5 comments about The World Is As You Dream It: Teachings from the Amazon and Andes.

1. This is a superb rendition of spiritual principles crafted within the context of indigenous cosmology. It reflects broader corollaries that can be assigned to numerous spiritual disciplines world wide and provide a source of inspiration to those who question the nefarious motives of unfettered "development" with all its hideous consequences.
   
   Mr. Perkins utilizes vast personal experience to highlight indigenous wisdom that takes to task our ethnocentric, greed based, industrialized world view that seems designed to ransack planetary resources and exploit the lives of all it can consume. A sad commentary on the foibles of an economic system run amuck, yet, a surprisingly inspirational joy ride through time and space as seen through the eyes of the author.
   
   Highly recommended.



2. I plan to buy ShapeShifting next. This book will change your life and the way you look at things. I know...there are so many books out there that claim to do that as well, but they are nothing compared to this book. Only an intelligent spirital person would read this book, but it is also an easy read. I have the highest respect for John Perkins.



3. This book needs to be labeled fiction and it totally misrepresents the indigenous South Americans about whom he's talking. The native Amazonians he visits have a well-documented history of head hunting and raiding until very recently! These groups survived colonialism because they retreated deep into the rainforest, and because they were extraordinarily violent towards outsiders, other fellow Amazonians, and especially to their own women.
   
   It's insulting that Perkins remakes these indigenous Amazonians into his own hippy, 1960's idealistic view of a nature-loving, dream-centric, egalitarian culture with some special understanding of the world that we can use to remake our own. He neglects to tell anything truthful about the Shuar culture-- and it's tiresome and offensive to have people put their own ideals into some "Wise Indian's" mouth.
   
   The truth is always interesting, and I'm sure Perkins' trippy, drug-induced vision of an eco-friendly imaginary dreamworld could be interesting too. His lie is to conflate the two.



4. This book is for those of you who recognize that there is something inherently wrong with the way our society operates. Even if you don't recognize it, this book will shed light on a myriad of problems. We can all learn a few things from indigenous people, and Perkins is a level-headed expert on the subject. Short and easy to follow, this book is a must read!



5. Perkins is a 50 plus year old former International businessman who made the transition from a tool of the modern day robber barrons to a spiritually concerned member of the human race. I suggest that his books be read in the order of their publication to really understand the mans evolution. His body of work should be in the high schools of all the countries that are sucking up the worlds resources. Then, maybe, with a generation of informed people the planet can change it's course from a head on collision with disaster to a place where people understand the bounty of this world must be properly allocated and the appropriate opportunities are available for everyone. There is to much in his books to write about here. An automatic for any person wondering how the world really works and how it could work.

4 comments about Shaking Medicine: The Healing Power of Ecstatic Movement.

1. I've always loved watching documentaries that show traditional African or North American Native dancing. The participants seem so deeply focused into the action that their bodies are doing the movements without conscious thought. That many of these individuals have deep spiritual experiences during these sessions doesn't surprise me at all. The dance is simply another form of mediation, much more active but still so all focused that nothingness is achieved so that the spirit self is given its freedom.
   
   Shaking Medicine is a wonderful introduction to ecstatic movement. The author himself is an experienced shaker. He is also a life-long learner who is extremely interested in finding out why people choose to shake, how they shake, and what they experience during and after the experience. Much of this book resembles a memoir of his experiences and his explorations of shaking in various cultures around the world, past and present.
   
   I found this book fascinating. I came to realize that there is no real right or wrong way to shake. Being with others who have traveled that path will certainly be a good resources but ultimately every person needs to find that something inside themselves. Reading Shaking Medicine and using the included CD of ecstatic drumming is certainly a good place to start.



2. If you are drawn to movement as a therapy, this book is a must. I have been interested in energy medicine and practicing as a homeopath since 1996. For years I have studied shamanism and have walked the path of a shaman. More recently I became fascinated with the idea of movement. I felt it from the inside out. This book was able to give me historical and practical information about "shaking medicine" that i have always known on a gut level. I also liked that the book explained the relationship between "sitting still" meditation and "movement" meditation. In my practice there are many clients who struggle with beign able to sit still yet they have a desire to meditate. In Shaking Medicine, I have found a tool to help them. This book has been of great help to me. The CD is also excellent quality.



