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The Four Insights: Wisdom, Power, and Grace of the Earthkeepers
Included in this book are the wisdom teachings that have been protected by secret societies of Eartkeepers, the medicine men and women of the Americas. The four insights state that all of creation- humans, whales, and even stars- is made from light manifested through the power of intention. The Earthkeepers used the insights to heal disease, eliminate emotional suffering, and even grow new bodies that age and heal differently.
The first insight teaches you how to shed the emotional wounds from your past in the same way that a snake sheds her skin: all at once. It teaches you that you aren't your story or your history, but the hero of your own life. The second insight instructs you how to move beyond fear and anger to live and practice grace. The third insight shows you how to step outside of time and into infinity, to fix things before they're born and to heal destiny. And the fourth insight details how to dream the world into being by waking up from the cultural trance that you've been educated into in order to create joy, abundance, and meaning in your life.
215 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2006
263 people are currently reading
907 people want to read
About the author
Alberto Villoldo
71 books353 followersBy his mid-20s Alberto Villoldo was the youngest clinical professor at San Francisco State University. He was directing his own laboratory, the Biological Self-Regulation Lab, investigating how energy medicine and visualization could change the chemistry of the brain.
One day in his biology laboratory, Alberto realized that his investigation had to get bigger instead of smaller; Alberto needed to find a system larger than the neural networks of the brain. The microscope was the wrong instrument to answer the questions he was asking. Many others were already studying the hardware – Alberto Villoldo wanted to learn to re-program the SYSTEM. Anthropological stories hinted that there were people around the globe who claimed to know such things, including the Inka in Peru, the few remaining “shamans” in today’s modern civilization.
As he did initial research into the Inka, Alberto decided that he needed to personally investigate the roots of the Inka civilization itself to collect the vestiges of a 5,000-year-old energy medicine known for healing through Spirit and light.
A few weeks later, knowing this investigation was not going to be a “part time” pastime or a brief sabbatical for a few weeks’ time, Alberto Villoldo resigned his post at the university.
University colleagues thought Alberto Villoldo was absolutely mad.
Not to be dissuaded, Alberto Villoldo traded his laboratory for a pair of hiking boots and a ticket to the Amazon. He was determined to learn from researchers whose vision had not been confined to the lens of a microscope, from people whose body of knowledge encompassed more than the measurable, material world that Alberto had been taught was the ONLY reality. He wanted to meet the people who sensed the spaces between things and perceived the luminous strands that animate all life.
Scattered throughout the remnants of this ancient Amazonian empire were a number of sages or “Earth Keepers” who remembered the ancient ways. Alberto traveled through countless villages and hamlets and met with scores of medicine men and women. The lack of a written body of knowledge meant that every village had brought its own flavor and style to the healing practices that still survived.
For more than 10 years, Alberto Villoldo trained with the jungle medicine people. Along the way, he discovered that his journey into shamanism had actually been guided by his personal desire to become whole.
In healing his own soul wounds, Alberto Villoldo walked the path of the wounded healer and learned to transform old pain, grief, anger and shame to sources of strength and compassion.
From the Amazon, Alberto Villoldo trekked the coast of Peru, from Nazca, the site of gigantic markings on the desert floor that depict power animals and geometric figures, to the fabled Shimbe lagoons in the north, home to the country’s most renowned sorcerers. Then, in Lake Titicaca – the Sea on Top of the World – Alberto Villoldo collected the stories and healing practices of the people from which, the legends say, the Inka were born.
Through it all, Alberto Villoldo discovered a set of sacred technologies that transform the body, heal the soul, and can change the way we live and the way we die.
These ancient teachings and understandings explain that a Luminous Energy Field (LEF), whose source is located in infinity, surrounds us. The LEF acts as a matrix that maintains the health and vibrancy of the physical body.
Today, Alberto Villoldo is a best-selling author and founder in the world-renowned Institute of Energy Medicine, The Four Winds Society. In all of his teachings and writings, Alberto shares the experience of infinity’s easy ability to heal and transform us, to free us from the temporal chains that keep us fettered to illness, old age and disease.
Over the course of two decades with the shamans in the jungles and high mountains of the Andes, Alberto Villoldo would discover that we are more than flesh and bone, that we are a
One day in his biology laboratory, Alberto realized that his investigation had to get bigger instead of smaller; Alberto needed to find a system larger than the neural networks of the brain. The microscope was the wrong instrument to answer the questions he was asking. Many others were already studying the hardware – Alberto Villoldo wanted to learn to re-program the SYSTEM. Anthropological stories hinted that there were people around the globe who claimed to know such things, including the Inka in Peru, the few remaining “shamans” in today’s modern civilization.
As he did initial research into the Inka, Alberto decided that he needed to personally investigate the roots of the Inka civilization itself to collect the vestiges of a 5,000-year-old energy medicine known for healing through Spirit and light.
A few weeks later, knowing this investigation was not going to be a “part time” pastime or a brief sabbatical for a few weeks’ time, Alberto Villoldo resigned his post at the university.
University colleagues thought Alberto Villoldo was absolutely mad.
Not to be dissuaded, Alberto Villoldo traded his laboratory for a pair of hiking boots and a ticket to the Amazon. He was determined to learn from researchers whose vision had not been confined to the lens of a microscope, from people whose body of knowledge encompassed more than the measurable, material world that Alberto had been taught was the ONLY reality. He wanted to meet the people who sensed the spaces between things and perceived the luminous strands that animate all life.
