The Foundation for Shamanic Studies was founded by the anthropologist Dr. Michael Harner in 1979. He is widely acknowledged as the world’s foremost authority on shamanism. Dr. Harner brought shamanism to the West after extensive field and cross-cultural investigation, experimentation, and personal practice, which resulted in what he calls quot;core shamanism," a system designed for Westerners to apply shamanism and shamanic healing successfully to their daily lives. This system is based upon the underlying universal or near-universal principles and practices of shamanism, rather than upon historical or culture-specific ceremonies.

Training in core shamanism offered by the Foundation includes teaching students to alter their consciousness through classic shamanic non-drug techniques such as repetitive drumming so that they can discover their own hidden spiritual resources, transform their lives, and learn how to help others. Dr. Harner, in describing the shamanic training he gives, said, "My path involves monotonous percussive sound or sonic driving. And that’s what has made it so easy for me to teach shamanism through the years, because it’s a legal, safe, effective, and ancient method. It teaches people that there’s more than one door to non-ordinary reality, which is something that shamans in so many parts of the world already knew.  You don't have to use monotonous percussion sound; it just makes it a lot easier." This video produced by the Foundation shows the use of percussion instruments by the Tula shamans.