Book Description
Creating an alliance and working partnership with the spirits of weather to restore well-being and harmony to Earth and ourselves

• Reveals that, intentionally or not, we affect the weather not only through our actions but also through our thoughts and emotions

• Explains shamanic techniques for working with the spiritual nature of weather

• Special section on “weather dancing” details both its ceremonial and therapeutic aspects

With the growing consensus that global warming is a fact comes the realization that the increasingly violent weather we are experiencing is its chief manifestation. Each storm, each flood, each blizzard seems to break 100-year-old records for both intensity and damage. Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases may be too little, too late.

Through a unique blend of anthropological research, shamanic journeys, and personal stories and anecdotes, Moss and Corbin show how humans and weather have always affected each other, and how it is possible to influence the weather. They present teachings directly from the spirits of weather that show how our thoughts and emotions affect weather energetics. They also reveal the ceremonial and therapeutic aspects of “weather dancing,” a practice used to communicate with the weather spirits.

Weather Shamanism is about transformation--of ourselves, and thus our world. It is about how we can develop an expanded worldview that honors spiritual realities in order to create a working partnership with the spirits of weather and thereby help to restore well-being and harmony to Earth. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Dancing With Mystery
If you are like me and you are secretly or blatantly in love with the weather, then you will adore this book.Nan Moss writes with clarity and passion about her knowledge and experience of the various weather beings, angels, spirits and helpers.She brings you into intimate contact with them and then shows you how to go there for yourself.By the time you have finished reading this book, you will be asking yourself:How can I lightly touch, interact with and learn from these divine forces?And you will realize all the answers are in the book and inside you.

Here are some random chapter headings to show you what you have to look forward to:

"What is Weather?Emotion, Reciprocity and Change."
Nan Moss: "The climate and the weather have been master teachers of the principle of change in our world."

"The Sacred Nature of Storm."
Nan Moss:"We have it in our power to cultivate a perspective that is spacious."

"Healing With Weather."
Nan Moss:" . . honoring the weather brings balance and well-being."

Exciting and intriguing, don't you think?

This book is also filled with other people's stories and experiences.You will receive quite a variety of perspectives and methods, but in the end it will come down to your own perspective and method.However, I will bet that even if you are not on a shamanic path, the next time you are confronted with a graphic weather system, from achingly joyful blue skies to dense and determined pouring rain, you will find yourself out there dancing to it with your understanding, your acceptance and your love.Watch, now!See if you don't get a response back!

must have
This book is very down to earth and easy to understand with thought provocing facts about the spirits of weather and our connection to Nature. After reading this book, you will never look at a cloud or a storm in the same way. ... Read more

Book Description
Fascinating, comprehensive, and eminently readable, this guide explores shamanism—the world's most enduring healing and religious tradition—in the light of modern medicine, psychology, neuroscience, consciousness disciplines, and religious studies.

Praise for The World of Shamanism "As if on cue, just when I am beginning to think that shamanism is the ground from which all religions spring, along comes this book.I cannot imagine a book that would be more helpful to me in thinking through this important subject." —Huston Smith, author of The World's Religions

"...Unquestionably the most rounded compact introduction to shamanism, particularly the inner world of shamans, available today. A door-opening book for students of consciousness and spirituality." —Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D., M.Litt, author of The Yoga Tradition

"A splendidly clear and timely survey of shamanism." —Jean Achterberg, Ph.D., author of Imagery in Healing

"Quite simply, this book is a major step forward in understanding the vital phenomenon of shamanism. I recommend it highly." —Charles Tart, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of California at Davis, author of States of Consciousness

"...Eminently useful and inspiring. A brilliant integrative work that pushes the frontiers of consciousness in insightful, practical, and powerful ways." —Angeles Arrien, Ph.D., Cultural Anthropologist, author of The Four-Fold Way and The Second Half of Life

"...Unique in bringing together the full range of anthropological, psychological, and psychiatric literature on this vital subject. It does so with admirable scholarship yet still manages to be sensitive and clear." —Christie W. Kiefer, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, University of California at San Francisco ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The Power of Dwelling in Ambiguity
The World of Shamanism is the best book I've read on the topic. A totally updated work that builds on his earlier book ((The Spirit of Shamanism) this book explores shamanism as we find it in the world, in the psyche, and in neo-shamanic practices.

Dr. Walsh has mastered the art of writing in a popular manner rooted in rigorous research. There is no doubt about his sources as he carefully provides them in footnotes for the more curious reader. In his even-handed presentation of multiple perspectives Dr. Walsh models the tolerance for ambiguity he notes as necessary for a mature experience of the mystery of the universe.

Most important, with regard to the subjective aspects of shamanic experience, he models "the principle of causal indifference" which reflects an acceptance (rare in our society) that "subjectively identical experiences can be produced by multiple causes" (p. 196).

This is a must read for mental health professionals whose map of the universe includes the potential of non-ordinary states for healing as well as for the layperson trying to dig their way through all the misinformation on shamanism that has piled up in the "new age" market over the years.

The psychology of shamanism
One of the biggest criticisms leveled against shamanism for years has been that shamans are schizophrenic or otherwise mentally ill and generally dysfunctional. This goes against more recent observations that the shaman is actually one of the most psychologically healthy people in hir society. This excellent book is an in-depth look at the psychology of shamanism, from a very positive, constructive and yet objective viewpoint. Euro-centric bias is tossed out the window, and shamanism (or, rather, the various forms thereof) is explored from within the contexts of the cultures it stems from.

Walsh draws upon a number of ideas and inspirations. Campbell's explanation of the Hero's journey is applied to the shaman's development, from ordinary citizen to community leader. Of particular interest is the motif of the initiatory crisis, the time in which the shaman undergoes extreme changes internally and may exhibit incredibly odd behavior to the consternation of other members of hir society. This, and the seeming "delusion" of the shamanic journey are studied in great detail throughout the book, and the importance of these two experiences in particular cannot be ignored.

To me, the most valuable gift this book offers is the detailed explanation throughout of how shamanism, rather than paralleling the unhealthy and disorganized experience of schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, in fact has much in common with modern psychological practices ranging from psychoanalysis to Jung's work, and in particular to the modern practice of transpersonal psychology. The placebo effect is explored, and its effectiveness in both shamanism AND in Western medicine is discussed; in fact, there are a couple of chapters that focus specifically on shamanic healing and how/why it works. Finally, the altered states of consciousness inherent to shamanic practice are shown to be, not a matter of escapism and trickery, but of a path towards enlightenment-like states of being, though different from the states achieved through yoga and other forms of meditation.

It's an incredibly well-researched book as well. Unlike too many of the texts on shamanism today, this one takes an academic approach rather than a New Age one, yet as mentioned doesn't fall prey to the usual academic pitfalls. There are numerous in-text citations and a nice, meaty bibliography.

