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[[File:Harner(1).jpg|thumb|Michael Harner]]

[[image:Harner(1).jpg|thumb|Michael Harner]]

 

'''Michael Harner''' (born April 27, 1929, Washington D.C.) is one of the longest established contemporary authors and entrepreneurs in the esoteric market with his Foundation for Shamanic Studies (FSS) and his invention of Core Shamanism.

'''Michael Harner''' (born April 27, 1929 in Washington D.C.) is one of the longest established contemporary authors and entrepreneurs in the esoteric market with his Foundation for Shamanic Studies (FSS) and his invention of Core Shamanism.

==Biography==

==Biography==

Harner came into contact with indigenous healing practices and hallucinogenic drugs during field work in South America. He not only claims to have started practicing shamanism as early as 1960-61 during a sojourn with the Shuar in Ecuador, but alleges he was recognized as a shaman by alleged shamans of various ethnic groups, like the Conibo, Shuar, Coast Salish, Pomo, Northern Paiute, Inland Inuit, Sami, and Tuvans.<ref name="harnerbio" /> Given the fact that indigenous spiritual persons and healers usually have to undergo a training which may well take two or more decades, this renders Harner's claim quite improbable and well exceeding one lifetime. Taking into consideration that such spiritual persons are also required to be fluent in the language and well-versed in the culture of their respective ethnic group, it is highly questionable that Harner will meet the requirements. However, his claim is well in line with the ways New Agers present themselves to their paying clientele.

Harner came into contact with indigenous healing practices and hallucinogenic drugs during field work in South America. He not only claims to have started practicing shamanism as early as 1960-61 during a sojourn with the Shuar in Ecuador, but alleges he was recognized as a shaman by alleged shamans of various ethnic groups, like the Conibo, Shuar, Coast Salish, Pomo, Northern Paiute, Inland Inuit, Sami, and Tuvans.<ref name="harnerbio" /> Given the fact that indigenous spiritual persons and healers usually have to undergo a training which may well take two or more decades, this renders Harner's claim quite improbable and well exceeding one lifetime. Taking into consideration that such spiritual persons are also required to be fluent in the language and well-versed in the culture of their respective ethnic group, it is highly questionable that Harner will meet the requirements. However, his claim is well in line with the ways New Agers present themselves to their paying clientele.

The Core Shamanism Harner claims to have discovered and developed insists that shamanic practices and religions were once used in European cultures, too, until shamanic knowledge was ousted „by the suppressive pre-eminence of religions“<ref>http://www.shamanicstudies.net/Schamanismus accessed Nov 28, 2012</ref> Core Shamanism asserts there were ''„... underlying universal, near-universal, and common features of shamanism...“'' which it claims to teach particularly to ''„... Westerners to reacquire access to their rightful spiritual heritage...“''.<ref name="shamanism.org">http://www.shamanism.org/fssinfo/index.html accessed Nov 28, 2012</ref>

The Core Shamanism Harner claims to have discovered and developed insists that shamanic practices and religions were once used in European cultures, too, until shamanic knowledge was ousted „by the suppressive pre-eminence of religions“<ref>http://www.shamanicstudies.net/Schamanismus accessed Nov 28, 2012</ref> Core Shamanism asserts there were ''„[...] underlying universal, near-universal, and common features of shamanism [...]“'' which it claims to teach particularly to ''„[...] Westerners to reacquire access to their rightful spiritual heritage [...]“''.<ref name="shamanism.org">http://www.shamanism.org/fssinfo/index.html accessed Nov 28, 2012</ref>

Although Harner's site today claims that ''„core shamanism does not focus on ceremonies...“''<ref name="shamanism.org" />, there are accounts of FSS and former FSS students selling indigenous ceremonies as e.g. sweatlodges.<ref>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shamandebunk/message/337 accessed Nov. 28, 2012</ref>. In fact, according to the announcement of the so-called Basic Workshops „Way of the Shaman“ for 2013 on the FSS website, participants are still expected to ''„...bring a rattle or a drum if you have one. [...] and bring a bandanna, cushion and/or blanket (if the sponsor does not provide cushions), a rough-surfaced rock approximately the size of a grapefruit...“''<ref>http://www.shamanism.org/workshops/calendar.php?Wkshp_ID=10  accessed Nov 28, 2012</ref>, indicating that the seminar includes a sweatlodge. However, this brief information to bring a „rough-surfaced rock“ leaves much room for participants bringing a stone not appropriate for high temperatures and a subsequent cooling by water; this may cause some types of rock to explode, with rock splinters taking on the speed and impact of missiles. Therefore, participation in such a lodge can be very dangerous.

Although Harner's site today claims that ''„core shamanism does not focus on ceremonies [...]“''<ref name="shamanism.org" />, there are accounts of FSS and former FSS students selling indigenous ceremonies as e.g. sweatlodges.<ref>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shamandebunk/message/337 accessed Nov. 28, 2012</ref>. In fact, according to the announcement of the so-called Basic Workshops „Way of the Shaman“ for 2013 on the FSS website, participants are still expected to ''„[...] bring a rattle or a drum if you have one. [...] and bring a bandanna, cushion and/or blanket (if the sponsor does not provide cushions), a rough-surfaced rock approximately the size of a grapefruit [...]“''<ref>http://www.shamanism.org/workshops/calendar.php?Wkshp_ID=10  accessed Nov 28, 2012</ref>, indicating that the seminar includes a sweatlodge. However, this brief information to bring a „rough-surfaced rock“ leaves much room for participants bringing a stone not appropriate for high temperatures and a subsequent cooling by water; this may cause some types of rock to explode, with rock splinters taking on the speed and impact of missiles. Therefore, participation in such a lodge can be very dangerous.

==Foundation for Shamanic Studies==

==Foundation for Shamanic Studies==

Founded in 1979 as Center of Shamanic Studies, the institution was renamed and reorganised as a foundation in 1987. The foundation resides in Mill Valley, California and is recognised as a non-profit organisation.<ref name="fsswork">http://www.shamanism.org/fssinfo/fsswork.html accessed Nov. 28, 2012</ref>

Founded in 1979 as Center of Shamanic Studies, the institution was renamed and reorganised as a foundation in 1987. The foundation resides in Mill Valley, California and is recognised as a non-profit organisation.<ref name="fsswork">http://www.shamanism.org/fssinfo/fsswork.html accessed Nov. 28, 2012</ref>

According to its own words, FSS is „dedicated to teaching, preserving, and studying shamanic knowledge“ and has „initiated a wide range of projects and programs“.<ref name="fsswork" /> One main field of the FSS activities is offering a variety of workshops and training programmes on basic and advanced levels. Both the US and the European website additionally maintain an online shop which not only sells Harner's books, CDs etc., but also a variety of articles said to be essential to practice shamanism. An FSS article written in 2005 claims FSS at that time was teaching about 203 courses per year and had approximately 5,000 students annually.<ref name="article18page3">http://www.shamanism.org/articles/article18page3.html accessed Dec. 6, 2012</ref>

According to its own words, FSS is „dedicated to teaching, preserving, and studying shamanic knowledge“ and has „initiated a wide range of projects and programs“.<ref name="fsswork" /> One main field of the FSS activities is offering a variety of workshops and training programmes on basic and advanced levels. Both the US and the European website additionally maintain an online shop which not only sells Harner's books, CDs etc., but also a variety of articles said to be essential to practice shamanism. An FSS article written in 2005 claims FSS at that time was teaching about 203&nbsp;courses per year and had approximately 5,000&nbsp;students annually.<ref name="article18page3">http://www.shamanism.org/articles/article18page3.html accessed Dec. 6, 2012</ref>

[[File:Uccusic.jpg|thumb|Paul Uccusic]]

[[image:Uccusic.jpg|thumb|Paul Uccusic]]

FSS maintains a branch in Europe situated in Vienna with Paul Uccusic as its director.<ref name="fsswork" /> According to biographical information provided on the FSS Europe website, Uccusic studied chemistry, physics, and mathmatics in Vienna and became a journalist; in 1971 he came into contact with parapsychology and spiritual healing, met Harner in 1981 and absolved courses with FSS.<ref>http://www.shamanicstudies.net/Page/Key?key=UGF1bF9VY2N1c2lj accessed Nov. 28, 2012</ref>

FSS maintains a branch in Europe situated in Vienna with Paul Uccusic as its director.<ref name="fsswork" /> According to biographical information provided on the FSS Europe website, Uccusic studied chemistry, physics, and mathmatics in Vienna and became a journalist; in 1971 he came into contact with parapsychology and spiritual healing, met Harner in 1981 and absolved courses with FSS.<ref>http://www.shamanicstudies.net/Page/Key?key=UGF1bF9VY2N1c2lj accessed Nov. 28, 2012</ref>

All FSS branches sell courses based on Harner's works, so e.g. on shamanic journeying, shamanic extraction, shamanic divination, shamanic dreamwork, shamanic training in creativity, core soul retrieval etc. While most courses last three days, FSS USA also offers one two-week „Shamanic Healing IntensiveTM“ and one „Three-Year Program of Advanced Initiations in Shamanism and Shamanic Healing“.<ref name="workshops">http://www.shamanism.org/workshops/index.php accessed Nov. 28, 2012</ref> The obtrusive advertising tone at the FSS US website is rather noteworthy; most courses are advertised as „Michael Harner's shamanic ...“. Similar to esoteric practice, FSS publishes positive customers' testimonials<ref name="workshops" />, and the 3-year-programme is said to be „widely considered as unparalleled in the world“, without mentioning by whom.<ref>http://www.shamanism.org/workshops/calendar.php?Wkshp_ID=22 accessed Nov. 28, 2012</ref>

