5 comments about Black Elk Speaks.

1. As I recall, it was one of those hot, smoggy summer days in LA. We were sitting on a park bench in the shade. The park was one of those anonymous lttle collections of half-watered, half-dead grassy spots that dot the LA sprawl. Present were Manuel, his wife Vera chief of what was left of the Huhumonga tribe (Gabrielino, in Spanish), and several of us white activists. We were all working to preserve the remaining sage scrub beds (a sacred plant to Western tribes) from San Bernardino area developers. Now, Manuel, as long as I had known him, was a mild-mannered man, content to let Vera make decisions for those Gabrielinos still active in tribal affairs. Maybe, it was the summer heat or the unruly kids playing nearby, I don't know. But suddenly Manuel jumped from the bench, strode over to the several families with the kids, and in a stern and steady voice proceeded to remind them that all the land upon which they now walked and drove had once belonged to his people who had peaceably roamed the land. A moment later, he returned, and we resumed without comment. But I've never forgotten that moment, not because it was embarrassing for Manuel or for the bewildered families who had no idea who he was, but for what it demonstrated to me. That even in the middle of one of America's great cities, having long ago replaced the vast beds of coastal sage and peaceable people, there remain ghostly encounters with a very real pre-European past.
   
   And that's the sort of glimpse Black Elk Speaks provides in wonderful detail. The past comes alive through the proverbial eyes of a revered man whose people have been overly villified or overly romanticized, but rarely portrayed in all their human complexity. Black Elk, I think, manages the complexity as he recounts experiences from boyhood through young adulthood. From the poetically practical names of people and months, eg. Moon of the Grass Appearing (April), to the migrations across traditional lands, to the historic battles with the Wasichus (white men), to the Ogalalas' end at Wounded Knee, the reader is immersed in a strange and vanished culture. It's said in the notes that the Indian Black Elk and the white man John Neihardt possessed something of a common spirit that communicated across racial and linguistic barriers. As it reads, the seamlessly flowing narrative demonstrates something of a communal overlap, a kind of deeper commonality. The book's centerpiece revolves around the nine year-old Black Elk's Great Vision, recounted here in all its colorful and lyrical detail. Whatever the prophetic value, the strength of Black Elk's Vision clearly guided and infused him for the remainder of his life, and provides a powerful potrait of another people's wishes and dreams.
   
   Frankly, I've never put much stock in the metaphysics of visions, whether of the white man's Biblical variety or the Native American's pantheistc kind. But I have to confess that when I compare America's great national vision of Manifest Destiny with Black Elk's, I much prefer the latter. It's certainly more poetic and a lot less threatening to the planet. Something like that, I believe, is where the real value of looking at the world through the eyes of others lies. Perhaps it's the best way for a skeptic like me to expand his own consciousness, and share a vanished time and place as I did for a brief moment on that long ago park bench.



2. Black Elk Speaks is a 1932 autobiography of an Oglala Sioux medicine man as told to John Neihardt.
   
   In the summer of 1930, as part of his research into the Native American perspective on the Ghost Dance movement, Neihardt contacted an Oglala holy man named Black Elk, who had been present as a young man at the 1876 Battle of the Little Big Horn and the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre. As Neihardt tells the story, Black Elk gave him the gift of his life's narrative, including the visions he had had and some of the Oglala rituals he had performed. The two men developed a close friendship. The book Black Elk Speaks, grew from their conversations continuing in the spring of 1931, and is now Neihardt's most familiar work.
   
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Elk_Speaks



3. I really hoped that this book was some kind of visionary look at what actually happened to the American Indians, but it is not that!
   
   Mostly it's just bad writing and a rather obvious con-job, and that makes me really sad, because what the American Indian has endured, is much more than this..the metaphors that are needed to really understand what happened to native humans in this country, are NOT in this book...



4. This book is very different from many others that I have read about Native Americans. It feels as though Black Elk is there having a conversation with you. A very personal book. Provides valuable insights to life no matter what your ethnic background.



5. I have to disagree with some people's assessment of this title. I found this book to be very insightful and very intimate in nature. I suppose for non-fiction I do tend to a have preference for books that have an approachable, if not conversational style. And that is really what this feels like. Black Elk recounts his life and spiritual experience with beautiful imagery that proves to be quite profound in its simplicity. While the Native American culture is highly romanticized through many works by people not of that ethnicity, I think this book gives readers something that the others don't. A look into the lives of Native Americans through their eyes. Real, flawed, but genuine. While many might think that Black Elk may despise the white man for his ways and the treatment of his people, there is a great understanding that underlies his words that displays a great respect for his fellow man regardless of skin color. Neihardt and Black Elk were kindred spirits and this comes through. In the end, like Chief Seattle said before him, Black Elk serves to remind readers of man's connection to the earth and to one another.