Scattered throughout the remnants of this ancient Amazonian empire were a number of sages or “Earth Keepers” who remembered the ancient ways. Alberto traveled through countless villages and hamlets and met with scores of medicine men and women. The lack of a written body of knowledge meant that every village had brought its own flavor and style to the healing practices that still survived.
For more than 10 years, Alberto Villoldo trained with the jungle medicine people. Along the way, he discovered that his journey into shamanism had actually been guided by his personal desire to become whole.
In healing his own soul wounds, Alberto Villoldo walked the path of the wounded healer and learned to transform old pain, grief, anger and shame to sources of strength and compassion.
From the Amazon, Alberto Villoldo trekked the coast of Peru, from Nazca, the site of gigantic markings on the desert floor that depict power animals and geometric figures, to the fabled Shimbe lagoons in the north, home to the country’s most renowned sorcerers. Then, in Lake Titicaca – the Sea on Top of the World – Alberto Villoldo collected the stories and healing practices of the people from which, the legends say, the Inka were born.
Through it all, Alberto Villoldo discovered a set of sacred technologies that transform the body, heal the soul, and can change the way we live and the way we die.
These ancient teachings and understandings explain that a Luminous Energy Field (LEF), whose source is located in infinity, surrounds us. The LEF acts as a matrix that maintains the health and vibrancy of the physical body.
Today, Alberto Villoldo is a best-selling author and founder in the world-renowned Institute of Energy Medicine, The Four Winds Society. In all of his teachings and writings, Alberto shares the experience of infinity’s easy ability to heal and transform us, to free us from the temporal chains that keep us fettered to illness, old age and disease.
Over the course of two decades with the shamans in the jungles and high mountains of the Andes, Alberto Villoldo would discover that we are more than flesh and bone, that we are a
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July 22, 2018
I've been listening to Alberto Villoldo through some of his Hay House connections, in conversation with Intuitive, Colette Baron-Reid, via a documentary featuring he and his wife Marcelo Lobos explaining the rituals of the shamans, showing them as they happened and most recently I've been following his year long Living a Sacred Life Webinar Series, monthly conversations between him and leading shamans, mystics and contemporary spiritual teachers of the 21st century.
I looked at his range of books and decided that this was the one I wanted to begin with, I also have his book Shaman, Healer, Sage and although it was written prior to this one, it seemed more appropriate to read about the insights before diving into the healing practices.
The four insights was an excellent read for me, for where I am at in my understanding, I absolutely loved it and all its insights, I was already familiar with the shamanic levels of perception, of serpent, jaguar, hummingbird, eagle, which correspond, to body, mind, soul, spirit and their associated languages.
This book expands on those themes and provides deeper explanations of how we perceive at each of these levels, what we need to understand about how we are responsible for creating the reality of each of those levels, and that we can only change our own inner perception and try to uplevel, we can never change another's perception, except through being the role model that they might perceive and respond to without influence.
At each level, which in this book are referred to as:
- The Way of the Hero (serpent) body - the senses - physical reality, physical solutions - language = molecular and chemical - survival, self-preservation - reptilian brain -
- The Way of the Luminous Warrior (jaguar) mind - curious, inquisitive - mammalian brain - language = words - to express ideas, beliefs, feelings - look for cause to resolve problems, reflect
- The Way of the Seer (hummingbird) - soul - language = image, music, poetry, dreams - neocortex - reason, visualise, create
-The Way of the Sage (eagle), spirit - consciousness - prefrontal cortex - dreaming a new reality
there are four practices, ways in which we can alter reality, by shifting our perception into the higher realm, and hopefully staying there.
When we get stuck, particularly at the level of serpent (physical reality) and jaguar (intellectual/analytical reality), we spend a lot of time struggling with issues, yet when we succeed to shift our perception to a higher level, and practice seeing things from that perspective, we suffer less. We still have to deal with issues, but we are no longer tormented or traumatised by them, we have the opportunity - if we practice - to no longer get triggered by patterns of the past, or patterns inherited.
All levels have their place and use, and we don't necessarily only rest in one level, but by becoming aware of them and the gifts they offer us, we can heal aspects of ourselves and emit more light, like the luminous beings that we are.
I looked at his range of books and decided that this was the one I wanted to begin with, I also have his book Shaman, Healer, Sage and although it was written prior to this one, it seemed more appropriate to read about the insights before diving into the healing practices.
The four insights was an excellent read for me, for where I am at in my understanding, I absolutely loved it and all its insights, I was already familiar with the shamanic levels of perception, of serpent, jaguar, hummingbird, eagle, which correspond, to body, mind, soul, spirit and their associated languages.
This book expands on those themes and provides deeper explanations of how we perceive at each of these levels, what we need to understand about how we are responsible for creating the reality of each of those levels, and that we can only change our own inner perception and try to uplevel, we can never change another's perception, except through being the role model that they might perceive and respond to without influence.
At each level, which in this book are referred to as:
- The Way of the Hero (serpent) body - the senses - physical reality, physical solutions - language = molecular and chemical - survival, self-preservation - reptilian brain -
- The Way of the Luminous Warrior (jaguar) mind - curious, inquisitive - mammalian brain - language = words - to express ideas, beliefs, feelings - look for cause to resolve problems, reflect
- The Way of the Seer (hummingbird) - soul - language = image, music, poetry, dreams - neocortex - reason, visualise, create
-The Way of the Sage (eagle), spirit - consciousness - prefrontal cortex - dreaming a new reality
there are four practices, ways in which we can alter reality, by shifting our perception into the higher realm, and hopefully staying there.
