Shamanism is the practice of maximizing the human abilities of mind and spirit for healing and problem solving. A term that comes from the Siberian tribal word for its practitioners, "shaman," shamans are a type of medicine man or woman especially distinguished by the use of journeys to hidden worlds through myth, dream, and near-death experiences. This inclusive two-volume encyclopedia combines the philosophy, concepts, and practical elements that make up Shamanism.

• Over 750 in-depth entries, organized A-Z, containing essential information about Shamanic methods and practices across cultures.
• Eight introductory essays clearly discuss the basic concepts of Shamanism.
• Annotated resource lists cite organizations with contact information, including Web sites and e-mail addresses.
• Each entry includes sources for further reading.