All FSS branches sell courses based on Harner's works, so e.g. on shamanic journeying, shamanic extraction, shamanic divination, shamanic dreamwork, shamanic training in creativity, core soul retrieval etc. While most courses last three days, FSS USA also offers one two-week „Shamanic Healing IntensiveTM“ and one „Three-Year Program of Advanced Initiations in Shamanism and Shamanic Healing“.<ref name="workshops">http://www.shamanism.org/workshops/index.php accessed Nov. 28, 2012</ref> The obtrusive advertising tone at the FSS US website is rather noteworthy; most courses are advertised as „Michael Harner's shamanic [...]“. Similar to esoteric practice, FSS publishes positive customers' testimonials<ref name="workshops" />, and the 3-year-programme is said to be „widely considered as unparalleled in the world“, without mentioning by whom.<ref>http://www.shamanism.org/workshops/calendar.php?Wkshp_ID=22 accessed Nov. 28, 2012</ref>

===FSS in Germany===

===FSS in Germany===

 

[[image:Kontakt.jpg|thumb|Olaf Bernhardt]]

[[File:Kontakt.jpg|thumb|Olaf Bernhardt]]

A further German website offers courses according to FSS. The site is maintained by one Olaf Bernhardt who is mentioned as an FSS Europe staff member on various sites. However, Bernhardt presently is not listed as a staff member (February 2013). He is still mentioned in the list of „Core Shamanic Drum Circles“<ref>http://www.shamanicstudies.com/resources/drumcircle.html accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref>, as a retailer of one of the FSS books, ''Shamans' stories from Tuva''<ref>http://www.fss.at/Page/ID/175 accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref>, and as a retailer for a kit to make one's own shamanic drum.<ref>http://www.fss.at/Page/ID/185  accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref>

A further German website offers courses according to FSS. The site is maintained by one Olaf Bernhardt who is mentioned as an FSS Europe staff member on various sites. However, Bernhardt presently is not listed as a staff member (February 2013). He is still mentioned in the list of „Core Shamanic Drum Circles“<ref>http://www.shamanicstudies.com/resources/drumcircle.html accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref>, as a retailer of one of the FSS books, ''Shamans' stories from Tuva''<ref>http://www.fss.at/Page/ID/175 accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref>, and as a retailer for a kit to make one's own shamanic drum.<ref>http://www.fss.at/Page/ID/185  accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref>

Biographical information given at Bernhardt's site does not mention any academic education or career for Bernhardt, but claims he has been on the „path of the shaman“ since 1990.<ref>http://www.schamanismus.org/kontakt.htm , http://www.shamanicstudies.net/Page/Key?key=T2xhZl9CZXJuaGFyZHQ%3D accessed Nov 28, 2012</ref>

Biographical information given at Bernhardt's site does not mention any academic education or career for Bernhardt, but claims he has been on the „path of the shaman“ since 1990.<ref>http://www.schamanismus.org/kontakt.htm , http://www.shamanicstudies.net/Page/Key?key=T2xhZl9CZXJuaGFyZHQ%3D accessed Nov 28, 2012</ref>

Bernhardt furthermore will publish a book in March 2013 with the esoteric publishing house Arun-Verlag owned by Stefan Ulbrich, a former member of extremist right ''Wiking Jugend'' banned by authorities in the 1990ies, and a former editor for new-right newspaper ''Junge Freiheit''; Ulbrich is also a seller of indigenous ceremonies like sweatlodges and vision quests. Arun describes Bernhardt as an associate lecturer of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies“<ref name="arun-verlag">http://www.arun-verlag.de/index.php/autor.html?aid=113 accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref>, and as a ''… traditional healer. Various study trips to places of power in Iceland, Sweden, Norway, and Germany. Intensive seminar activities both domestically and abroad''.<ref name="arun-verlag" />

Bernhardt furthermore will publish a book in March 2013 with the esoteric publishing house Arun-Verlag owned by Stefan Ulbrich, a former member of extremist right ''Wiking Jugend'' banned by authorities in the 1990ies, and a former editor for new-right newspaper ''Junge Freiheit''; Ulbrich is also a seller of indigenous ceremonies like sweatlodges and vision quests. Arun describes Bernhardt as an associate lecturer of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies“<ref name="arun-verlag">http://www.arun-verlag.de/index.php/autor.html?aid=113 accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref>, and as a ''[...] traditional healer. Various study trips to places of power in Iceland, Sweden, Norway, and Germany. Intensive seminar activities both domestically and abroad''.<ref name="arun-verlag" />

 

FSS staff is called „faculty“ and FSS seems to make a special point of hiring persons with academic degrees and titles. The North American FSS presently (2013) lists 27 persons, while the European FSS institute names 25 teachers, among them German, Austrian, Swiss, British, Czech, French, and Portuguese persons.<ref name="directory">http://www.shamanism.org/fssinfo/directory.html  accessed Nov 28, 2012</ref> Similarly, the FSS newsletter, formerly named rather unpretentiously, has been renamed „journal“ which implies the notion of a regular academic, peer reviewed publication.<ref>http://www.shamanism.org/articles/article18.html accessed Dec. 6, 2012</ref>

