The Shaman and Ayahuasca: Journeys to Sacred Realms

by Don Jose Campos, Geraldine Overton (Editor), Alberto Roman (Translator)

More and more Ayahuasca has come to the attention of the Western media. Used by the shamans of Peru , the rituals and practices around this psychoactive plant-based brew date back 50-70,000 years as evidenced by rock and cave paintings found the world over. Through their use of Ayahuasca, Shamans establish contact with the spirit world which they call upon to aid them in their healing practices, understanding of the cosmos, and how to live well in the world.
In The Shaman & Ayahuasca, internationally respected Peruvian shaman Don Jose´ Campos illuminates the practices and benefits of Ayahuasca with grace and gentleness, while expressing respect and gratitude for the gifts Ayahuasca has bestowed on him throughout the 25 years he has been a practicing shaman. He takes the reader on a journey through his own discovery of other worlds, other dimensions, ‘alien’ entities and ‘plant teachers.’ The Shaman & Ayahuasca gives an overview of an entire cosmology with the potential to benefit all of mankind. It is the perfect book to introduce readers to the profound experiences of Ayahuasca.

Genres: Spirituality, Anthropology, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Reference, Travel, Psychology

200 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2011

Reviews

[Ard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not by far the most interesting book I have ever read about ayahuasca, everything but. The problem is not that it's so short, it's just too shallow. It's basically an extended interview with a real indiginous vegetalisto in the amazon, which is interesting enough by itself. But there's very little structure and the writer allows the good man to sometimes just ramble on and never really get a little deeper into the subject. From the perspective of an ayahuascero, I think "Ayahuasca in my Blood" from Peter Gorman is much, much more interesting and better written. This one may be an easy introduction for the interested reader but hardly more than that.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely little book, very easy and quick to read. I enjoyed Don Jose's writing style. My only critique is the occasional negative viewpoint expressed by the author, or the projected exclusivity of healing work. Mainly, his viewpoints are very loving and open, so it might have just been in my read of certain parts. I would recommend the book highly.

[Madeleine Moreland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped me better understand the curandero I worked with in Peru, Don Jose, as he can be aloof and mysterious. The book itself wasn't well organized and had interjections from other writers that were unnecessary. However I enjoyed the parts from Don Jose himself and learning more about his training and personal life. He is a very humble man and I appreciate his reverence for the plants we worked with.

[Allegra Gulino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was excellent. Unlike some dry, anthropological books on Shamanism, this is a first person account of a ayahuascaro's journey to becoming a healer in plant medicine. Campos uses language in a simple, almost zen way, that's easy to read and full of humor. There are also sections of first hand accounts of some of his friends/clients. Every part is full of insights and wonderful stories.
The author states that reading the book is his medicine offering to readers, and I found that was absolutely true. Though you may want to breeze through it (and it's not very long), resist. Give yourself time to absorb every new chapter. I've been to the Peruvian jungles and taken ayahuasca a few times, and am also a Shaman. Trust me, it's true that this book has its own energy. Reading it brought me viscerally back to those times (my last journey there was in 2017). It reawakened some of my plant journeys, as well as the delightful, loving and protected feeling that participating in the ceremonies with Shamans bestowed on all.
This is real keeper and an excellent gift. Read this book.

[Dide · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing led me to this book by chance and while the 'thing' is yet to produce clarity, I am very grateful for the chance insight I have come across whilst reading this book.
I chuckled a number of times not because the book was funny per se but because I felt it funny that after so many years of my living so far and shunning topics like this as hocus-pocus, I found myself genuinely intrigued despite the older and supposed wiser me I have become.
Bottom line, I am intrigued and likely to seek more insight. I think right now there is a time for everything...some get it earlier and others later. The objective is all the same I suppose - getting there.

[Joseph Gendron · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think this book alone would entice anyone to try ayahuasca. It does present some of the cultural aspects of the nature and use of this plant medicine and the work of a lineage of shamans, and one individual in particular, who share it with wisdom seekers and people who are struggling with physical, mental and/or spiritual issues. Response to the medicine is highly individualistic and like other psychotropic substances, dependent to a large degree on setting and individual intent.

[Dale]

Candid and conversational journey into the medicine

Great and candid book; it reads like a nice and warm chat with an old friend who provides a good look at what it means to be a curandero.. The birth of the icaro, dietas, soplandos.. A lot of information on these shamanic elements is provided..

[Arrie Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great supplement to Ayahuasca In My Blood although everyone should read Ayahuasca in my blood if they had to choose.

[Miya (severe pain struggles, slower at the moment) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So incredibly interesting and beautiful. These types of stories need to be heard. It's absolutely mindblowing. For anyone interested in plant medicine and healing, this book is awesome.

