• Investigates drumming-induced trance states through shamanic journeying

• Provides advanced lucid dreaming training, sharing techniques for inducing lucidity and skillfully navigating our inner cosmos

• Explores the mindful use of psychedelics, offering guidance on setting intention, navigating the experience, and integrating insights

Offering techniques from psychonauts ancient and modern, this guide helps to navigate consciously into altered states and the psyche. Psychonavigation is the art of mindfully exploring the realms of consciousness. It requires a map, a guide, and a clear intention, so one does not emerge overwhelmed and struggling with unexpected shadow material.

Mapping the way as a step-by-step process, the authors take us through 3 pathways for entering altered states: lucid dreaming, shamanic trance journeys, and with psychedelics. With drumming-­induced trance journeys, they explore the effect of shamanic drumming on brainwave frequencies alongside recently discovered consciousness teachings from ancient cultures like the Altai of Russia. Their advanced lucid dreaming training offers techniques to induce and maintain lucidity, honing inner navigational tools and integrating suppressed parts of oneself. Finally, they explore how the mindful use of psychedelics can be enhanced by these ancient mystical tools that offer a safe container for optimal integration and meaning making.

Ancient psycho-spiritual techniques meet ultra-current science in these skillful methodologies that enable seekers to properly process their meaningful experience.

Norma J. Burton is a counselor with a degree in comparative religion focusing on Buddhist and shamanic traditions, who specializes in trauma healing, shadow work, and dream analysis. Having apprenticed with Indigenous elders for over 30 years, she founded the Institute of Ancient Healing Arts and the Circle of Trust Healing Center. Nisha Burton is a dreamworker, award-­winning filmmaker, and branding consultant for Fortune 100 companies. She is a speaker and teacher at universities. Norma and Nisha live in Ashland, Oregon.

Preface

Introduction – Acknowledging the Lineage

PART 1: PSYCHONAVIGATION

1. What Is Psychonavigation?

2. Oneironauts, Psychonauts, and Reasons to Enter the Liminal

3. The Calling to a Perspective Shift

4. Polyphasic versus Monophasic Awareness

5. Working with the Shadow within the Psyche

6. The Three Key Elements: The Guide, the Map, and the Intent

7. The Guide

8. The Map

9. The Intent

10. Creating the Map

11. The Journey to Completion Map

12. Three Modes of Entering Altered States of Consciousness

PART 2: DRUMMING JOURNEYS

13. Entering Trance States through Sound Induction

14. Your Brain on Drumming – The Science behind the
Drumming-Induced Trance

15. Healing Effects of Drum Journeys

16. Four Stages of Entering a Trance or Dream

17. Where We Travel in Drumming Journeys

18. The Underworld

19. Navigating through a Drumming Journey

20. Drumming Journey Examples

21. Integrating a Drumming Journey

PART 3: DREAMING

22. What Is Lucid Dreaming?

23. The Dreamer as Shaman

24. Imbalance between the Dreamtime and Ordinary Reality

25. Remembering Your Dreams

26. Unlocking the Symbols and Metaphors of Your Dreams

27. Tracking Training for Lucid Dreaming

28. Attaining and Maintaining Lucidity

29. Dealing with the Shadow in the Dream Realms

30. A Powerful Lucid Dream

31. Advanced Lucid Dreaming Techniques

PART 4: PSYCHEDELICS

32. Lucid Dreaming and Psychedelics

33. The Rhythm of a Psychedelic Journey

34. Preparing for the Journey – Art-Making, Self-Screening,
Threshold Guardians

35. Setting Your Intent for the Psychedelic Journey

36. Entering the Psychedelic Dreamtime

37. Working with the Shadow in the Psychedelic Journey

38. Client Case Studies

39. Emerging – The Gentle Glide Back

Conclusion

Notes and Illustration Credits

Bibliography

Index

About the Authors