3. I am conflicted about this book.
   
   There is no doubt in my mind that shaking is good for us. At its minimum, rhythmic movement of the body connects body systems into an organic whole. Shaking restores the flexibility of the connective tissue and eases communication between ligaments, bones, fascia, blood and lymph vessels and the endings of afferent/efferent nerves. Furthermore, when done with a proper attitude and surrender, dancing propels the dancer into the transpersonal.
   
   Here is where it gets a little shakey for me. What Keeney promotes as "shaking medicine" may not have that much to do with the !Kung (Bushmen). Here is an interiew with a !Kung recorded by the anthropologist Richard Lee: "Trance medicine really hurts. As you begin to trance the power (n/om) slowly heats inside and pulls at your insides. Your mind and your senses leave and youdon't think clearly. You can't listen to people and understand what they say. In !kia (trance) your heart stops, you're dead, your thoughts are nothing, you breathe with difficulty. You see ghosts killing people, you smell burning, rotten flesh. Then you heal and you pull sickness out." During the trance, the shaman (according to the anthropologist) "trembles violently, sweats profusely, staggers, lower his head, bleeds from the nose, froths at the mouth and finally crashes to the ground."
   
   How many people at Keeney's workshops bleed from their nose (a result of dehydration), dance the whole night into exhaustion, exorcise ghosts or fall unconscious to the ground? How many will "journey" into the sky where they learn from the ancestors in a village in the sky, animal totems (giraffe and eland especially) and the "Big God"? My guess is: zero, and that includes Keeney himself. In other words, Keeney's "shaking medicine" is, in my mind, an invitation to innocuous social feel-good dancing. No problem with that, i enjoy shaking booties as much as any other guy... but this has little to do with the !Kung.
   
   Keeney is never detracted from name-dropping... he has studied with this Zulu, that Bushman, this cybernetic specialist, that African-American church all of whom have had (according to K.) the wisdom to recognize the importance of this holy man. Unfortunately, in this day and age name-dropping is at the very core of the definition of a spiritual charlatan. What has the man actually learned? Real spiritual message should stand on its own - yet when dissociated from these 'credentials", there seems to be little to Keeney's insights. I kept asking myself, what is this man's ACTUAL contribution to spirituality? The fact that we need to shake our bodies?
   
   I would be more impressed if Keeney actually learned from the Bushmen how to "ascend the ropes to the Sky God". This does not seem to be the case, at least it is not mentioned in the text. I am inclined to think that, if anything, this book reveal a man who is the quintessential opportunist and trickster. As for the CD, "arrhythmic cacophony" is what comes to mind.



4. For anyone who enjoyed reading the author's first book on shaking titled Bushman Shaman, Shaking Medicine gives the reader a more in-depth look on the shake itself. Amongst other things Keeney talks in length on what the shake means to different societies and how it has evolved or became suppressed over time. How the shake relates to our society and/or religion. And he also discusses how anyone can learn to shake.
   
   Quite a fascinating book that I would highly recommend. I would also highly recommend Keeney's other book, Bushman Shaman.

5 comments about The Eagle and the Condor, A True Story of an Unexpected Mystical Journey.

1. Jonette's clarity, joy, purity, and intent come through loud and clear on every page...A beautiful story that takes one into another dimension of power, truth, and love...
   
   My HIGHEST recommendation!



2. You know there are times when you look at all the crap going on in the world and wonder if the cosmic forces have cracks in their craniums. And Ah! the continuing questions: Why am I stuck? Where am I going? What'll I do when I get there? Then to prove they are not asleep at the switch, the cosmic forces bring this book into your life. (Thank you!) I admit to being a little bit skeptical. I mean, excuse me but eagles? Atlantis? Peruvian prophecies? However, I'm glad I pushed through my skepticism. This book is unlike any other I've read. I recommend you take this journey with Jonette. It is unbelievable magic. After years of Light Body work, I could sense a Divine pulse in this book. Nothing like meeting your twin flame on a plane to Peru . . .



3. I did enjoy this book though I had to think that however she had met her twin flame as soon as she saw his cramped accommodation in a wee flat in Cusco she definitely decided she wasn't giving up her life in the U.S. any time soon. Dress it up anyway you like, the shaman got the message and can she wonder their exchange of energy went on only through the air not physically. Still fair do's and it was a great read.