[Hans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over abundance of material wealth can easily translate into intellectual and spiritual arrogance that blinds us to the deeper wisdoms of the beauty and wonders of reality right in front of our eyes. Simplicity is naturally unattractive but is also where true wisdoms hides. Like distracted children we all chase after the shiny objects of life missing the profound joy In mystery of life that lies inside of each of us. The more we focus on the external the more disconnected we become from ourselves. Don Jose Campos’ book is a clarion call back to our own inner wisdom that resides inside each of us, not in books, gurus, or religious traditions but deep inside our own minds and hearts to remember we are all children of the stars. We are not aliens on our planet but emanations of it. Mental health requires a deep grounding centered inside our journey of healing our broken stories and this book illuminates one path towards that through traditional native plant Medicine. Something western governments and western civilization has promoted a tremendous amount of fear around despite the promising testimonials of the thousands who have had dramatic transformations and healings.

The time has come to recognize how much arrogance has become a sickness that only keeps humanity sick and to appreciate all of humanity’s collective wisdom traditions.

[Patrick Eita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don Jose is definitely an amazing character with a very interesting personality and many lessons to give. But personally I think the authors didn't explored him and the other characters deep enough. What you have at the end is a very superficial trial of a biography. The good parts are when the authors make their testimonials of the ceremonies. Anyway, even talking about the plant itself or it's context inside the Shipibo culture the book gives only very superficial information.

[Kristjan Keres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a simple, diverse and nice intro to the magic and powers of ayahuasca. All written in the first-person shamanic view, giving a broad overview both of the plant’s past, present and generally what it is all about (traditions, rituals, reflections). Loved the small stories here and there!

Especially good read when one has already had a ceremony or two, to relate better with the other experiences described throughout the book, and understand what a vast potential it has.

🙏

[Siniša · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those “let me tell you a story…” books. My intuition tells me it’s message is in the right place, but I’ve had a hidden desire for it to be shredded to pieces by an editor more than few times. Worth reading, but worth writing less so.

[Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review

It was good but I was expecting more in depth information about the shaman and his role in the journey.

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I read this book I could almost hear Don Jose's voice as he shared his experience and knowledge with such simple language.

[Lela Roby]

Eh

[Sophie Reyno · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're interested in the material this is a real beautiful book full of interesting personal ayahuasca journey stories. A quick and easy read but profound! Read it!

[Dr Goon Taco Supreme · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, although it was written in a very simple style. I think the fact that it was written in English took away some of the potential poetry and depth of the Shaman's words. Probably the closest I will ever get to meeting a 'real' shaman is through a book, and I must say, the informal nature of this book makes it seem intimate. Reading this book is almost like talking to a real Shaman!

[Pinar · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was written in a very simple style. I don't like the idea that using some herbal things/leaves/mashrooms that fasten your process of understanding the world part instead of meditation etc. But it is shamanism :) maybe nice introduction to ayahuasca shamanism.

And it is underlined in the book that you can not learn this things from the books.. In that sense it was a bit unnecessary reading for me.

[C.G. Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strong and haunting personal account of shamanistic experiences in the Amazon jungle. The author is an Amazon nativo, and his account is one of frank and unrefined experience with little in the way of sophistication, and it reads so much better for it. Don Jose has been truthful and humble in his account of his life.

[Joseph D'Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's astonishing to realise that such a powerful force for physical and spiritual healing exists in this Amazonian plant. The author's explanation of his relationship with Ayahuasca and other medicinal plants was inspiring in its simplicity and sincerity. A wonderful book.

[Erik Lomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspective on the role/culture of South American Vegetalistas & Shamans. I feel like the order, selection, and narrative style of Don Jose's stories aid in bringing you to the right mind-set about this plant in a subtle way. This was an interesting, quick read.

[Kirk Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disregarding Burrough's Yage Letters, which aims for something else entirely, this is easily the best book on ayahuasca I've seen, striking a fine balance between information and spiritualism. Indispensable if you're thinking about taking ayahuasca.

[Benjamin Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

The language in this story was very simple and beautiful. It was such an easy book to read, like an old friend, or a new friend. My interest in having an experience with Ayahuasca has definitely been piqued and yet, my wariness of finding the right Shaman is also heightened.

[Giovanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book. Don Jose Campos is the real deal. I feel like this is an essential part of one's reading list if they're interested in shamanism and Ayahuasca.

[Nathik Salam]

Was a very interesting book, recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about the shaman culture and ayahuasca.

[Sarah]

I liked this, simple and nice. Written by Peruvian vegetalista, Don Jose Campos.