Power Soul Retrieval Training™
Developed by Michael Harner
Developed by Michael Harner
Learning shamanism is not just a matter of acquiring methods, but also of increasing spiritual power and knowing how to use it. From the shamanic point of view, people who are not spiritually "power-filled" are prone to illness, accidents, and misfortune. Anyone who has had a traumatic experience may lose a portion of their soul, of their spiritual essence. There are also other reasons this may occur.
In this workshop, participants will learn about soul loss and soul retrieval from a shamanic perspective. There will be a particular emphasis on the importance of shamanic power to do successful soul retrieval. Participants will also learn how to re-empower a client's soul after it has been returned so that the client is once again spiritually power-filled, leading to greater health and well-being. This soul retrieval training is based on worldwide core principles and methods. It does not require Western psychological perspectives and practices.
Background
We are the fortunate heirs of a great and venerable spiritual tradition, shamanism, many thousands of years old, with core principles and practices that are universal or common for one simple reason: they work. Among them is soul retrieval, found widely in shamanic cultures.
Dr. Harner learned how to do soul retrieval in 1961 while living among the Amazonian Conibo and brought it to the West. The Conibo taught him that every part of a person had its own soul, and that soul retrieval could be done for any portion of the person that had been injured or traumatized. In The Way of the Shaman,* he wrote of recovering "vital souls" to heal comatose persons and persons suffering from traumas, noting that this method can also be used "to heal patients by retrieving lost portions of their vital souls."
Michael began training students in soul retrieval at least as early as June 25 - 27, 1982, as part of an Intermediate workshop (no longer existing under that name) inside a cave in Grottoes, Virginia. Among the 31 students in that memorable location was Dana Robinson, now a longtime FSS faculty member, who recalls:
"In Grottoes, we did a considerable amount of shamanic work inside a large cave that we walked into a couple of times each day. During one session in the cave, you taught us a soul retrieval technique, and we helped a young man who had spent some time in a mental institution years before.
"I remember other events from that weekend 30 years ago, but the soul retrieval journey, the beauty of that cave, and the great teacher that we had stand out the most in my memory."
*The Way of the Shaman (HarperSanFrancisco edition, pages 71, 72, 93, 99; HarperOne edition, pages, 92, 119, 126.)
All of the Foundation's programs are based on Michael Harner's pioneering work in core shamanism - more than 50 years of research, experimentation, development, and teaching. The resulting workshops and training programs embody the authentic, ethical, and effective practice of shamanism and shamanic healing and are widely considered as unparalleled in the world.
Prerequisites
Please meet either the in-person prerequisites or the online prerequisites.
IN-PERSON
What to Bring
What to Expect
- All FSS workshops and training programs are experiential, interactive, and participatory. They feature instruction and practice with shamanic methodologies, as well as journeywork, shamanic drumming, group sharing, and small group discussions.
Considerations
- This workshop is designed exclusively for people who want to bring shamanic healing work into their practice with others. This training is not designed for people looking for personal healing.
- Participants must be able to successfully journey in the Upper, Lower, and Middle Worlds, and have a strong relationship with a Power Animal and/or Teacher from the Upper or Lower Worlds.
Notes
- 13 FSS Continuing Education (CE) Credits are available.
- Completion of this workshop with an authorized FSS faculty member qualifies participants to take more advanced FSS workshops. NOTE: You must complete all sessions of this workshop to get credit and to meet prerequisites required for more advanced workshops. Please arrange your schedule so that you can be present at all sessions of the training.
- Successful completion of this workshop is one of the prerequisites for an FSS Gold Certificate of Completion
- Electronic recording, including audio, video, photographic or otherwise, and the use of computers, tablets or cellphones are not permitted during the workshop.
- Tuition discounts are available to FSS members. Please see our FAQ (#19). Not a member? Join us!
"This workshop really deepened my understanding of soul retrieval and of the sacred."
"Amazing! So direct, clear, concise."
"A concise approach to power in healing."
Workshop Schedule
Power Soul Retrieval Training™
| Date | Location / Time | Instructor | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
Nov 15—Nov 16, 2025 |
Ottawa, Ontario |
Catherine Hughes Details & Registration |
|
Nov 29—Nov 30, 2025 |
Toronto, Ontario |
Catherine Hughes Details & Registration |
|
Nov 29—Nov 30, 2025 |
Calgary, Alberta |
Wade Prpich Details & Registration |
|
Dec 6—Dec 7, 2025 |
Santa Cruz, California |
Narrye Caldwell Details & Registration |
|
May 9—May 10, 2026 |
Grover Beach, California |
Mujiba Cabugos |
Our workshops are widely recognized as unparalleled in the world.
Originated, researched and developed over nearly 50 years by anthropologist Michael Harner, the pioneer of contemporary shamanism.
Our training offers students the opportunity to learn and practice authentic, powerful, and effective shamanic healing methods to high ethical standards.