Shaman's Path: Healing, Personal Growth, and Empowerment

by Gary Doore (Editor)

The ancient path of shamanism is alive and well in contemporary society. Physicians, therapists, and spiritual seekers are among those who are rediscovering the shaman's methods--such as drumming, visualization, and storytelling--as effective tools for healing and self-transformation. In this collection of previously unpublished writings, leading figures of the neo-shamanism movement explore the origins and practices of shamanism and its relevance to the modern world. Are shamanic healing methods compatible with Western medicine? Can shamanism help in crises or difficult life transitions? Is it relevant to the search for meaning amid the wasteland of industrialization and runaway technology? Will it help in healing the planet and preventing ecological catastrophe or nuclear holocaust? These are just a few of the questions addressed by Michael Harner, Joan Halifax, Stanley Krippner, Serge King, Jeanne Achterberg, Stanislav Grof, and twelve other contributors to this comprehensive anthology.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Spirituality

252 pages, Paperback

First published April 12, 1988

Reviews

[Genna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really interesting! I went into the book knowing absolutely nothing about shamanism and came out knowing a little bit about shamanism. Unfortunately, the authors of quite a few of the articles which make up the chapters refer heavily to Carlos Castenada who, if he has not been entirely debunked, is a highly suspect source. Also I ended up side-eyeing some of the authors who kept insisting that neo-shamanism was NOT cultural appropriation and found myself wondering what sorts of dangers neo-shamans (or psychiatrists trying to use shamanic practices) without training might open themselves up to. Still, this made me want to read more on the subject.