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Five Weeks in the Amazon
A Modern Quest for an Ancient Remedy....
If you enjoy a fast-paced read and a true story, Five Weeks in the Amazon is the book for you. It's packed with humor, full of unexpected twists and there is never any way to know how it will end. Author Sean Michael Hayes has written a book in a similar style to current blockbuster success, Cheryl Strayed's "Wild". His adventure puts him face to face with universal problems that we all must overcome in life. His search is a desperate attempt at something he has fought for since first being diagnosed with depression--how to live a happy life.
Hayes presents solutions which seem like wins not just for himself, but for the reader that's right there with him. Want to find out what happened to a backpacker that hiked alone into the Amazon jungle and live with a shaman? Buy the first edition now.
If you enjoy a fast-paced read and a true story, Five Weeks in the Amazon is the book for you. It's packed with humor, full of unexpected twists and there is never any way to know how it will end. Author Sean Michael Hayes has written a book in a similar style to current blockbuster success, Cheryl Strayed's "Wild". His adventure puts him face to face with universal problems that we all must overcome in life. His search is a desperate attempt at something he has fought for since first being diagnosed with depression--how to live a happy life.
Hayes presents solutions which seem like wins not just for himself, but for the reader that's right there with him. Want to find out what happened to a backpacker that hiked alone into the Amazon jungle and live with a shaman? Buy the first edition now.
270 pages, Paperback
First published December 2, 2014
139 people are currently reading
1389 people want to read
About the author
Sean Michael Hayes
1 book68 followersSean Michael Hayes was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. In his younger years he was a professional skateboarder and broke lots of bones. This is what brought him to America, the skateboarding not the broken bones, where he now lives in Encinitas, CA.
He likes to head out into the world on solo backpacking adventures, and when he’s not coaching younger professionals skateboarders he’s doing something like diving with great white sharks in South Africa or living with a shaman in the Peruvian Jungle. In the last 18 months he has traveled to Spain, South Africa, Thailand, Peru, and about a dozen more countries.
This gives him a diverse social and cultural understanding; the foundation for dynamic and thoughtful literature. His experience with travel, elite sports, global marketing, and social media all compliment his transition into the literary world. After a successful kick starter campaign, Sean’s soon to be released books are anticipated by thousands of fans
If you want to connect with Sean, send him a message; @canadianhayes on Twitter/Instagram or Facebook. He posts updates of his adventure on Canadianhayes.com, and if you want to join his super-secret-exclusive-book-club sign up on his website.
"Nothing really matters, but everything makes a difference"
Sean Michael Hayes
He likes to head out into the world on solo backpacking adventures, and when he’s not coaching younger professionals skateboarders he’s doing something like diving with great white sharks in South Africa or living with a shaman in the Peruvian Jungle. In the last 18 months he has traveled to Spain, South Africa, Thailand, Peru, and about a dozen more countries.
This gives him a diverse social and cultural understanding; the foundation for dynamic and thoughtful literature. His experience with travel, elite sports, global marketing, and social media all compliment his transition into the literary world. After a successful kick starter campaign, Sean’s soon to be released books are anticipated by thousands of fans
If you want to connect with Sean, send him a message; @canadianhayes on Twitter/Instagram or Facebook. He posts updates of his adventure on Canadianhayes.com, and if you want to join his super-secret-exclusive-book-club sign up on his website.
"Nothing really matters, but everything makes a difference"
Sean Michael Hayes
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
October 10, 2020
First up - I was provided an uncorrected proof by the author in exchange for an honest review. I got it a couple of weeks before the book was released, and finished it just after release. I expect the typos and grammar will be corrected in the finished article.
I had this book pegged as travel, and it is, but not so much physical travel. More emotional/spiritual travel. To be fair this is not normally the type of reading I look for.
It is the story of the authors time spent in the Peruvian rainforest not far out of Iquitos, with a shaman taking Ayahuasca, and carrying out a dietary and mental crash course for five weeks. Ayahuasca is a preparation used in the indigenous Amazon for religious/spiritual ceremonies overseen by shaman. It is a hallucinogen, and from the sounds of things a physically painful process, along with sweats, vomiting and diarrhea, but it sometimes offers insights and awareness.