5 comments about Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing, and Hallucinogenic Powers.

1. Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing, and Hallucinogenic Powers
   by Richard Evans Schultes, Albert Hofmann, and Christian Rätsch
   
   Publisher:Healing Arts Press/Inner Traditions
   
   Year:2001 (revised and expanded edition)
   
   ISBN:089281979-0
   
   Categories:Book Reviews, Recommended Books
   
   Reviewed by Jon Hanna, 6/26/2007
   
   It may be a rare thing for a second edition of a book to warrant its own review, but such is definitely the case with the new edition of the Schultes' and Hofmann's 1979 classic Plants of the Gods. The updated version was produced as a German translation in 1998 by Christian Rätsch, and Healing Arts Press released the English translation of this in late 2001. It is a thing of beauty.
   
   The primary and most dramatic improvement is the inclusion of numerous new photographs and art images. Although this second edition retains many of the same photos, it introduces a lot of new ones as well. In some cases, the item depicted-such as the statue of Shiva with Datura flowers in his hair (p. 11)-has been revisited with a higher-quality photo. Frequently, black and white images have been replaced with a similar image in stunning full-color. While this works superbly in most cases, there are a few situations-such as the replacement color photo of an aerial view of the Kuluene river (p. 24)-where the original black and white photo was much better. New psychedelic art is featured throughout from the likes of Pablo Amaringo, Walangari Karntawarra Jakamarra, Nana Nauwald, and Donna Torres. There are even some incredible watercolor paintings done by Christian Rätsch himself (think Codex Seraphinianus on acid)-where can we see more of his art!? A beautiful mural of an ayahuasca ceremony that graces a wall at the Cuzco Airport in Peru reminds us that some countries have a more enlightened attitude towards the use of psychoptic plants.
   
   "Fourteen Major Hallucinogenic Plants" of the first edition has been altered to become "The Most Important Hallucinogenic Plants," and expanded to include new sections on Anadenanthera colubrina, ayahuasca analogs, Salvia divinorum, and Duboisia hopwoodii. There have been numerous expansions on the old chapters as well, including many additional species of the genera discussed. Six new plants have been added to the "Plant Lexicon," and this section has been vastly improved through the addition of color photographs. Previously, the majority of the plants described were depicted via illustrations, with only a few photo images; this situation is now reversed, with only a few illustrations. (It is a shame that there are any drawings remaining, although I suspect in some cases it might be hard to obtain photographs of the plants in question. Still, in other cases it should not have been difficult-photos of Banisteriopsis caapi, Lagochilus inebrians, Mandragora officinarum, Mimosa tenuiflora [= M. hostilis], Peucedanum japonicum, Scirpus atrovirens, Tabernanthe iboga, and Virola theiodora are all available via the web). The map of "Native Use of Major Hallucinogens" has been expanded to include Hyoscyamus sp., Duboisia sp., and A. colubrina, and the depicted range of Cannabis use has been increased.
   
   Some problems that the original book had are, alas, retained or, in a few cases, exaggerated. The gutter of the book is too tight, causing one to crack the spine to get a full view; this was the case in the earlier edition as well. New layout glitches include shaded backgrounds for text boxes being placed too close to the edge of the text (in some cases touching it), and headlines that sit too close to the images. The problem of citing alkaloid contents as fixed numbers is still present (although in a few cases ranges are presented). Those with little knowledge on the subject might actually believe that all dried Trichocereus pachanoi plants have a 2% mescaline content, while this is actually the peak of the range that can be determined through a survey of the scant few published isolation analyses (which dips down to 0.33%, and even lower in published HPLC analysis), and may not be typical. In new cases when ranges are presented, such as the case with Mimosa tenuiflora root-bark said to contain 0.57 to 1.0% DMT, the information may not be correct. (M. tenuiflora has been reported to contain 0.31 to 0.57% DMT with specific analyses available in the literature of Gonçalves de Lima 1946 and Patcher et al. 1959, and there have been unsubstantiated counter-culture claims of 1% to 11%, see ER Vol. X, No. 3, 2001 and Ott 2001). Both the new and the old editions of this book are riddled with statements about alkaloid contents that are presented as if they were fixed amounts, when in reality alkaloid content can be highly variable.
   