4. If the reader can accept the author's claims that she channels several different spirits, and that she is a former high priestess and much more - then you will enjoy author Jonette Crowley's book " The Eagle & The Condor". There is so much in this book that makes you wonder what is truth and what is reality. Not knowing the author personally, makes it hard to judge what the facts may be, but she seems to let it all out there whether anyone believes her or not.
   
   To me it was a matter of setting aside any judgments and taking the author at her word and then reading her book from her point of view. This allowed me to enjoy a most wonderful spiritual adventure story that was also inspiring.
   
   I love the Himalayan Mountains and Peru and all the other places that she ventures off to and takes her readers with in her sacred journey to find inner answers and wisdom. A good book to read - no matter if you believe any of it or not. It will make you think and reflect on what reality is or could be.



5. Really sorry to have wasted my money purchasing this book. I read it through hoping to find some redeeming feature, but other than being astounded by the self-aggrandizement and narcissism of the author, I was bored.

5 comments about Walkers Between the Worlds: The Western Mysteries from Shaman to Magus.

1. I first read this many years ago under its previous title THE WESTERN WAY. This wonderful book, written by two who have travelled the path deeply, gave voice and clarity to my own vague spiritual yearning, and helped me begin a rich and rewarding journey of my own. I, and many in the West, have looked eastward to find a spirituality perceived lacking in the West. Yet, a beautiful, rich and coherent spirituality does indeed exist in Western culture. This book brought me home again, and stirred the analeptic memory of my soul.
   
   Poetic, scholarly and practical, this book offers many rich and engaging practica for exploration, none of which are terribly difficult. However, approach them with respect; do not underestimate the power of these exercises to open the inner mind and heart.



2. For those who have been searching for years for a copy of Caitlin and John Matthews' "The Western Way", omnibus edition, which was the compilation of the two prior western tradition magical works "The Native Tradition" and "The Hermetic Tradition", here is their definitive work revised, rewritten, and updated. The Matthews stand as two of the premier writers and practitioners of Western Tradition magic and native "shamanic" modalities, within a Celtic framework. Along with serious Western Tradition practitioners and writers such as Gareth Knight, who wrote the forward for their original works, and R. J. Stewart, who collaborated with John Matthews on quite a number of books, the Matthews have written an intriguing manual for practitioners, leading you on a journey to the Otherworlds, and leading you back safely.
   
   As a shamanic practitioner trained in the Harner method, as well as a Druid with the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids, I can assure you that the practical principles Caitlin and John Matthews instruct in this tome are well worth the time, energy, and effort of those serious about magical and shamanic work. "A rose of the West should not seek to bloom like a lotus of the East", as the pioneers of formalizing Western Tradition have said, referring of course to Dion Fortune, Christine Hartley, William Gray, Gareth Knight, Israel Regardie, and others. This is not to disparage Eastern mysticism at all, only indicates that Eastern mysticism and practice is geared for the Eastern mind. Many people of Western cultures study Eastern practices, unaware that within their own Western cultural heritage there exists a lineage of spiritual and mystical traditions that are every bit as effective and enduring as the Eastern traditions.
   
   Drawing from the myths, stories, poetry, ancient writings, and resources, the Matthews provide ample background to substantiate a legacy of Western magical and native traditions left to us by the giants who have gone before us. The Eastern mind and psyche is more attuned to the stillness, the still center, and simply being, while the Western mind and psyche is better engaged in activities and interactions with beings who habitate the many Otherworlds, as well as with our own Higher Self, and with our guardians and guides. These interactions can range from various divination methods, intuition, automatic writing communications, augury, scrying, inspiration, or actual verbal, aural, or thought-exchange interactions with beings. One can access otherworlds and walk therein, at will, with one foot in each world, hence the title of the book.
   
   Considering there are organizations of medical doctors and other health care professionals who are now actively studying and practicing shamanism and shamanic techniques, in the USA and elsewhere, what was once a small and eclectic group of indigenous practitioners around the world has blossomed into thousands of people from all walks of life, called to this type of work and exploration, for whatever reasons. This book by the Matthews, whether one is drawn to Celtic shamanism, traditions, or magic, or not, can only help to enrich one's understanding and experience of shamanism and magic.
   