The book is written in a simple style. It is thoughtful, but seems unreliable in its telling of the story. It is the the story of reaching a turning point in life, becoming more self aware, more confident, and making good decisions (not always the case during the narrative with the decision making).
The book ends with the authors return the the States, and the expectation of carrying on home to Canada. Obviously the writing of the book follows, so it seems the process was successful!
I had this book pegged as travel, and it is, but not so much physical travel. More emotional/spiritual travel. To be fair this is not normally the type of reading I look for.
It is the story of the authors time spent in the Peruvian rainforest not far out of Iquitos, with a shaman taking Ayahuasca, and carrying out a dietary and mental crash course for five weeks. Ayahuasca is a preparation used in the indigenous Amazon for religious/spiritual ceremonies overseen by shaman. It is a hallucinogen, and from the sounds of things a physically painful process, along with sweats, vomiting and diarrhea, but it sometimes offers insights and awareness.
The book is written in a simple style. It is thoughtful, but seems unreliable in its telling of the story. It is the the story of reaching a turning point in life, becoming more self aware, more confident, and making good decisions (not always the case during the narrative with the decision making).
The book ends with the authors return the the States, and the expectation of carrying on home to Canada. Obviously the writing of the book follows, so it seems the process was successful!
September 2, 2015
In the beginning I thought the book was promising and I even liked the writing itself, but after having read about 30% of the book, I decided it just wasn´t worth it. I think Sean is a very superficial person and I couldn´t just figure out why he went to the Amazon to find the higher meaning of life, while doing drugs the whole time and thinking himself better than the other tourists who went to Peru to do the same thing.
January 16, 2015
I was disappointed in this book. I was hoping for more insightful details regarding the ayahuasca experience.
Instead, it became clear that the author is an unreliable narrator and immature and unlikeable as well. Although he blames Western medicine for misdiagnosing him with bipolar disorder, he does not provide many details of how this occurred. It may be that those details were too private to share, but on the other hand, he has no problems exposing painful details about his ex-wife's life and family. Additionally, a closer reading of the text suggests he could have symptoms of bipolar disorder (irresponsibility with money, staying up all night, mood swings, grandiose thoughts, self-medication with alcohol and other drugs), but this is never acknowledged. He claims he learns to be less judgmental, but repeatedly judges other tourists because he doesn't like their gear and winds up criticizing flight attendants because he doesn't like their make-up.
In short, he arrives in Peru thinking he knows it all (no need to learn any Spanish before he gets there because he can handle it!) and his visions just confirm his inflated sense of self (a "space-goddess" wants him to impregnate her -- no extra insight needed here to interpret this vision.) Even though the book was a quick read because it was so simplistic, I didn't enjoy spending time with this author.
Instead, it became clear that the author is an unreliable narrator and immature and unlikeable as well. Although he blames Western medicine for misdiagnosing him with bipolar disorder, he does not provide many details of how this occurred. It may be that those details were too private to share, but on the other hand, he has no problems exposing painful details about his ex-wife's life and family. Additionally, a closer reading of the text suggests he could have symptoms of bipolar disorder (irresponsibility with money, staying up all night, mood swings, grandiose thoughts, self-medication with alcohol and other drugs), but this is never acknowledged. He claims he learns to be less judgmental, but repeatedly judges other tourists because he doesn't like their gear and winds up criticizing flight attendants because he doesn't like their make-up.
In short, he arrives in Peru thinking he knows it all (no need to learn any Spanish before he gets there because he can handle it!) and his visions just confirm his inflated sense of self (a "space-goddess" wants him to impregnate her -- no extra insight needed here to interpret this vision.) Even though the book was a quick read because it was so simplistic, I didn't enjoy spending time with this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2015
Frankly I alternated between finding this book very interesting and at time insightful and being frustrated with the narration.
The pros: The author is a very spontaneous, non-planner who goes for a trip to Peru to “find himself” as it were. This is a story that’s been told many times, but what makes him different is that he wants to do so by taking Ayahuasca (a drug derived from cactus) frequently for five weeks. I found at times Sean’s insights about focusing on “the big picture” and ignoring the insignificant stuff pertinent reminders of what is important in life. I also found myself craving healthier foods reading about the special diet you must follow when taking Ayahuasca.
