Shaman: The Wounded Healer

by Joan Halifax

Summarizes forms of shamanism in various cultures, looks at its origin, and compares the methods shamans use to gain a vision of other realities

Genres: Spirituality, Anthropology, Nonfiction, Religion, Magic

96 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1982

About the author

Joan Halifax is a Zen Buddhist teacher, anthropologist, ecologist, civil rights activist, hospice caregiver, and the author of several books on Buddhism and spirituality. She currently serves as abbot of Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Halifax has received dharma transmission from both Bernard Glassman and Thich Nhat Hanh, and studied under Korean master Seung Sahn. In the 1970s she collaborated on LSD research projects with her ex-husband Stanislav Grof, in addition to other collaborative efforts with Joseph Campbell and Alan Lomax. As a socially engaged Buddhist, Halifax has done extensive work through her Project on Being with Dying. She is on the board of directors of the Mind and Life Institute, a non-profit organization exploring the relationship between science and Buddhism.

Reviews

[Loki · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems to be a good introduction.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty basic read, plenty of awesome pictures.

[Qualia Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had thought this book would go a bit more in depth but I still enjoyed it even though it was a much shorter read than I had anticipated.

[Melvin Marsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really quite short and didn't really go into very much depth. It was ok though.