In all, we're left with a picture of shamanism that has less to do with dysfunctionality, quackery and superstition, and more to do with modern healthy practices that, in some cases, Western psychologicy has only recently "discovered". While the author does not go so far as to tell people to dump their therapists and become shamans (which anyone with good sense knows is irresponsible), he undoes decades of Western bias as well as the later romanticism that has all too often been applies to shamanism. In this text we're allowed to see that shamanism is both terrifying and ecstatic, and is an evolution rather than de-evolution of human consciousness.

An accessible book from a psychiatrist's perspective
The Spirit of Shamanism is a psychiatrist's look at the essence of shamanic practices.Robert Walsh covers such topics as the shaman's initiation, accessing the spirit world, healing, psychedelic drugs, and New Age adaptations.Although Walsh looks across the broad range of the shamanic experience, the most interesting sections of the book deal with the topic of his expertise: mental illness and psychological health.He explores such questions as 1) whether shamanic initiation and trance states are psychotic or schizophrenic; 2) the difference between trance states and mental illness; and 3) the effects of music, trickery and the placebo effect on healing.

On the negative side, Walsh has a poor opinion of anthropologists, yet he relies heavily on the work of anthropologists who are marginal in the anthropological community.Many of his resources are outdated.The book is not very deep, yet this makes it accessible to just about anyone.It doesn't "feel" like it's written by an M.D./Ph.D. -- Walsh slips easily into New Age thinking -- yet, again, it's accessible.

This quasi-scientific book is good for anyone interested in knowing more about the psychology of shamanism.It's well-written, the chapters are short, and it's easy to understand.

Entheogens: Professional Review
"The Spirit of Shamanism" has been selected for listing in "Religion and Psychoactive Sacraments: An Entheogen Chrestomathy."http://www.csp.org/chrestomathy ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Shamanic journeying for Americans
As the author makes clear, becoming a Shaman is a rare, intensive, dedication to a way of life few modern Americans (or any other culture) would embrace.The Shamanic Journey for power animals and guides is quite another matter.My own experience closely corresponds to Cowan's. My teacher, co-Director of the Fire and Wind Institute ([...])was also a student of Michael Harner. The practice has opened new and wonderful vistas for me. Highly recommended.

Not even halfway through
And this book is already amazing. I love the way Mr. Cowan writes and how he explains things in a witty, informative manner. This is the only book I've read on Shamanism and I haven't actually journeyed yet, but I can already tell that this book will help me on my shamanic path for the rest of my life. The stories in this book are also really wonderful. All I can recommend for people exploring Shamanism for the first time is to read this book before any of the others out there. You won't be disappointed with this purchase.

This book has made me want to explore Mr. Cowan's other works.

A must read!
Shamanism: A Spiritual Path for Daily Life is far and away the most comprehensive and far reaching book currently available for those who wish to walk a shamanic path.Tom Cowan does his best to cover all the bases and succeeds.For those who want to understand shamanism as a life strategy, this book is highly recommended.

Excellent beginner's guide to modern shamanic practice
Right from the start we're advised to put aside any thoughts of lifting practices from specific cultures, and instead focus on a contemporary approach to spirit journeys that builds on universal techniques that have worked since the dawn of humanity, along with more contemporary concepts from "modern" religions like Buddhism and Christian mysticism. How much more reasonable could a spiritual practice be? Cowan knows his subject, is an excellent writer, is thoughtful in his approach, and is intellectual, spiritual, and practical in his approach modern shamanism. Sufficiently detailed to hold a discerning reader's interest but presented simply enough to put into practice immediately, this is an excellent beginner's guide to modern shamanic practice.

Solid Foundation
This book should be in every shaman's library. It gives a good overview of many viewpoints, remember to widen your scope is to enlarge your knowledge!. ... Read more

Book Description
An in-depth look at the role of plant spirits in shamanic rituals from around the world

Shows how shamans heal using their knowledge of plant spirits as well as the plants medical properties

Explores the core methods of plant shamanism--soul retrieval, spirit extraction, and sin eating--and includes techniques for connecting with plant spirits

Includes extensive field interviews with master shamans of all traditions

In Plant Spirit Shamanism, Ross Heaven and Howard G. Charing explore the use of one of the major allies of shamans for healing, seeing, dreaming, and empowerment--plant spirits. After observing great similarities in the use of plants among shamans throughout the world, they discovered the reason behind these similarities: Rather than dealing with the medical properties of the plants or specific healing techniques, shamans commune with the spirits of the plants themselves.

From their years of in-depth shamanic work in the Amazon, Haiti, and Europe, including extensive field interviews with master shamans, Heaven and Charing present the core methods of plant shamanism used in healing rituals the world over: soul retrieval, spirit extraction, sin eating, and the Amazonian tradition of pusanga (love medicine). They explain the techniques shamans use to establish connections to plant spirits and provide practical exercises as well as a directory of traditional Amazonian and Caribbean healing plants and their common North American equivalents so readers can ex-plore the world of plant spirits and make allies of their own.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

helped me connect with Gaia on a much deeper level
Brilliant book, well written, insightful and mind blowing.I was camping when I read it and have a totally different respect and understanding of mother earth now, to understand the consciousness has helped greatly.I highly recommend this book! You will never look at plants, grass, trees earth in the same way again!

Healers will find this essential to understanding plant processes.
PLANT SPIRIT SHAMANISM: TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES FOR HEALING THE SOUL explores not the usual medicinal qualities of plants, but shaman communications with the spirits of the plants themselves. Both authors have years of in-depth field shamanic work in the Amazon, Haiti and Europe, and their experiences and interviews with other master shamans in different areas results in a core of insights gleaned from not just one but a variety of indigenous cultures. Healers will find this essential to understanding plant processes.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch ... Read more

Book Description
There are worlds of healing, protection, and insight available to you just beyond ordinary reality. The knowledge to simply, powerfully journey to these worlds, to connect with your spirit guides, to build a vision of yourself as healthy, intuitive and psychically alive, is within this book. Whether you are just beginning to seek a truer and more meaningful existence, or you are an experienced traveler of worlds, this book provides a reliable, straightforward, friendly and practical guide to basic shamanic practices, including more advanced instruction in past life healing, shadow work, and soul retrieval. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

My favorite book on Shamanic journeying
This is my favorite book on Shamanism. Katie's writing style is engaging, honest, and to the point. The book has sufficient detail without bogging us down, and her instructions are easy to read, easy to grasp, and organized so they're easy to find in the book.

I really like the way she addresses us as modern readers, and talks about the issues we may come across, such as the feeling of a journey seeming like we are making it up. Along with these issues, she encourages us, and states the signs that point at the realness of the experience.

