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Native American Spirituality: Unleashing the Power of Shamanism, Animal Spirit Guides, Shamanic Totems, Power Animals, and More
Two manuscripts in one
In part one of this book, you
In part two of this book, you
Add this book to your cart now to learn more about Native American Shamanism and Animal Spirit Guides!
In part one of this book, you
In part two of this book, you
Add this book to your cart now to learn more about Native American Shamanism and Animal Spirit Guides!
- GenresSpirituality
244 pages, Paperback
Published March 12, 2022
97 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 10, 2022
I love the books by Mari Silva for three reasons in particular. First, her books are succinct but thorough. For more detail of each subject, the author gives references for further study. Second, the author writes in a way that is easily understood. Maybe most important is that the author is simply a gifted writer. You can tell that she truly enjoys talking about whatever the topic is for that book. She always encourages you to be open and broaden your mind, without any kind of judgement. she literally invites every person to participate and makes it clear that the subject matter is written for everyone...not just a privileged few.
This book is in two parts, the first being Native American Shamanism and the second, Animal Spirit guides. In the first book the author breaks Shamanism down into history, core beliefs, rituals, and dreamwork...and as always, she gives step-by-step help in doing or making something related to the topic. In this case, how to build a dream catcher!
The second book talks about animals in Shamanism. I found her explanation of the difference between animal spirit guides and power animals to be helpful. She discusses how to determine your animal spirit guide, your power animal, and the various things one can do with your animal spirit and power animals. She gives lists and details on how to perform certain rituals.
I think the final thing I so appreciate, not just in this book but in her other books too, is her tremendous respect for the subject. In this case it is the study of Shamanism as well as Spirit Guides. She encourages the reader to do the same. As always Ms. Silva gives us what I would call a resource library at the end of the book, for further study. Well done.
This book is in two parts, the first being Native American Shamanism and the second, Animal Spirit guides. In the first book the author breaks Shamanism down into history, core beliefs, rituals, and dreamwork...and as always, she gives step-by-step help in doing or making something related to the topic. In this case, how to build a dream catcher!
The second book talks about animals in Shamanism. I found her explanation of the difference between animal spirit guides and power animals to be helpful. She discusses how to determine your animal spirit guide, your power animal, and the various things one can do with your animal spirit and power animals. She gives lists and details on how to perform certain rituals.
I think the final thing I so appreciate, not just in this book but in her other books too, is her tremendous respect for the subject. In this case it is the study of Shamanism as well as Spirit Guides. She encourages the reader to do the same. As always Ms. Silva gives us what I would call a resource library at the end of the book, for further study. Well done.
November 25, 2022
Informative, but also ambiguous at times about whether it was presenting core ideas of Shamanism, or the author’s opinions about Shamanism.
The information about Shamanism was interesting and the author was clearly familiar with a lot of Native American traditions. At times he referred to Tibetan Shamanism (40%). Some of the ideas seemed to have similarities with Nordic Shamanism and I would have welcomed some comparisons and clarifications.
Less effective was the authors attempts to explain Shamanism by appeals to Quantum Physics and the energies of the universe. It was also problematic to see the way that some potentially genuine medical issues were described. The description of the symptoms of soul loss sounded comparable to some of the symptoms of medical depression. Rather than just talk about how a Sharman might treat it, I would have expected the book to remind readers of the need to (also) consult a qualified medical practitioner.
Throughout the book I was unclear what were the authors’ opinions and what was authentic Sharmanic teaching. For example we heard that rattles are a ‘vital’ tool for a Sharman. Is that true of all Sharmanism? Or is that what the author thinks?
In places there were ambiguous claims. Apparently Sharmanism has the ‘more advanced’ viewpoint on dying (11%). But it was not clear what it is more advanced than. It seems to believe in Reincarnation, so presumably it was being contrasted with a traditional Christianity (?). Yet we hear that people are reincarnated, but also that they go to live in the clouds. It was unclear how, and to what extent, both those perspectives could be the case. And how can people consult their ancestors, if those ancestors have been reincarnated?
We were also told things like a Sharman’s knife will cut the cords of energy draining a person’s spiritual vitality away (23%). So the knife mustn’t be used for other things, otherwise it will lose its ‘strength.’ Is this a claim that the knife will lose its sharpness, but then how can cutting spiritual entities require a physical sharpness? And if strength is not sharpness, then why should using a Sharman’s knife for a physical activity, detract from its spiritual power?
By the end of the book I had a lot of unanswered questions about the meaning and coherence of some of the claims being made in the book. That was disappointing as the book took care to clarify the accuracy of some issues, like a distinction between a ‘power animal’ and ‘an animal spiritual guide’ (54%). But then it did not clarify other issues. For example, in some traditions soul loss might be explained as demonic possession. Why assume a Sharmanic interpretation of soul loss, rather than the other interpretation?
Particularly concerning was the fact that some of the claims made in the book sounded potentially abusive. For example we heard that in Maidu Shamanism the heirs of a Sharman will die unless they become a Sharman (7%). If people are telling children that, then that sounds like potential child abuse. No child should be forced into career choices with threats of death. Disappointingly the book failed to take a position on that kind of claim.
Overall: not a book I would recommend.
The information about Shamanism was interesting and the author was clearly familiar with a lot of Native American traditions. At times he referred to Tibetan Shamanism (40%). Some of the ideas seemed to have similarities with Nordic Shamanism and I would have welcomed some comparisons and clarifications.
