The Shaman's Body: A New Shamanism for Transforming Health, Relationships, and the Community

by Arnold Mindell

From the author of Dreambody - a pioneering method of using crisis as a dynamic opportunity for accessing our inner world, confronting our fears, and catalyzing self-discovery.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Philosophy, Occult, Religion, Relationships

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1993

Reviews

[Ron Wroblewski · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you read Carlos Castaneda books about don Juan, you know what this book is about, since the author quotes those books in every chapter. Am glad I read Carlos Castaneda first, makes it easier to understand Mindell. Chapters on The Hunter, The Warrior, The Ally. Chapter on being in two places at the same time.
"A shaman is a man who has immediate, concrete experiences with gods and spirits. he sees them face to face, he talks with them, prays to them, implores them - but he does not control more than a limited number of them."
Here is why I have no interest in this lifestyle:
"Meetings with allies are presaged in nightmarish childhood dreams in which you barely escape the monster's clutches. ..At every point, as you continue through life, monsters seem to threaten your ability to adapt by provoking behavior that seems unacceptable. There are the crises of your school days, when the ally makes you act more complicated than your school system or parents wish. Then there are your 20s, during which you tussle with choosing a profession; the ally is always convincing you to change professions or choose one that seems unrealistic. The ally threatens to overturn your whole life, disturbing relationships, and throwing life into apparent confusion. Finally in old age, the demon appears again, making you irritable and impossible, reducing your tolerance for worldly pursuits, and meddling in the affairs of friends and relatives. "

Who would ever want that?

[Aleksej · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first suspicious thing I found reading this book was a fact that the author so many times mentions Don Juan' teachings. This is not good, because The Shaman's Body is positioned as a book about the culture research of shamans, not a retelling of some artwork.
The second is about the practical parts of the book. The strange practical exercises that appear between sections of the book, in fact, are just a common meditation technique and this have nothing in common with dreams.

I can't put just a one star rating only because the author really did a great job for about 30 years in sequence. He investigating and working in different countries, but, unfortunately, we can't see much results in this book. Sometimes it seems like his patients live in a fantasy world, which they themselves invented. As a result - only two stars.

[Abby Wynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think if the author made his statements from the first person this would be a much more interesting read. I felt preached at and, as a practicing shamanic practitioner and psychotherapist, I disagreed with most of what he was preaching. However, the world needs more books combining psychotherapy and shamanism. I guess I'll have to write one too.

[Jonathan Hockey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had to give up on this one for now. Frustrating as some of the content and ideas are interesting, but the authors personality I find off putting. A sense of moralising always in the background, a supercilious kind of tone and style that is not to my liking. Sure, he gets out of that attitude at times, but its too often and too much for me to relax and enjoy this book right now.

[Taka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just the book I needed--

This came to me at exactly the right moment in my life—so many things he said about the hunter, the warrior, the ally, and the path of heart resonated with me and helped me sort out and come to terms with events happening in my life. It also helped that I did sweat lodge back in April and took some Shaman Skills class that's basically the practical version of this book, marrying shamanism and process-oriented psychology. It gets four stars only because the last few chapters widened in scope a little too much for me to be able to connect to their central concerns.

Highly, highly recommended.

[Taylor Ellwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an intriguing book that explores how shamanic traditions can be applied to working with your body and learning from your body. At times, the book does verge on cultural appropriation, but I think the author does try to treat what he writes about with respect. There are useful insights and perspectives about power, about the body, about connecting with spirit. What I fund helpful was considering all the above and my relationship with each. And I know this is a book I'll read again, to see what other insights I gain from it. 

[Tristan Alaba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book! I will need to return to write a more detailed review.

[Niklas Spitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that somehow managed to stay in my pared down travellers library for 20 odd years, until the right moment for it to be picked up for another foray into its pages - and this time, the time is right. (Originally, appropriately given as part of a Shiatsu / bodywork study reading list.)

So far in the reading, I am finding this work to be timeless, relatable (subjective), inspiring, relevant and instructive.

