The Nepalese Shamanic Path: Practices for Negotiating the Spirit World

An experiential guide to the shamanic spiritual practices of the Himalayas shared by a 27th-generation Nepalese shaman • Presents step-by-step, illustrated instructions for authentic Himalayan shamanic practices, including physical and spiritual healing, shamanic journeys, and ceremonies • Includes exercises to meet the ancestors in your shamanic lineage, techniques to use your voice as a shamanic tool, and practices for negotiating the spirit world safely • Details shamanic chants and rituals, how to create an altar, and the sacred objects of the shaman, along with exercises and techniques for using them properly There are few areas of our world where shamanic traditions have been preserved in their original context and form. Nepal is one of these rare and special places. In the shadow of the Himalayas Nepalese shamans, known as dhamis or jhankris, are still consulted for healing and divination, as well as for providing comfort and maintaining harmony. Following the devastating earthquake in Nepal in 2015, shamanic teacher Evelyn Rysdyk and 27th-generation dhami Bhola Nath Banstola decided it was time to safeguard Nepalese shamanic knowledge for future generations by recording the practices in a book. With this comprehensive, experiential guide to the ancient spiritual traditions of Nepal, Rysdyk and Banstola present step-by-step instructions for authentic Himalayan shamanic practices, including techniques for physical and spiritual healing, shamanic journeys, and advanced ceremonies, such as the Kalchakra Katne, a shamanic ritual for removing toxic energies from an individual. They include exercises to help you meet the ancestors in your shamanic lineage, techniques to use your voice as a shamanic tool, and practices for negotiating the spirit world safely. They detail shamanic chants and rituals, how to create an altar, and how to use the sacred objects of the dhami/jhankri, including the mala, the magic mirror, the drum, and the Khurpa, the shaman’s magic dagger. Rysdyk and Banstola also examine the importance of Nepalese cosmology in shamanic ritual and spiritual deities such as Hanuman, Garuda, and the Nagas. Illustrated with photos and Rysdyk’s artwork, the book also explores the history of Nepal, its culture and myths, and the different ways Nepalese shamans serve their communities. Written specifically to share the traditional Himalayan shamanic method with the Western world, this guide not only preserves these ancient teachings but also reveals how they are still relevant in the modern world.

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Sandra Ingerman Our Prefaces INTRODUCTION The Shamanic State of Consciousness Journeying Basics for Beginners: The Shamanic Bridge between Worlds PART 1 Awakening 1 Everything Has a Beginning Journey to Meet Banjhankri and Banjhankrini 2 Shamanic Awakening Is a Continual Process Journey to Meet a Shamanic Ancestor to Ask for Empowerment 3 Dedicating Yourself to the Spirits Journey to Experience a Personal Dedication Ceremony 4 The Four Aspects of the Human Soul Journey to Have a Nepalese Shamanic Experience of Your Soul PART 2 Flowering 5 Shamanic Sacred Tools and Ritual Objects 6 The Khurpa/Phurba Journey to Clear and Empower Your Khurpa 7 Using Your Khurpa Khurpa Mudras 8 The Dhyangro Journey to Clear and Empower Your Dhyangro and Gajo 9 Aina: The Shaman’s Mirror Journey to Clear and Empower Your Aina 10 The Mala Journey to Clear and Empower Your Mala 11 The Trishula or Trident Journey to Clear and Empower Your Trishula 12 Consecrating Shamanic Tools and Creating the Dhami/Jhankri Altar Awakening and Consecrating Your Shamanic Altar 13 The Dhami/Jhankri’s Costume Journey to Receive a Vision of Ceremonial Attire 14 Working within the Nepalese Cosmology Honoring the Elementals with Drumming and Dance 15 Ritual of Spring and Renewal Creating a Renewal Ceremony 16 Using Your Voice as a Shamanic Tool Giving Voice to Your Shamanic Practice PART 3 Bountiful Harvest 17 The Cosmic Plan The Mansaune Ceremony 18 Primary Feminine Deities Journey to Meet Aspects of the Divine Mother Durga Journey to Meet Kali Journey to Meet the Divine Mother as Our Earth 19 Primary Masculine Deities Journey to Meet Gannyap Journey to Meet Shiva Journey to Meet Vajrakilaya 20 Hanuman the Monkey God Journey to Meet Hanuman 21 The Nagas Journey to Meet the Nagas Journey to Meet Nagakanya 22 Garuda Journey to Meet Garuda 23 Local Deities, Protectors, Ancestral Guardians Journey to Meet the Spirit of a Local Landscape Feature Journey to Meet Your Protective Spirits PART 4 Healing through Our Connections to All That Is 24 The Eight Fetters 25 Healing and Empowerment through Ceremony The Khardga Puja Ceremony 26 Other Purifying Rituals 27 The Shamanic Ransom Ritual The Kalchakra Katne Ceremony 28 Honoring Our Relationship with the Cosmos The Graha Sarne Ceremony CONCLUSION Spiritual and Emotional Unification Acknowledgments APPENDIX Celebrating Durga and the Customs of Dashain Glossary Index About the Authors