When we get stuck, particularly at the level of serpent (physical reality) and jaguar (intellectual/analytical reality), we spend a lot of time struggling with issues, yet when we succeed to shift our perception to a higher level, and practice seeing things from that perspective, we suffer less. We still have to deal with issues, but we are no longer tormented or traumatised by them, we have the opportunity - if we practice - to no longer get triggered by patterns of the past, or patterns inherited.
All levels have their place and use, and we don't necessarily only rest in one level, but by becoming aware of them and the gifts they offer us, we can heal aspects of ourselves and emit more light, like the luminous beings that we are.
May 5, 2014
It's not just a read. There are exercises. Usually, with a book of this kind I'll read it all the way through first, and then if it seems worthwhile I'll do the exercises. The Four Insights takes shamanism deeper than most shamanic books, and it was clear from the gitgo that I was going to take it slow, do the exercises as I went, when I had time to clear my mind and do them right. So far I've done the first three with excellent results.
The narrative is also quite good. Villoldo is a PhD and has not completely escaped the prose deadening effects of graduate education, but you can still tell what he means by what he says, and sometimes you can tell it with pleasure. I think he's going to be my new enthusiasm. This is the second of his books I've read, and the first was terrific, so before I'm through I'll probably read, and perhaps practice, all of them.
The narrative is also quite good. Villoldo is a PhD and has not completely escaped the prose deadening effects of graduate education, but you can still tell what he means by what he says, and sometimes you can tell it with pleasure. I think he's going to be my new enthusiasm. This is the second of his books I've read, and the first was terrific, so before I'm through I'll probably read, and perhaps practice, all of them.
June 16, 2009
Snake Jaguar Hummingbird Eagle... Problems aren't solved at the level they were created. From which level of awareness are you processing your challenges, your life? A problem at one level is an opportunity at the next level. You don't have to engage a deadly disease fated by family genes when viewed from hummingbird. Learn the lesson that it (the disease) came to teach you without going there physically. These teachings come from High Shamans of the Andes. They are hoping we are ready to shift. Knowing it's difficult to be functional, living in a dysfunctional (unnatural) world. we need all the help we can find. Exercises included.
February 20, 2022
3/5 Sternen für eine wirkungsvolle, jedoch stark geschmückte Fabel zur Selbstheilung und Selbstentfaltung.
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Warum ich dem Buch 5 Sterne geben möchte
In diesem Werk stellt Alberto Villoldo einige praktische Übungen und philosophische Ansichten dar, mit denen der Mensch die eigene Seele heilt und dann sich selbst erkennt.
Was heißt das?
Allgemein arbeiten seine Übungen mit Fantasie und optischer Visualisierung, indem wir uns Licht, Farben und Gestalten vorstellen. Zunächst führen seine Übungen uns an, uns im Laufe der Zeit zu erkennen, wer wir sind, wer wir waren, wer wir sein könnten, wer wir fürchten zu sein. Dann macht er weiter, dass wir all unsere Gefühle uns selbst offenbaren und lernen, sie zu betrachten. Von dort aus geht es weiter, dass wir die Gefühle aufräumen, und sobald Harmonie herrscht führt er uns an, uns von unserer Vergangenheit zu befreien, uns für das unendliche Potenzial unserer Zukunft zu öffnen und schließlich durch ein vernünftiges, spirituell erfülltes Leben uns selbst zu verwirklichen und sogar der Welt um uns herum dabei helfen zu heilen.
Kann ich mir Übungen gezielt für mich heraussuchen?
Es geht, aber eher schlecht. Die Übungen bauen aufeinander auf, und ganz allgemein sollte man immer erst mit den inneren Emotionen aufräumen, bevor man versucht seine Selbstwahrnehmung zu manipulieren. Ist man mit sich selbst im Reinen und sucht nach praktischen Übungen zur Bewusstseinserweiterung, kann man in die späteren Übungen springen und nur nach Bedarf in vorherigen nachlesen.
Die Übungen können eine nach der anderen gemacht werden, jedoch sollte ein Kapitel einmal durchgelesen werden, um die jeweilige Übung richtig zu verinnerlichen, bevor man den Versuch wagt. Wer sich Villoldos Sekte anschließen und ein Laika werden möchte, sollte das Buch am Stück lesen, da er die Riten der Initiierung durch Geister im Traum oder Schamanen seiner Internetseite erst am Ende schildert. Der 8. Ritus bereitet dich auf die große Veränderung 2012 vor, wodurch du anschließend langsamer alterst und widerstandsfähiger gegen Krankheiten wirst, evtl. musst du die Übungen der Zeitlosigkeit meistern bevor dieser Ritus an dich übergeht, vielleicht übernimmt das auch dein Schamane/Geist für dich.
Warum ich dem Buch keine Wertung geben möchte
Mein erster Stolperstein war die harte Abgrenzung zwischen weiblicher und männlicher Spiritualität. Diese Versteifung ist deckungsgleich mit anderen Dogmen von Gut und Böse und der Aufforderung in absoluter "Gutheit" zu leben. Wie schon William Blake in seinen Werken so schön verarbeitete ist das "Böse" Energie und Wandel, das "Gute" wiederum ist Fügsamkeit und Stasis. Tatsächlich haftet Villoldos Lehren und Mythen, mit denen er die Übungen ausschmückt, dieser Geschmack von Hinlegen und die Augen schließen an. Das Fügsame versteckt sich hier im Gerede von Licht, doch am Ende soll man in jedem Schicksalsschlag erkennen: "Das muss so und ist gut für mich". In einer Welt aus Zwang, Hast und Stress ist eine solche Lehre vollkommen überfällig, weswegen ich dafür keine schlechte Wertung geben will. Der Leser sollte die Menge jedoch für sich selbst dosieren.
Dann stolperte ich darüber, wie völlig falsch geschichtliche Fakten oder krass vereinfacht Lehren anderer Schulen dargestellt werden. Die Eroberer haben mit 400 Mann Amerika eingenommen; das Kreuz der Christen sei aus dem Schwert der Kreuzritter entstanden; und die Chakren aus den Lehren Asiens drehen sich im Uhrzeigersinn - müssen aber von den Laika um zwei weitere Chakren ergänzt werden, denn die Lehren der östlichen Mythologien sind offensichtlich unvollständig.
In seinem Werk funktioniert das aber, denn er erzählt keine Geschichte und hält keine Abhandlung über Theologien oder Spiritualität anderer Schulen. Er verwendet diese Konzepte nur in seinen malerischen Metaphern und Mythen, um eine Botschaft zu vermitteln, oder einen Umstand auszudrücken, der anders für ihn schwer zu greifen ist. Beim neunten Chakra der Laika räumt er sogar ein, dass es gar kein Chakra ist, sondern der große Spirit selbst gemeint ist, er es aber in Ermangelung eines besseren Begriffs so nennt.
Das kann ich nun als schlechtes Fachwerk oder als gute Fabeln sehen, und entschließe mich auch darin zur Neutralität.
Warum ich dem Buch Sterne abziehe
Ein Arbeitskollege erklärte mir sein Dominanzverhalten oft mit den Worten: "Es ist leichter um Vergebung, als um Erlaubnis zu bitten." Bei Villoldo erkenne ich dieses Muster wieder, wenn er mit solchen Worten eine Schilderung aufbaut, um im Nachhinein zu relativieren, dass Kindesmissbrauch selbstverständlich etwas schreckliches sei, und der Leser doch bitte erkenne, dass es hier nur um die geistige Wahrnehmung dieser Erinnerungen gehe. Seine Absichten sind gut, seine Methoden zur Heilung solcher Wunden sind gut - aber diesen rhetorischen Hieb auf seelische Wunden muss der geneigte Leser sich fangen und danach die Lust aufbringen weiter zu lesen.
Seine wirkungsvollen Übungen sind sehr durch sein Weltbild und seinen Aufruf ein Laika zu werden verwässert. Für mich erschließt sich der Wert jeder Übung aus der Erfahrung mit ähnlichen Werken und eigenen praktischen Erfahrungen, aber ein jungfräulicher Anfänger oder Anfängerin wird es schwerer haben, sich nicht von seinen Überzeugungen beeinflussen zu lassen. Wem das Kleid passt, der soll es tragen. Seine Übungen sind im Kern jedoch frei von Weltanschauung und ethischer Überzeugung. Sie bilden das Handwerkszeug eines jeden Menschen mit Herzensbildung, und sollten nicht als das Patent irgend einer Mythologie verkauft werden.
Schon bei den ersten Übungen musste ich umdenken, weil ich nicht in Rollen feststecke, mich nicht ohnmächtig fühle und auch in keiner Welt aus Angst und Schrecken lebe. Auch ohne Glaube an Reinkarnation kann ich in einer Meditation in frühere Leben tauchen - der Heilungseffekt und die Bildung spiritueller Fähigkeit bleiben die selben. Villoldo ist nicht der erste Psychologe, der sein Leben mit einer Kategorie von Patienten verbracht hat, und danach in allen Menschen der Welt und sich selbst nur noch dieses eine Muster sieht. Sein Werk fundiert jedoch auf dieser Weltanschauung, was die Lektüre und praktische Überführung ins eigene Weltbild erheblich erschwert.
Besonders schreckte mich das Ende seiner vierten Einsicht ab. Natürlich gehört es zu den Grundlagen, sich von den eigenen Gedanken zu distanzieren, nicht mehr Sklave eingeschliffener Bahnen zu sein. Aber da hört er einfach auf. Er "amüsiere sich über sein Affenhirn", und nennt das Weisheit. Kein aktives Eingreifen in diese Gewohnheiten, kein Hauch von der Beherrschung des Philosophen, kein tieferes hinabtauchen zur Andersweltreise des (nicht-Laika?) Schamanen. Er sieht es als höchstes Ziel an, in dieser Lichtgestalt aufzugehen und sich alles vom Universum bringen zu lassen - bzw. jedes Ereignis, egal wie schlimm oder gut als selbstbestimmt anzusehen. "Meine Arbeit bringt nicht zu wenig Geld für Nahrung ein, sondern es ist meine Wahl, mich und meine Familie in Mäßigkeit zu üben."