What's of incidental interest, browsing through the negative reviews on a book like this, is they seem to tell me more about the agenda or critic themselves, than the work it self. (Who would have thought.)

[Brandy Swor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is hard to understand. Either it is not comprehensive enough or I probably just need to read into the subject more.

[Tim Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book at a perfect time for me and provided a mind structure for experiential altered states ( 2nd awareness) . Takling such an esoteric topic is tricky in a rationale based world and I found that Arnold Mindell did a great job at balancing his own personal life story, life anecdotes and sources from Don Juan and Casteneda

Big takeways for me include ,

1. giving importance to the 2 nd awareness (universal states of unity ( non dual) and not just the first person duality states that we are taught as the only state to believe in)
2. Dreaming together as a collective group and hope this can change the world and experience
3. Understanding your Allies in life and that all experiences ( either perceived as negative or positive) can be your ally
4. Identifying where you feel yourself as a hunter, warrior, magician in the journey of awakening to the 2nd states of awareness
5. Placing importance on feeling the universal energy of synchronicity and following the feeling and impulses that go beyond the conscious mind and into the unconscious realms ( which is where magic can occur)
6. Taking responsibility for the world’s trajectory by placing the importance on shamanic experiences in shaping the world future (eg dreaming together to envision the new future) and how spirit is contained in all elements of life ( ie everything’s had a vibration) which is Love
7 recognizing that the body has a wisdom in communicating the unconscious through to us through the body form ( pains and pleasure in there body is a shamanic means of the soul communicating to us)

If you are in your spiritual journey and wish to bring some structure to your experiences so the mind can feel better about it , then this is a good read

— narrator was okay - but drab in parts but i got used to her quickly

[R J Royer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is rather interesting even if it is not really what I believe. Some of the ideas are worth noting but I have issues with the basics of the book. I think that the dreaming body is different than the author describes and I feel that this book is for more advanced students of Shamanism than I initially thought.

If you want to follow the author and what he describes you might need to read other books first.

[Scott Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful logos for an approach to manoeuvring through life. Would recommend for the core ideas alone.

Some of the particularities of the concepts and examples felt a bit contrived, and I was irritated that the author leans so heavily on a small number of references (two experiences the author had with indigenous healers, and Carlos castaneda’s work), given the depth of similarity to other shamanic and eastern philosophies.

[Heather Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's so much I resonate with here! The author practices and writes about a deeply connected and spiritual way of being in the world, where the spheres of shamanism and psychology intersect. The lens provided can transform the way you see and interact with the world and its inhabitants. There is untapped richness and meaning in the little things all around us.

[Elan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mindell does a masterful job of weaving shamanistic ideas into the modern world which had lost touch with its roots.

Be advised though, this is not a book that can be absorbed by intellect only - the reader will need to access other senses to grasp this material.

[H.B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shamanism meets psychology and the universe opens up.

[Lindsy Fish · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was not what I expected, but it was worth my reading.

It's a little winding, and at times bizarre, but some concepts presented have been very useful to me in my own practice.

[Valerie Bonnos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book is more of story of the writers account, I just am not impressed.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a brilliant writer

[Lia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly amazing book that has the power to change the world, if people would only listen. It is probably easier to relate to if you have experienced altered states of consciousness, but I would imagine that having read it without such experiences, one would feel the desire to seek them out and feel the magic that Mindell writes about so deftly.

[Joanna Marta Pilatowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books of Arnold Mindell. The way he compared and linked shamanism with psychology makes a simple exercise magical in its outcome. This book can definitely transform one's life. It did mine.

[Luqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am enjoying reading more of Mindell, specially after meeting him. I am looking forward to having a consultation meeting with him (most likely next jan 08)

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful book that is well integrated. I recommend it for anyone that wants to explore shamanism.

[Melissa Wilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, deep, profound. Must read a little at a time to really absorb it all! Great book.

[Ka Mi La · Rating 5 out of 5]

going further, than one usually does in the field of psychotherapy and own experience

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. As if everyone has some Shaman in them waiting to come out.

[Alyssabenner · Rating 2 out of 5]

For school. Some parts were interesting.