   Some new errors are introduced with this edition. Spelling mistakes are peppered throughout (they've misspelled author Hofmann's name on the back cover!), and awkward phrasings are not uncommon in those sections that were translated from German. In some cases, plants are presented as containing specific alkaloids that they do not have. For example, it is remarked that "The Turkey Red variety of the grass Phalaris arundinacea contains liberal amounts of DMT." This is in error, as this variety contains liberal amounts of 5-MeO-DMT, not DMT. Also, photographs of four cacti-Ariocarpus retusus, A. fissuratus, Astrophyton asterias, and Aztekium riterii-known in México as "peyote" are depicted, with the statement "They primarily contain the substance mescaline and other psychoactive alkaloids." This too is in error, as only A. riterii has been found to contain trace amounts of mescaline, and no mescaline has been found at all in the others. (It was interesting to see that Rätsch considers a heftier amount of mescaline, "0.5-0.8 gram" to be a dose, compared to the Shulgins' more conservative 200-400 mg dose listed in PIHKAL; I tend to agree with Rätsch.)
   
   Any and all criticism of this book should be viewed as minor, as it is truly a marvelous work. Rätsch has taken a great book and made it better. Especially if you own the first edition, you owe it to yourself to pick up this revamp. It is visual delight, a joy to read cover-to-cover, and it will no doubt be revisited repeatedly for years to come.



2. 
   The authors Richard Schultes, director of the Botanical Museum at Harvard and Albert Hofmann, discoverer of LSD and former director of the Pharmaceutical-Chemical Research Lab in Basel, Switzerland, together have over fourteen years of research in field of botany, chemistry and ethnobotony. In their book the authors offer an ethnobological look at the sacred use of hallucinogenic plants and include: an introduction to hallucinogenic plants, a plant lexicon, overview of plant use chart, detailed section of fourteen major hallucinogenic plants, and concludes with an overview of the chemical structure of hallucinogens.
   The plant lexicon includes ninety-one known and most common hallucinogenic plants with: a colored picture for each plant, botanical name, geographic location, hallucinogenic properties and a short description of the individual plant. Following the lexicon is a chart overview of each plant that includes: usage in history, context and purpose, preparation, chemical components and effects. Following the chart is a detailed account fourteen major hallucinogenic plants. "Most of these plants are or have been culturally and materially important...that they can not be overlooked "(81). The authors include: a descriptive history, gathering techniques, rituals, the chemical make-up of the plant, pictures of ceremonies, and artwork of "visions" by people.
   Plants of the Gods is more than a research book, it is a guide to understanding the role hallucinogens play in various religious cultures using a scientific and anthropological approach.
   
   This review is based on the 1992 publication:
   Schultus, Richard E., and Albert Hofmann. Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing, and Hallucinogenic Powers. Rochester: Healing Arts Press, 1992.



3. This is a good book on the topic of psychotropic plants, though I have to admit that I'm a little shocked that the opium poppy wasn't included. Oh well. There are enough books on that subject that I'm sure if you really want to study the "black smoke" you can find another book to read. It presents an interesting subject in an approachable, readable format. My one complaint is that parts of it read a little too New Age-y, which irks me. But that's the way I am. Aside from that one (rather small) problem, I would readily recommend this book to anyone looking for an all-in-one look at this branch of botany.



4. This is a good starting point for working with Psychoactive Plants. It is however not quite as informative as the author's "The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants: Ethnopharmacology and Its Applications". If you are interested in working with plants but are not sure then this is the book for you to get the real information you need to make a informed decision.



5. If you're looking for information on how to prepare psychoactive plant medicine and, well quite frankly, how get high, this is not the book for you. However, if you'd like to gain more wisdom and insight into shamanistic practices around the world, this is a wonderful history that draws you into the mind of the shamin. I loved this book. It gave me new respect for the wisdom of those ancient people of whom we know so very little. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in shamanism and herbalism. It offers insight into not HOW but WHY psychoactive plants are ingested. Plant medicine is afford the tremendous respect it so rightly deserves.

3 comments about Shamanic Reiki: Expanded Ways of Working with Universal Life Force Energy.

1. Shamanic Reiki is a perfect blend of the two energies. This book brought together the shamanic traditions I have learned and my reiki energy in a way that makes sense and works perfectly.Shamanic Reiki: Expanded Ways of Working with Universal Life Force Energy



2. As always, Llyn Roberts explains both perceived worlds of energy in a concise manner. The intuitive energy practice blends into a deep philosphy both for beginner and long-time practioner. Energy is energy--to be practiced without ego or personal interference.



3. I am grateful that this book was written! Alot of us are now practicing both Reiki and Shamanism, and this book integrates them perfectly.