This is a great no nonsense book that will take you into journeying in a comfortable manner. I met two of my guides today for the first time. I thought I was going to the Lower World. That was my intent, but my guides pointed out to me, with some laughter, that though that was my verbal intention, my mind brought me to the Upper World to meet them. It was quite an experience!

Katie's methods are very similar, if not the same, that other author's recommend, but I really like the way she explains the experience and addresses doubts that may arise.

I'm not lending this book out to anyone, so buy your own. It's wonderful, and I highly recommend it!

Dana

Practical Shamanism A Guide for Walking in Both Worlds
The author needs to hire better editors as well as take some time to learn more about other subjects outside of the subject they are originally attempting to write about. A person's ignorance becomes clear when they attempt to wander into areas they are not very well informed about.

For example, the author needs to learn more about the subject of karma and magic in general. Better, just do not go there in the first place and leave it to those who are far more education in those subjects.

If that is not enough she talks to the reader as if you are around five or six years old. "....energy that carries some of the biggest, nastiest karmic consequences" not only sounds childish, it also reveals she knows little about this area. She would do well to actually study eastern philosophy that explains this subject in depth. Karma is not about punishment.

What I am reading from her book is more parroting of information that has been written by numerous authors. Which does not make the information correct, it is simply misinformation being handed down.

There is indeed such thing as psychic and magical attacks and one would be wise to learn about these subjects. She claims effective black magic takes vasts amounts of energy. It takes no more energy to do black magic than it does any kind of magic.

The above examples are just a few areas in her book I found sadly lacking. There are just too many other problems to list in this review.

It is obvious she needs a better editor, one who has more experience. Books are costing readers far too much to read things such as"This can be done simply by visualizing energy from the earth coming in through the souls if your feet...". I personally believe people have souls but when did just your feet develop their own separate soul? I think she meant to write *sole* of your feet/foot. This may sound trivial, even humorous, but readers/buyers deserve far better.

The author spent way too much time promoting everyone else's work and after a short time, the book begins to look more like a promo for other folks than any real research or real personal experience.

Honestly, there are far better books on the subject of Shamanism around. This book is just more of the same from a student of people who have already written enough on the topic. If one is really serious about this subject should do your own research. There are many organizations that can help put you on the right path. Even for a beginner, there are better books out there.

great starter book on shamanism
This is a great read for those just learning about shamanism, its terms and general practices. Katie writes in a clear and understandable way that makes it easy to read. A lot of topics are covered, included the three shamanic worlds, psychic attack, journeying techniques and personal experiences with her clinets and her own healing experiences.
Having said that, I would look for other books that go into more detailed accounts of shamanic based work. For example, in her Curses and Black Magic section, I get the impression she brushes off these aspects of shamanism. People need to know there is an opposite of healing shamanism and its called sorcery. Energy is energy, its the intent behind it that makes it good or bad. She explains that even though there may be those skilled in the art of black magic and curses, it would be pretty rare for it to have a great affect on anyone (what about those rare cases that it is effective then?) and that most of the times, its the clients own obsessions and beliefs that draw negativity to them (true, but not always the case). I feel a lot of healers need to be more informed about the dark side of shamanism. We live in a free will world and just because one one is working within the light, dosent mean you turn a blind eye to what others may do in the dark. Sorcery is very real and the power of black magic does not cease to operate because you choose not to believe in it. I reccomend Alberto Villoldos books for a more informative take on this aspect of shamanism that this book lacks.

Practical Shamanism: A Guide For Walking In Both Worlds
I have been practicing Shamaniam for several years. I find her insight as fresh reawaking to some lessons learn.

One of the best books on Shamanism you can buy
BUY THIS BOOK whether you think you want it or not because it will benefit you and everyone around you. It is a "must read".

I purchased quite a lot of books recently on crystal healing, energy healing, and shamanism. This was the first book to arrive so, naturally, I read it first. How fortunate I was/am.

This book is THE perfect introduction to shamanism. It is quickly obvious to the reader that she is an expert and deeply understands what she is talking about. It is not a new-age mumbo-jumbo book like so many others. Katie writes from both experience and from the heart and she always emphasizes that it is for the good of your inner self and for others. She writes effortlessly and so clearly that you know exactly what she is talking about. You don't have to sit there and noodle on what she said. Instead, it is intuitively obvious what she is teaching you.

I have always thought that if I learned one new thing from a book then it was worth the cover price. This book taught me at least one new thing or a new way of thinking in each and every chapter!

There is no way I will ever part with this book. It is a permanent part of my library now and I will re-read it at least once a year.

Thank you Katie Weatherup. You are a beautiful person inside and out.
... Read more

Book Description

First published in 1951, Shamanism soon became the standard work in the study of this mysterious and fascinating phenomenon. Writing as the founder of the modern study of the history of religion, Romanian émigré--scholar Mircea Eliade (1907-1986) surveys the practice of Shamanism over two and a half millennia of human history, moving from the Shamanic traditions of Siberia and Central Asia--where Shamanism was first observed--to North and South America, Indonesia, Tibet, China, and beyond. In this authoritative survey, Eliade illuminates the magico-religious life of societies that give primacy of place to the figure of the Shaman--at once magician and medicine man, healer and miracle-doer, priest, mystic, and poet. Synthesizing the approaches of psychology, sociology, and ethnology, Shamanism will remain for years to come the reference book of choice for those intrigued by this practice.

Customer Reviews (23)

A classic.
The book market is flooded with books on "shamanism" but this one standsout far above the crowed.I can honestly say that out of the books on shamanism I've read this one is the best. It not only discusses the shamanic practices of the Native Americans and Asians but also analogous practices of the Indo-European peoples."Shamanism, Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy" is a classic anda must read for people who have an interest in the subject.

Four and a half, really
This is considered the grandtome of shamanic resources, and rightly so. For its time, it was the most complete reference on the topic, and while research since the 1950s has illuminated areas of knowledge that Eliade had no exposure to, nearly half a century after its first English translation Shamanism is still required reading for anyone interested in shamans and shamanism.

The first few chapters cover general shamanic subjects, such as being "called", the initiatory ritual and illness, and how shamans obtain their power and spirit helpers. These are followed by a number of chapters on shamanism in various regions of the world; not surprisingly, Siberia and surrounding areas get the most in-depth coverage. Finally, there's an excellent chapter on the various common elements found in shamanisms around the world, certain themes and practices that are universal, or very nearly so.

I'll admit that when I first bit into the foreword, I was a bit intimidated. It's excessively dry, even for academic writing, and I was wondering if I was going to suffer through hundreds of pages of this. However, once I got into the first chapter, I was pleasantly surprised to find that his heavily formal tone shifted to a much more informative and readable style. That's not to say that it's an easy read; it took me about two weeks to finish this off, and I found myself occasionally having to re-read paragraphs as I began to skim rather than comprehend.