The cons: I found Sean’s commentary often repetitive and as a person I felt he came off poorly at times. The book reads as a journal and things would be mentioned and then repeated just a few pages apart. Additionally, throughout the books he references himself as “non-judgemental” (then judges people around him), “smarter than average” (says “Fuck it” and then proceeds to do things he knows are a bad choices) and having “seen a lot more than most people”. Honestly, I also did not need to know about his sexual fantasies about his girlfriend either. I understand telling the full truth, but somehow this was not executed well for me. He is also a staunch atheist and does not leave room in the narrative to acknowledge there may be other ways of seeing his experiences, which rubbed me the wrong way. I would have enjoyed hearing more about what led him up to the journey (what’s the story with the bipolar misdiagnose?) and about the spiritual discussions with the people he encountered along the way.
All in all, I think the same message could have been given in fewer pages and it may be a lot more powerful. I can think of many other people who would find it fascinating, but personally it was not my cup of tea.
Warning: Contains significant drug use
Please note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review courtesy of the author.
Who should read it? People looking for a story about an alternative spiritual refresh and/or Ayahuasca experience.
See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract
The pros: The author is a very spontaneous, non-planner who goes for a trip to Peru to “find himself” as it were. This is a story that’s been told many times, but what makes him different is that he wants to do so by taking Ayahuasca (a drug derived from cactus) frequently for five weeks. I found at times Sean’s insights about focusing on “the big picture” and ignoring the insignificant stuff pertinent reminders of what is important in life. I also found myself craving healthier foods reading about the special diet you must follow when taking Ayahuasca.
The cons: I found Sean’s commentary often repetitive and as a person I felt he came off poorly at times. The book reads as a journal and things would be mentioned and then repeated just a few pages apart. Additionally, throughout the books he references himself as “non-judgemental” (then judges people around him), “smarter than average” (says “Fuck it” and then proceeds to do things he knows are a bad choices) and having “seen a lot more than most people”. Honestly, I also did not need to know about his sexual fantasies about his girlfriend either. I understand telling the full truth, but somehow this was not executed well for me. He is also a staunch atheist and does not leave room in the narrative to acknowledge there may be other ways of seeing his experiences, which rubbed me the wrong way. I would have enjoyed hearing more about what led him up to the journey (what’s the story with the bipolar misdiagnose?) and about the spiritual discussions with the people he encountered along the way.
All in all, I think the same message could have been given in fewer pages and it may be a lot more powerful. I can think of many other people who would find it fascinating, but personally it was not my cup of tea.
Warning: Contains significant drug use
Please note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review courtesy of the author.
Who should read it? People looking for a story about an alternative spiritual refresh and/or Ayahuasca experience.
See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract
December 3, 2014
Beyond a travel journal, "Five weeks in the Amazon" is an impressive unorthodox voyage of self-discovery and introspection. Sean Michael Hayes' first book is a truly refreshing read, narrating in various ways what he has experienced during his time spent in the Peruvian jungle, participating in many Ayahuasca ceremonies, following the suggested cleanse diet, meeting shamans, travelers and locals. "Five weeks in the Amazon" is an honest story, filled with philosophical references, palpable emotions and feelings. A finely crafted publication in which one may find inspiration to embark on the complex quest to find self-comprehension and inner peace. As Hegel claims, "the self, be it of an individual or a culture, can never fully grasp itself, qua subject, in the act of self-comprehension, every such act is necessarily partial and one-sided. Likewise, every act of self-comprehension, in seeking to be authoritative, is compelled to repeat the process, continually seeking anew the closure its nature nonetheless denies."
September 20, 2015
I had kindle unlimited and the title was a little interesting for me as I wanted a book about a backpacking experience. My expectations were not met for a start. This book is something different. It is a diary entry of a skateboarding champion who went through a spiritual experience in Amazon to come out of his personal misery. The book has a happy ending. The book however fails to give enticing description of anything that is related to the subject of the book - backpacking, amazon, spiritual experience. A lot of times Sean digresses to describe his sexual fantasies with his girlfriend in a page or two however similar descriptions for things like the Ayahuasca ceremony is absent. I couldn't feel that I was there feeling the things he felt. All Sean could do was to give details of his itinerary and some of his local experiences. It lacks depth. However it is a nice attempt and there were good moments in the book that I enjoyed.
It is a light read that you can finish off easily and quickly. However do not expect much to gain from it.