Less effective was the authors attempts to explain Shamanism by appeals to Quantum Physics and the energies of the universe. It was also problematic to see the way that some potentially genuine medical issues were described. The description of the symptoms of soul loss sounded comparable to some of the symptoms of medical depression. Rather than just talk about how a Sharman might treat it, I would have expected the book to remind readers of the need to (also) consult a qualified medical practitioner.
Throughout the book I was unclear what were the authors’ opinions and what was authentic Sharmanic teaching. For example we heard that rattles are a ‘vital’ tool for a Sharman. Is that true of all Sharmanism? Or is that what the author thinks?
In places there were ambiguous claims. Apparently Sharmanism has the ‘more advanced’ viewpoint on dying (11%). But it was not clear what it is more advanced than. It seems to believe in Reincarnation, so presumably it was being contrasted with a traditional Christianity (?). Yet we hear that people are reincarnated, but also that they go to live in the clouds. It was unclear how, and to what extent, both those perspectives could be the case. And how can people consult their ancestors, if those ancestors have been reincarnated?
We were also told things like a Sharman’s knife will cut the cords of energy draining a person’s spiritual vitality away (23%). So the knife mustn’t be used for other things, otherwise it will lose its ‘strength.’ Is this a claim that the knife will lose its sharpness, but then how can cutting spiritual entities require a physical sharpness? And if strength is not sharpness, then why should using a Sharman’s knife for a physical activity, detract from its spiritual power?
By the end of the book I had a lot of unanswered questions about the meaning and coherence of some of the claims being made in the book. That was disappointing as the book took care to clarify the accuracy of some issues, like a distinction between a ‘power animal’ and ‘an animal spiritual guide’ (54%). But then it did not clarify other issues. For example, in some traditions soul loss might be explained as demonic possession. Why assume a Sharmanic interpretation of soul loss, rather than the other interpretation?
Particularly concerning was the fact that some of the claims made in the book sounded potentially abusive. For example we heard that in Maidu Shamanism the heirs of a Sharman will die unless they become a Sharman (7%). If people are telling children that, then that sounds like potential child abuse. No child should be forced into career choices with threats of death. Disappointingly the book failed to take a position on that kind of claim.
Overall: not a book I would recommend.
May 28, 2024
Def go for this package deal. I recommend both books, so getting them bundled is a great choice. The first book begins with a bird's eye view into the shamanic practices of a deep variety of individual Native American tribes that turned out to be way more rich, informative, and widely inclusive than I ever expected from an overview. Next is a deep dive into the difference between Animal Spirit Guides, Shamanic Totems, and Power Animals. I found that incredibly interesting and informative. I also found her detailed instructions on the many various routes to discovering your own animal guides and power animals super in-depth and useful. You'll literally get step by step instructions, with context, on how to get into the meditative state and then how to retrieve your spirit animal. If the first book is the How of the subject, the second book is the Who. It's there that you'll find your resource book of animals A-Z.
The ending of the first book continues on to the second book so seamlessly that you might miss the fact that you've started a whole new book. There is a wee bit of overlap, but honestly I'd say they're more born to be together than retread or repetitive.
The first book is fabulous on audiobook from start to finish, as there are no lists through which you'll want to skip around. The A-Z descriptions of animals and their meanings make up the last portion of the second book. So there's quite a bit you can learn from book 2 on audiobook as well. But you'll want a hard/kindle copy as a companion for when you want to thumb through it looking for specific animals. I have zero regrets that I bought it in both audio and kindle formats. In fact, the kindle bundle was wicked cheap on Amazon.
On the fence? Get them.
The ending of the first book continues on to the second book so seamlessly that you might miss the fact that you've started a whole new book. There is a wee bit of overlap, but honestly I'd say they're more born to be together than retread or repetitive.
The first book is fabulous on audiobook from start to finish, as there are no lists through which you'll want to skip around. The A-Z descriptions of animals and their meanings make up the last portion of the second book. So there's quite a bit you can learn from book 2 on audiobook as well. But you'll want a hard/kindle copy as a companion for when you want to thumb through it looking for specific animals. I have zero regrets that I bought it in both audio and kindle formats. In fact, the kindle bundle was wicked cheap on Amazon.
On the fence? Get them.
April 11, 2022
Spirituality is Knowing
Mari Silva's mystical books are great at explaining the history and the ideas and rituals of Natural Spirituality, the message I most understood is that to be in touch and in balance you have to continue learning knowing. I highly recommend both books for those interested in Natural Spirituality.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mari Silva's mystical books are great at explaining the history and the ideas and rituals of Natural Spirituality, the message I most understood is that to be in touch and in balance you have to continue learning knowing. I highly recommend both books for those interested in Natural Spirituality.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 7, 2022
The American Shamanism and Animal Spirit Guides was a very interesting read. It has a lot of interesting facts and history. Mari Silva did a wonderful job of compiling the book.
April 13, 2022
excellent!
Wonderfully written. Easy to understand and digest. Very informative! I highly suggest this book as a wonderful beginner’s initial read!
Wonderfully written. Easy to understand and digest. Very informative! I highly suggest this book as a wonderful beginner’s initial read!
May 28, 2024
I enjoyed this quite a bit on audiobook, but you'll definitely want a printed/kindle version so that you can flip to the animals of interest to you. I even enjoyed listening to all the animal spirit guide descriptions on audiobook, one after the other, which surprised me. But I'll be consulting my kindle copy as a reference book when I need to look something up.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews