamanic studies was fundamental to brining the world an understanding that would lead us to this transitional time. He along with Sandra opened a beautiful lotus flower for us to all sip the nectar and integrate the wisdom of the ancient ones. I bow with Gratitude and deeply felt Blessings to Michael and send many Blessings and heartfelt awareness to his partner Sandra. Melissa
Much gratitude here to the spirit-in-form we all knew as Michael Harner. Following his call and teachings changed my life and empowered and facilitated my own now world-wide work with tens of thousands of animals and people. Blessings to you, Michael, wherever you feel to go and be now.
Thank you for your integrity, compassion, devotion, dedication and bravery! Your work made the world a better place! You will always be in my heart!
My deepest condolences to Michael’s family and FSS colleagues. A lasting impression I’ve carried is how superbly talented Michael was in demystifying Mystery while simultaneously enlarging it. I’m pretty sure this makes him not only a master shaman but a truly wise and compassionate man. The finesse and sensitivity with which he handled and transmitted shamanic knowledge to his students and the world was incomparable, in my experience. I admired his humor, part and parcel of his healing nature. So bless you, bless you Michael; I’m so appreciative of you and your work. You truly made a difference in the lives of many during your “marriage with this Cruel Beauty of time and space…”
Coming out of the Harvard studies of the early 1960s using psychedelic drugs to expand consciousness, it was a breath-taking revelation for me to encounter, through Michael Harner, the age-old shamanic practices using sacred plants and fungi, as well as the drumming method for intentionally traveling to other realms for the purposes of healing and acquiring knowledge of other realities. Discerning the essential core of the shaman’s way, stripped of the particular cultural symbols – what a gift you have given to contemporary seekers.
Deep gratitude to you Michael, and may Blessed Spirits bring you multiple treasures of insights as you continue your explorations in the worlds beyond.
Thanks Harner for helping me become the best version of myself.
My drum will always sing for your memory! Good journey coming back home.
We at the Paz Geia Institute of Shamanic Research – SP-Brazil, want at this time to offer our gratitude and honor to Michel Harner, who dedicated his life to awakening human beings to a divine connection with conscience and love
May Mother Earth receive him and Heavenly Father open the doors of his new home.
May your family and friends obtain the necessary comfort in this sacred hour.
peace, love and gratitude our great teacher and inspirer
It is so sad to lose such a great man. What a blessing he has been to shamanism. Had it not been for him, I never would have learned and experienced it myself. Thank you, Michael , for your vision. May you Rest In peace. K
Loss and Beauty, suffering and love, this world
Gratitude for the vision and enthusiasm of Michael Harner,
a path of healing and joy through his generous spirit
Sending love and peace to his wife and many close colleagues and friends.
There is a big shaman’s party at the top of the World Tree!
I had the great fortune to be trained by Michael in and the shamanic magic he brought to the west changed my life.
For almost 30 years now, I have practiced and shared the teachings and will continue to carry the torch. Michael was a blessing to us here on earth and a sure blessing to the family in the Upper World!
A Great Loss to those left behind. May he be Welcomed with Joy at the Hearths of his Ancestors in the Great Beyond
La muerte de un Chamán no es algo triste.
Lo es para la mayoría de nosotros, ciertamente.
Pero el Chamán sabe a donde va. Él regresa al Mundo de los espíritus.
Gracias Michael por todo lo que nos enseñaste y compartiste con nosotros.
Comment:
The death of a Shaman is not a sad thing.
It is for most of us, certainly.
But the Shaman knows where he is going. He returns to the World of spirits.
Thank you Michael for everything you taught us and shared with us.