It is a light read that you can finish off easily and quickly. However do not expect much to gain from it.
December 30, 2021
Chapter 8 in this book is painful pain and that is the overwhelming feeling I felt ploughing on though this book.
This book is basically about the author taking a hallucinogenic plant in the jungle, puking lots and then discussing his hope, dream, thought, basically whatever comes into his head I guess. Unfortunately it reads like a teenager’s diary.
I only got through this book by reading out sections to my partner so I could have a laugh about it. I don’t want to rain on his parade, I’m glad he had a spiritual awakening or whatever, but seriously, stop talking about being inspirational, a leader amongst men and missing wanking, I don’t care, maybe someone does but I feel they maybe few a far between.
This book is basically about the author taking a hallucinogenic plant in the jungle, puking lots and then discussing his hope, dream, thought, basically whatever comes into his head I guess. Unfortunately it reads like a teenager’s diary.
I only got through this book by reading out sections to my partner so I could have a laugh about it. I don’t want to rain on his parade, I’m glad he had a spiritual awakening or whatever, but seriously, stop talking about being inspirational, a leader amongst men and missing wanking, I don’t care, maybe someone does but I feel they maybe few a far between.
September 30, 2015
I would not recommend this book. The writing is sometimes that of a drug-doing, careless, vulgar skater dude, with bits carelessly thrown in with a totally different style of writing that sounds cringe-inducingly pseudointellectual. The story is unintersting so far as well, and I do not feel enlightnened about what a trip to the Amazon area would be like. All of this is in addition to sloppy editing done, seemingly, by a non-precocious 16-year-old. I am also only about one-third through it, which is apparently the better section of this book...yikes. I purchased it for free, and am glad I paid nothing for it.
February 24, 2015
The book was so bad i couldn't finish it!
September 11, 2015
I wouldn't recommend this book. It was interesting enough to finish but overall it just made me sad. He went looking for meaning but I'm pretty sure he didn't really find it.
January 18, 2018
Sean is a man searching for meaning in his life. A backpacker from Canada, he is depressed following a break-up with a woman he loved, and realizes he needs to find happiness from within. To do this, he takes an extraordinary (and brave, at least to me) journey alone into the Amazon. At the beginning of the book, he arrives in Lima, where he has some fairly wild days, a few days he feels he needs to have before he begins the journey into the Amazon to learn under the tutelage of a shaman, and before he begins the strict cleansing diet required to take what is called the Ayahuasca treatment, done during a very old and sacred ceremony. The Lima portion is interesting, but the book really takes off when he is finally with Otillia, his guide through the multiple ceremonies he attends. The effects of the Ayahuasca are different for everyone, but in the beginning, they are always bad as the body begins ridding itself of the remnants of years of bodily abuse (sugar, refined foods, fats, smoking, drugs....whatever the person has done). I loved this book, start to finish. I felt every emotion that Sean felt, and his writing style is simply "real". He doesn't cut himself any slack about how he abused his body, mostly with alcohol and drugs. I would love to see a sequel to this book.
October 21, 2017
I was so frustrated with this book! The level of cursing was WAY out of my tolerance zone. I love a good hike. And being stuck in bed for almost 8 years now, READING a good hiking book is as close as I get to the real thing...and it brings me joy and the memories of the excitement and fun had...this book, didn't.
September 3, 2021
Not as great as I hoped..felt very repetitive and the writer was not someone you instantly wanted to champion and the parts about his sort of girlfriend were bum clinching. Like a lovesick teen. However the descriptions of the ceremonies and the people he met were sort of intriguing. ...
November 5, 2015
Finished reading: September 2nd 2015
“Saying the jungle is amazing is like saying the Sistine Chapel is a masterpiece. In reality, they are both much more than words can describe, and the true essence of both can only be found through experiencing them.”
