Shamanism is described as a fundamentally spiritual approach to real-life problem-solving, guided by an animistic philosophy and practiced by individuals for the benefit of their community. It is defined by the systematic use of techniques to alter consciousness, allowing a practitioner (a shaman) to reliably access “nonordinary reality”.

Key characteristics of shamanism identified in the sources include:

• Interaction with Spirits: A defining attribute of the practice is the interaction with conscious beings, or “spirits,” inhabiting nonordinary reality. These interactions result in the transferral of knowledge or power to the shaman, which is then used for various types of healing.
• The Shamanic Journey: In the tradition of core shamanism, practitioners use monotonous drumming to facilitate a “shamanic journey”. This journey is a conscious excursion into the Lower, Middle, and Upper Worlds to meet with power animals and spirit teachers.
• Methodology as Tradition: Shamanism is often viewed as a methodology rather than a rigid set of dogmatic beliefs. In Western “core shamanism,” this methodology is seen as a distillation of universal themes stripped of specific cultural or regional restrictions, making it a “democratic” spiritual approach where individuals follow their own path without a central authority.
• Healing Focus: The primary purpose of shamanic work is healing, both for the self and others. This can involve specific methods such as soul retrieval, extraction healing, and divination.
• Universal Heritage: Modern interpretations, particularly those promoted by Michael Harner, suggest that shamanic methods are the common property and heritage of all humans, dating back tens of thousands of years.