This book is dedicated to all of our ancestors from around the world who preserved vital bits of wisdom in their stories, myths, and traditions. It is also dedicated to those who are willing to find the truths preserved in that incredible jigsaw puzzle of wisdom— with the purpose of crafting them into a new, sustainable future for all beings. To the elders of our villages, the ascetics and shamans, To the wisdom-keepers and shamans of the plains, To the shamans of the high mountains, To the learned ones of the foothills, To all who have walked this path before us, We fold our hands like lotus buds and honor you! The Nepalese Shamanīc Path “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.” HANK WESSELMAN PH.D., ANTHROPOLOGIST, AUTHOR OF THE SPIRITWALKER TRILOGY, AND COAUTHOR OF AWAKENING TO THE SPIRIT WORLD “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.” LLYN CEDAR ROBERTS, M.A., COAUTHOR OF SPEAKING WITH NATURE “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.” TOM COWAN, AUTHOR OF FIRE IN THE HEAD “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.” CAITLÍN MATTHEWS, AUTHOR OF SINGING THE SOUL BACK HOME “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.” MICHAEL STONE, RADIO HOST OF CONVERSATIONS AND SHAMANIC PRACTITIONER “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.” HILLARY S. WEBB, PH.D., AUTHOR OF YANANTIN AND MASINTIN IN THE ANDEAN WORLD “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!” NICHOLAS BREEZE WOOD, EDITOR OF SACRED HOOP MAGAZINE “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!” ALIDA BIRCH, SHAMAN AND AUTHOR OF THE CO-CREATION HANDBOOK “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.” MAMA DONNA HENES, URBAN SHAMAN AND AUTHOR OF BLESS THIS HOUSE “This is an inspiring and vital gathering of unique wisdom nuggets and useful practices derived from a mysterious ancient society. A must-read.” ITZHAK BEERY, AUTHOR OF THE GIFT OF SHAMANISM AND PUBLISHER OF SHAMANPORTAL.ORG “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.” ROBINETTE KENNEDY, PH.D., CLINICAL ANTHROPOLOGIST AND SHAMANISTIC PRACTITIONER “This book is an outstanding contribution in the field of psychological anthropology” PREM K. KHATRY, PH.D., RETIRED PROFESSOR OF CULTURE AT TRIBHUVAN UNIVERSITY, KATHMANDU Acknowledgments I would like to thank my ancestors, my spirit teachers, and my power animals for their eternal love, protection, and support of my life. I acknowledge the loving blessings I receive from my shamanic colleagues, my wonderful family, my dear friends, and especially my wife, co-conspirator, and “partner in all things,” Allie Knowlton. Allie’s tremendous support and her ineffable graciousness when I am deeply engrossed in a creative project is a priceless treasure. My gratitude goes to Mariarosa “Mimi” Genitrini for her loving spirit and her marvelous photography. Thanks also go to my fabulous agent Stephany Evans for being a relentless, one-woman cheering section. And to Jon Graham of Inner Traditions for publishing this book! My incredible friendship with Bhola has enriched my life immeasurably. For over a decade, our times together have been filled with stories, wisdom, and, most precious of all, his warm laughter. It has been my great privilege to present Bhola’s native practices to the world so that these shamanic traditions will not only be preserved but will also remain vital for many generations to come as they spread beyond Nepal’s borders. (Bai, I hope this Diddi served you well!) EVELYN This sacred sharing of my ancestors’ gifts is to create a concrete, participatory bridge between ancient wisdom and modern understanding. The introductory foundations, presentation of every chapter, illustrations, step-by-step explanation of rituals, and hand-drawn diagrams by Evelyn are some of the first presentations of Nepalese Himalayan Shamanism for the modern shamanic communities.