Shamanic Spirit: A Practical Guide to Personal Fulfillment

by Kenneth Meadows

A guide to self-realization and reattunement with nature that utilizes the ancient shamanic wisdom of cultures from around the world

• Focuses on the development of grounded spirituality based on the connections indigenous traditions have with nature

• Contains 33 hands-on experiential exercises and 50 shamanic meditations

• Includes a 60-minute CD of shamanic drumming to induce meditative states of deeper awareness

• Written by the author of Earth Medicine and Shamanic Experience

Those of us who live in the so-called “advanced” modern world have been educated to use our minds and encouraged to satisfy our physical needs. But in so doing, we have become isolated from the very essence of our existence as individuals--our own spirit. In Shamanic Spirit Kenneth Meadows introduces Shamanics, his spiritual science of living, which recognizes the primacy of the spirit and acknowledges that spirit is inherent in all living beings and life forms. Shamanics is a practical way of becoming aware of our multi-dimensional reality and using that awareness to cultivate and refine the spirit within.

Using the symbolic structure of the Medicine Wheel--which helps us establish a sense of direction, extend perception, and examine relationships--Meadows presents 33 hands-on experiential exercises that help readers discover the truth about themselves. His approach also draws upon and integrates universal shamanic concepts from such regions as the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, India, China, and Polynesia to show readers how to release their dormant potentials, generate creativity, and meet the challenges of their lives with confidence and self-assurance.

Genres: Spirituality, Native American, Religion, Paganism

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 9, 2004

About the author

Kenneth Meadows (1925-2002) is internationally respected for his work in adapting shamanic wisdom to a contemporary context.

He was the author of a number of bestselling books, including Earth Medicine, The Medicine Way, Rune Power, and Where Eagles Fly, and was founder of the Faculty of Shamanics.

Reviews

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another new-age-ish book on animal spirit guides, but a little more in-depth than many others that I’ve read. I got this book from the library more for the CD of shamanic drumming (which was not in the book) than for the book itself. Most of what is inside can be gleaned from the internet, but it is a middling-good book that goes into all the aspects of shamanic culture. Meadows tries too hard to be "into" his subject and tends to fall into "lecturing" a lot. An easy read, but a little tedious.

I have purchased this book because the shamanic drumming CD (included) was of more interest when I first requested the book from the library (but was missing from the book!). The author seems to take credit on the CD for the work of another Shamanic author by the name of Michael Harner - or, at least, that's the artist that comes up when I copied it to my computer for personal use and preservation. This wouldn't be the first time that Meadows has either taken credit for something he didn't do or promote some discredited theory, though. He did the latter with the UTHARK rune theory put forward in the 1930's by Sigurd Agrell (I'll let you Google that one) when he wrote the book "Rune Power" - which I would not recommend to any person that is serious about Runes and Heathenism.

I am still trying to find decent books written on Shamanism by Native Americans and other indigenous peoples. The trouble is that militant Christianity has wiped out most of this spiritual practice. It is becoming more and more difficult to find books on original shamanic practices vs reconstructionist, new-age stuff.

[K. K · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best shamanic workbook out there.