5 comments about Shaman, Healer, Sage: How to Heal Yourself and Others with the Energy Medicine of the Americas.

1. Journeying through the lower, middle and upper worlds, gathering images, thoughts and guidance from the universe, seems as natural as awakening from the dream state each morning. Using this tool of "walking between the worlds" with clients seems more akin to magic/alchemy than medicine. After experiencing the power of a simple square of shiny blue cloth and feather, given as a result of journey, watching as it encouraged the person's own healing ability, I was honored...to be the "doorman"... holding sacred space.
   
   Reading Villoldo's book early in 2000, several of his practices were incorporated within my own work. I did find it a bit surprising that he didn't include other ideology well known and practiced within shamanism, such as use of the various gates, totems, spirit teachers, with his clients. The ancient ways promote a more comprehensive outlook encompassing body, mind and spirit from the inner core of a person. Healing then commences from within that sacred place of the individual. After, re-reading "Shaman Sage Healer" again (2007), other questions arose concerning certain aspects presented. Herein lays a conflict: modern scientific knowledge and medicine versus universal ancient traditions.
   
   While working with different teachers, there seems to be an underlying unspoken "fear" of the unknown that we must be "protected" from. Villoldo seems to hold this viewpoint as well, by stressing that his students "need" a certain protection ceremony prior to commencing with the work. Perhaps it's simply my naiveté not to embrace this belief system. Encountering "heavy/dark" energy, I`ve been shown not to engage the negative, but simply observe my reaction to the experience. Which to believe? Questions such as this need further discussion. There's also great debate amongst teachers as to whether one should "run energy" through one's self or simply work at interface, allowing the energies to work within the surrounding sacred space.
   
   Villoldo's teachings of creating and use of sacred space, deepening points, the Illumination process, clearing chakra's, and releasing toxic energies are highly recommended tools for any practitioner. Embracing quiet listening, setting intention and embracing the intuitive, more is revealed for the client. Use of journey and communication with higher beings or ascended masters compliments the session.
   
   One of Villoldo's practices I don't completely agree with is to "process" at length with the client. Care must be given not to re-seat or amplify any trauma. Times have changed since "Shaman, Healer, Sage" was written. Perhaps Peter Levine's trauma work ("Waking the Tiger", North Atlantic Books,1997) speaks a more gentle voice.
   
   Thoroughly embracing his concept of having guidance and support of a teacher or mentor is extremely important. Too many times people read a book or attend a weekend seminar and proclaim they are "this" and work without any guidance. There are individuals that aren't as involved in their teachings, only using it as a vehicle for other intentions. An elder sage once admonished.... "Choose your teacher wisely."
   
   As a teacher, Villoldo's "Shaman, Healer, Sage" gives us a glimpse of another reality. Written as a primer, the book is a wonderful "door opener" for further exploration of alternative healing methods.



2. This book is a good read for anyone interested
   in healing. Contains various examples of
   emotional/physical ailments & rituals that were
   used in healing. It is not a sugar-coated book making
   empty promises; there are no generalizations or
   formulas but a case-by-case approach. Dr. Villoldo
   spent countless years in the Amazon, and he is
   generous in sharing his knowledge gained. Even
   though he shares much, the author acts responsibly
   by cautioning readers that much practice
   is needed before calling oneself a 'healer.'
   In other words, don't read the book and then
   hang a "HEALER" sign on your door.
   He writes eloquently on a subject
   that one might otherwise have'pooh poohed' had
   it been written by someone without a doctorate.
   This book definitely causes great introspection.



3. This book it's been very helpful to me!! It gives you a good description of each of the chackras potentials when it's working properly, how does it look when it's wounded, how you can heal. It gives cases, examples that needed healing and how he performed this healings. Alberto Villoldo narrates in this books his adventures while learning to be a Shaman, with the Shamans in the Amazon of Brazil and the Andes in Peru, Machu Pichu and others!
   He teaches in this book how to open Sacred Space, and how to practice your second attention so you are able to see the luminous body, and other exercizes to help you find your wounded self, so you can heal!!! It was a quick read!!!



4. my first intro to shamanic practice was with a person trained by villoldo. she was amazing, but after taking a short workshop w/ villoldo and reading his books, I now believe that the effectiveness of her work had nothing to do with him. I still believe that villoldo offers something to the field, even if his claims about where his techniques come from have turned out to be untruthful. after much work in this area my belief is this: everyone has abilities - EVERYONE. so, yes, just like everyone, villoldo has skills and talents in this area. the real question to ask whenever one meets a healer or a spiritual teacher is not "are their skills legitimate?" but "what are their ethics?" one's skills are only as good as the filter they come through (e.g., the personality and the ego issues of the healer/teacher.) villoldo, in my opinion, has serious ego and personality issues, and even if he is skilled, I believe these issues impact his work and his teaching. this is an interesting book, but I don't believe that it is necessarily true. also, his method for soul retrieval is way too structured for me -- I prefer sandra ingerman's approach.