FSS staff is called „faculty“ and FSS seems to make a special point of hiring persons with academic degrees and titles. The North American FSS presently (2013) lists 27 persons, while the European FSS institute names 25 teachers, among them German, Austrian, Swiss, British, Czech, French, and Portuguese persons.<ref name="directory">http://www.shamanism.org/fssinfo/directory.html  accessed Nov 28, 2012</ref> Similarly, the FSS newsletter, formerly named rather unpretentiously, has been renamed „journal“ which implies the notion of a regular academic, peer reviewed publication.<ref>http://www.shamanism.org/articles/article18.html accessed Dec. 6, 2012</ref>

Of the 27 staff members listed for FSS in the USA, only six do not have any academic grades resp titles, one has a Bachelor, ten have a Master's, and seven hold a doctorate/Ph.D., while one is a Naturopathic Medical Doctor and Registered Nurse.<ref name="directory" />

Of the 27&nbsp;staff members listed for FSS in the USA, only six do not have any academic grades resp titles, one has a Bachelor, ten have a Master's, and seven hold a doctorate/Ph.D., while one is a Naturopathic Medical Doctor and Registered Nurse.<ref name="directory" />

There are 25 teachers of FSS in Vienna, only three of whom do not have any academic grades. Four staff members are engineers with a diploma, one has a Master's degree (Magister), one is a pilot, six staff members hold a doctorate. On the other hand, as many as eleven staff members are described as running their own office as alternative healers, some of these do hold university degrees in non-medical fields, but at least one of them runs an alternative practice with a doctorate as a dentist.<ref>http://www.fss.at/Foundation accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref>   

There are 25&nbsp;teachers of FSS in Vienna, only three of whom do not have any academic grades. Four staff members are engineers with a diploma, one has a Master's degree (Magister), one is a pilot, six staff members hold a doctorate. On the other hand, as many as eleven staff members are described as running their own office as alternative healers, some of these do hold university degrees in non-medical fields, but at least one of them runs an alternative practice with a doctorate as a dentist.<ref>http://www.fss.at/Foundation accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref>   

==== Claims of Indigenous Descent ====

====Claims of Indigenous Descent====

 

[[image:Photo-retouchée-sans-bordure2.jpg|thumb|Louise Gauthier]]

[[File:Photo-retouchée-sans-bordure2.jpg|thumb|Louise Gauthier]]

The FSS staff, regular and so-called guest faculty, listed on both the US and European site are all Euro-American. None of these persons are indigenous; only one of the teachers, Louise Gauthier, claims links to indigenous cultures mentioning she ''„was introduced to Native spirituality and traditions by a friend of the family, who had been adopted by the Mohawks from the Kanesatake reservation. More recently, in the 1990s, she followed the Maniwaki spiritual leader of all North American Natives, Grandfather William Commanda, as well as the teachings from pipe carriers and grandmothers from the Algonquin, Atikamek and Mi’kmaq traditions. In 2008, she discovered an Algonquin Weskarini ancestor and can now call herself Algonquin metis.“''<ref>http://www.shamanism.org/fssinfo/Gauthierbio.html  accessed Nov. 28, 2012</ref>

The FSS staff, regular and so-called guest faculty, listed on both the US and European site are all Euro-American. None of these persons are indigenous; only one of the teachers, Louise Gauthier, claims links to indigenous cultures mentioning she ''„was introduced to Native spirituality and traditions by a friend of the family, who had been adopted by the Mohawks from the Kanesatake reservation. More recently, in the 1990s, she followed the Maniwaki spiritual leader of all North American Natives, Grandfather William Commanda, as well as the teachings from pipe carriers and grandmothers from the Algonquin, Atikamek and Mi’kmaq traditions. In 2008, she discovered an Algonquin Weskarini ancestor and can now call herself Algonquin metis.“''<ref>http://www.shamanism.org/fssinfo/Gauthierbio.html  accessed Nov. 28, 2012</ref>

===FSS courses and titles===

===FSS courses and titles===

Both FSS in the USA and in Vienna offer the so-called Basic Course and another set of courses on an advanced level. The US site further offers a five-day seminar, one two-week seminar, and a three-year programme <ref name="wkshp10">http://www.shamanicstudies.com/workshops/calendar.php?Wkshp_ID=10 accessed Feb. 3, 2013</ref>

Both FSS in the USA and in Vienna offer the so-called Basic Course and another set of courses on an advanced level. The US site further offers a five-day seminar, one two-week seminar, and a three-year programme <ref name="wkshp10">http://www.shamanicstudies.com/workshops/calendar.php?Wkshp_ID=10 accessed Feb. 3, 2013</ref>

For North America, 79 Basic Courses are being advertised for 2013, seven for Australia, eight for Latin America (Argentina and Chile), and four for Asia (Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan).<ref name="wkshp10" /> Additionally, there is one two-week „Shamanic Healing Intensive“ and the three-year-programme of „Advanced Initiations of Shamanism and Shamanic Healing“.<ref name="certificates">http://www.shamanism.org/workshops/certificates.html accessed Feb. 3, 2013</ref>

For North America, 79 Basic Courses are being advertised for 2013, seven for Australia, eight for Latin America (Argentina and Chile), and four for Asia (Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan).<ref name="wkshp10" /> Additionally, there is one two-week „Shamanic Healing Intensive“ and the three-year-programme of „Advanced Initiations of Shamanism and Shamanic Healing“.<ref name="certificates">http://www.shamanism.org/workshops/certificates.html accessed Feb. 3, 2013</ref>

FSS in Vienna announces 77 Basic and 80 Advanced seminars. The basic courses take place in 12 countries: Germany (27), Austria (13), Switzerland (10), Italy (9), France (3), Portugal (1), Poland (2), Great Britain (2), Czechia (3), Slowakia (1), Slovenia (2), and Croatia (2). The advanced courses will take place in 13 countries: Germany (15), Austria (17), Switzerland (13), Italy (11), France (4), Poland (2), Great Britain (8), Czechia (2), Slovakia (1), Slovenia (1), Croatia (2), Netherlands (1), Spain (2).<ref>http://www.shamanicstudies.net/Page/ID/110 accessed Nov.28, 2012</ref>

FSS in Vienna announces 77&nbsp;Basic and 80&nbsp;Advanced seminars. The basic courses take place in 12&nbsp;countries: Germany&nbsp;(27), Austria&nbsp;(13), Switzerland&nbsp;(10), Italy&nbsp;(9), France&nbsp;(3), Portugal&nbsp;(1), Poland&nbsp;(2), Great Britain&nbsp;(2), Czechia&nbsp;(3), Slowakia&nbsp;(1), Slovenia&nbsp;(2), and Croatia&nbsp;(2). The advanced courses will take place in 13&nbsp;countries: Germany&nbsp;(15), Austria&nbsp;(17), Switzerland&nbsp;(13), Italy&nbsp;(11), France&nbsp;(4), Poland&nbsp;(2), Great Britain&nbsp;(8), Czechia&nbsp;(2), Slovakia&nbsp;(1), Slovenia&nbsp;(1), Croatia&nbsp;(2), Netherlands&nbsp; (1), Spain&nbsp;(2).<ref>http://www.shamanicstudies.net/Page/ID/110 accessed Nov.28, 2012</ref>

The advanced courses offer extraction healing training, trainings in shamanic creativity, core soul retrieval and divination, and courses in „Shamanism, Dying, and Beyond“, „Shamanism and the Spirits of Nature“, „Shamanic Dreamwork“, and a „Shamanism Practicum“. On the US site, several of these courses have been registered as a Trade Mark.<ref name="wkshp10" />

The advanced courses offer extraction healing training, trainings in shamanic creativity, core soul retrieval and divination, and courses in „Shamanism, Dying, and Beyond“, „Shamanism and the Spirits of Nature“, „Shamanic Dreamwork“, and a „Shamanism Practicum“. On the US site, several of these courses have been registered as a Trade Mark.<ref name="wkshp10" />

FSS Europe offers two additional advanced courses which are not part of the range of seminars on the US site: „The Power of Mountains“ which aims at finding „places of power“: ''“The Alps offer a multitude of possibilities for shamanic work with their rocks, waterfalls, glaciers, plants, and animals. Shamanic experience will be brushed up and new techniques will be tried. Furthermore, competences with mountains will be demonstrated, we will learn how to move appropriately in heights of about 2,000 metres … and to apply shamanic methodology on this fascinating and challenging environment“''.<ref>http://www.fss.at/Page/ID/34 accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref> The other one is a course titled „Vision Dance“ which is uncorrectly said to correspond with the English term „ghost dance“. The description of this course claims: ''“Visions are power, joy, and health giving realities which may give inspiration and direction to individual life as well as to communal life.“''<ref>http://www.fss.at/Page/Key?key=VmlzaW9uc3Rhbno%3D  accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref> However, in indigenous spirituality, vision quests are not to be confused with the comparatively short phenomenon of the Ghost Dance which also only spread to a part of the indigenous nations in the USA, and to suggest these were or are one and the same may not even be characterized as neglectful. The US site has no comparable course listed for „Ghost Dance“, while FSS Europe lists five seminars planned for 2013.

FSS Europe offers two additional advanced courses which are not part of the range of seminars on the US site: „The Power of Mountains“ which aims at finding „places of power“: ''“The Alps offer a multitude of possibilities for shamanic work with their rocks, waterfalls, glaciers, plants, and animals. Shamanic experience will be brushed up and new techniques will be tried. Furthermore, competences with mountains will be demonstrated, we will learn how to move appropriately in heights of about 2,000 metres [...] and to apply shamanic methodology on this fascinating and challenging environment“''.<ref>http://www.fss.at/Page/ID/34 accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref> The other one is a course titled „Vision Dance“ which is uncorrectly said to correspond with the English term „ghost dance“. The description of this course claims: ''“Visions are power, joy, and health giving realities which may give inspiration and direction to individual life as well as to communal life.“''<ref>http://www.fss.at/Page/Key?key=VmlzaW9uc3Rhbno%3D  accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref> However, in indigenous spirituality, vision quests are not to be confused with the comparatively short phenomenon of the Ghost Dance which also only spread to a part of the indigenous nations in the USA, and to suggest these were or are one and the same may not even be characterized as neglectful. The US site has no comparable course listed for „Ghost Dance“, while FSS Europe lists five seminars planned for 2013.

[[File:Mokelke Susan head Featuer.jpg|thumb|Susan Mokelke]]

[[File:Mokelke Susan head Featuer.jpg|thumb|Susan Mokelke]]

==Reception and Criticism==

==Reception and Criticism==

Since Harner left academia in 1987 to pursue the sales of his books and courses through his foundation, his work has no academic standing and is not recognised by anthropologists. In fact, Harner's claim to have synthesized a universal core of similar beliefs and practices in shamanic traditions worldwide has been criticised for separating these aspects from their cultural framework. Critics have described this as cultural appropriation and also as misrepresentation of indigenous cultures. Harner, same as Carlos Castaneda, is held responsible for having established the basis for a massive exploitation of indigenous cultures, and has been bestowed with the denotations of „shamanovelist“ and „shamanthropologist“.<ref name="noel">http://www.cddc.vt.edu/host/weishaus/Interv/noel.htm accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref> Harner provided ''“... a Western imaginative construction...“'' offering ''“... spiritual practices that ... are simulated, with the danger of neo-colonialist misappropriation of indigenous cultural property and delusions of "direct access" to such indigenous wisdom.“''<ref name="noel" />

Since Harner left academia in 1987 to pursue the sales of his books and courses through his foundation, his work has no academic standing and is not recognised by anthropologists. In fact, Harner's claim to have synthesized a universal core of similar beliefs and practices in shamanic traditions worldwide has been criticised for separating these aspects from their cultural framework. Critics have described this as cultural appropriation and also as misrepresentation of indigenous cultures. Harner, same as Carlos Castaneda, is held responsible for having established the basis for a massive exploitation of indigenous cultures, and has been bestowed with the denotations of „shamanovelist“ and „shamanthropologist“.<ref name="noel">http://www.cddc.vt.edu/host/weishaus/Interv/noel.htm accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref> Harner provided ''“[...] a Western imaginative construction [...]“'' offering ''“[...] spiritual practices that [...] are simulated, with the danger of neo-colonialist misappropriation of indigenous cultural property and delusions of "direct access" to such indigenous wisdom.“''<ref name="noel" />

   

   

One main point of criticism voiced by indigenous Americans is that core shamanism assumes ''„one could easily learn methods that take decades to master among tribal traditionalists in a short time. Even [Harner's] "advanced" seminars only last three days and he is clearly engaged in a highly profitable enterprise as much as an attempt to form a new spirituality, exactly the same as the New Age.“''<ref name="pandora">http://web.archive.org/web/20050304080416/http://users.pandora.be/gohiyuhi/articles/art00069.htm accessed Nov. 28, 2012</ref> Another is they ''„homogenize tribal traditions worldwide and deny their diversity and important differences by lumping several thousand belief systems together. Harner pretends one can master elements that are supposedly common or universal ("core" shamanism in his lingo) to all. The supposed commonalities of "shamanism" are largely superficial or even self-delusion. For example, many would-be "shamans" falsely claim the sweat lodges used by some American Indian groups are allegedly a "core universal shamanic" practice. [...] Not even all American Indian groups use the sweat lodge.“''<ref name="pandora" />

One main point of criticism voiced by indigenous Americans is that core shamanism assumes ''„one could easily learn methods that take decades to master among tribal traditionalists in a short time. Even [Harner's] "advanced" seminars only last three days and he is clearly engaged in a highly profitable enterprise as much as an attempt to form a new spirituality, exactly the same as the New Age.“''<ref name="pandora">http://web.archive.org/web/20050304080416/http://users.pandora.be/gohiyuhi/articles/art00069.htm accessed Nov. 28, 2012</ref> Another is they ''„homogenize tribal traditions worldwide and deny their diversity and important differences by lumping several thousand belief systems together. Harner pretends one can master elements that are supposedly common or universal ("core" shamanism in his lingo) to all. The supposed commonalities of "shamanism" are largely superficial or even self-delusion. For example, many would-be "shamans" falsely claim the sweat lodges used by some American Indian groups are allegedly a "core universal shamanic" practice. [...] Not even all American Indian groups use the sweat lodge.“''<ref name="pandora" />

Another point of criticism is that FSS merchandises shamanism and therefore commercialises it. This spiritual colonialism also denigrates indigenous cultures and persons, since these courses offer Western clientele a shortcut to what takes several decades in the original contexts. While in these contexts, only few individuals are seen as having shamanic aptitudes, the Western clientele is told that everyone can become a shaman<ref>http://www.logo.at/barrierefrei/index_bfrei.php  accessed Nov. 28, 2012</ref>, or as FSS asserts its clientele, even a trainer of shamans. Such attitudes are deeply rooted in a notion of white superiority and therefore are racist in core.