Ich begrüße die praktischen Übungen zur Distanzierung von Glück und Reichtum als Geburtsrecht, ich bekräftige die Wirkung das eigene Leben durch Akzeptanz an erster Stelle in die Hand zu nehmen. Aber dort aufzuhören ist Selbstentmachtung und eine Betäubung des Geistes. Der Patient wird glückselig weiter existieren, sich als Künstler, Dichter, Heiliger oder Politiker verstehen, wenn er denn so will. Aber so mächtig der Beitrag dieser Selbstanschauung zum Erreichen dieser Ziele wahrhaftig ist: Das allein darf nicht das Ende sein!
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Warum ich dem Buch 5 Sterne geben möchte
"Wir erkennen, dass alles in unserer Welt heilig ist - auch wir selbst - und dass wir die Aufgabe haben, den vollkommensten Ausdruck jener Göttlichkeit zu fördern."
In diesem Werk stellt Alberto Villoldo einige praktische Übungen und philosophische Ansichten dar, mit denen der Mensch die eigene Seele heilt und dann sich selbst erkennt.
Was heißt das?
Allgemein arbeiten seine Übungen mit Fantasie und optischer Visualisierung, indem wir uns Licht, Farben und Gestalten vorstellen. Zunächst führen seine Übungen uns an, uns im Laufe der Zeit zu erkennen, wer wir sind, wer wir waren, wer wir sein könnten, wer wir fürchten zu sein. Dann macht er weiter, dass wir all unsere Gefühle uns selbst offenbaren und lernen, sie zu betrachten. Von dort aus geht es weiter, dass wir die Gefühle aufräumen, und sobald Harmonie herrscht führt er uns an, uns von unserer Vergangenheit zu befreien, uns für das unendliche Potenzial unserer Zukunft zu öffnen und schließlich durch ein vernünftiges, spirituell erfülltes Leben uns selbst zu verwirklichen und sogar der Welt um uns herum dabei helfen zu heilen.
Kann ich mir Übungen gezielt für mich heraussuchen?
Es geht, aber eher schlecht. Die Übungen bauen aufeinander auf, und ganz allgemein sollte man immer erst mit den inneren Emotionen aufräumen, bevor man versucht seine Selbstwahrnehmung zu manipulieren. Ist man mit sich selbst im Reinen und sucht nach praktischen Übungen zur Bewusstseinserweiterung, kann man in die späteren Übungen springen und nur nach Bedarf in vorherigen nachlesen.
Die Übungen können eine nach der anderen gemacht werden, jedoch sollte ein Kapitel einmal durchgelesen werden, um die jeweilige Übung richtig zu verinnerlichen, bevor man den Versuch wagt. Wer sich Villoldos Sekte anschließen und ein Laika werden möchte, sollte das Buch am Stück lesen, da er die Riten der Initiierung durch Geister im Traum oder Schamanen seiner Internetseite erst am Ende schildert. Der 8. Ritus bereitet dich auf die große Veränderung 2012 vor, wodurch du anschließend langsamer alterst und widerstandsfähiger gegen Krankheiten wirst, evtl. musst du die Übungen der Zeitlosigkeit meistern bevor dieser Ritus an dich übergeht, vielleicht übernimmt das auch dein Schamane/Geist für dich.
Warum ich dem Buch keine Wertung geben möchte
Mein erster Stolperstein war die harte Abgrenzung zwischen weiblicher und männlicher Spiritualität. Diese Versteifung ist deckungsgleich mit anderen Dogmen von Gut und Böse und der Aufforderung in absoluter "Gutheit" zu leben. Wie schon William Blake in seinen Werken so schön verarbeitete ist das "Böse" Energie und Wandel, das "Gute" wiederum ist Fügsamkeit und Stasis. Tatsächlich haftet Villoldos Lehren und Mythen, mit denen er die Übungen ausschmückt, dieser Geschmack von Hinlegen und die Augen schließen an. Das Fügsame versteckt sich hier im Gerede von Licht, doch am Ende soll man in jedem Schicksalsschlag erkennen: "Das muss so und ist gut für mich". In einer Welt aus Zwang, Hast und Stress ist eine solche Lehre vollkommen überfällig, weswegen ich dafür keine schlechte Wertung geben will. Der Leser sollte die Menge jedoch für sich selbst dosieren.
Dann stolperte ich darüber, wie völlig falsch geschichtliche Fakten oder krass vereinfacht Lehren anderer Schulen dargestellt werden. Die Eroberer haben mit 400 Mann Amerika eingenommen; das Kreuz der Christen sei aus dem Schwert der Kreuzritter entstanden; und die Chakren aus den Lehren Asiens drehen sich im Uhrzeigersinn - müssen aber von den Laika um zwei weitere Chakren ergänzt werden, denn die Lehren der östlichen Mythologien sind offensichtlich unvollständig.
In seinem Werk funktioniert das aber, denn er erzählt keine Geschichte und hält keine Abhandlung über Theologien oder Spiritualität anderer Schulen. Er verwendet diese Konzepte nur in seinen malerischen Metaphern und Mythen, um eine Botschaft zu vermitteln, oder einen Umstand auszudrücken, der anders für ihn schwer zu greifen ist. Beim neunten Chakra der Laika räumt er sogar ein, dass es gar kein Chakra ist, sondern der große Spirit selbst gemeint ist, er es aber in Ermangelung eines besseren Begriffs so nennt.
Das kann ich nun als schlechtes Fachwerk oder als gute Fabeln sehen, und entschließe mich auch darin zur Neutralität.
Warum ich dem Buch Sterne abziehe
"Vielleicht bist du als Kind missbraucht worden - aber das war eben das, was deine Seele brauchte [...]"
