Editorial Review

Want to learn how to speak the language of critters, large and small? Easy-to-read and understand, Ted Andrews's bestselling Read more

Reviews (82)

Excellent Reference Book!
This book has been invaluable to me for years.In coming across an animal in life or in dreams, I have derived much insight from the lifecyle and meaning of the animal, and have applied the lessons to my own life.Whether it was a blue jay dying in front of me, or an elephant communicating with me at the circus, we co-exist with the animals on this blue planet and need to hear what they are saying.I also recommend "From the Horses Mouth" by Amelia Kincade, as the best book on animal communication I have read.

Valuable Resource
I have been clutching my copy of Animal Speak for many years now.I am coming today to purchase the workbook which I just discovered and wanted to write a quick review for this amazing book.
Nature speaks to you through animal sightings.
I received this book as a gift after a red tailed hawk made a visit to me every day for a week.In this book, according to Native American traditions, animals relate to us because everything in the earth is connected.There are messages being sent to us by these sightings.A fox runs out across the road (and hopefully, you miss it) not once, but three times?Red tailed hawk sitting on a street light along the highway every day for a week?All of a sudden, a squirrel comes to your yard and does something that catches your attention that you never noticed before?All of that has a message to you and you alone.I recently purchased two of these books as gifts for my sisters.And, they have shared it with their friends who have had similar sightings.Sounds kookie, I know, but it actually will make sense to you when the message is meant for you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies    4. Human-animal communication    5. Miscellanea    6. New Age    7. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    8. Shamanism    9. Spiritualism - General    10. Spirituality - General    11. Spirituality - Shamanism    12. Totems    13. Body, Mind & Spirit / Spirituality / Shamanism    14. Fortune-telling & divination    15. Spirit communication & mediumship, spiritualism    16. Zoology & animal sciences   

Reviews (1)

Enlightening Path
I LOVE this book. The direction and explanation of the Four Insights are multi-layered and clearly put. Powerful exercises are included, and are worth their weight in gold as they train the sub-conscious to a unique and enlightening perspective. As we practice our ability to know and experience these universal insights, our inner world heals, and the outer world follows. Many thanks to the author who took the time to share his wisdom. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Devotional    2. General    3. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    4. Self-Help    5. Shamanism    6. South America    7. Spiritual healing    8. Spirituality - Shamanism    9. Body, Mind & Spirit / New Age   

Reviews (32)

Entertaining...
But...Terance McKenna is much better.They basically are the same thing, bu McKenna does it better.I find Pinchbeck is reapting and rehashing...And that Burning Man thing...that just seems a little wack and West Coastish to me...not that Terance ain't West Coastish...
A Tour-de-force
This is one of the most important (not to mention eminently readable) books I've ever read. I would love to chat it up with the author.
Cocktail party talk
There must be a serious vacuum in today's counter/sub-culture around psychedelics. Daniel thrills us with the confrontation with the Bwiti King around the Iboga ceremony. Beyond telling us about some of his own experiences we get to hear what sounds like the drone of a cocktail party.
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Subjects:  1. Alternate Spirituality    2. General    3. Social Science    4. Sociology    5. Spirituality - Shamanism    6. Social Science / General   

Reviews (36)

A Wonderful Introduction
This book, recommended by a friend, was my initiation into the world of shamanism. I think Harner gives a great overall description of what shamanism is and where it comes from. There's no mystical, magical ramblings. It's very straighforward and based upon the research Michael Harner did personally as an anthropologist. He's taken the mystery out of shamanism, and presents it more as a science, or methodology.
The Inner Journey Awaits~"Hail The Goer!"
'The Way of the Shaman' by anthropologist and practicing shaman Michael Harner does an admirable job in presenting core shammanic beliefs, vivid personal experiences with indigenous practicing cultures and how-to-techniques and training for individual and group shammanic journeying.
Read it if you must-but take it from where it comes.
I have been teaching Shamanic workshops, and practicing Shamanic healing for many years ( never charging a penny for my services).
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Subjects:  1. Ethnic & Tribal    2. Healing - General    3. Literature: Folklore/Mythology    4. Mental healing    5. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    6. Shamanism    7. Witchcraft & Wicca    8. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    9. Religion / Ethnic & Tribal    10. Spirituality   

Reviews (25)

Shaman Tuneup
An excellent book uniting two strands of thought--kundalini and shamanism journeys.This is a book for those of you who have experience with shamanic teachings . . . not a book for those who are beginners.

Concerned
I approached Alberto Villoldo's [AV] tome with an open mind since a member of my family is now engaged in AV's shaman training.With each page I became more concerned for her welfare and stability.By the time I finished Shaman, Healer, Sage, Iwas downcast; AV seemed as grounded in reality as a J.K. Rowling fantasy - perhaps even less so.I know all too well that I can't intervene; she'll have to learn on her own how to distinguish fact from fiction, the healer from the promoter.