5. I am rereading this book now for about the fourth time since I first bought it in 2001. I undertook the Medicine Wheel trainings offered by A. Villoldo through the Four Winds. He does a wonderful job in this book of capturing the beauty of this healing path. If you read this book simply for information on techniques, you will miss the point. The actual practice and ceremony is what brings this healing path to life. And once you have been through the initiaions, rereading the book recaptures the emotions and experiences of seeing through new eyes the world around you and inside you.
   I remember what initially caught my attention was his statement that to the shaman, you are your body. It holds all your history, your emotions, your traumas, joys and experiences. As a massage therapist, undertaking my own healing quest has made me more sensitive to my clients and have found that the body always tells the truth.
   I am happy that this work is made available to us.

5 comments about The Way of the Shaman.

1. While I truly appreciate the information and insight Harner has brought to the west, his writing is amazingly academic and cerebral. If you are seeking an experiential glimpse of shamanism or a more instructional text, this book is not it. To learn *why* shamanism, absorb every page.



2. This introduction to shamanism is based on the vivid experience of the author with shamans from native societies and his sometimes dramatic adventure in the realms of the Shamanic State of Conscience. It is a compact but comprehensive report of experiences, techniques and thoughts of shamans and scholars that devoted to the study of shamanism. The book denotes a long period of serious practical learning and research. It presents also a very intersting philosophical and spiritual point of view of the relation of humans with all other beings and Nature. The comments presented and the techniques proposed by the author as adapted to our western way of life, consitute a practical guide to those intending to introduce themselves to the practice of shamanism.



3. Shamanism is not a religion.
   
   A shamanic journey is something you can do, rather easily, if only you try.
   
   you do not need anything other than this book.
   
   Mr. Harner is not in the business of lying to you. He has no time for telling you "truths."
   
   This is a "For Dummies" guide to shamanic practice.
   
   Do not be afraid. If you are interested, buy the book. Do the excercises. See what happens.



4. This is the fourth time in the past decade I've read this book cover to cover (as opposed to looking up specific factoid and techniques) and I'm finding that this time through, I'm not so fond of it. It's not that it's horrible; it's just not as impressive to me these days, now that I know more than I used to.
   
   Harner's book is pretty much a classic on NEOshamanism; it forms the foundation of core shamanism, a shamanic practice that is (mostly) devoid of specific cultural trappings. His background in anthropology, as well as experience training as a shaman in the Jivaro and Conibo tribes, make this a well-researched and well-informed book. There are plenty of endnotes, and a good bibliography, so it's easy to trace where he got his information from.
   
   The problem is the presentation of the practical material. First off, my main complaint is that his selection of techniques seems incredibly arbitrary. He draws on the tobacco ties of certain Native American traditions, Jivaro-flavered sucking shamanism, and the spiritual canoe from a particular Northwest Native tribe. And he seems to ignore a number of shamanic practices that may not be necessarily appealing to the New Age crowd, such as spiritual dismemberment and reassembly.
   
   Also, he fails to mention that even within a specific culture there are several types of shamanism. He should have, IMO, either billed this as a form of healing shamanism, or stuck to one of the cultures he trained in, rather than adding in elements of numerous cultures. He doesn't quite draw shamanism far enough away from its cultural roots to make it fit together well; rather than doing as Peter J. Carroll did with Chaos magic, and making a system that is not at all culturally specific (and so can be plugged into any culture), Harner attempts to make (certain) cultural artifacts relevant for people outside that culture, while also trying to make it relevant to modern mainstream American (and other postindustrial) culture. Unfortunately, the end result still retains enough of the original cultural material (such as biases against certain animals like snakes and insects) without explaining the contextual relevance of such elements.
   
   Finally, he waters down certain pieces of information. "The SSC [Shamanic State of Consciousness], it can be said, is safer than dreaming," he says (xxii). Yet shamanism, even in modern practice, is NOT safe. He doesn't talk about spiritual defense, other than talking about how one's power animal and other guardians are supposed to protect you. He barely brings up any dangers, other than seeing animals with bared fangs. Nor does he talk about how close to the edge shamanism can bring a practitioner (or the skills needed to maintain a proper balance).
   