Ein Arbeitskollege erklärte mir sein Dominanzverhalten oft mit den Worten: "Es ist leichter um Vergebung, als um Erlaubnis zu bitten." Bei Villoldo erkenne ich dieses Muster wieder, wenn er mit solchen Worten eine Schilderung aufbaut, um im Nachhinein zu relativieren, dass Kindesmissbrauch selbstverständlich etwas schreckliches sei, und der Leser doch bitte erkenne, dass es hier nur um die geistige Wahrnehmung dieser Erinnerungen gehe. Seine Absichten sind gut, seine Methoden zur Heilung solcher Wunden sind gut - aber diesen rhetorischen Hieb auf seelische Wunden muss der geneigte Leser sich fangen und danach die Lust aufbringen weiter zu lesen.
"Wenn uns klar wird, dass wir im Paradies leben, und uns darum bemühen, in Ayni [etwa: Gleichgewicht] zu sein, erkennen wir: Das Universum meint es nicht nur gut mit uns, sondern gibt sich auch noch die allergrößte Mühe, sich für uns einzusetzen."
Seine wirkungsvollen Übungen sind sehr durch sein Weltbild und seinen Aufruf ein Laika zu werden verwässert. Für mich erschließt sich der Wert jeder Übung aus der Erfahrung mit ähnlichen Werken und eigenen praktischen Erfahrungen, aber ein jungfräulicher Anfänger oder Anfängerin wird es schwerer haben, sich nicht von seinen Überzeugungen beeinflussen zu lassen. Wem das Kleid passt, der soll es tragen. Seine Übungen sind im Kern jedoch frei von Weltanschauung und ethischer Überzeugung. Sie bilden das Handwerkszeug eines jeden Menschen mit Herzensbildung, und sollten nicht als das Patent irgend einer Mythologie verkauft werden.
Schon bei den ersten Übungen musste ich umdenken, weil ich nicht in Rollen feststecke, mich nicht ohnmächtig fühle und auch in keiner Welt aus Angst und Schrecken lebe. Auch ohne Glaube an Reinkarnation kann ich in einer Meditation in frühere Leben tauchen - der Heilungseffekt und die Bildung spiritueller Fähigkeit bleiben die selben. Villoldo ist nicht der erste Psychologe, der sein Leben mit einer Kategorie von Patienten verbracht hat, und danach in allen Menschen der Welt und sich selbst nur noch dieses eine Muster sieht. Sein Werk fundiert jedoch auf dieser Weltanschauung, was die Lektüre und praktische Überführung ins eigene Weltbild erheblich erschwert.
Besonders schreckte mich das Ende seiner vierten Einsicht ab. Natürlich gehört es zu den Grundlagen, sich von den eigenen Gedanken zu distanzieren, nicht mehr Sklave eingeschliffener Bahnen zu sein. Aber da hört er einfach auf. Er "amüsiere sich über sein Affenhirn", und nennt das Weisheit. Kein aktives Eingreifen in diese Gewohnheiten, kein Hauch von der Beherrschung des Philosophen, kein tieferes hinabtauchen zur Andersweltreise des (nicht-Laika?) Schamanen. Er sieht es als höchstes Ziel an, in dieser Lichtgestalt aufzugehen und sich alles vom Universum bringen zu lassen - bzw. jedes Ereignis, egal wie schlimm oder gut als selbstbestimmt anzusehen. "Meine Arbeit bringt nicht zu wenig Geld für Nahrung ein, sondern es ist meine Wahl, mich und meine Familie in Mäßigkeit zu üben."
Ich begrüße die praktischen Übungen zur Distanzierung von Glück und Reichtum als Geburtsrecht, ich bekräftige die Wirkung das eigene Leben durch Akzeptanz an erster Stelle in die Hand zu nehmen. Aber dort aufzuhören ist Selbstentmachtung und eine Betäubung des Geistes. Der Patient wird glückselig weiter existieren, sich als Künstler, Dichter, Heiliger oder Politiker verstehen, wenn er denn so will. Aber so mächtig der Beitrag dieser Selbstanschauung zum Erreichen dieser Ziele wahrhaftig ist: Das allein darf nicht das Ende sein!
September 26, 2014
I enjoyed this insightful book. Haha
The author was easy to follow and thorough yet simple with his explanations and examples. It's wonderful at any level that you're absorbing it, so I'm going to pass it to another that needs it.
The author was easy to follow and thorough yet simple with his explanations and examples. It's wonderful at any level that you're absorbing it, so I'm going to pass it to another that needs it.
Read
July 5, 2008Loved this book. A must read for anyone who wants to learn inner peace and how to let go of the Ego.
July 31, 2011
This book is either full of insights or utter drivel and I haven't made up my mind which yet.
January 29, 2015
I loved this book, it gave me so much insight and helped me open myself to healing.
December 4, 2012
I will need to read this again (and probably again) to digest everything. Definitely a reference book.
September 8, 2013
This book is kind of a mishmash. It's like The Four Agreements meets Zen Buddhism meets self-help, with some chakra balancing exercises, too. As is typical in this sort of work, pop "quantum physics" makes the rounds as well. I know it's supposed to be inspired by ancient Latin American shamanism that the author learned from a wise man in Peru, but I'm a bit skeptical of claims of ancient wisdom.