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
November 10, 2017
I had hopes for this book, but it quickly failed to meet them. I was thinking it would be a tale of a man holding a mirror up to himself to really examine who he is as a person, but his narcissism became quickly apparent and I realized that was just a transparent excuse so that he could admire his own reflection. Almost right out of the gate he starts proclaiming about how he knows better than medical professionals, casting judgements on other travellers and expounding on how special he thinks he is and that he is disappointed that he experiences the same types of visions as other people that have experienced during Ayahuasca ceremonies (by the way, if you thought that a book that's all about a man trying Ayahuasca, which is a brew from a plant that contains a hallucinogen, would at any point describe what that is, the history of it, etc., you will be disappointed. You will have to Google it yourself) because he thinks he is a special unicorn and his visions should be better than those of the hoi polloi. During one of the earlier ceremonies he envisioned a Space Goddess that had been searching the galaxy for him and was begging him to impregnate her. This guy literally thinks that his spunk is a magical fluid.
When not congratulating himself on how awesome he is or revealing too much information about his romantic partners' personal lives both past and present (seriously, it felt uncomfortable) he was spewing new age drivel about journeys and self-growth. It all felt repetitive and like page filler. On top of that, even the parts where he wasn't just spouting gobbledy-gook there were inconsistencies that made me wonder whether he was just making it up and lost the thread a little. For example, at one point he is awoken from a nap by a visitor to his tambo, so he gets up and then apparently folds the corner of his book to mark his page...well what is it? Were you napping? or were you reading? I know it seems like a small thing, but it just made me question his truthfulness as a whole.
If you loved Eat, Prey, Love, then you might enjoy this book, but I certainly did not. I'm just glad that I don't wear contacts anymore because I would be concerned that I would have lost them in the back of my eye socket with how high my eyes rolled at parts. I don't think he's a bad person or anything, but I think he needs to work on his ability to analyze himself accurately (something which he specifically mentions is important for happiness).
When not congratulating himself on how awesome he is or revealing too much information about his romantic partners' personal lives both past and present (seriously, it felt uncomfortable) he was spewing new age drivel about journeys and self-growth. It all felt repetitive and like page filler. On top of that, even the parts where he wasn't just spouting gobbledy-gook there were inconsistencies that made me wonder whether he was just making it up and lost the thread a little. For example, at one point he is awoken from a nap by a visitor to his tambo, so he gets up and then apparently folds the corner of his book to mark his page...well what is it? Were you napping? or were you reading? I know it seems like a small thing, but it just made me question his truthfulness as a whole.
If you loved Eat, Prey, Love, then you might enjoy this book, but I certainly did not. I'm just glad that I don't wear contacts anymore because I would be concerned that I would have lost them in the back of my eye socket with how high my eyes rolled at parts. I don't think he's a bad person or anything, but I think he needs to work on his ability to analyze himself accurately (something which he specifically mentions is important for happiness).
July 19, 2016
When I first came across this novel, I thought it was going to be a story about exploring, not only the Amazon jungle but about one man’s journey in exploring himself and what it means to be at peace with your demons. Sean Michael Hayes’ story does just that, except it goes deeper.
As I was reading, I couldn't help but believe that Five Weeks In The Amazon was a love story. It’s not a new romance or a tale about finding love; it’s about realizing who you’re in love with and, just as importantly, learning how to love yourself. While love is scary and overwhelming, so is trying to overcome your own fears and past pains.
Although there are serious elements that he discusses, Sean mixes humor so naturally into his story that it’s almost as if he’s right in front you telling it all himself over drinks. That’s what actually kept me reading, feeling like I was being told a story straight from him instead of just reading words on a page. I’m not one to read biographies and exploration books, but I’m very glad I took a chance on Sean’s novel. Not only did I learn about what it’s like to spend five weeks in the Amazon, but I learned that someone else out there knows what it feels like to hit a wall and not have any good explanation for why you feel the way you do. I know how that feels, and it’s comforting to know that someone else does, too.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone wanting a good, entertaining, and insightful read. Looking forward to more stories from this author.
As I was reading, I couldn't help but believe that Five Weeks In The Amazon was a love story. It’s not a new romance or a tale about finding love; it’s about realizing who you’re in love with and, just as importantly, learning how to love yourself. While love is scary and overwhelming, so is trying to overcome your own fears and past pains.
Although there are serious elements that he discusses, Sean mixes humor so naturally into his story that it’s almost as if he’s right in front you telling it all himself over drinks. That’s what actually kept me reading, feeling like I was being told a story straight from him instead of just reading words on a page. I’m not one to read biographies and exploration books, but I’m very glad I took a chance on Sean’s novel. Not only did I learn about what it’s like to spend five weeks in the Amazon, but I learned that someone else out there knows what it feels like to hit a wall and not have any good explanation for why you feel the way you do. I know how that feels, and it’s comforting to know that someone else does, too.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone wanting a good, entertaining, and insightful read. Looking forward to more stories from this author.
