Coyote Wisdom: The Power of Story in Healing

by Lewis Mehl-Madrona

An in-depth look at the therapeutic and transformative powers of storytelling in Native American and other cultures Explores how to create a healing state of mind using stories Includes healing stories from Native American traditions and other cultures from around the world By the author of the bestselling Coyote MedicineStories are powerful sources of meaning that shape and transform our lives. We tell stories to track our process of personal and spiritual growth and to honor and respect the journeys we have made. Through stories we are provided with experiences of spiritual empowerment that can lead to transformation.In Coyote Wisdom, Lewis Mehl-Madrona explores the healing use of stories passed down from generation to generation in Native American culture and describes how we can apply this wisdom to empower and transform our own lives. A storytelling approach to transformation starts with how we were created and how we can re-create ourselves through the stories we tell. As we explore the archetypal characters and situations that populate the inner world of our stories, we can experience breakthroughs of healing and even miracles of transformation.This approach to healing through stories runs counter to the current model of modern psychology. The stories we tell about ourselves may model our lives, but by introducing new characters and plots, we can come to see ourselves in a new way. The author also draws upon the cultures of other indigenous peoples--the Maori, East Africans, Mongolians, Aborigines, and Laplanders--to illustrate the healing use of stories throughout the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Indigenous, Native American, Mental Health, Spirituality

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2005

About the author

Lewis graduated from Stanford University School of Medicine and trained in family medicine, psychiatry, and clinical psychology. He completed his residencies in family medicine and in psychiatry at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. He has been on the faculties of several medical schools, most recently as associate professor of family medicine at the University of New England. He continues to work with aboriginal communities to develop uniquely aboriginal styles of healing and health care for use in those communities. He is interested in the relation of healing through dialogue in community and psychosis. He is the author of Coyote Medicine, Coyote Healing, and Coyote Wisdom, a trilogy of books on what Native culture has to offer the modern world. He has also written Narrative Medicine, Healing the Mind through the Power of Story: the Promise of Narrative Psychiatry, and, his most recent book with Barbara Mainguy, Remapping Your Mind: the Neuroscience of Self-Transformation through Story.

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthwhile dive into "alternative mental health" as I like to call it, recognizing that the stories we tell ourselves ultimately determine our very existence. We can allow stories to label or liberate. My greatest "a-ha!" was when he talked about healing stories versus sickness stories. I realized that the traumatic stories I have from my own life will, upon every retelling, promote more trauma in others and myself. But, the moment I heal from my trauma, I can then share those same stories, and it promotes healing instead. The stories themselves are generally the same, but based on the healing work I've done as the teller determines whether or not I'm sharing trauma or healing with the rest of the world. I'll never forget that.

[Julia Hickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-provoking and hopeful.

[mumtaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

important, relational, grounding

[Miz Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that spoke to my soul and my passion for stories. Lewis Mehl-Madrona is a physician who has come to use stories and his traditional culture in conjunction with Western medicine to help people heal themselves. Finding a story that speaks to you and your current struggle can be a catalyst for healing. Ceremony is also important to making a transition from one way of being to another. I've been telling the story of Raven stealing (back) the sun and the moon since reading this book. For now at least it is my transformation story.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted more from this book, but it was good at what it was.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I've read in several years. This guy is an incredible writer.

[Suzanne Cantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this many years ago.... an awesome reference tool.