Another point of criticism is that FSS merchandises shamanism and therefore commercialises it. This spiritual colonialism also denigrates indigenous cultures and persons, since these courses offer Western clientele a shortcut to what takes several decades in the original contexts. While in these contexts, only few individuals are seen as having shamanic aptitudes, the Western clientele is told that everyone can become a shaman<ref>http://www.logo.at/barrierefrei/index_bfrei.php  accessed Nov. 28, 2012</ref>, or as FSS asserts its clientele, even a trainer of shamans. Such attitudes are deeply rooted in a notion of white superiority and therefore are racist in core.

A racist attitude is also the basis of the FSS goal to aid indigenous peoples to preserve their traditions, and the statement that FSS will give indigenous persons a possibility „to establish a renewed contact with their own traditions via the Harner Method“<ref name="Stuckrad" /> documents that FSS claims a power of definition what a real Indian is, how real Indians should act and behave, and that only successfully passed FSS courses will make them real Indians again, as opposed to learning the ways of their ethnic groups from their elders. However, the success of FSS may be doubted: ''“In a private communication, Paul Uccusic wrote in reply of a respective question (July 2000), FSS had repeatedly accepted enrolled Indians to participate in courses without payment (particularly in the Basic Seminar) and that this right was still in effect to this day. The idea was to teach these people only the techniques of shamanic journeys, so that they afterwards were able to find a contact to their buried roots on their own with the help of their power animals and spirit teachers. Uccusic commented very negatively on the „personal structure of many Indians“ and their „difficulties in adapting“, which made success of this measure doubtful, so Harner was thinking about changing this practice. [...] Uccusic's condescending ways towards Natives were also criticised by some participants of the shamanism congress „Wanderers between Worlds“ (in the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 2000) ...“''<ref name="Stuckrad" />

A racist attitude is also the basis of the FSS goal to aid indigenous peoples to preserve their traditions, and the statement that FSS will give indigenous persons a possibility „to establish a renewed contact with their own traditions via the Harner Method“<ref name="Stuckrad" /> documents that FSS claims a power of definition what a real Indian is, how real Indians should act and behave, and that only successfully passed FSS courses will make them real Indians again, as opposed to learning the ways of their ethnic groups from their elders. However, the success of FSS may be doubted: ''“In a private communication, Paul Uccusic wrote in reply of a respective question (July 2000), FSS had repeatedly accepted enrolled Indians to participate in courses without payment (particularly in the Basic Seminar) and that this right was still in effect to this day. The idea was to teach these people only the techniques of shamanic journeys, so that they afterwards were able to find a contact to their buried roots on their own with the help of their power animals and spirit teachers. Uccusic commented very negatively on the „personal structure of many Indians“ and their „difficulties in adapting“, which made success of this measure doubtful, so Harner was thinking about changing this practice. [...] Uccusic's condescending ways towards Natives were also criticised by some participants of the shamanism congress „Wanderers between Worlds“ (in the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 2000) [...]“''<ref name="Stuckrad" />

[[File:317.jpg|thumb|Jeffrey David Ehrenreich]]

[[image:317.jpg|thumb|Jeffrey David Ehrenreich]]

Currently, the FSS website only offers reduced fees for indigenous participants which will amount to 50% of the original fee charged<ref name="article18page3" />, and apart from the letter quoted above, there are no further reports about FSS courses being available without payment for indigenous persons. On the other hand, there is an account by a person of Buryat ethnicity describing that a Buryat shamanic centre contacted FSS in 1997, with FSS simply sending them application forms for membership and a schedule of their courses in reply<ref>http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=236 accessed Nov 28, 2012</ref>. FSS also offers no proof for their claim that „... representatives of 54 tribes have taken advantage of this offer.“<ref name="article18page3" />

Currently, the FSS website only offers reduced fees for indigenous participants which will amount to 50% of the original fee charged<ref name="article18page3" />, and apart from the letter quoted above, there are no further reports about FSS courses being available without payment for indigenous persons. On the other hand, there is an account by a person of Buryat ethnicity describing that a Buryat shamanic centre contacted FSS in 1997, with FSS simply sending them application forms for membership and a schedule of their courses in reply<ref>http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=236 accessed Nov 28, 2012</ref>. FSS also offers no proof for their claim that „[...] representatives of 54 tribes have taken advantage of this offer.“<ref name="article18page3" />

It is also noteworthy that the FSS staff does not have any indigenous teachers from English speaking countries (except for the two persons of dubious distant ancestry mentioned above), and despite its preference for teachers with an academic education, persons with a course of studies in anthropology are an absolute minority. Furthermore, FSS claims to have assisted several ethnic groups in South and North America, and this list bears an apparent likeness to the list of ethnic groups with whom Harner worked while still employed at university institutes. One of these claims asserts FSS had assisted the Paiute in reconstructing the Ghost Dance.<ref>http://www.shamanism.org/articles/article18page4.html accessed Nov 29, 2012</ref> This seems highly unlikely, as the Ghost Dance religion in particular has seen academic research by anthropologists for more than one century, with publications dating back to 1896 (James Mooney), 1927 (Leslie Spier), and 1930 (A.H. Gayton).

It is also noteworthy that the FSS staff does not have any indigenous teachers from English speaking countries (except for the two persons of dubious distant ancestry mentioned above), and despite its preference for teachers with an academic education, persons with a course of studies in anthropology are an absolute minority. Furthermore, FSS claims to have assisted several ethnic groups in South and North America, and this list bears an apparent likeness to the list of ethnic groups with whom Harner worked while still employed at university institutes. One of these claims asserts FSS had assisted the Paiute in reconstructing the Ghost Dance.<ref>http://www.shamanism.org/articles/article18page4.html accessed Nov 29, 2012</ref> This seems highly unlikely, as the Ghost Dance religion in particular has seen academic research by anthropologists for more than one century, with publications dating back to 1896 (James Mooney), 1927 (Leslie Spier), and 1930 (A.H. Gayton).

[[File:Sharner2.jpg|thumb|Sandra Harner]]

[[image:Sharner2.jpg|thumb|Sandra Harner]]

Although Harner's publications since he left academia are largely not recognized by anthropologists, a 2009 meeting of the American Association of Anthropologists ran a series of lectures and discussions titled „Papers in Honor of Michael Harner Part I and II" which were being organized by Jeffrey David Ehrenreich. Ehrenreich, an anthropologist, also invited several persons connected to FSS to give lectures, one of them Sandra Harner, Michael Harner's wife, Vice President of FSS and also a member of its Board of Trustees<ref>http://www.shamanicstudies.com/fssinfo/index.html accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref>, as well as Marjorie Mandelstam Balzer, Frank Lipp, and Edith Turner who are all listed as FSS Field Associates on the FSS site.<ref>http://www.shamanism.org/fssinfo/fieldassociates.html accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref> According to the information provided in Sandra Harner's biography at the FSS site, she has no formal education in anthropology, but is a clinical psychologist.<ref>http://www.shamanism.org/fssinfo/sharnerbio.html accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref> FSS used this incident to claim Harner had been "honored by the American Anthropological Association" on its website.<ref>http://shamanism.org/news/2010/01/13/michael-harner-recognized-by-the-american-anthropological-association/ accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref> The events earned Ehrenreich an admission to the FSS Board of Trustees which was announced in the FSS E-Newsletter Volume 6, Issue 3 of September 2012, after prior publications in the FSS ''Shamanism Annual'' in December 2010.<ref>http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs045/1101293452407/archive/1111013772171.html  accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref>

Although Harner's publications since he left academia are largely not recognized by anthropologists, a 2009 meeting of the American Association of Anthropologists ran a series of lectures and discussions titled „Papers in Honor of Michael Harner Part&nbsp;I and&nbsp;II" which were being organized by Jeffrey David Ehrenreich. Ehrenreich, an anthropologist, also invited several persons connected to FSS to give lectures, one of them Sandra Harner, Michael Harner's wife, Vice President of FSS and also a member of its Board of Trustees<ref>http://www.shamanicstudies.com/fssinfo/index.html accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref>, as well as Marjorie Mandelstam Balzer, Frank Lipp, and Edith Turner who are all listed as FSS Field Associates on the FSS site.<ref>http://www.shamanism.org/fssinfo/fieldassociates.html accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref> According to the information provided in Sandra Harner's biography at the FSS site, she has no formal education in anthropology, but is a clinical psychologist.<ref>http://www.shamanism.org/fssinfo/sharnerbio.html accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref> FSS used this incident to claim Harner had been "honored by the American Anthropological Association" on its website.<ref>http://shamanism.org/news/2010/01/13/michael-harner-recognized-by-the-american-anthropological-association/ accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref> The events earned Ehrenreich an admission to the FSS Board of Trustees which was announced in the FSS E-Newsletter Volume 6, Issue 3 of September 2012, after prior publications in the FSS ''Shamanism Annual'' in December 2010.<ref>http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs045/1101293452407/archive/1111013772171.html  accessed Feb 3, 2013</ref>

{{OtherLang|ge=Michael Harner|en=Michael Harner}}

{{OtherLang|ge=Michael Harner|en=Michael Harner}}

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[[Category:Person|Harner Michael]]

[[Category:Plastic Shamans|Harner Michael]]

[[category:Person]]

[[category:Plastic Shamans]]