I think really the only areas where I have any complaint whatsoever are primarily content based. While Eliade makes an excellent observation on the common elements of many shamanisms, I'd like to know his perspective (if any) on if there's anything significant about their differences. Unfortunately he died over two decades ago, so short of journeying to the underworld (or sky, depending on cosmology) to talk to him, I'll just have to weep that I'll never know for sure, at least not in this life. The other small gripe is his treatment of anything that deviates from a certain "standard" of shamanism as "degraded" or, in his words, "decadent". Given that the "classic" Siberian shamanism may have been influenced by middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures, as well as more southerly Asian ones, some shifting and hybridization is to be expected anyway. A lot of his argument does center around the loss of the actual ecstatic "flight" through dance and other actions, replaced in some cultures by mediumship, feigned trance, and/or drug use. I'm going to have to read more to decide whether I really agree with his assessment of the latter as being lesser (especially the first and third) or not.

Still, overall, this is a must-read. Expect it to take some time (unless you really, really like academic writing). Take notes, or underline things. It's full of information, and while it should be supplemented with newer source material, a lot of it still stands quite firmly as a resource.

A much-respected classic by a much-respected investigator
A classic of proven value, it is an essential companion for anyone exploring shamanic realities - either as a scholar, as an explorer, or as a practitioner.

If you read only one book on the subject, make THIS the book.

A Masterpiece
Eliade is the greatest of the modern interpreters of myth and religious practice, and Shamanism, along with his Yoga: Immorality and Freedom, are his two most brilliant works. If you love the study of comparative religion any myth, you'll love this book.

Quite A Good Academic Material
Shamanism of Mircea Eliade was quite a good academic material that enlightened everyone who wished to understand about this subject. Full of explanations about why archaic peoples did shamanizing. ... Read more

Book Description

For untold centuries, the shaman was the tribe's most revered and respected member, possessing the unique ability to tap into the universal source of wisdom by journeying deep within the self -- seeking, and finding, answers to pressing questions, achieving profound understanding by avoiding the stumbling blocks of the outer material world.

Customer Reviews (18)

Secrets of Shamanism: Tapping the Spirit Power Within You
Interesting, but doesn't match my physical and menthal condition. These excesises break the balance of tension and relaxation in my body, and I become more self-content and less of service to others. However, the experience with shaman jorneys cast another light on that. Everything envisioned seems true!

My first Shamanic book.
When I read this book, I was really amazed because I was like, this is how I see things and understand things.An excellent book, and covers alot of things in Shamanism not found in other books.

Remarkable
Excellent resource for beginners and scholars who are on the spiritual path of enlightment

Insightful
Secrets of Shamanism is an interesting and informative read with loads of meditation and journey ideas for the reader to enjoy.The authors have done an excellent job explaining how one can utilize shamanism as a wisdom tool and a means to stimulate personal insight.

The best book on using your power that I have read
Shades of Carlos Casteneda.It brings the priceless Don Juan-type of knowledge to our level so that we can interpret and use the concepts to increase our power.It is fascinating and a real page-turner. ... Read more

Amazon.com
Jeannette Gagan's Journeying is a must-read for those who are interested in shamanism but have been turned off by fuzzy-headed mystical claims or sloppy exposition. In this well-written and eminently useful manual, shamanism, "perhaps the oldest form of practical spirituality in the world," is explained in a straightforward, scholarly manner by a respected licensed psychologist. Gagan succinctly summarizes the procedures, philosophies, and purposes of modern psychology, illuminating the common areas occupied between the two. She builds a strong case for the introduction of shamanistic journeying into the retinue of healing modalities for the modern psychotherapist. For those intent on healing the psyches of themselves or others, shamanism may well work where other modalities have failed. For example, long-repressed anger can be processed while journeying without fear of upsetting the neighbors, or one day awakening to the horrible realization that you just kicked the dog. --Randall CohanBook Description
Journeying not only shows the commonalities shared by shamanism and psychology, but expands on inherent healing possibilities when their forces are joined. This book offers informed insight as to how the practice of journeying weaves into the psychological perspective, as well as providing those who know little about shamanism an enlightened view.

Journeying is the term used to describe a shaman's movement into an altered state of consciousness to obtain healing information. Psychology, like shamanism, works to alleviate human suffering and makes use of altered states in a variety of ways including guided imagery and hypnosis. Shamanism, the oldest healing tradition known to humankind, springs from natural, intuitive, and spiritual sources. Psychology, a relative newcomer on the Western scene, relies on logic and science.

In bringing these two healing disciplines together, the author illustrates how variations on the practice of journeying strengthens the psychological process. The true heart of this book rests in the application of journeying to the healing of emotional wounds--wounds that occur when parents are unable to sufficiently bond with their infants. In such healing journeys shamanic power animals and spirit helpers provide nurturing not previously experienced, softening edges of neediness and desperation that sometimes feed adolescent and adult aggression.

Journeying beats a fast-paced path to the alchemy of psychological transformation in words easily understood by practitioners and lay persons alike. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Apples and Oranges --Shared Slices
As a trained psychologist, Jeanette M. Gagan, writes lucidly about the her own personal spiritual journey to wholeness through shamanic practice. By comparing apples (the shaman's fruit of choice) and oranges (the psychologist's fruit of choice), Dr. Gagan succeeds in answering the following questions:

1. How does the shamanic tradition bring such potent healing power to wounds incurred in the earliest months of life? and
2. Could journeying provide a release valve for the violence so rampant in our world?

By contrasting the two traditions historically, Dr. Gagan, underscores the slices of each fruit that can be shared.Central to finding common ground are the notions of altered states of consciousness, imagery, and the Jungian alchemical processes to healing.

Throughout her story Dr. Gagan weaves in carefully chosen vignettes from her clients' journeying, and explains how these experiences transcend verbal therapy and succeed in achieving transformation.

--A very convincing and readable book.

A shamanic practitioner's viewpoint
Having experienced the shamanic path directly and then going back for a degree in psychology I found this a good book for helping the psychological community understand the shamanic path of direct experience. Too many people who are facing a spiritual opening (possibly shamanic) are medicated out of the experience because of the professional's limited viewpoint of the shamanic experience and/or the fear of the unknown.

I caution that the shamanic path cannot be catagorized or analyzed, it is fluid and changing; it is chaotic in nature-if you don't know "the way". I suggest that if you are a professional go out and journey for yourself, explore the path, draw your own conclusions.

Review by Bernie P. Nelson
'Journeying' combines the oldest healing tradition with present-day psychology. The book provides a dynamic, vital model for healing and psychological growth for anyone interested in self-improvement. The information is highly understandable at the meeting point of shamanic animal symbolism, including the psychotherapeutic experience of altered states of consciousness-'journeying,' and psychology.

