Shamanic drumming journeying is an ancient practice that facilitates altered states of consciousness, allowing individuals to access spiritual realms for healing, insight, and guidance. Rooted in indigenous traditions, this practice uses rhythmic drumming patterns to activate a trance-like state, enabling journeyers to travel beyond ordinary reality into the upper, middle, and lower spiritual worlds. This article explores the foundational principles of shamanic drumming, its historical context, and the mechanisms that enable spiritual exploration, referencing the works of Michael Harner and Sandra Ingerman to contextualize its role in contemporary healing practices.

The Foundations of Shamanic Drumming Journeying

Shamanic journeying is not a religious practice but a method of accessing spiritual wisdom through repetitive percussion. According to Michael Harner (2013), one of the pioneers of Core Shamanism, rhythmic drumming at a pace of four to seven beats per second shifts the brain into a theta state, which facilitates visionary experiences and communication with spirit guides. Unlike psychedelic-assisted ceremonies, which induce altered states through external substances, shamanic drumming allows for controlled access to the spirit world, reinforcing a sense of agency and intentionality in the practitioner.

Key tenets of shamanic journeying include the belief that everything is alive and possesses a soul, that spiritual allies guide and protect the journeyer, and that spirits in the lower and upper worlds typically act with benevolence. While the middle world—often equated with ordinary reality—can house spirits with agendas, the upper and lower worlds are considered sources of wisdom and healing (Ingerman, 1991). The practice involves setting a clear intention before the journey, whether for healing, retrieving information, or seeking guidance. By engaging in this process with reverence and awareness, journeyers cultivate a reciprocal relationship with the spiritual realm.

The Journey: Structure and Process

A shamanic drumming journey typically begins by entering a sacred space, often marked by a circle where a candle is placed at the center to symbolize the ancient roots of the practice. Participants are encouraged to bring their soul song—a unique vibrational expression that aligns with their inner essence. Attention and intention form the container for the journey, ensuring that each individual’s experience remains personal and unfiltered by external interpretations.

The process of journeying follows a structured sequence:

The drumming begins, typically lasting 11-12 minutes to allow full immersion.

The journeyer visualizes a familiar natural location that feels energetically supportive.

Entry into the lower world occurs through a tunnel, cave, or other descending pathway, while the upper world is accessed through upward movement, such as climbing a tree or riding smoke from a fire.

The journeyer meets a spirit guide, often in the form of an animal or human teacher, and engages in an interaction to receive wisdom or healing.

The return journey follows the same pathway in reverse, ensuring a grounded reentry into ordinary reality.

The cadence of the drumming alters to signal the end of the journey, with the call-back beat played twice as fast to guide participants back into their physical awareness. As with any spiritual discipline, integration is key—journaling or sharing insights (without disclosing the names of spirit allies) allows the journeyer to embody the experience meaningfully.

Spiritual Realms and the Role of Spirit Guides

In shamanic cosmology, reality is divided into three primary spiritual dimensions: the upper world, middle world, and lower world. The lower world is often described as a place of deep wisdom where power animals reside. Power animals serve as long-term guides, offering protection and support throughout one’s life. The upper world is associated with celestial beings and ascended teachers, providing insights that transcend human experience. The middle world represents our physical reality and contains spirits that may be benevolent or mischievous, requiring discernment when journeying within it (Harner, 2013).

One of the most profound aspects of journeying is the interaction with spirit allies. These beings communicate in various ways, including direct speech, metaphors, or even movement-based expressions such as dance. Unlike hierarchical spiritual traditions that emphasize external authority, shamanic practice teaches that experience itself grants authority—each journeyer’s direct connection with the spirit world is the ultimate validation of their path.

The Healing Potential of Shamanic Drumming

Research in transpersonal psychology and indigenous studies highlights the therapeutic benefits of shamanic journeying. Studies indicate that rhythmic drumming activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and stress reduction (Goldsby et al., 2017). Furthermore, journeying can facilitate deep psychological healing, particularly for individuals with trauma histories. By engaging with compassionate spirits, journeyers may receive messages of resilience, reclaim lost aspects of themselves, and reframe traumatic narratives in an empowering way.

Sandra Ingerman (1991) discusses the concept of soul retrieval—a shamanic healing technique wherein fragmented parts of the soul, lost due to trauma, are reintegrated through journeying. This process mirrors contemporary therapeutic models that emphasize narrative reconstruction and the retrieval of dissociated aspects of the psyche. By working in partnership with spirit allies, individuals can access profound states of wholeness and renewal.

Ethical Considerations and Personal Responsibility

As shamanism gains popularity in the modern world, ethical considerations become crucial. Unlike structured religious traditions, shamanism operates without centralized doctrines, placing responsibility on the practitioner to uphold integrity and discernment. Michael Harner (2013) advises keeping the names of spirit guides private, respecting their agency, and avoiding exploitative or performative practices.

Additionally, shamanic journeying should not be treated as a casual or recreational experience. It requires preparation, intention, and a willingness to engage in deep self-inquiry. Practitioners must respect cultural contexts, recognizing that while Core Shamanism provides a universal framework, cultural shamanism represents the unique interpretations and traditions of specific indigenous peoples.

Conclusion

Shamanic drumming journeying is a powerful tool for accessing spiritual wisdom, healing trauma, and cultivating deep connections with compassionate spirit allies. Unlike other altered-state modalities, it provides a structured yet fluid method for navigating spiritual realms with intention and agency. As practitioners engage in this sacred work, they contribute to a lineage of ancestral wisdom that spans across cultures and time. By maintaining ethical integrity and honoring the profound insights gained through journeying, individuals can integrate these teachings into their personal and professional healing practices, fostering a deeper alignment with their true essence and purpose.

Mike Bribeaux, LMFT, PhD Candidate in Integral Health, Founder, Warrior Child Healing

References

Goldsby, T. L., Goldsby, M. E., McWalters, M., & Mills, P. J. (2017). Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-being: An Observational Study. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 22(3), 401-406.

Harner, M. (2013). The Way of the Shaman: A Guide to Power and Healing. HarperOne.

Ingerman, S. (1991). Soul Retrieval: Mending the Fragmented Self. HarperCollins.