A peice of the whole
This book offers you one important aspect of shamanism, dealing with the luminous body.However, shamanism also includes many other approaches to sensing, feeling and seeing, and many lack the ability to do so.If you check out www.holisticawareness.org, they offer distance initiations to awaken the shaman within, then you can better integrate the concepts within this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Healing    2. Healing - Prayer & Spiritual    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Mental healing    6. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    7. Shamanism    8. South America    9. Spiritual healing    10. Spirituality - Shamanism    11. Health & Fitness / Healing   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Case studies    3. Korea    4. Shamanism    5. Women   

Reviews (2)

Tools for Earth Stewards
In "Clearing" Jim Ewing shares his insights and gives tools for tending to spaces (lands and buildings) that need energetic clearing. He teaches readers how to return to their core, awaken their intuition, and become efficient stewards of our energetically charged surroundings. Learn how to recognize zones where stagnant and dead energies are blocking the natural flow of life. This book teaches how to partner with the earth spirits by using healing intentions and powerful affirmation statements. Jim Ewing is a respected teacher/shaman with exceptional heart and wisdom. His heart beats in a rhythm that instinctively coincides with nature. Jim's teachings will help you find the "Stillpoint" that resides within you.

Words from the Ancestors
I have known PathFinder for several years now, and have always found his words to be filled with the knowledge and truth passed down from the Ancestors.The information and instruction that PathFinder passes on to the reader can be utilized by all people wishing to surround themselves with positive energy and create their own sacred spaces.
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Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Healing - General    3. New Age    4. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    5. Spirituality - Shamanism    6. Body, Mind & Spirit / Mental & Spiritual Healing    7. Parapsychology, psychic powers, ESP   

Reviews (37)

Eye Opener
This book at the very least will give you another life. A life of vivid dreams, new experiences and lucidity. This book holds great lessons, humour, suspense and some fear. It matters not if you believe that all the events have happened, the lessons are true. After all the world was flat, right? Even if you do not read any of Carlos' other great works, you will still gain much insight on the art of dreaming. However this book, along with The Journey to Ixtlan, has inspired me to buy all of his works. I emplore the open-minded individual to attain a copy of this book and see the benifits for yourself. It is truely a masterpiece.

Back and Forth
The motion of reading a work such as this: back and forth. I've read a bit of Castenada (primarily his first book) and I read this out of an interest in Dreaming. I've seen a lot of reviews here. My advice is simple: mix all the reviews together mentally, and you'll gain a sense for Castenada. But then, forget that sense entirely and approach this book fresh, with an open-mind. It's difficult for me to know how to read Castaneda.
This is the second Castaneda book that I have picked up. I honestly probably would not have picked up a second except that I have been doing some research on dreaming and it was recommended to me.
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Subjects:  1. 1891-    2. Don,    3. Dreams    4. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies - Spirituality    5. Juan,    6. New Age    7. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    8. Spirituality - Shamanism    9. Body, Mind & Spirit / General   

Reviews (6)

Your Best Resource on Shamanism
Combining the cross-cultural scholarship of Eliade's "Shamanism" and the experiential teachings of Harner's "Way of the Shaman," Kalweit's "Dreamtime and Inner Space" has remained the single most useful work on shamanism in my research library. Fascinating, readable, and accessible, this is a book to refer back to again and again. Kalweit is a believer, but he is an educated believer. He presents the reader with shamanic experiences from a multiplicity of cultures, teaching techniques through the stories of shamans from around the world. If you have any interest at all in this subject, "Dreamtime and Inner Space" is a book you must own.

Delves into Shamanism and doesn't get swamped in New Age
Really wonderful book. I happened across it in my college library. It isn't a story and he isn't selling an idea. It brings to light how a person comes to be recognized as a shaman. He explores how the individual is transformed from a normal person into a shaman through a traumatic event or illness.Once the transformation is complete that person can never return to her former self or know her former and 'normal' consciousness again. Fascinating stuff.