A candle in the darkness
I don't have to write a wordy essay to sum up what this book is
and what it did for me. Over the last fifteen years I have accumulated
a virtual library of material on shamanism and psychology. All I
needed was three books, this being one of them.I wish and hope a
multitude will read and use the material in this book. Thank you
Jeannette Gagan. P.S. The other two books are, The Way of The Shaman by Michael Harner, and The Vision Seeker by John Lame Deer.

Brilliant! A must-read book!
What happens when you combine the studies of psychology and shamanism? Are the two practices divergent...or are there some commonalties? Author, teacher, licensed psychologist and student of shamanism Jeannette Gagan answers with a resounding "yes" in her brilliant book, Journeying.

Dr. Gagan has crafted her book to lead the reader, in a logical order and with easy-to-understand language, through the nature and history of both fields. Then we learn some of the approaches of understanding and healing.

In chapters 3 and 4, Journeying gets down to it...the place where shamanism and psychology intersect, the mending of emotional wounding. Inadequate bonding, neglect, abuse, aggression, anger and violence are some of the conditions we learn about, and the healing brought to bear.

In the final pages, Journeying offers the bridge that brings shamanism and psychology together...that reflects the bond between the alchemy of shamanic healing and the science of psychology. "Shamanic cultures, I found, understand the debilitating effects of trauma and strive to restore wholeness to distressed individuals" writes Dr. Gagan. And, after all, isn't that a prime purpose of psychology, too?

This reviewer is no psychologist nor shaman, but can see and feel the logic and rightness of grand ideas when expressed in a well-written book. Indicative of that is, "Shamans search for lost pieces of soul and return them to members of their community. Psychologists investigate the workings of the mind and strive to validate their methodological approaches. Shamanism has soul to give to psychology. Psychology has science to give to shamanism".

Journeying has insight, love, learning and practical experience to give us. Thank you, Jeannette Gagan, for making the connection! ... Read more

Book Description
The hazel tree and the sacred well - ancient mythical symbols of Celtic wisdom and spirituality - provide a thread to follow through history and lore, back to the ancient practice of European shamanism. In her new book, D. J. Conway uses the four paths of shamanism (healer, bard, warrior, and mystic) to translate Celtic spirituality into a usable form for today's seekers. Unlike beginners' guides now on the market, this book is an advanced study of the practice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Fictitious Fluff
D.J. Conway does it again.Seriously, why doesn't she just write fiction novels.It's clear that most of her ideas are fantasy backed up by more fantasy.There is almost nothing of value in this book about Celtic or shamanic anything.Conway even embarrasses respectable wiccans.I agree with another reviewer, I wish there was a 0 setting.I'm just glad I was not duped into opening my wallet for this garbage, I reviewed it in the bookstore.

advanced bs... not worth a dollar
firstly, this book is historically and factually incorrect. (not always but ive found big mistakes like citing aries as a water sign? fire duh basics) anywaze also alot of DJ Conway's references are basic 101 reader works and not reference texts or nonfiction works. (she gets her references from books that i dont consider advanced.) So where is this advanced shamanism.. not here. Dj Conway changes information to fit her idea of the occult and lables it something that is historic, ancient, and obviously pre-established. This is NOT a good book. tell you what youd be better off reading a book by an archeologist and putting the peices together by your self. She does have good meditaions but this is not what it presents its self as. Straighforward, it was a waste of money.

Not advanced, but a continuation of the first book
This book is not necessarily advanced but merely a continuation of the earlier book By Oak, Ash, and Thorn by the same author, with some overlap.Filled with mini glossaries, correspondances and exercises, it's only recommended if you absolutely adore the first title.

Not great.
I'm not normally so turned off by a book that I give it one star and wish like mad that there was a choice for zero.This is one such book, however, and I have yet to find a DJ Conway book that I have been able to take seriously.Conway has a habit of making up her own tradition and writing it as fact, as history, as Tradition.Conway's idea of tradition is to decide what feels right for her, which is more than fine - many of us do this in our own lives, however where she loses my respect in her writing is in that she writes of these beliefs as having some historical basis when there is in fact none.

If you want something that will give you advanced *anything* Celtic, read the works of Skip Ellison (ArchDruid of Ar n'Draiocht Fein), John & Caitlin Matthews, and especially Celtic mythology and legend such as The Mabinogion for more of a Welsh flavor, The Tain bo Culain (or simply The Tain) which is also known as The Cattle Raid of Cooley for the Irish end, might also try reading Celtic Heritage by Alwyn and Bryn Rees, it's a bit dry but brilliant and well-researched.

I suppose what it comes down to is this:What is it that you want to get out of your reading materials?If you want fiction, this book certainly fits the bill as it is the author's mostly made-up and ill-researched version of Celtic Spirituality/Shamanism but you might find more interesting and educational fiction in the books of Marion Zimmer Bradley or Morgan Llewellyn.

How serious are you about your Path?Try reading around and find out.

the worst book ever
I bought this book hopeing for some insight into breton ideas and other part of celtic lore. It had none of this. As a shamanistic book its great for kindergardeners. For those interested in celtic shamanism I suggest any book by frank maceowen or Dreamtime by Moriarty. This book is based much more on fantasy than on reality. The excercises are just plain silly and much to ridgid for anyone who truely wants to journey. Even the information in it is suspect. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Every Page is Filled with Mind-Expanding Knowledge!
My path "down the rabbit hole" has thankfully led me to this book. With all the secret ancient knowledge that is being brought to light throughout the recent years, I have felt a bit overwhelmed with trying to bring the pieces of the puzzle together. Yet, after I read this fascinating book, which I couldn't put down, I began to realize that this puzzle is actually revealing humanity's evolution into the next "New Age," the Age of Aquarius. So what does that mean? And why is it important to understand the history of Astrotheology and Shamanism?

Before one tries to understand what this "New Age" entails in regards to humanity's fate, the explorer should first understand the significant role that Astrotheology and Shamanism have played in our ancient past. The authors, Jan Irvin and Andrew Rutajit, brilliantly recognize the importance of integrating these two fields, which allows the sacred knowledge to unmask itself, breaking through the barriers of our conditioned realities. The vision will grow clearer and soon the imperative questions arise.

Why the suppression of our ancient ancestor's sacred teachings? What are the stars revealing to humanity? Why the distinct similarities between Jesus, Krishna and Mithra?What is the relationship between the Amanita Muscaria mushroom and the origin of Christianity? And why the prohibition of ingesting certain Earth's sacred plants?

All of these questions, plus more, will be answered in this amazing mind-expanding book. If you are ready to break free from the mundane rhetoric and enter into the realm of inspiring possibilities then this book is a must a read. Join the authors and many others as we usher in the new age.