I actually put this book aside a couple of times, because of the statement that we can create reality--help dream the world into being; for example, by getting to a certain spiritual level, being able to cure ourselves of disease. To be honest, I immediately thought of crap like The Secret and thought, Oh, hell no! But since I had paid for the book, I decided to try to keep an open mind and read it. And I am glad I did.
Most of the book is about perception, different ways of looking at a problem to be able to resolve it. A lot about how we get stuck in a narrow view of things because of mistaking our ego/identity and our narratives about our lives for who/what we really are. It was a nice complement to other books I've read, similar ideas but presented from a slightly different perspective.
Still, the book goes a bit farther than I can follow with the talk about being able to go into different time lines and, yes, create reality. To his credit, the author does not downplay the problems of our "collective nightmare" such as poverty, war and ecological destruction; the ultimate purpose of these exercises is to be able to help alleviate these problems, not dream up a better material life for yourself.
All in all, an interesting book. It's not a path that I, personally, would want to follow, but there were some good insights and an overall positive message.
I actually put this book aside a couple of times, because of the statement that we can create reality--help dream the world into being; for example, by getting to a certain spiritual level, being able to cure ourselves of disease. To be honest, I immediately thought of crap like The Secret and thought, Oh, hell no! But since I had paid for the book, I decided to try to keep an open mind and read it. And I am glad I did.
Most of the book is about perception, different ways of looking at a problem to be able to resolve it. A lot about how we get stuck in a narrow view of things because of mistaking our ego/identity and our narratives about our lives for who/what we really are. It was a nice complement to other books I've read, similar ideas but presented from a slightly different perspective.
Still, the book goes a bit farther than I can follow with the talk about being able to go into different time lines and, yes, create reality. To his credit, the author does not downplay the problems of our "collective nightmare" such as poverty, war and ecological destruction; the ultimate purpose of these exercises is to be able to help alleviate these problems, not dream up a better material life for yourself.
All in all, an interesting book. It's not a path that I, personally, would want to follow, but there were some good insights and an overall positive message.
July 20, 2009
In The Four Insights Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D. teaches the ancient wisdom of "The Earthkeepers" as he was taught it by his Laika mentor, don Antonio. don Antonio was "one of the last of the living Laika" who took the author "under his wing and trained me for nearly 25 years. . . [don Antonio:] was a descendent of the Inka, whose culture was masculine and militaristic. The Laika's teachings were from an earlier time, when the feminine aspect of the divine was recognized."
The author makes general references to his mentor, as well as to Carl Jung, Heisenberg, "an old Zen story," Claude Lévi-Strauss, among others. The tone of certainty and anecdotal format captivate the reader with the revelations of the interactive lessons as well as with the wisdom of the Laika teachings.
A Hay House publication, this book will appeal to all seekers of wisdom and spiritual growth. The emphasis on perceptual wisdom and ways to move from judgmental thinking to nonjudgment, nonsuffering, nonattachment, and so on are well worth the read! The author teaches how changed perceptions enhance personal and communal growth and transformation.
The author makes general references to his mentor, as well as to Carl Jung, Heisenberg, "an old Zen story," Claude Lévi-Strauss, among others. The tone of certainty and anecdotal format captivate the reader with the revelations of the interactive lessons as well as with the wisdom of the Laika teachings.
A Hay House publication, this book will appeal to all seekers of wisdom and spiritual growth. The emphasis on perceptual wisdom and ways to move from judgmental thinking to nonjudgment, nonsuffering, nonattachment, and so on are well worth the read! The author teaches how changed perceptions enhance personal and communal growth and transformation.
June 5, 2023
While I appreciated and agreed with the ideas of owning our personal stories and finding a higher level of being with the practices covered in the book, I disagreed with some of the promised outcomes: overcoming cancer, becoming rich, manifesting health, etc. I think the power of accepting our narratives is a transformative experience in giving us power over the narrative, but it does not change aspects of our reality nor give us godly control over them and believing such is dangerous.
November 22, 2014
This book is excellent! For anyone wanting to explore the mystics of the Laika who live high in the Andes in Peru, this book is for you. Alberto Villoldo is an inspiration and shares the Earthkeepers four insights om such a way that the reader is taken on a journey of spirit.
March 16, 2007
I am taking classes with Alberto and this is a great read. It is not the 4 agreements! It is a different book. It is about energy and how it effects your life.
September 30, 2010
Enjoyable and easy read, with info and meditational tools to help people step beyond their ego, and into love and healing for themselves and fellow humans and animals.
November 15, 2008
Yet another beautiful book put in my path to enlightenment.
February 17, 2009
This will be my bible for the next few years. Perfect for a good read-through once . . . and then reference later. Modern age shaman practices . . . very insightful.
March 24, 2009
my shaman said i should pick this up, so i have...i always return to it at the right time...i look forward to applying the principles I have learned in this book
peace
peace
August 22, 2010
An ancient wisdom is bound to surface to allow Humanity to better itself - an it did, yet again, through this book. It is written beautifuly and prolifically.
Worth reading every word of it.
Worth reading every word of it.
April 8, 2011
This a very powerful ans insightful book,I've had it a long time but just finished it.I like it very much as it brings different perspectives to light!
June 27, 2014
The kind of book everyone should read and reread over and over. I think I might just buy all my friends & family a copy.
April 3, 2016
My first book on Shamanism. Great beginners book.
October 3, 2017
Never thought this was a hidden Gem. Totally worth it. Found myself applying its teachings in my daily life, the way to move from the different "animal views". Will read it again soon!