THE Book on Shamanism
I cannot emphasize it enough, this is one of the most definitive books on shamanism available to the public at large. This book goes into extensive details about the practices and rites of Shamanism. The author writes about the indigenous religions of societies from North and South America, Africa, Australia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Siberia, Polynesia and Nepal. I strongly recommend this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asian And Oriental Religions    2. Folklore & Mythology    3. Leadership    4. New Age / Parapsychology    5. Parapsychology    6. Psychical research    7. Psychology    8. Shamanism    9. Shamans    10. Witchcraft & Wicca    11. Social Science / Folklore & Mythology   

Reviews (5)

A definitive manual for students of what is known in metaphysical studies as "shamanic journeying"

Why do you need so much help to live your life?
I agree that at 78 pages it's a fast simple read, Although, I have a hard time with the fact that If you tell anyone you are a Shaman you will lose your power. I also had a hard time with Journeying to ask life questions such as; How should I handle a certian situation, What should I do....or better yet, have someone else Journey for you to ask these questions.I don't get it.If you need this much help to live YOUR life...then why bother. I get the fact of Journeying for enlightenment, but I think the Author needs more help than just journeying.I'm looking to enlighten my life/spirit not journey so my power animal/teacher can tell me how to live my life.
Simple and Great Overview of Shamanic Journeying
This book is very simple to read and to understand for beginners of Shamanic Journeying.I still believe one book won't explain all in this topic.However, it is a great start and it is like a children book.I thought the CD is exceptionally helpful for the sake of journeying.I had a great opportunity doing real-life shamanic journeying with a Shaman in town where he would play the drum and ask us to lay down, relax and journey.The drum beats in the CD are pretty similar to my real-life experience... though I would still prefer the real-life druming if given an opportunity.
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Subjects:  1. Alternate Spirituality    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies    4. New Age    5. Spirituality - General    6. Spirituality - Shamanism    7. North America    8. Religion: general   

Reviews (34)

enthralling
After reading all Castaneda's other works, this one seems to tie them all together in a most favorable way. Read start to finish, randomly, backwards or just a bit at a time. All of Don Juan Matus' remarks are truly magical.

The Active Side of Infinity
I have read and enjoyed all of the books written by Carlos Castaneda, with the exception of The Second Ring of Power.However, for the first time, in his book The Active Side of Infinity, I felt that Carlos Castaneda was revealing more about himself, than he had ever done in any of his previous works.I found this book to be an excellent synopsis of his life both before his apprenticeship and during his apprenticeship with don Juan.If you, like me, have been bedazzled by all of the information contained in his earlier works, you will find this a marvellous book for consolidating much of the information that you have read but not truly internalised.

Stellar!
We are all indebted to Carlos Castaneda. This certainly is one of his best books. An incredibly moving and illuminating experience to read... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies - Spirituality    4. Fiction    5. Mysticism    6. Spirituality - Shamanism    7. Body, Mind & Spirit / Mysticism   

Reviews (31)

This book changed my life
I read this book in the midst of discovering the myriad of hidden truths about african history.Being African American myself I have spent many years trying to undo the backwards education that I was subjected to about my culture in this country by doing extensive research.
An unforgettable book
A riveting and beautiful mystical story that encompasses many lessons that we all could learn from. I could feel Malidoma's pain in his struggle with the evil criminals that complicated his life. This book is absolutely wonderful for all who appreciate the mysteries of existence but it also has many very important lessons that the Africans in America and the diaspora would do well to take notice of.In my opinion,this book should be in schools.

A mixed blessing
Malidoma Some's book is truly a mixed blessing! He writes about his personal experiences and life journey, about the spirituality of his people and the contrasts between the African Mindset and the ideas and pre-conceptions of Western people/white people.
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Subjects:  1. Africa - General    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. General    4. Sociology    5. Biography: general    6. Body, Mind & Spirit / Spirituality / Shamanism    7. Spirituality   

Reviews (50)

Dr. Narby's Wild Ride
Jeremy Narby's The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge, started out decently enough with Narby reminiscing about his days doing field work in the Amazon Basin and from there he goes over some interesting ideas regarding DNA and Serpent Myths but then all goes down hill as he suddenly becomes a follower of Intelligent Design and makes an all out attack on Darwinian Evolution and Science itself.
The DNA/World Serpent Enigma
"The Cosmic Serpent" is doubly themed. One theme is that of the symbol of the creator serpent (or twin serpents) as the source of knowledge and of all life itself. The other theme is that of DNA which in our modern western world-view is the source of all life and all organic information. These two threads are wound about in a spiraling narrative like the double helix of the DNA molecule or the twin serpents found in the timeless myths of cultures the world over. A fascinating and thought provoking journey
This fascinating and thought provoking book chronicles the anthropoligist's journey of discovery in South America with the local peoples and with the hallucinagenic ayahuasca. He explores interesting similarities between modern science and the knowledge of ancient healers and cultures.Thought provoking to the last. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drug use    2. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies - Tribes    3. Hallucinogenic drugs    4. Indians of South America    5. Life Sciences - Biochemistry    6. Life Sciences - Biology - General    7. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    8. Peru    9. Science    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Shamanism    12. Sociology    13. DNA    14. Popular science    15. Social Science / Anthropology / General   

Reviews (6)

Great Start to a Spiritual Path
I do not understand how anyone could find Mr. Meadows works to be disrespectful to Native Americans.He states in his books that he has collected his knowledge from numerous sources and is not locking in a "single" aspect of this knowledge, but several. Native Americans (and I am half Choctaw)should rejoice in more Americans learning Native ways.After all, most people no longer have respect for our planet or the other life forms here & the planet and animal & plant species are all suffering from this.Mr. Meadows works are a great start to understanding this and helping find the "Spirit Within".He also explains in his books that Shamanism is a Practice,a way of life, not a religion.I think it's a good read and well worth the time and money!

