The Way of the Shaman by Michael J. Harner (1990, Paperback, Anniversary)

No traditional Native American or First Nations group calls their spiritual teachers, leaders or elders 'shamans'! Look for 1000 years, you won't find the word in the original languages of the Indigenous population. This term IS native to Siberia. This OFFENSIVE word was coined by 'academia' to describe a variety of unconnected spiritual traditions that bear perhaps superficial resemblances to one another. This lumping together of diverse spiritual traditions under the term "shamanism" has been exposed many times for what it is, but New Agers continue to misuse it. New Age, "global" shamanism is characterized by cultural appropriation, eclecticism and personal spiritual connections.
If you want to buy into such CULTURE THEFT & offend the Indigenous Tribes, at least admit to yourselves that there are NO 'shamans' in ANY Tribe, & that the man who wrote this has offended many by his words. Harner's reputation as an academic was essentially destroyed when he "went native" and began to represent himself as a shaman.
Feel free to google his name plus the word plastic & see what comes up.

A great book to become aware of what Shamanism can offer the world. These healing practices seem like the old way, but really the "new paradigm" we need to use to live into for a peaceful future where everyone is free to be who they are without fear.

I enjoy reading this type of reading and I actively practice some ways of the original Shaman's. The book is in great shape and has helped me expand on my knowledge of Shaman ways.