MUST READ!
Only a fool swallows a camel of beliefs! So read and judge for yourself. In this case, time will tell. As someone who has read several books in common with the authors, I enjoyed the optimistic conclusion that they reached. If you have read Dr. Rick Strassman's book and wonder what it might mean, I recommend this book and Graham Hancock's "Supernatural: Meetings With the Ancient Teachers of Mankind" for a different look at history.

many baseless, speculative, and ridiculous claims
UPDATE 2007-10-16:
My original review was too brief, so I wrote a much longer one. Click on the "Comment" link below to read my new review.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:
Proof? Visit Joe Rogan's forum (yes, the Fear Factor host who is also a big advocate of psychedelics). Search his forum for "allegro" or "amanita" or "psychedelic" and you'll find many threads where author Jan Irvin's theories are ripped to shreads. There are several forum regulars who have alot of knowledge and experience in this area and debunk much of what user "Hempo" (Irvin's alias) asserts. Most of Irvin's posts on the forum are cut&pastes from his book and his sources.

This book will change your mind...
If you question anything in your life, you will be open to this book. If you don't, you should read this book. Basically, everyone should read this book. You'll find yourself shaking your head in agreement more times than not and might learn a ton of new things about Christianity and the symbolism surrounding modern day religion.

Eye opener
After reading into the topic I found this book.Like others before it this book definately made me want to look deeper into the possibilities.It is heavily cited and runs pretty smooth.I do not believe everything the authors propose but I also far from discredit everything else in here.It is an interesting read to an open mind. ... Read more

Book Description
The first comprehensive guide to the shamans and tantrikas of Nepal 

605 color and black-and-white illustrations, including 135 color thangkas.

Includes more than 20 psychoactives never before documented.

The result of 18 years of field research.

The Himalayan kingdom of Nepal may be the only culture in the world where both shamanic and tantric techniques are still alive and in full practice today. The result of eighteen years of field research, Shamanism and Tantra in the Himalayas presents for the first time a comprehensive overview of shamanism that is based on the knowledge and experience of the different tribes from that region. Included are original statements from the various ethnic groups and 135 color thangkas, which act as visual guides to the specific practices of the tantric tradition. In addition to the thangkas, the book is lavishly illustrated with numerous photos of different shamanic healing ceremonies, ritual objects, and culturally significant plants that have never been published before. The book also contains a wealth of original recipes, smoking mixtures, scientific tables, charts, and descriptions of more than 20 plants whose psychoactive properties and uses by shamans have never before been researched or documented.

Customer Reviews (6)

Disappointing
The pictures are nice, but they are mostly of thankas.One of the featured shaman was quoted as saying that Jesus shouldn't be on a thanka, and if he were his place should be at the bottom (most low).Not very open minded for a shaman.He was doing the chin mudra incorrectly, so he must have not felt the energy in his fingers that comes with that.
Lastly, one of the authors thanks a large list of rock bands for inspiring him.Bands include Christian Death and Ministry.Not exactly cheerful bands.
This book is lacking insight.Fools Crow Power & Widsom is an insightful book on shamanism.

Enjoyable, rich
I wish I could find more books like it is: Full of pictures, details, showing the beauty of Tibet, before it desapears completely...

Shamanism and Tantra in the Himalayas
The book is just wonderful and it was shipped very quickly.Thank you!

Visual masterpiece, subtle disaster
Im afraid The austhors have gone beyond their calling on this one
I was truly amazed by the lavish colour of the book and the volume of topics covered
I do recommend it but i also recommend a thorough study of the topics with other resources before taking anything to heart

The few issues i have with this book are serious

Firstly is the issue of Botanical misrepresentation. Christian was involved in re-editing 'Plants of the gods' and made the same errors there in my opinion ruining what was a cornerstone book with loose scholarship. Beware some pictures are misleading and shouldnt be used as ID.
Secondly there are a lot of lists of plants, many of which are presented as if to confirm psychoactivity whilst they remain in reality unconfirmed.There are also several areas where references are used in a very sloppy manner to appear to prop up paragraphs of pure conjecture (i know these because i own the source documents in question)
Much of this could have been clarified easily by the people christian knows, that is to say I KNOW he knows people who could have peered his editing better becuase i know one of them and that person knows many more. This book was released far too early, it needs quite a bit ore review and editing. In contrast we are all still waiting on the English version of the encyclopaedia....

Thirdly the word of the shamans is taken too seriously. Musch of what they say is true but having spent some time making local contacts and chasing similar herbal and cultural connections (the similarities are striking in the interactions with an interested foreigner relayed between Nepalese villagers and Balinese villagers).
The word of the shamans is taken too literally even when contradictions arise. the weakness doesnt lie in that necessarily rather that the information was presented based on this secondary view of reality and seemingly not on the primary view which would have need quite a bit more investigation to elute what the shamns thought, felt , did and really understood to themselves. Without this there i the danger you are being told what you want to hear and what you ellicit even by non verbal cues

A specialist researcher going into this situation runs into real danger unless they are trained properly to be the quiet yet interactive observer and not be ask questions that might 'lead the witness'.

Its strange - i love this book for its beauty and enjoyment and yet i do not hold it in high regard as a refernce text for anything id write. Its simply got too many holes and glaring errors to be trusted enough. And thats it all, Trust.

Its a function of the sum quality of the scholars work and without that what might have been a great book is converted to something half true and potentially very dangerous to the truth

Great coffee table book though i think the more concise books, the original Plants of the gods by Schultes and hoffman as well as the stunning work, Great books of Hashish vol 2 is of a much higher standard.

More Shamanic than Tantric
The purpose of this work is to explore the worlds of Shamanism and Tantra, specifically in Nepal, not all over the Himalayas, as the title would suggest. The authors divide the subject up into just over 30 major themes and then exposit to varying depths on the particular facets. Each chapter is a mixture of their personal experiences, the reports of their Shaman friends, relevant side-bar quotations from a wide range of sources, and full color photography from beginning to end. Over all, it has some very clear strengths and weaknesses.

On the positive side, the pages are dripping with stunning photography. Rich color reproduction shows off the details of the Shamanic world, Nepal, and over 50 gorgeous paintings of the relevant deities. These paintings are given their own descriptive addendum to insure they are properly appreciated. The majority of what is discussed in the text is pictured somewhere nearby, so if anything is unclear there is immediate visual help at hand. The text itself is clear, engaging, and stock full of details, many of which appear to have been overlooked by other authors writing both on the Himalayan region itself and on Shamanism in general. This wealth of information is because the authors were not satisfied with being arm-chair anthropologists, but spent over a decade among the Nepalese Shamans, becoming their friends, gaining their trust, and being allowed into their world. They are very sympathetic to this view of reality and write about it with passion, so it's rarely boring.