   The practical exercises that were the hallmark of the earlier books remain, with enriching and updating as needed, but the structure of the prior works remains intact. I kept my omnibus edition of "The Western Way" even though most of it is incorporated within "Walkers Between the Worlds", for sentimental reasons, because it was the first book I ever read that was such a "synchonious" experience for me, one of the "Ah-ha" moments of my life, that I cannot let it go. It served me well when I was called to assist my late mother in crossing over to the Summerlands, and I took her on a journey to the Underworld so that she wouldn't be afraid of passing over, and she found it beautiful. That was prior to the "Walkers Between The Worlds" edition. All the important material and exercises from "The Western Way" were kept in the Walkers Between The Worlds" book.
   
   Gregg Braden, author and speaker, has said that Mayan and other indigenous teachings refer to this time in the world as the time of the "Walkers Between the Worlds", and this has some significance to the year 2012, perhaps as a time of increasing and accelerating Earth vibrations.



3. I really enjoyed this book and agree with many of the other reviews- it was a well-written look into the Western Mysteries, and divides its time equally between the shaman path and the magus. What I really liked was that the author's emphasized that shamanistic traditions are not inferior to the "high magic" branches of western tradition: this distinction is key in actually fully understanding the traditions. Overall and in-depth and enjoyable read with some useful exercises as well!



4. It's impossible for me to know where to start with a book this dense. Even with all my years studying shamanism, Witchcraft, magic, and world religions, this book had lots of information that either elobrated on things only touched upon in other sources or explained things no other text ever tried to do. I knew I'd love the shaman section, but the magi section is where I learned a lot about paradigms I don't always agree with, but ought to know to be well rounded. As someone with no Christian background, I found the sections of early Christianity's involvement with mysticism fascinating. It helps if you have already read dozens of books on the history and practice of shamanism and magic so that the sheer volume of information doesn't overwhelm you. This is the rare book I can actually say advanced workers of magic in the Western Tradition can enjoy.



5. This is one of the most comprehensive & thorough books I've ever read in the realm of alternative spirituality. It gives an excellent overview of all the main topics in both native/Pagan/earth-centered practice and alchemical/Hermetic/celestial practice. However, it took me almost 2 years to get through the whole book, as it is written very intelligently and requires much reflection to truly digest. Definitely not a Llewellyn-fluff book (although those have their place)! You will need to invest serious thought and time to fully understand & incorporate this book's concepts into your life. For this reason I wouldn't recommend it as one of your first alternative spirituality books; come back to it when you have studied awhile first. It will help answer your questions & fill in the gaps of earlier teachings. My favorite part are the Practices, which are like guided meditations that help bring the sometimes dry text to vibrant life.

5 comments about The Sacred Power of Huna: Spirituality and Shamanism in Hawaii.

1. The author provides an anthropological account of Huna- anthropological in the worst sense of the word, in my opinion. While she pays lipservice to the pitfalls of colonial romanticization of native Others, I found her account of "Hawaiian spirituality" to fall into that same trap. As others have pointed out, she provides some interesting linguistic interpretations, but the whole thing had an intrepid-New-Agey-European-explorer feel to it that I found really off-putting. In fact, nowhere in the book do I recall her pointing out that so-called Huna was in fact founded by non-Hawaiian folks. Strange, considering she has a doctorate in something called Hawaiian Shamanism.



2. The sacred defies an overly left-brain approach which kills it and this book avoids that. Without putting this beautiful and mysterious culture on a pedestal, Dr. Morrell, whose Ph.D. in Geography from University College, London, focused on Hawaiian culture, language and shamanism, interprets Huna on many levels. Those who are looking for a DIY manual promising 'quick fixes' need to look at their motivation as Dr. Morrell points out, Huna is revealed only to those who are ready in mind, body and spirit. This powerful system of magic works through interaction through consciousness, often manifesting in the natural world. Responsible interaction needs to works with nature not against it, something the 'Quik Fix' mechanics of this world have yet to learn. Intention and intuition work together powered by imagination, which is bound up with integrity. Many will find this book challenging, but it's worth the ride and will move those who are ready far on like a surfer catching a Pacific wave and reaching the bright shore. Huna is a remnant of an ancient culture that has been approached as part of the romantic tradition of the West as Dr. Morrell gives examples of, but is best interpreted today through Hawaiian culture, which she spends most of the book doing. This is despite the fact that any interpretation will have a subjective bent, that is the nature of the process. It is one Dr. Morrell is aware of, and indeed is part of the way Huna is passed on. The sweet potato and the gourd are symbols of this. This book was deliberately not written for an academic audience, and should not be interpreted in a dry academic way, although everything she has written does stand up academically. Interpreting Hawaii has been dominated by male colonials for too long, and Dr. Morrell's softer, more intuitive approach backed by solid linguistic knowledge brings the left and right side of the brains together.
   