Plastic Shamanism
I do not recommend any of Kenneth Meadow's books. He is what many American Indians would call a "plastic shaman," in other words a fake. He fails to mention that the beliefs he has taken are mainly Lakota beliefs, in other words he practically generalizes all American Indian tribes as if they have all the same beliefs. Which is definitely not the case. One of his sources is Harley Swiftdeer. Swiftdeer was officially kicked out of the Cherokee nation because of making sacred beliefs become public.
answered a lot of my questions about life!!
This book is excellent! It DOES come after a companion book, though. I've been a Wiccan for over 10 years, but had never read a book so "dead-on!" It let me realize that the Native American community and their views are-in MY opinion- right up there with what people like Einstein and Prof. Hawking have to offer! Trust me, folks....they know what's up with life, and why we're here!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Health & Fitness    2. Health Care Issues    3. Indians of North America    4. Medicine wheels    5. Miscellanea    6. Native American Studies - Spirituality    7. Native American Studies - Tribes    8. New Age    9. New Age / Parapsychology    10. North America    11. Religion    12. Shamanism    13. Spiritualism    14. Ethnic studies    15. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    16. Specific disorders & therapies   

Reviews (10)

From the eyes OF a Lakota
I will try and refrain from being too harsh here, however...I feel this needs to be said from someone who actually knows something about these things.(I am Oglala Lakota) First off, if you want to know the TRUTH about Lakota spirituality, don't buy a book from some European out to make a quick buck. This book, as well as his others are filled with pieces from this and that, speculation and cliche' and has little to nothing to do with the truth. (The Lakota people do not, nor ever have had "Shamans") This type of book not only serves to perpetuate the disintigration of our sacred ways, but it also dishes out lies, misconceptions, and other non-truths. I highly suggest that this, and books like it, not be supported so that those who are truly searching, won't have to be loaded down with junk, before they find the true treasure.

Learn About Yourself
I was first introduced to this book almost seven years ago.I was immediately intrigued by what I read, and ever since, I have had a vast respect and interest in Native American philosophy and teachings.
Disappointing...
Mr. Meadows is known for his "Shamanic" genre writing, though this is the first book of his I have read.I wanted to explore some of the history of earth based spirituality, and with that expectation found this book very disappointing.Mr. Meadows paints incredibly huge strokes, covering thousands of years of spiritual life, shoe horning it into the Medicine Wheel, and doing so in the space of 90 pages.He makes statements that begin like Aristotlian proof theorems, and spin into grandiose New Age spiritual idealisms.His descriptions of what "Amerindians" (now I am really getting ill) believed or didn't believe no doubt has Native Americans everywhere rolling on the floor or in their graves.Meadows tries to do way too much and is ill equiped to handle his subject matter, both academically and poetically. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternate Spirituality    2. Alternative Medicine    3. Indians of North America    4. Medical    5. Native American Studies - Spirituality    6. New Age    7. North America    8. Religion    9. Religious aspects    10. Self-realization    11. Shamanism    12. Spirituality - Shamanism    13. Systems Of Medicine   

Reviews (17)

consciousness meets reality
i have read all of castaneda's works, and at the time believed them to be nonfiction. i have since come to my senses, but appreciate castaneda's value all the same, albeit with a lessened cult-of-personality affect.
For Semi-Aware Semi-Spiritualists
Carlos Castaneda picked up some adherents who saw him as a mystic philosopher with access to the great mysteries of knowledge, but he was more of an early version of today's self-help hucksters who are convinced that their contrived allusions to poorly-defined spiritualism actually make them messianic gurus. The main problem is Castaneda's supposed teacher Don Juan, who is deified as a pure and noble shaman who disdains the spiritual emptiness of modern western society. But Don Juan's character is laughably thin and inconsistent, as the righteous shaman of the small Indian village somehow voices all of Castaneda's westernized opinions.If Don Juan truly existed, which is highly doubtful, he would have been one of those "gurus" who drew gullible drugged-out hippies into his cult to provide him with free stuff.But actually, the same could be said about Carlos Castaneda. He either made lots of rubes fall for his half-baked spirituality, or convinced himself of the reality of his own imagination.