Dana Robinson, BA, CSC
When still a little boy, I felt drawn to the spiritual. I remember feeling connected to a "higher power" that was aware of everything. As I grew older, I became interested in different paths, including the internal martial arts, ecstatic Christianity, Eastern religions and philosophies, and meditation. All the while, I yearned for the kinds of experiences Carlos Castaneda described in his first five books. Then I met Michael Harner, taking the Basic workshop in 1981, and felt that I had found what I had been looking for: a spirituality that offered direct experience, promoted intimacy with the natural world, enabled one to help others, and demanded personal freedom.
Teaching for the Foundation is very important in my life: there are always new things to learn and new people to meet. I also work privately with people as requests arise.
The shamanic path has taught me to enjoy life more: I think that it is a wonderful way to awaken one's awareness. Besides walking or swimming daily and writing, I also play golf, a game with a spiritual component, and derive particular pleasure from the birds and squirrels in the woods behind my house and the thousands of other miracles that surround all of us daily. I have authored or co-authored two non-fiction books, Shamanism and the Spirit Mate and A Shamanic Altar, and two novels, Sky Tide and Sky Tide II.
Dana Robinson has taught over 700 workshops for the Foundation since 1986. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he has explored several spiritual paths culminating in his work with the Foundation. He has studied extensively with Michael Harner and FSS including participating in the FSS Month-Long training, the FSS Three-Year Program in Advanced Shamanism and Shamanic Healing and the FSS Two-Week Healing Intensive, and various 5-day trainings exploring the work of the Brazilian Spiritists, the Tuvan shamans, and an Ulchi shaman. Dana is a Certified Harner Method Shamanic Counselor (C.S.C.) and has taught the Harner Method Shamanic Counseling Training. In addition to his shamanic knowledge, Dana brings humor, good listening skills, a solid sense of timing, and a deep love of the work to the Foundation workshops he teaches.
Student Feedback
"Dana is an amazing teacher; he is kind and patient and makes sure everyone feels welcome. He engages everyone in the conversation. Content was rich and relevant."
"Dana takes the time to make sure students have time for questions, comments, and dialog even if he has to do some time adjustments."
"I enjoy attending Dana’s workshops; his knowledge is great."
"The presentation felt quite grounded in an impressive amount of knowledge and experience -exercises were guided in a clear manner."
"I very much liked Dana's relaxed, humorous and professional style."