We are sometimes asked why we ask members of the circle not to share specific advanced course material.
Material in the Foundation’s courses and advanced programs has been carefully and intentionally developed by Michael Harner based on several decades of experience. It has been designed to provide a great depth of knowledge in a relatively short span of time. In the past, people on a shamanic path might spend a number of years guided by an elder shaman before achieving success. In order to achieve the best results for students of core shamanism, Michael has designed each experience and practice to build upon the previous one. As shamans have done in the past for their apprentices, the student is initiated one step at a time into the practice, learning about the next level only when ready.
In the case of the Foundation’s courses, if a practice is shared out of context and without proper preparation, the student may well be unable to achieve the initiation and transformation intended. And, if the practice becomes public and commonplace, it may become diluted or altered such that it is no longer valid or effective.
The knowledge in the Foundation courses is not for everyone. It is for serious students of shamanism, to be revealed in the appropriate time and context. It is the Foundation’s intention and purpose to maintain the highest standards of accuracy and authenticity of shamanic education and experience.
This policy is not meant to be restrictive. It is simply that we have found it to be necessary and effective to help large numbers of people to learn to walk the way of the shaman authentically. Students are encouraged to develop their own powerful connections with the spirits. Then, experience and the spirits will do the teaching. Through the practice of shamanism, each person can receive direct revelation and knowledge. In this way we each grow in power, knowledge, and ability to help heal others and our world.
Thank you.