February 5, 2015
Before I started this book, I wondered if I would be able to relate to the author. He’s a professional skateboarder and I’m about as coordinated as overcooked pasta.
Thus the reason I stick to walking and reading for the most part.
It didn’t take long to realize that this book was more than just one man’s journey, but it asked a question which I think most of us will ask at some point in our life. “Why am I here?”
The writing style of Sean Hayes is outstanding and I found his story intriguing. The descriptions of his expedition to the Amazon and the Ayahuasca (which I’m still not sure if I can pronounce) ceremony that was the focus of his journey, were well written and never did I feel as though the book read like a dry journal with only a listing of sporadic thoughts and actions. No, this book digs deeper and holds the reader, anxious to see how Sean’s story plays out.
“More than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” an excerpt from his book, shows the selfless nature of his quest. The decisions he makes are not always good ones, but as a story based on truth, that is to be expected. Who among us is without fault? Uncovering those very imperfections and tendencies within us is the only way to answer the question, “Why am I here?”
I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a good and unique read. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thus the reason I stick to walking and reading for the most part.
It didn’t take long to realize that this book was more than just one man’s journey, but it asked a question which I think most of us will ask at some point in our life. “Why am I here?”
The writing style of Sean Hayes is outstanding and I found his story intriguing. The descriptions of his expedition to the Amazon and the Ayahuasca (which I’m still not sure if I can pronounce) ceremony that was the focus of his journey, were well written and never did I feel as though the book read like a dry journal with only a listing of sporadic thoughts and actions. No, this book digs deeper and holds the reader, anxious to see how Sean’s story plays out.
“More than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” an excerpt from his book, shows the selfless nature of his quest. The decisions he makes are not always good ones, but as a story based on truth, that is to be expected. Who among us is without fault? Uncovering those very imperfections and tendencies within us is the only way to answer the question, “Why am I here?”
I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a good and unique read. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 3, 2015
Read the full review here: http://newberyandbeyond.com/review-co...
This travel memoir was definitely an interesting ride. In it, the author, Sean, travels to the Amazon to shed his persona and find his true self with the help of a shaman and a jungle drug/hallucinogen called Ayahuasca. He goes on a special diet, abstaining from everything that isn’t pure, and purges himself physically and emotionally, in the hopes of discovering truth and healing himself.
The book is introspective and philosophical–the author tackles many of the basic questions of life during his time in the jungle and reminisces over past pains (both physical and emotional) and what he has learned from them. He spends most of his time soaking up all the wisdom he can, despite not speaking any Spanish. The book is occasionally disjointed because it’s written in journal form, with most sections written (as far as I can tell) during the author’s trip. Still, the stories are fascinating, by turns humorous and philosophical.
This travel memoir was definitely an interesting ride. In it, the author, Sean, travels to the Amazon to shed his persona and find his true self with the help of a shaman and a jungle drug/hallucinogen called Ayahuasca. He goes on a special diet, abstaining from everything that isn’t pure, and purges himself physically and emotionally, in the hopes of discovering truth and healing himself.
The book is introspective and philosophical–the author tackles many of the basic questions of life during his time in the jungle and reminisces over past pains (both physical and emotional) and what he has learned from them. He spends most of his time soaking up all the wisdom he can, despite not speaking any Spanish. The book is occasionally disjointed because it’s written in journal form, with most sections written (as far as I can tell) during the author’s trip. Still, the stories are fascinating, by turns humorous and philosophical.
September 21, 2015
An interesting look at some of the local culture in Peru and their use of a native herb called Ayahusaca to cleanse the body and the spirit in a series of rituals to promote a deeper understanding of the inner mind while shedding both physical and spiritual injuries from the past.
Sean writes well, often turning his own cynical eye on himself, providing both humor and giving insight into what he hopes to accomplish on his journey to self awareness. I find his account of the ups, and downs, much more believable and far less "self aggrandizing" than in the book Wild.
I think he truly tries to give us a clear picture of his journey and I would love to have him write a second book telling how the things he learned did, or did not, translate into a more consciously lived life once he was back in the "real" (said tongue firmly in cheek) world. If you liked Wild, then I think you will like Five Weeks in the Amazon even better.
Sean writes well, often turning his own cynical eye on himself, providing both humor and giving insight into what he hopes to accomplish on his journey to self awareness. I find his account of the ups, and downs, much more believable and far less "self aggrandizing" than in the book Wild.
I think he truly tries to give us a clear picture of his journey and I would love to have him write a second book telling how the things he learned did, or did not, translate into a more consciously lived life once he was back in the "real" (said tongue firmly in cheek) world. If you liked Wild, then I think you will like Five Weeks in the Amazon even better.
September 16, 2015
Book is about Canadian skate boarder's ayahuasca retreat. Its start with his journey in Lima,Peru where he explore nightlife of city. Later he moves to near amazon forest to take ayahuasca.
Author wanted to improve himself emotionally and get pure so he explore ayahuasca. So, Author tried to explain the ayahuasca effects through his personal journey. And also, He explain the nature around the shaman place and explains the procedure of ayahuasca in detail. I am not convinced that drug can make you understand purpose of life. It's like trying something in short cut path.
I was mislead by title of the book, I took up this by thinking that book is about journey inside amazon forest.Book is too lengthy for the content it has. Author could have cut down the books to anything near half of the present size. However, there are some important lessons learned in this book.
Author wanted to improve himself emotionally and get pure so he explore ayahuasca. So, Author tried to explain the ayahuasca effects through his personal journey. And also, He explain the nature around the shaman place and explains the procedure of ayahuasca in detail. I am not convinced that drug can make you understand purpose of life. It's like trying something in short cut path.
I was mislead by title of the book, I took up this by thinking that book is about journey inside amazon forest.Book is too lengthy for the content it has. Author could have cut down the books to anything near half of the present size. However, there are some important lessons learned in this book.
October 29, 2015
This was a new genre for me, in a way. Travel writing-cum-memoir. I managed to finish the book because I was interested in knowing what real depression and introspection is like, but otherwise the book drags quite a bit. While Hayes manages to translate his experiences to narration quite well - simple and uncomplicated imagery - I feel the book should have undergone some editing to cut out the redundancy in descriptions of what he is going through at a personal/psychological level. It was interesting knowing about Ayahuasca and other herbs and the things people are doing with them. What I also liked about the book is that there is absolutely no racism, which speaks volumes about the writer's purity of mind and openness to other cultures. Apart from that, translating something so personal into a book must have taken a lot of courage. Bravo.
March 24, 2015
Life can drag you down into the deepest hole imaginable. In many cases, people just trudge along, believing that it is the life journey they are expected to travel. But some people choose to climb out and see what else life has to offer, knowing that there must be something better. Written in journal style, Hayes takes his readers on that journey - not 12-step style, but rather a trek through the Amazon. His experiences and the people he meets along the way, bring back the mentality that got lost along the way. There were times when my mind drifted and parts could have been a bit tighter, but overall, his journey is one worth taking and self-reflecting on.
September 22, 2015
It was a ok book for me I thought it would talk more about travel. This was a search for Sean's identity with the use of drug. Not quite something I would do or agree on and have that much interest in. It was sort of interesting how he made his way around and culture of the country and the people. But more about his addiction to drugs and the use of ayahuasca and other plant medication found in the part of the world.
There were a lot of double words and a few sentences that need to be cleaned up so not sure who edited it for him. But should be cleaned up a little!
There were a lot of double words and a few sentences that need to be cleaned up so not sure who edited it for him. But should be cleaned up a little!
January 8, 2015
Henry David Thoreau famously said, "Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves." Sean Michael Hayes journey is well worth the trip.
August 31, 2015
I've been interested in ayahuasca for a long time and this is one of the better accounts of it that I've read.
September 7, 2015
I enjoyed the book very much. It was interesting reading about expanding your being with the help of jungle medicine.
September 6, 2015
It's written like it's directly from his journal so there are a number of grammatical errors and misspelling of Spanish words. I enjoyed hearing about his spiritual journey.
