Michael Harrner's

Shamanic Journey Multiple Drumming

Bridgewalker Drummers
Shamanic Journey Series, No. 7 Foundation for Shamanic Studies
a nonprofit incorporated educational organization
Program for length of journey desired:
1. - 30-minute multiple drumming with callback (Track 1
2. - 15-minute multiple drumming with callback
Note: It is assumed track one continues into track two for the above times. Actually they are both
about 15 min. So I added Track all which is both joined
Unified, driving, shamanic journey drumming by four drummers led by Mo Maxfield. The
Bridgewalker Drummers use cottonwood double-headed roundframe drums. The drums range
between 14"-16" in diameter and 8"-14" in height. The disciplined drumming in unison produces a

full range of the auditory spectrum.

Playing both tracks 1 and 2, the journey is approximately a half-hour long, a length of time that has
been found to be generally optimal for shamanic journeying. If you wish a shorter journey of fifteen
minutes, simply program your CD player to play only track 2.
At the end of the journey, the drums are beaten four times to signal that it is time to return; then the
drums are beaten very rapidly for the return journey. Finally, the drums are beaten four times again
to signal that the return journey is ended and you should be back in the room where you started.
Persons engaged in power animal retrieval work should not wait until the drumming is ended to
return, but should do so whenever they feel it is appropriate.
This is not music, but is to be used as instructed in Michael Harner's book, The Way of the Shaman
(HarperCollins, 1980, 1990). Do not be discouraged if you do not achieve success the first time;
repeated practice may be necessary to achieve results.
These are some pointers to help you journey successfully:
1. Use headphones;
2. Do not try to journey to the drumming if you are tired or sleepy, or have taken alcohol or mindaltering substances within the past 24 hours;
3. Lie down in a quiet, dimly lit or dark room and disconnect the telephone so that you will not be
disturbed;
4. Cover your eyes with a bandanna or other piece of cloth;
5. Before starting, be very clear about where you are going (e.g., Lower World), and for what
purpose;
6. Adjust the volume so that it is loud enough (it should be equivalent to someone beating the drum
within a few feet of you, but not so loud you experience discomfort);
7. Use your pre-selected departure point known to you in ordinary reality (as described in the book);
8. Employ the simultaneous narration technique (described later) in order to maximize the
vividness of your journey;
9. Keep a journal of your experiences.
Do not play the recording in a moving vehicle, while operating heavy machinery, or if you have
epileptic tendencies.
High-quality headphones are recommended to achieve the maximum range and fidelity of sound.
You can use a high-quality loudspeaker system instead of earphones, but the speaker sound will
interfere with recording your journey experiences using the simultaneous narration technique, and may
also disturb others.
Michael Harner developed the first shamanic journey drumming tape in 1979. He did not expect,
however, that playing a recording would be as effective as a live drum. Then, while working with
shamanic counseling clients in the early 1980's, he discovered an improved way to journey to the
drumming tape, a technique now known as "simultaneous narration." Using this method, many
persons get results fully equivalent to those obtained with a live drum, and some consider the
results superior.
In the simultaneous narration method, the journeyer narrates the journey aloud simultaneously as
he or she experiences it. Surprisingly, simultaneous narration usually makes journeying easier and
often at least twice as vivid as when the person simply remains silent. An additional optional
feature of the simultaneous narration method is for the journeyer to wear a lapel microphone

