Contemporary shamanism and alternative spirituality : exploring relationships and intersections
Religio June 15, 2024 Helena Dyndová
Contemporary shamanism, or neo-shamanism, thrives because it aligns with modern alternative spirituality's worldviews, much as traditional shamanisms adapt to their own cultural contexts. Over the past three centuries, the shaman's image shifted to that of a healer, a transformation shaped significantly by Michael Harner and his Foundation for Shamanic Studies. Based on fieldwork in neo-shamanic communities, the paper shows how contemporary shamanism adapts and translates three key motifs of alternative spirituality—energy, holism, and the soul—into healing practice. The author argues that this adaptability is an asset, not a mark of inauthenticity, and positions neo-shamanism as fitting within the broader tapestry of alternative spirituality.