Primal Awareness: A True Story of Survival, Transformation, and Awakening with the Rarámuri Shamans of Mexico

by Donald Trent Jacobs

The remarkable story of one man's rediscovery of his primordial mandate and of the strange journey that took him there

• Explores the innate knowledge that exists within us all, a "primal awareness," that can help us to live in harmony with our world

• Shows how we can rediscover this unseeable realm

In 1983, caught in a violent rainstorm while kayaking the Rio Urique in Mexico's Copper Canyon, Don Trent Jacobs was swept into an impassable catacomb of underwater tunnels toward what he believed was certain death. But instead of panic, Jacobs found himself filled with a strange consciousness that left him feeling at peace and invigorated with a confidence he had never before known. Moments later he was spit from the tunnel alive--not at the end of his journey, but only at its beginning.

Primal Awareness tells the story of Don Trent Jacobs's remarkable vision of the human mind and heart and the compelling spiritual quest that brought him to it. Through his experiences with the Raramuri people of Mexico and his research of other indigenous societies, Jacobs identifies what he calls our "primal awareness," an innate knowledge that exists within us all. Jacobs shows how we can rediscover this primordial mandate that unites all things and that helps us to find our own inner strength an harmony.

Genres: Spirituality

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1998

Reviews

[Debbie Tremel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part one 4 stars, Part two 2 stars

This is really two books, the first told through storytelling, the second reads like a research paper...and has about as much heart. First I'll say I have worked with shamanism through another tradition, and am always amazed at the similarities, so have no doubts about the experiences and skills shared in this book. The first part of the book told of the journeys and discoveries of the author. It was engaging and I formative. When he changed to the research style in part two, then the whole thing seemed to change to proving his method. In the context of how the book started, it would have been more beneficial to continue I. The storytelling, anecdotal mode to help people learn to use it. And only when people actually touch it themselves will they truly begin to understand and believe. No amount of footnotes and comparitive data is going to really touch someone. There may be types for whom formulas work, so I'd recommend at least reading the first part, since has some excellent perspectives and insights, then try part 2 and see if it works for you.

[Michael Schmid · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book did not resonate with me at all. It tells the story of an American man and his abilities to "speak" with horses who then also later claims to communicate telepathically with other people. All of this is encouraged from a trip to northern Mexico, where he meets some Tarahumara shamans. The second part of the book aims at teaching people how to incorporate his developed "CAT-FAWN" connection into their life. I honestly couldn't bring myself to read the second part, just skimmed through it...