   In short, this is shamanism for the living room. The techniques itself are solid, despite the contextual issues, and can be easily used by most people who pick up this book. If presented as a book on shamanic techniques, I give it a four. However, as a book on *shamanism*, I give it a two. This balances out to three out of five.



5. This is a very good book .It is well written and you can see that the Author did some good research.

5 comments about The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge.

1. "The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge, the Original Teachings in a Deluxe 30th Anniversary Edition" by Carlos Castenada is a 'must have' page turner of an 'I just couldn't put the book down type of collected works.'
   
   This Deluxe Anniversary Collection by Carlos Castenada is most certainly a supreme compilation of advanced wisdom.
   
   You will journey through fascinating tales about the real life of Shamans and gain profound experiental insight into true to life and yet 'extremely far out' soul journeys. Of course bring an open mind to your reading experience in order to more completely delve into and absorb the mysteries inherent in this thrilling book collection, that highlights anthropological, spiritual, and scientific knowledge.
   
   Romantically transformative!
   
   Even better when read together with 'Nexus' a contemporary New Age psychological/spiritual adventure story that is an unforgetable healing journey for the soul.
   
   Nexus: A Neo Novel



2. My intent here is not to add to the many reviews that have been already written. I've read most of them, and every opinion, has been subjectively given.
   
   I will simply say, that having studied these books, back when I was in college, literally transfixed me, as they did to many other thousands of readers!
   
   Countless books, throughout history, have been cloaked in the form of fiction, for the author's own reasons, either to do with their safety, or attempting to avoid controversy!
   
   A perfect example, in our own time, is Dan Brown's, "THE DA VINCI CODE".
   
   He wrote it in fiction form, only to be attacked for even discussing what he knew would be attacked, if written as non-fiction. It didn't seem to matter, as we have seen!
   
   We find Carlos Castaneda in a similar situation, in reverse! Someone will always find justification, to attack what doesn't fit our culture's definition of our own world view, especially if it can't be proven.
   
   A way will be found, as it's always been, to discredit anything beyond their grasp!
   
   Yes, maybe Carlos has played a trick, on all of us, but some have gotten it!



3. Carlos Castaneda creates an interesting scenario and has appealing characters in this, his first book, yet the title is deceptive. Castaneda meets Don Juan, a Yaqui sorceror, and is in some mysterious way drawn to him. Don Juan agrees to allow Castaneda to be his apprentice, and learn the ancient ways to become "A Man of Knowledge." Oddly, the way that Don Juan sees the path to becoming "a man of Knowledge" is through hallucinogenic drugs including Peyote, Datura and Mushrooms. Castaneda uses these drugs in order to "gain knowledge", and through these experiences, according to Don Juan, they assist him on this path. As the book progresses the author has more and more drug experiences but it is difficult to observe that he has gained knowledge about anything other than the effects of these drugs. No special insight into human nature is revealed by Castaneda or Don Juan, who reveals himself to be a devious misogynist. It is well known among shamanic cultures that plant drugs can induce visions and insight, but unfortunately, nothing of the sort is revealed in this book.



4. Great reading, no doubt. I read the first 4 of his books and loved them all. However, this is 20 years ago and i have studied many more paths of mysticism in the meantime. I can only warn anybody thinking in following the footsteps described in the book, as without a true spiritual master you will only succeed in screwing up your brain using hallucinogenics. There is also serious doubt that he ever actually experienced some/much of what he claims to have done.
   
   Furthermore, Carlos turned out to be NOT the guru he claimed to be in his later years. In spite of his statements that he would not die a normal death and leave the earth as a unit of energy and take his disciples with him he died a very ordinary death due to liver failure.
   
   A very interested BBC report on his life can be viewed on Youtube. The link is [...] for the first part.



5. I first read this book a few months ago before reading the rest of the series, and it was a mind-blowing read.
   
   "Teachings of Don Juan" is the first of many books by anthropologist Carlos Castaneda to which he revealed his teacher-student relationship and experiences with Yaqui Sorcerer by the name of Don Juan. The dialogues and experiences lay within this book are rather insightful read.
   
   This book is merely a starting point where readers begin to understand the warrior's way and how one would understand one's perceptions of the world and how they can be deceiving. The plants or substances discussed in this book is not the means nor the ends, but merely just a tool, rarely used, in order to shock the author to see what lies beyond and around himself. Merely a step towards being a "man of knowledge."
   
   Remarkably, as I read through the series, I cannot help but wonder who Don Juan really was and where the sources came from. I recently found the answers to these questions in William Patterson's The Life & Teachings of Carlos Castaneda, which is a new profound perspective of the life of Castaneda and his work.

