Native Healer: Initiation into an Ancient Art 1st edition by Lake, Medicine Grizzlybear (Robert G) (1991) Paperback

by Bobby Lake-Thom

An exciting glimpse into the world of Native American shamanism. Many today claim to be healers and spiritual teachers, but Medicine Grizzlybear Lake definitely is both. In this work he explains how a person is called by higher powers to be a medicine man or woman and describes the trials and tests of a candidate. Lake gives a colorful picture of Native American shamanism and discusses ceremonies such as the vision quest and sweat lodge.

Genres: Spirituality, Native American, Native Americans

Paperback

First published March 1, 1991

Reviews

[Terry Cornell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Bobby Lake's "Call of the Great Spirit' back in 2019. Lake taught classes in the Native American Studies program at Humboldt State University, and I took several of his classes. The previous book was primarily a biography, with some background in native healing. This book is a good introduction into native healing practices. Lake describes the process he uses in building a sweat lodge, and gives examples of simple prayers that can be incorporated into healing ceremonies. Lake also gives examples incorporating native healing techniques with western medicine, and use with other cultures. Sadly Medicine Grizzlybear (his traditional name) passed away in 2020. A good introduction into nature based spirituality and healing.

[Tom Byron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and this is one I picked up years ago and still have.I do not think Bobby Lake also known as Medicine Grizzly bear is still alive but he was an excellent writer as well as a Medicine man/Shaman.In this book you get his very plainspoken style and level headed Cosmology.Not only does he describe in detail many of his personal Vision quests he also discusses healing and purification rituals such as diet and sweat lodging . Apperently he has healed many folks both Native and white.He goes on and discusses his wise and matter of fact knowledge of autism and Mental disorders.What Alien encounters really are and other supernormal happenings such as shadow people, Shadow animals and black magic.

[Amy Doeun · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read one other book by this author and loved it. In that book he referenced this one. I was particularly interested in the menses ritual for young girls he referenced. Brooke Medicine Eagle talked about a similar ritual of honoring your "moontime" and I had hoped that this book would offer more information about it. But I ended up getting really negative vibes from his description of all the spiritual practices that menstruating women should not participate in. It did not end up feeling like an honoring tradition at all. So that part colored my reading a bit. I guess that female authors will have a perspective on this that aligns more with my views and is an empowering spiritual experience. Several of my teachers highly praise this author so I still feel that he has a lot to share but some of his views do not align with mine.

[Karen Piiranen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and educational

A glimpse into the life experiences of what it truly entails to be a medicine man or women. Contains prayers, rituals and appropriate back story’s on how and why things are done in a certain way, this book is a treasure of knowledge.

[Susan Hintz-Epstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Native Healer

As a Ricky healer in a Rune Singer, I really appreciated the wisdom that was in this book. I am a white person and the Runes are a return to Indo European indigenous. But because so much was lost, I have appreciated the shared experiences of the Native American aborigines. This person is wise in the way of the spirits. I highly recommend reading this book.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another masterpiece by Bobby. Can't get enough of what he has to share with each of us.