On the other hand, there are some problems. First, despite the size and the comments in the other review, don't be misled into thinking this is encyclopedic. It isn't, and the authors clearly say so themselves. Their major focus is on making available data that is not found in most run of the mill books on Shamanism in this region. The general picture is there, but the details focus on trying to shed light where there has been little before. For this reason, it probably isn't the first book on Shamanism you would want to read. Second, if it's the Tantra angle that interests you, there is very little on it. There is so little, in fact, that there is really only one sustained discussion on it, which is only part of one chapter. The other information is scattered throughout the rest of the book's discussion on Shamanism. Again, this isn't the first book on Tantra you would want to read, but if you know enough about Tantra to connect the dots yourself it provides some really interesting links and suggestions regarding how the two worldviews relate, both doctrinally, artistically, and historically. On the picky side, the text suffers various lapses that will annoy people to different levels. Those involved with religious studies will be progressively irritated with the naive philosophy of religion that the authors display. Despite the book being a monument to the fact that Shamanism functions as a religion, they insist it isn't. They also claim it involves no faith, again in the face of many things presented in the work that must be accepted by faith. In fact, a number of the statements of the Shamans in here are factually inaccurate, yet nothing, no matter how far out, is ever questioned in the slightest, nor is the epistemological problem this casts on the information they gain from their trips, whether on hallucinogens or not, ever discussed. Social and psychological aspects that effect the Shamanic interpretations and the authors' research methodology are dismissed, if not completely ignored. If things like that don't bother you, the sloppy inconsistency on points might. For example, on the exact same page (186) they proclaim that destructive energies can be both destroyed and not destroyed. How about their claim on page 13 that "shamanism only exists in specific areas of Asia" today, which is contradicted by their displayed knowledge of it in the Americas elsewhere in the book? These should not be confused with the numerous contradictions between the various Shamanic schools that are presented, which are given for completeness. Finally, and this would not be worth mentioning if it didn't come up so many times in a book repeatedly promoting love, harmony and understanding: at least one of the authors is anti-Christian to the point of unreasonable bigotry. It ranges from statements of factual error (such as Christianity not being an historically oriented religion) to slander (such as the long disproved accusation that Wycliffe translation teams are covert CIA operatives, for which the authors can only provide a specious debunked source over 20 years old).

All that aside, I bought it, read it, and it has a secure place in my library as a resource I can see returning to many times in the future. It's pricey, but it's worth it. It's the only book I've ever had where I constantly caught people stopped in their tracks looking at the pictures over my shoulder and interrupting my reading to find out what it was. ... Read more

Book Description
The shaman occupies a key role as a healer mediating between the world of the living and the world of spirits and is a potent figure in alternative medicine. Shamanism, a richly illustrated guide, looks at both historic and present-day manifestations, from the snowscapes of Siberia to the jungles of the Amazon.

Explores both spiritual and psychological aspects of the subject, as well as the relevance of shamanism to contemporary Western culture ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A good intro to shamanism
This is one of my favorite books on basic shamanism from an anthropological perspective. I've read it before, but this is the first time I've read it since I started this review blog. I think it's well worth talking about, though, so here's my official review :)

The author, an anthropologist, has spent several decades studying shamanism within the context of a number of cultures. He presents a nice collection of facts and anecdotes about the shamanic experiences of people in these cultures. From the altered states of consciousness to the spirits encountered along the way, from healing to showmanship, from the political status of shamans to neoshamanism today, Vitebsky offers one of the best introductions to the concept of shamanism and what it is the shaman does. This concise book is quite thorough, and while the material is densely packed it's written in a manner that even a rank beginner can understand. You won't find a bunch of how-to instructions, but what you will get is solid research to get a good understanding of the context of shamanism.

Unlike earlier anthropologists, Vitebsky's viewpoint is quite enlightened. He points out the shortcomings of his predecessors, who characterized shamans as everything from archaic leftovers to mentally disturbed outcasts. He also cautions against trying to boil shamanism down to a particular facet, such as trance, while tossing out other important aspects, like community and culture. He is not overly critical of neoshamanism, though he only devotes a very small portion of the book to it and explains how it differs from traditional shamanism. He clearly shows his research, and is not afraid to critique other scholars; for example, he challenges Mircea Eliade's assertion that shamanism has "an apparently timeless quality...[and] appears to stand outside political history" (p. 116). To back up this criticism Vitebsky goes into great detail how shamanism has interacted, both positively and negatively, with both political and religious bodies in various cultures, and how it has sometimes come into great conflict with various powers thereof.

This contributes to a very down to Earth look at shamanism worldwide, though it does NOT purport to be the do-all and end-all resource; nor does it try to claim that all shamanisms are one shamanism. Rather, as I said, it's an excellent introductory book, mixing text and illustrations to create a good resource for anyone interested in traditional shamanism from a theoretical point of view (as opposed to a hands-on workbook).

A Good Quick Reference
This volume provides a good quick reference on the varying aspects and traditions of shamanism. Whilst it doesn't boast the detail of Eliade's Shamanism for example or contain any how to information, it is an excellent introduction for those approaching the subject for the first time. It is beautifully illustrated and does provide enough pointers to guide you in the right direction. It is supplemented by a good bibliography and a list of contacts (although how current the latter are I don't know). Taken for what it is, an introductory text, the book achieves its goal admirably. In my opinion it is also a useful supplement to Eliade by countering the dryness of Eliades text. In summary a readable introduction to the topic.

An interesting look into Shamanism
Vitebsky may have not put together a masterpiece with this book, however there is a multitude of excellent information within its pages.The book covers shamanism cross culturally, so you get a taste of shamanism in Siberia (where it first originated) Africa, South American, North America, and many others.Some of the information in the text may be a little dated or flawed, but if you are someone who is just getting interested in the area of shamanism I highly recommend it.The text is easy to read, has vivid pictures, isn't too dry or boring, and doesn't spend an exorbitant amount of time on any one thing in particular.In short it's a fun and interesting educational read.

a perfect example of "don't judge a book by its cover."
i was assigned this book as a text for a course on shamanism at my university.the cover is eye-grabbing and colorful.i was excited to crack this book open.

i was horribly let down.

