Aya Awakenings: A Shamanic Odyssey

by Rak Razam, Dennis J. McKenna (Foreword)

Experiential journalist Rak Razam sets out to document the thriving business of 21st-century hallucinogenic shamanism starting with a trip to the annual Amazonian Shaman Conference in Iquitos, Peru, where he meets a motley crew of "spiritual tourists," rogue scientists, black magicians, and indigenous and Western healers and guides, all in town to partake of the ritual--and the medicine--of ayahuasca, "the vine of souls." Combining his personal story with the history of Amazonian shamanism, Razam takes the reader along on an entertaining, enlightening adventure.

In areas of Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru, the traditional herbal brew known as ayahuasca or yajé is legally used to heal physical ailments and to cleanse and purify the spirit by connecting it to the web of life. Sting and Tori Amos have admitted sampling it in Latin America, as has Paul Simon, who chronicled the experience in his song "Spirit Voices." Aya Awakenings works as a cautionary tale, a travelogue, and a memoir, but primarily acts as a portal through which readers are able to gain more information about the perils and the promise of spiritual reconnection through ayahuasca.

"A memorable--and deeply personal--journey into the hearts and minds of those who carry on the shamanic traditions of ayahuasca."--Rick Doblin, founder of the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)

Contents
Foreword by Dennis McKenna Preface by Rak Razam
Departure
1 Seekers of the Mystery; 2 Wheel of Fortune; 3 Jungle Fever; 4 Space Cadets; 5 Cosmovision; 6 Hamburger Universe; 7 Surfing; 8 Ayahuasca Disco; 9 Logos; 10 Night of the Black Puma; 11 Downtime; 12 Seeds; 13 Beasts Initiation; 14 Shaman School; 15 Snakes and Ladders; 16 Heart of Darkness; 17 Return to the Source; 18 The Love Creek Session; 19 The High Frontier; 20 Stairway to Heaven; 21 Going Down to the River to Pray; 22 The Hero's Journey
Return
23 Secret Women's Business; 24 The Prime Directive; 25 One River; 26 When Stones Dream; 27 Paying the Earth; 28 Talking with Kevin; 29 Illuminated; 30 Final Flight Index Bibliography
Author's Note

Genres: Religion

513 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2009

Reviews

[William Keefer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. When future historians write works on how Ayahuasca saved the world they will surely refer to Aya Awakenings as a source book about the spiritual wild west of Iquitos, Peru.

[Celestin Büche · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a true gem - a linguistic object downloaded directly from the amazon.

[Mason Dupuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, vulnerable and thorough. Great storytelling.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Razam is a self-described experiential journalist. In this book, he explores the mystery and ritual surrounding ayahuasca in South America. The business of shamanism in the 21st century is one of the central themes of Aya: A Shamanistic Odyssey. In many cases, Razam finds himself straddling the traditions of ayahuasca with thoughts and ideas from the modern world. He encounters a movement of soul-searchers coming from the West and befriends them, learns from them and shares multi-dimensional experiences with them.

Ayahuasca, or the vine of souls, is a South American hallucinogenic plant that the Amazonian people have utilized for millennia to heal, cleanse and purify the spirit. Many users of ayahuasca report that it allows them to connect to the overall web of life that entangles us all.

Razam trains with many indigenous curanderos, or ayahuascueros, while in South America. These medicine men and women each have their own way of approaching ayahuasca. A few common threads were prevalent with the majority of curanderos: icaros, or the songs of the vine, brujeria, or the evil and threatening forces that want to harm curanderos and their patients, and mapacho, or the specific type of tobacco used during ayahuasca ceremonies to cleanse and purify the ritual space and spirits inside.

As Razam drinks more ayahuasca, the vine of souls seems to lead him deeper into the Amazon on various trips. Each is different, but somehow connected to the web of life. Aya: A Shamanic Odyssey is a great account of 21st century shamanism in the Amazon. While the occasional typo or meandering thought might trip up the flow of the book, it is very enjoyable. And it is also one of the most current books on the topic. A definite must-read for fans of this genre.

[Niklas Spitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elucidating journalistic journey of a fearless psychonaut into the current trend of ayahuasca tourism and the ongoing quest for knowledge. Rak Razam is what I would call a contemporary beatnik author. Fun stuff.

[Emma Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cant put this book down, only started the other day and think I will be done tomorrow (this is 400+ pages and I can be a slow reader). Helping me plan my Jungle trip, he is very honest and realistic about it all and it is very easy to relate to his writing style, he just comes across genuine.

[Leonie Starnawski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I'm was utterly ignorant of ayahuasca and the spirits and the understanding they can awaken in us all. This is one amazing journey, conveyed so well, which shares much of Rak's learnings for all to benefit. Vivid, entertaining, informative and highly recommended.