September 20, 2015
Not for me
I am probably to old for this book, it seems a waste of life. Depends on various drugs, alcohol and etc
I am probably to old for this book, it seems a waste of life. Depends on various drugs, alcohol and etc
April 21, 2019
I listened to this book on Audible because I'm interested in the natural history of the Amazon, and thought that the part about healing plants would be interesting. I'm also interested in shamanism. Audible doesn't seem to have anything more closely useful to me.
Well, I'm too old for this $%^&. The author is a hedonistic skateboarder with an inability to evaluate claims of the supernatural. His pop psychology is sometimes quite wise, other times not so much. His disclaimer is that it's his truth, not somebody else's. I, on the other hand, tend to think that we are not as unique as we think we are. If we are depressed, maybe it is due to some of the causes that medical scientists have isolated. Maybe his excessive use of alcohol and marijuana contribute. I'm not criticizing his choice of doing Ayahuasca, but the word salad that surrounds his choice is hard to wade through. I think that truth, even personal truth, is something that can be examined logically.
He is charming at times, but mostly arrogant and entitled in a way that is at once endearing and annoying. Just as a few examples, he tries to buy cocaine from a street person, and when the man doesn't return in good time, gets enraged and plots to hurt the guy when he next sees him. Instead, at their next encounter, he decides not to. Oh, and the street person gives him the coke after all. One reason for the lack of understanding is that he has decided not to learn any Spanish ahead of time. Or the times when he is in the Amazon and plays the music he likes for the other temporary residents there. Me, I'd rather listen to the jungle than have somebody else play music for me. Or the time he describes how he masturbates even though he isn't supposed to because of restrictions by the Ayahuasca shaman.
In short, the book is interesting mostly as a view into the mind of a heavy drinking, thrill-seeking young man. I will try again to find a book about the Amazon.
Well, I'm too old for this $%^&. The author is a hedonistic skateboarder with an inability to evaluate claims of the supernatural. His pop psychology is sometimes quite wise, other times not so much. His disclaimer is that it's his truth, not somebody else's. I, on the other hand, tend to think that we are not as unique as we think we are. If we are depressed, maybe it is due to some of the causes that medical scientists have isolated. Maybe his excessive use of alcohol and marijuana contribute. I'm not criticizing his choice of doing Ayahuasca, but the word salad that surrounds his choice is hard to wade through. I think that truth, even personal truth, is something that can be examined logically.
He is charming at times, but mostly arrogant and entitled in a way that is at once endearing and annoying. Just as a few examples, he tries to buy cocaine from a street person, and when the man doesn't return in good time, gets enraged and plots to hurt the guy when he next sees him. Instead, at their next encounter, he decides not to. Oh, and the street person gives him the coke after all. One reason for the lack of understanding is that he has decided not to learn any Spanish ahead of time. Or the times when he is in the Amazon and plays the music he likes for the other temporary residents there. Me, I'd rather listen to the jungle than have somebody else play music for me. Or the time he describes how he masturbates even though he isn't supposed to because of restrictions by the Ayahuasca shaman.
In short, the book is interesting mostly as a view into the mind of a heavy drinking, thrill-seeking young man. I will try again to find a book about the Amazon.
March 22, 2018
The blurb this guy includes at the end (at least the end of the audiobook) sums things up nicely: he thinks an experience on a vacation equates to cultural competency. A lot of Americans think this, but it's just not true. It's so reductive to the point of making it hard to take him seriously.
I would have been interested to hear more about his relationship with and recovery from alcohol. Is that where his conflictedness about a higher power comes from, the 12 steps of AA? Because even by the end, he's saying that there's no higher power, then immediately describes the higher power of the connectedness of all things. That's an interesting conflict, but he doesn't seem to recognize it as a conflict. And he spends a lot of time trying to distinguish his use of other drugs from alcohol, which just sounds kind of addict-y. Maybe he just didn't think too deeply about how a lot of what he said would sound. Which is not what I look for in an author.
I would have been interested to hear more about his relationship with and recovery from alcohol. Is that where his conflictedness about a higher power comes from, the 12 steps of AA? Because even by the end, he's saying that there's no higher power, then immediately describes the higher power of the connectedness of all things. That's an interesting conflict, but he doesn't seem to recognize it as a conflict. And he spends a lot of time trying to distinguish his use of other drugs from alcohol, which just sounds kind of addict-y. Maybe he just didn't think too deeply about how a lot of what he said would sound. Which is not what I look for in an author.
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