connected to a tape recorder (separate from the CD player providing the drumming through
headphones). This not only provides the person with a permanent taped record of the journey
experience, but also permits an immediate review and analysis of the experience and the
information gained. The simultaneous narration technique is an integral part of Harner Method
Shamanic Counseling, a personal problem-solving system. Training in this specific method is
given by the Foundation for Shamanic Studies in its Harner Method Shamanic Counseling
Training course.
The Foundation also offers a variety of workshops and training courses providing experiential
training in classic, core shamanism. These are given throughout North America as well as in
Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, and Latin America. The workshops and courses range
from the Basic (prerequisite) workshop, The Way of the Shaman, to more advanced workshops and
training courses such as Soul Retrieval Training (taught by Sandra Ingerman, author of Soul
Retrieval); Shamanic Extraction Healing Training; Shamanism and the Spirits of Nature;
Shamanism, Death, and Dying; and Shamanic Divination Training.
In addition to the other workshops and training courses, the Foundation offers students the
opportunity to train intensively with Michael Harner in Two-Week and Three-Year programs in
advanced shamanism and shamanic healing. These involve a great deal of experiential and
experimental work, and represent the leading edge of the Foundation's shamanic teachings.
Other compact discs and audio cassettes in the Shamanic Journey Series:
No. 1 - Shamanic Journey Solo and Double Drumming.
Michael Harner provides classic solo and double drumming for the shamanic journey with a
completely new, state-of-the-art recording. Compact disc and audio cassette.
No. 2 - Shamanic Journey Didjeridu.
The incredible sound of the Australian aboriginal didjeridu (an ancient drone), accompanied by click
sticks, carries one into an extended Dreamtime journey. The didjeridu is played masterfully by
Stephen McDonnell. Compact disc and audio cassette.
No. 3 - Shamanic Journey Singing.
An ancient northern European method for long journeying. Drumming is followed by a women's
chorus to provide gentle support for the journeyer. Compact disc and audio cassette.
No. 4 - Shamanic Journey Tibetan Bowl Sound. Sandra Ingerman produces this sound by running
a wooden mallet around the rim of a metal alloy bowl. One journeys on the high vibration. Compact
disc and audio cassette.
No. 5 - Shamanic Journey Double Drumming. The use of two drums, played facing each other,
creates more reverberations and overtones than are usually produced by one drum alone - an
interesting change from the classic shamanic single-drum sound, and preferred by some journeyers.
Audio cassette only.
No. 6 - NEW - Shamanic Journey Rattle.
Replaces the old No. 6, the musical bow recording. Michael Harner uses the rattle to provide sonic
driving for the shamanic journey as an alternative to drumming in this new recording. Compact disc
and audio cassette.
To order tapes and compact discs or to receive a schedule of training courses and workshops given by
Michael Harner and the FSS International Faculty at various locations in the United States and abroad,
contact: The Foundation for Shamanic Studies P.O. Box 1939, Mill Valley, California 94942;
Telephone: (415) 380-8282; Fax: (415) 380-8416.
The Foundation supports - with the income from workshops, sales of tapes and discs, memberships,
and donations - programs to preserve, transmit, and apply shamanic knowledge to contemporary

problems of the Planet. These programs include Urgent Tribal Assistance (UTA) and Shamanism
and Health (SAH). www.shamanism.org
Technical Information

RECORDING LOCATION: Music Annex Recording Studios, a state-of-the-art facility in Menlo

Park, California.
The original recording was performed in a natural ambient room. The format was live to two-track
using a Dolby SR system. The mixing console used during tracking was a Neve 8036, and
additional digital editing was conducted by Bruce Bowers on a Studer Dyaxis system.
DRUMMERS: Mo Maxfield, Peter Lyon, Mark Pixley, and June Steiner. The four drummers are
assisted by Judy Ostrow in the callback drumming at the end. CHIEF ENGINEER: Bruce Kaplan
ASSISTANT ENGINEER: Robert Iriartborde INSERT DESIGNER: Connie Huebner
| ADD | Digitally Mastered by Music Annex.
1997 The Foundation for Shamanic Studies, Inc. 1997 The Foundation for Shamanic Studies,
Inc. This recording may not be reproduced in any form without written permission.
Cover illustration by Barbara Olsen from the original edition of The Way of the Shaman. 1980
Michael Harner.
This high-quality, digital stereo recording distributed by:
THE FOUNDATION FOR SHAMANIC STUDIES, A Non-Profit Incorporated Educational
Organization
For information on other tapes and shamanic training workshops by Michael Harner and the FSS
international faculty throughout the United States and abroad, contact: FSS, P.O. Box 1939, Mill
Valley, California 94942; Telephone (415) 380-8282; fax (415) 380-8416; www.shamanism.org