January 13, 2022
De milenii, societăţile secrete ale vracilor indieni din America şi-au păstrat cu grijă învăţăturile înţelepciunii lor şi s-au comportat ca paznici ai naturii. Aceşti „Protectori ai Pământului" au existat la multe popoare şi erau numiţi în mai multe moduri; de exemplu, în Anzi şi Amazon, ei erau cunoscuţi ca „Laika". în 1950, un grup de Laika, stabiliţi în Anzi, s-a dus la adunarea anuală a şamanilor, care avea loc la poalele unuia dintre munţii sfinţi. Băştinaşii locali s-au uitat la poncho-urile pe care le purtau Laika şi au recunoscut imediat însemnele înalţilor preoţi şamani. Şi-au dat seama că era un grup de vraci, bărbaţi şi femei, despre care se credea că dispăruseră după momentul Cuceririi. Aceşti înalţi şamani, ştiind că omenirea se află pe punctul de a suferi o uriaşă schimbare, au ieşit în sfârşit din izolare, pentru a le oferi oamenilor înţelepciunea care să-i susţină pe parcursul marilor schimbări ce le stau în faţă - schimbări care îi vor ajuta să transforme realitatea şi să dea naştere unei lumi mai bune.
April 15, 2022
I read this because it was referenced by Aaron Wolf (College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State) in The Spirit of Dialogue. He didn't vouch for it one way or the other, but referenced it as source material for a perspective he was discussing.
So, from the perspective of someone who is somewhat interested in books in this area, but also has strong appreciate for the earth sciences and physical geography, this book was OK.
Parts of it were pretty insightful and enjoyable to read, other parts lean "too far" toward "woohoo" for me (I wouldn't call them "woohoo" -- a pretty contentious term -- they just pull in that direction more than I prefer). It made it a little more difficult for me to stay engaged.
So, from the perspective of someone who is somewhat interested in books in this area, but also has strong appreciate for the earth sciences and physical geography, this book was OK.
Parts of it were pretty insightful and enjoyable to read, other parts lean "too far" toward "woohoo" for me (I wouldn't call them "woohoo" -- a pretty contentious term -- they just pull in that direction more than I prefer). It made it a little more difficult for me to stay engaged.
May 28, 2025
I'm still in the beginning fourth of this book, but so far it is very powerful, practical, and easy enough for me to follow. Yes, this may not be the best book if you are a skeptic and one who believes in nothing but "proven science". But if you are like me, eager to explore spiritual ways and such, then this book is THE BOMB haha! Very best!
Oh, and I recommend doing the exercises in the book and pausing reading it, until you have done the given exercise to what feels to you as "enough times already", so that you "get the message" of what Alberto wants you to get through them. It is wonderful, and I hope you find it a good one :)
Oh, and I recommend doing the exercises in the book and pausing reading it, until you have done the given exercise to what feels to you as "enough times already", so that you "get the message" of what Alberto wants you to get through them. It is wonderful, and I hope you find it a good one :)
June 4, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. I began my journey of healing through the Shamanic Path awhile ago; before I even realized I was walking the path. I have received 7 of the 9 Rites and I have felt the shifts in my perceptions; I fed my seeds with multiple fire ceremonies and in turn they have been clearing out the psychic sludge and my Chakras are returning to their bright colors as I grow my rainbow body. The practices described in this book really work. I will suggest this book to others who can appreciate it.
September 23, 2020
There's a parable called the Blind Men and the Elephant. The moral of the story is that it's always a good thing to consider that one's perspective may not be the whole truth and therefore it's wise to learn of more than one perspective before trying to make sense of the whole. "The Four Insights" runs along that vein and provides perspectives within perspectives from the Earthkeeper's wisdom. It's certainly a different way to view "reality" and so is a valuable tool to have in one's "toolkit of life".
December 24, 2021
Just alright
Nothing new. There is some knowledge to be extracted from this book. Villondo has some wisdom of his own but i am not sure about his sources as I only know of the existence of Snake, Puma and condor in the Chakana. I was told hummingbird is also important in the South American india beliefs but it is not part of the levels of consciousness. I also asked natives about the Laikas and they didn’t know who they were. Probably is very hidden and secret. Regardless i am giving three stars because it didn’t feel like something new, regardless of the sources
Nothing new. There is some knowledge to be extracted from this book. Villondo has some wisdom of his own but i am not sure about his sources as I only know of the existence of Snake, Puma and condor in the Chakana. I was told hummingbird is also important in the South American india beliefs but it is not part of the levels of consciousness. I also asked natives about the Laikas and they didn’t know who they were. Probably is very hidden and secret. Regardless i am giving three stars because it didn’t feel like something new, regardless of the sources
August 14, 2024
A great journey around the medicine wheel
The author takes the reader through the medicine wheel with great care and respect for the healing it brings. Trained by the indigenous people the author takes all that knowledge and wisdom and gives it to the reader. This is only part of what is offered to the online training programs. If you are doing any of the activities in the book and have questions make sure you find help through the author through the four windssSociety for help.
The author takes the reader through the medicine wheel with great care and respect for the healing it brings. Trained by the indigenous people the author takes all that knowledge and wisdom and gives it to the reader. This is only part of what is offered to the online training programs. If you are doing any of the activities in the book and have questions make sure you find help through the author through the four windssSociety for help.
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