The mission of IISHA is to preserve, promote and encourage Shamanism, both traditional and modern. As the name implies, IISHA is an institution with global hopes of healing. It is our purpose to support a global community that celebrates its many distinctive parts.

At the heart of Shamanism are some very simple practices that are universal. Practitioners travel to worlds outside of the concept of reality, to contact the Spirits, to develop relationships with them, and to return with healing knowledge. Beyond these simple practices are many, unique and sacred cultural philosophies. It is the goal of IISHA and its membership to give aid and assistance to practitioners of all cultures, faiths, and philosophies. We do not promote one culture over another, nor one style of shamanism over another. We leave such decisions and practices to the individual and their Spiritual guides. Our future goal is to become actively involved with those communities that invite us to do so and to actively assist in the recovery or maintenance of global Shamanic practices.

IISHA is an organization dedicated to education and information. For those who wish to share their experiences or knowledge, IISHA is being developed with the vision that a forum for teaching should be available to those who need it, regardless of monetary, social, or other circumstances. Soon, we hope to have a message board for this purpose. We are developing an event calendar that will provide information about classes, workshops, lectures and other happenings. We would also like to present articles from practitioners. In the future, basic course work may also be available on the website.

IISHA will provide networking and resource possibilities. We are developing sources, which can help practitioners to contact one another, to teach each other, to learn from one another, to find what they need to do their work, and to promote respectful dialogue and debate.

4. Associates

IISHA will also lend its support to other associations that support the global Shamanic Community.

For example: Associated with IISHA are the Daughters of Divination, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving a multitude of oracular practices. As Divination is such an important part of many Shamanic practices, we believe that the DOD, through its humor and expertise, can assist those practitioners who include divination in their healing work. (See our Links page)

IISHA was established this year, 2001. As a new source of information, study and networking for practitioners, we are still building the foundations, and therefore ask for your patience. At this time, we are applying for Non-profit status but have not yet attained it. We are also just beginning to build our database and events calendar. If you would like to post a notice about your event, or to present an article to be considered for inclusion, please send an email with details to submissions@IISHA.org.

Shamanism, or Core Shamanism as Dr. Michael Harner calls it, has no rules. It is not a religion. Within many cultures, there are often rules specific to that culture. These can vary widely in their usage and understanding. But for IISHA, we have only one rule: Move forward in Respect. As you travel through the many worlds, if you travel respectfully, with right intent and compassion, you will travel well. That is all that we ask.

We accept that there will always be many different opinions, ideas and concepts regarding Shamanism. Although we believe in a Global community, we respect each person’s ethnicity and uniqueness. Disagreement between honest and respectful people is healthy. If you wish to disagree with IISHA, it is your human right to do so. We honor your decision.

This is an Internet site. The Internet has brought the Global Community together as we have never been before. It is a blessing in this regard. However, the Internet gives some people a feeling of anonymity which they believe excludes them from dealing with other Internet users in a compassionate manner.

IISHA does not tolerate hate, hate mail, or discrimination. We will gladly read any communication sent to us in a respectful way, whether it agrees with our philosophy or not. We hope that such discussion can help everyone grow and heal. Hate mail does not heal anyone, not even the sender. We pray that those who write such angry, shame-filled, finger pointing messages find more effective ways to use that energy to heal not to harm. Never harm another on purpose. We pray that they heal soon, so that their lives are not driven by negativity, which accomplishes nothing.

Our policy is that we will read all our email. If we perceive any type of disrespectful language, hateful messages, or any kind of discrimination, we will simply delete the email without finishing it. This may sound harsh or possibly unfair, but our goals are positive, global, and healing … we simply don’t have the time nor the energy to waste on those who clearly are not interested in respectful disagreement nor are they open to another opinion.