...first of all, it's completely disorganized.vitebsky jumps all over the place and can't seem to make a coherent point to save his life.

secondly, the material is seriously flawed.vitebsky shows virtually no signs of firsthand fieldwork; instead, he relies on outdated ethnographic accounts and mircea eliade's work, which are both flawed in and of themselves.several bits of "information" presented along the way [a reference to the bering land bridge migration, which has very little basis in actual fact, and a short anecdote about the "berdache," a term that is frightfully offensive to native peoples, among others] made my jaw drop at the ... poor scholarship shown in preparing this text.

the only upside to this book is that it's very colorful and has lots of nice pictures.it may make for good collage material, but as a serious text on the subject, it's worthless. ... Read more

Book Description
A colorful and compelling examination of evidence for the mind's ability to heal, taking a step into the fascinating world of psychic healing and shamanism. 80 black-and-white photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The trail starts here.
I bought this book shortly after it was published and to this day, I still refer to it.A few years later I was privileged to study many of the healers discussed in these pages with Dr. Krippner in Brazil.It was every bit as amazing as reading about it for the first time.The accounts are factual, described in detail, and skillfully written with academic objectivity.If you are reading this you are probably open to the experiences described in the book but it may lead you as it did in my case, much deeper into the world of healing, alternative medicine, shamanism and good magic.
Carlisle Bergquist, Author of "The Coyote Oak: Burgeoning Wisdom"
The Coyote Oak: Burgeoning Wisdom ... Read more

Book Description
This influential book shows how the systematic use of mental imagery can have a positive influence on the course of disease and can help patients to cope with pain. In Imagery in Healing, Jeanne Achterberg brings together modern scientific research and the practices of the earliest healers to support her claim that imagery is the world's oldest and most powerful healing resource. The book has become a classic in the field of alternative medicine and continues to be read by new generations of health care professionals and lay people. In Imagery in Healing, Achterberg explores in detail the role of the imagination in the healing process. She begins with an exploration of the tradition of shamanism, "the medicine of the imagination," surveying this time-honored way of touching the nexus of the mind, body, and soul. She then traces the history of the use of imagery within Western medicine, including a look at contemporary examples of how health care professionals have drawn on the power of the imagination through such methods as hypnosis, biofeedback, and the placebo effect. Ultimately, Achterberg looks to the science of immunology to uncover the most effective ground for visualization, and she presents data demonstrating how imagery can have a direct and profound impact on the workings of the immune system. Drawing on art, science, history, anthropology, and medicine, Imagery in Healing offers a highly readable overview of the profound and complex relationship between the imagination and the body. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Very good
This book is actually a composite of two different concepts, which the author doesn't link to each other in a clear manner.
The section "shamanism in modern medicine" is poorly written. Most psychologists (like the author) hold that everything encountered in altered states of mind actually happens in the mind. Some Jungian psychologists softened this approach by postulating the existence of archetypal symbols. Conversely, shamans across the world and across millennia hold that there are parallel universes that are inhabited by independent spirits who may, and do, interact with this world. Who should we believe to, the scholars or the ... people in the business? Regardless, Achterberg completely disregards the "other" point of view and, in so doing, she fails to deliver objective information.
On the other hand, the section about mental imagery and healing is truly excellent. Self healing is a phenomenon that cannot be possibly denied, the placebo effect being the prove of that. The author explores the possible connections between imagery, the nervous system and the immune system. Most of what she says makes perfect sense, although current scientific evidence is not sufficient to support her thesis. The author points out that there is a strong economic pressure against research in this field, and she is perfectly right. Anyone working for a pharmaceutical company (a tremendously powerful lobby) would never, ever look favorably to research aimed to prove that the mind CAN heal the body.

Unfortunately not Scientific Enough
I had high hopes for this book. A lot of modern books on shamanism are written by modern practitioners from non-shamanic cultures, for the consumption of other would be practitioners. A few more interesting ones are written by social scientists of various types, such as anthropologists; these tend to be a lot more accurate and interesting to me. And some are written by people who are experimenting with applying shamanic techniques in modern western settings, and reporting on what they've tried, and what results it's had.

I'd hoped this was one of the latter category. It may still be, but I'm having trouble reading it. The author states a large number of things as unquestioned fact which are neither unquestioned nor fact. For example, she clearly believes in European witches as being both shamans (medieval Europe was not a shamanic culture) and cultural survivals of Celtic priestesses. She also seems to be citing Michael Harner as her primary anthropological source, along with Mircea Eliade (good, as far as he went), and Carlos Castenada (usually believed to have invented his "data"). She also presumes some interesting common knowledge; I was amused to see her alluding to the "Medicine Wheel of Western civilization" as having "looked to the North for too long now, having much knowledge but little feeling." (What kind of audience is she writing for, if she presumes they are familiar with the 4 European elements, and their reinterpretation in a quasi Native-American context?)

I've seen worse. She's not quoting information channeled from Atlantean Grand Masters, or insisting that "science" will "prove" her favourite religious dogmas. But I'm still having a lot of trouble getting past the first couple of chapters, to see whether she has any useful information, such as reports on what she's been doing, and how or whether people are actually being healed by it.

scientific evidence for how imagination heals
This author successfully combines traditional scientific scholarship with an open-minded approach to complementary modes of healing such as shamanism, visualization, and energy work.She provides the experimentalevidence that explains how images we hold in our minds really do effectchanges on the physical level--it has to do with how the"imaging" part of the brain connects to brain structures whichregulate hormones and the immune system.There is also a fascinatingsection on the wise-women healers of Europe and how they were persecutedfor practicing medicine which went against established medical practice aswell as against the Church. It seems the ancient healers were on tosomething that became suppressed, and which is now being rediscovered byscholars as well as healing practitioners.......The author is professor ofpsychology at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology.Thus, she knowswell how to use reductionist scientific methods as a tool while stillseeing the possibilities lying beyond reductionism in the transpersonalplane. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (37)

TERRIBLE
He just took his own cosmic world view and called it Celtic Shamanism.This is based on his own imaginary BS.Don't be misled, find a real book on shamanism like Singing the Soul Back Home and Celtic Heritage.Then let it happen naturally.His detailed dogma hopefully does not fit anyone else's; the Otherworlds need to be creatively mined for our own gems.

A Rather Interesting Book about Modern Celtic Shamanism
This is one of D.J.Conway's books that i rather enjoyed reading.It's been several years since i read this one however.It's quite imaginative and compelling reading about today's celtic shaman beliefs.She is often linked as the female alter-ego of Douglas Monroe.In other words,a fantasy writer making historical claims that can't be validated.Nevertheless,not all the histories of the celts and the druids are known and can only be speculative.So,if the reader keeps this in mind,then you will enjoy reading this interesting book.This book is a synergy of english-irish celtic-wiccan paganism of the British Isles,that may not be to everybody's liking and cup of tea.I can only say that i enjoyed reading this book,early on in my wiccan-seax-celtic research.

Filled with good experiential exercises
DJ Conway is one of the authors usually disparaged by more serious practitioners.Do not approach this book looking for a scholarly tome littered with footnotes, instead use this as a workbook, filled with experiential exercises and you will come away quite satisfied.Conwa