About the Author :
Evelyn C. Rysdyk is an internationally recognized shamanic healer, teacher, speaker, and author of several books, including The Norse Shaman and A Spirit Walker’s Guide to Shamanic Tools. Teaching advanced experiential shamanism through her organization, Spirit Passages, she finds creative inspiration and renewal on the coast of Maine. Bhola Nath Banstola is a 27th-generation Nepalese shaman, or jhankri. With his wife, he teaches traditional Himalayan shamanic practices in Europe and North America and leads groups on shamanic tours of Nepal. He divides his time between Italy and Nepal.

Review :
“The collaboration of Rysdyk and Banstola has created a compelling read--one that my inner anthropologist recognizes as an ethnography. These two visionaries, Western and Traditional, have given us a look into a non- Western cultural tradition that few of us know about. My inner understanding of myself and my world has been enhanced in response.” “This book is an accessible chronicle of esoteric cosmology and ritual that preserves the wisdom ways of an ancient people. The abundant and detailed practices and ceremonies that are presented in this book, which might otherwise be lost, make the spirits come alive for the modern practitioner. This is a generous and enduring work.” “If you’ve been intimidated by the intricate and complex cosmology associated with Nepalese shamanism, this is the book that will walk you through it intelligently, gracefully, and comprehensively. This is an important book to add to the growing effort to preserve indigenous shamanism.” “This inspirational book reveals the heart of the Nepalese shamanic tradition, showing the essential art of fastening heaven to Earth and releasing all beings from the bondage of the eight fetters by restoring health and harmony to sick people and disenchanted places with loving grace.” “Brilliant shamanic healer and teacher Evelyn Rysdyk has joined forces with Nepalese wisdomkeeper Bhola Banstola to bring us this amazing offering of the ancient practices of Himalayan shamanism. These ancient practices offer a transformation for you, your community, and the world.” “Rysdyk and Banstola offer us a profound merging of ancient Nepalese wisdom and modern understanding, through which we may learn to ride the razor’s edge between chaos and order that is the dhami/jhankri’s path to shamanic empowerment.” “An astoundingly practical workbook and doorway into the ancient Nepalese shamanic tradition. A book we have waited for for a long time. Rysdyk and Banstola have given us a great gift!” “A big bow of gratitude for this important and captivating book that combines fascinating stories of transcendent initiations into the author’s twenty-seventh-generation Nepalese lineage and step-by-step instructions of ceremonies applicable to all shamanic lineages. This book touched my heart!” “How lucky to have such knowledgeable and generous guides as Evelyn Rysdyk and Bhola Nath Banstola to lead us on this fascinating journey to explore the ancient spiritual wisdom and ritual practices of Nepalese shamanism.” “This is an inspiring and vital gathering of unique wisdom nuggets and useful practices derived from a mysterious ancient society. A must-read.” “Like discovering an ancient manual and toolbox for reconnecting with your primordial spiritual source, Banstola’s childhood encounters with Himalayan spirits of creation, destruction, and death read like a thriller. These authors have made a significant contribution to the literature on shamanism.” “This book is an outstanding contribution in the field of psychological anthropology” "This book, with its wise words and beautiful and evocative photographs and illustrations, is based upon the collective wisdom of many lifetimes and will provide the reader with guidance for a lifetime of exploration and learning. Recommended."