10 of the Most Influential People in Shamanism today

Hi Lynn. You actually make a good point. While Eliade was a historian of religion, a philospher, and a scholar, I'm not sure everyone would actually classify him as a shaman.

In fact, Eliade himself argued for limiting the use of the term "shaman" to specific indigenous practitioners. I personally believe the term is way overused in our culture today as so many of us seem to be seeking the benefits and results of shamanism and don't always stop to ask ourselves if we are not co-opting or colonizing authentic indigenous practitioners further by trying to adopt what is theirs.

And, while the person who wrote the text for the web site designates Eliade as a shaman, it is good practice to at least ask the question. I have heard some so-called "neo-shamans" discuss the use of the term and stipulate that they choose not to call themselves "shamans" but instead simply say they are shamanic practitioners. Some may think that's splitting hairs, but I think it's significant.

On the other hand, to play the devil's advocate, Eliade himself defined a shaman as one who has been initiated and uses "techniques of ecstasy. That does kind of leave the door open. I often think about shamanism as an archetype that shows up in many forms in the world today, the traditional shaman being just one of them.

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Deb Bridge December 5, 2011 at 6:06pm

I have received my Shamanic training from a person who has trained directly with Sandra Ingerman and Michael Harner. I have read much of Sandra's work. I have also attended a workshop on Celtic Shamanism with Tom Cowan. Of course, the most influential teachers are those encountered in non-ordinary reality!
Lynn Marie Hynes September 11, 2011 at 2:52pm

Bonnie, thank you for the posting. What an amazing listing of Shamans! I read a few of the bios, and was very surprised that Eliade was a Shaman. While is is deceased, and his books world-famous, I did not know this fact.
- Bonnie Bright > Lynn Marie Hynes September 11, 2011 at 3:17pm
  
  Hi Lynn. You actually make a good point. While Eliade was a historian of religion, a philospher, and a scholar, I'm not sure everyone would actually classify him as a shaman.
  
  In fact, Eliade himself argued for limiting the use of the term "shaman" to specific indigenous practitioners. I personally believe the term is way overused in our culture today as so many of us seem to be seeking the benefits and results of shamanism and don't always stop to ask ourselves if we are not co-opting or colonizing authentic indigenous practitioners further by trying to adopt what is theirs.
  
  And, while the person who wrote the text for the web site designates Eliade as a shaman, it is good practice to at least ask the question. I have heard some so-called "neo-shamans" discuss the use of the term and stipulate that they choose not to call themselves "shamans" but instead simply say they are shamanic practitioners. Some may think that's splitting hairs, but I think it's significant.
  
  On the other hand, to play the devil's advocate, Eliade himself defined a shaman as one who has been initiated and uses "techniques of ecstasy. That does kind of leave the door open. I often think about shamanism as an archetype that shows up in many forms in the world today, the traditional shaman being just one of them.

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Shamanism, Ritual, & Medicine

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