5 comments about The Four Insights: Wisdom, Power, and Grace of the Earthkeepers.

1. I was so pleased to find this book in print! Alberto has a gift of combining story telling and grounded reasoning in such a way that these new concepts to the average western mind are easily understood. Anyone who wants an thorough introduction to the spiritual practices of the medicine wheel and the Laika people will enjoy this book.
   
   If you are or have been a student of Alberto's Healing the Light Body School, you will want this book on your shelf as a textbook. It is a wonderful review of the practices of each of the Four Directions.



2. Every time i read a chapter, i felt truth jumping out to me from each page, so much so, that my eyes would well up with tears from inner knowing. It was an easy read, the suggestions in the book are very easy and practical. I loved it so much, i bought a few copies for my friends. Even for people who have never learned about Shamanism, this book will help you appreciate Mother Earth and your special role in the Universe.



3. This book is clear and informative and offers exercizes that can be used for healing the soul. There are different paths for everyone. This is one of truth. I knew the truth of it as I read it. It is a book I will use and refer back to in times to come. The exercizes are capable of being life changing. I have referred it to many people and given copies to several. I really love this book. It is special.



4. This is a book that everyone should read more than once. Alberto Villoldo's insights and suggestions are fabulous. His books are just like hearing him in person. He is a born story teller, and a gifted shaman, teacher and writer. This book describes how we would all like to live our lives, and why we should try.



5. An excellent book for anyone on a spiritual journey that's wants some concrete actions they can take to become an Earthkeeper. I highly recommend this book. I couldn't put it down.

5 comments about Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals.

1. Everyone seems to refer to the cards as well as the book. But according to the product detail, it only refers to the book. Please let me know whether this one (# ISBN-10: 0312204914 # ISBN-13: 978-0312204914; List Price: $29.95 Amazon Price: $19.77 ) includes the cards as well as the book. Thank you.



2. Excellent book. It has been a very good source in my spiritual work. Thank you Jamie Sams and David Carson.



3. When I wrote about animal medicine in Practically Shameless: How Shadow Work Helped Me Find My Voice, My Path, and My Inner Gold, it was to this book I was referring, as it was my introduction to this form of spirituality. Animal medicine has since become a meaningful part of my daily spirituality, keeping me in touch with the Divine through my encounters with the animal kingdom. It has helped me see which creatures are lifelong totems (spider, frog, bear) and which other creatures are sent to teach me something I need to know during this particular time in my life. For several years I used the cards at each new moon for guidance. I have since expanded my collection to include several books by Ted Andrews, including Animal Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small and Animal-Wise: The Spirit Language and Signs of Nature. I purchased the latter to explore several African animals that may have been totems of my father's. But Jamie Sams' book contains a rare depth of wisdom that reflects the long history of her people. I recommend this book highly to every person wanting to know more about Native American spirituality and seeking the presence of the Divine in nature.



4. Ever since I heard that in the Native American Spiritual tradition the universe may be sending us a message when we have an unusual experience with an animal I saw my own significant contacts with animals in a new way.
   My favorite source for verifying my experiences is Jamie Sams and David Carson's cards called "Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power through the Ways of Animals." They believe that each animals' medicine relays a life lesson.
   Sams and Carson's helped me better understand some unusual animal experiences.
   My first experience involved six baby ring neck snakes that suddenly appeared in our cabin when our friend from South Africa was visiting. Since my husband and I had lived there for five years we decided it was an omen. We did a "Pathway Spread" on our friend with Sams and Carson's animal medicine cards and learned that the snake is a symbol of change, transmutation, death and rebirth. We were stunned as she, after a two-year separation, was about to ask her husband of 29 years for a divorce.
   On another occasion I heard the sneezy-snorts of some white tail deer. I looked out the dining room window and froze. Three deer snorted and pawed the ground within a couple of feet of where Lady, our golden retriever, lay in her dog pen. Sensing something was wrong I dashed over.
   Lady got up, staggered and collapsed. My husband and I took her to the vet but it was too late; she died shortly thereafter. The vet said she had cancer. We were heartbroken. Wondering about the deer I consulted the medicine cards and learned that the deer is a symbol of love and gentleness. I like to think that the deer were trying to comfort Lady and alert us about her distress.
   A friend and I were charmed when an otter circled our canoe on a river in Florida. We became nervous when it tried to climb the canoe's bow and stern. I shrieked when it hoisted itself into the boat at my feet via my dry bag. Luckily my friend was able to scoop the otter out of the boat with her paddle. We were amazed when the otter chased our canoe as we raced off but ignored two other canoes a few moments later.
   When I checked the significance of an otter in the medicine cards I learned that it is a symbol "woman medicine." Sams and Carson said an otter tells us to become the playful child, to allow things to unfold, to stop worrying and to not hang on to material things that become a burden. They said the otter teaches us to look at the joyousness of the receptive side of our nature, to give freely and to move gently into the river of life, "By flowing with the waters of the Universe we balance, honor female receptive energy and discover the power of woman."
   Since I've been struggling to find the right balance in giving and receiving and work and play I saw otters' medicine as a sign to be more generous and have fun.
   My fourth experience involved a musk turtle that sat in one of our creek's pools for a week. Since there was a drought and the turtle seldom moved as the water retreated I became concerned. When I told my husband at breakfast that I thought the turtle was dying we decided to relocate it in a larger river after lunch.
   My husband appeared a few hours later and said, "Your `dying' turtle is sitting at the front door of our cabin." We were shocked. The turtle had climbed a steep hill and found our front door. We immediately drove the turtle to a nearby river and released it.
   The medicine cards said the turtle is a symbol of Mother Earth. It asks us to honor our creative source, to be grounded, to flow harmoniously between the water and the earth and to go inside ourselves for protection.
   Feeling depressed about the drought the turtle's presence gave me the gift of gratitude.
   I believe there is a presence among all of creation, the earth, people, animals and plants that is healing and draws us ever closer to God. It was said in the Book of Job; ask the beasts, and they shall teach you, and the birds of the air to tell you.
   Animal Medicine and the use of the medicine cards not only helped me identify and resolve issues but better appreciate their gifts.
   All I need to do is pay attention.



5. An excellent source of councel, support, enlightment and wisdome in an interestingly written book and beautifully painted cards. A real joy! Merit

3 comments about Courageous Dreaming: How Shamans Dream the World into Being.

1. A wonderful book that teaches us how to rethink and become whole in mind, body, soul & spirit. It is very well written and gives exercises that causes your brain to lay the neural pathways for you to achieve success in your life. It sets us free from old thought patterns that play out drama in our lives. This book helps teach us to recreate our life and our world, but we have to be willing to do the work. I also suggest Dr. Villoldo's book Shaman,Healer,Sage- how to heal yourself with energy medicine of the America's. I highly respect this man's body of work.
   
   S.A./ Arkansas



2. As with his other books, I'm enjoying this creative dreaming book by Alberto. I know that he understands so much more about life and death than I do and I continuously strive to learn from him. I'm only about half through the book and have completed the exercises he suggests along the way. One has to believe in the divine and the light energy field around and through the body in order to understand and participate in the creation Alberto describes. Hopefully, more and more of us will begin to do this. It has the power to change the world as we know it!



3. Truly the most inspirational and informative book that I have ever read. It is full of knowledge that is useful to you every day of your life, changing your idea of what life is forever.

5 comments about Animal Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small.

1. I have learned so much by reading this book, and am more aware of the animals that visit me in my daily life. I am constantly looking up an animal who visits to see what the message is for me!



2. Purchased this fantastic book shortly before the holidays. It arrived on time, and was in fantastic condition.



3. THIS IS A VERY INFORMATIVE BOOK. SIMULAR INFORMATION TO ANIMAL SPIRIT GUIDES BY STEPHEN FARMER. BOTH ARE EXCELLENT REFERENCES FOR ANIMAL TOTEMS, GUIDES, AND SUCH.



4. The Alchemical Woman A Handbook for Everyday Soulwork
   
   For the past 25 years, the Skunk has been my animal totem - serving me as a guide to self-respect in all I do. Just this morning in my meditation I realized I no longer needed the personal protection of my totem the Skunk and gratefully released it from responsibility to me. I then invited the Grizzly Bear to walk with me on my journey. As soon as I finished my meditation, I immediately turned to my copy of Animal Speak and read through the pages on the Bear. It was amazing to me how perfectly it fit into the new work I'm embarking on - it even mentions alchemy, which as you can see from the book I'm promoting above - The Alchemical Woman - is amazingly connected to this Bear energy.
   
   I often refer to this book when particular creatures show up and catch my attention. It's very helpful to raising my awareness of things I'm too busy to pay attention to and have great significance in my life. It's a stop and smell the roses guide.
   
   Thank you, Ted Andrews, for your diligent study and the beautiful book you brought into my life.



5. I use this book as a reference. When I frequently run into certain animals in my dream or in nature I look up the book for potential meanings. It is well written and very meaningful.