   Hawaiian culture is like Schrodinger's cat to many, open the box in the right way and the magic is yours. This book is far and away the best guide I've found to give you the right approach to open it and claim the magic.



3. I came across the Ancient Hawaiian healing process of Ho'oponopono while reading another author's book. I was immediately intrigued with Huna... it was an Ancient spiritual tradition I had previously not known of, but that rang with similarity to some of the other spiritual teachings I was studying. I was eager to learn more, so I searched for the right source of information to explore the concepts further and found it in this book, The Sacred Power of Huna. I found the combination of Dr. Morrell's knowledge of the topic, her "westerner's sensibility", and her personal experiences exploring and immersing herself in Hawaiian culture and the study of Huna to be a perfect combination to explain and educate me in this profound and mystical traditional knowledge. I had an interesting experience as I read the first chapters... I felt a subtle recognition, a quiet understanding - almost a longing - as if some deeply buried knowledge was being awakened for me. That was a very powerful indicator that I needed to read on...
   
   As a novice student of Huna, I find Dr. Morrell's knowledge and explanation of Hawaiian culture and its ancient shamanistic teachings to be quite compelling. Her book serves well as both introduction and reference into the intricate yet beautiful simplicity of Huna wisdom. I was fascinated to learn about such enlightening topics as the true meaning and shamanism of the traditional hula dance, the symbolism of color and the rainbow, and the special significance of the phase of the moon at the time of your birth, the Hawaiian Moon Cycle. It is an amazing journey into spirituality and our levels of consciousness - one that completely transformed my view of Hawaii and its native culture. The author truly does convey the Sacred Power of Huna to us, her readers and students.
   
   Thank you, Dr. Morrell, for creating such a knowledgeable and in-depth exploration into this wonderful spiritual tradition. I look forward to reading more and increasing my awareness and understanding.



4. If you find this topic provocative this book is a great place to begin or to deepen your understanding of Huna. The information is laid out concisely and each chapter is broken into smaller parts that provide natural places for reflection.
   
   This is the type of book one reads through quickly and then starts over again to absorb more of the information.
   
   While it hardly purports to be definitive, this book provides enough information to satisfy casual curiosity on the subject of native Hawaiian spirituality and their shamanic processes. Reading this book made me reflect on my own beliefs and helped me set out an agenda for my next trip to the Bishop Museum. I highly recommend it to anyone on a spiritual path.



5. Huna is an indepth recipe for conducting our lives. Huna teaches us how to connect our mind, body and soul so we can become the best person possible. Huna is not a religon. It does not seek conversions. By studying Huna, you open yourself up to many spiritual possibilities, that you might otherwise have missed.

5 comments about 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl.

1. Early in this psychogenic memoir Daniel Pinchbeck tells us his mother dated Jack Kerouac. He then takes us on an 'On the Road' on steroids, or rather, on LSD, channeling the beat poet in addition to the Aztec serpent deity. But unlike 'On the Road', this is no scroll written in three weeks. The 400 page memoir takes us back and forth across four continents with an impressive collection of hallucinogenic polypharmacy. One major premise sees the world as waking dream. Human consciousness did not evolve, but is part of a greater consciousness that creates and maintains the universe. The right drugs can lift the veil, showing us, as in the Wizard of Oz, what's behind the curtain. The book was recommended to me by my local bookseller, an astronomer in a previous career, and I enjoyed it. But `2012' is not really a book about the Maya or their cosmic vision.
   
   The book is about inter-dimensional beings making crop circles in southern England, reincarnated Indian potentates, the limitations of monogamous sexuality, and the possibility of a new consciousness that would end our obsession with rationality and herald a new age. None of this is absolutely provable, precisely because we create our own universe. Skeptics find hoaxes, true believers find miracles, and the undecided find only conflicting truths, one negating the other. Daniel Pinchbeck doesn't hide his own skepticism, and he cringes at times describing his visions while holding nothing back. Throughout the book, while taking hallucinogenic drugs, Daniel reminds us that he just might be hallucinating.
   
   In `2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl,' the serpent deity speaks through the author and tells us that Daniel Pinchbeck is "the vehicle of my return." If I was one of the millions of living modern Maya, I might object to his use of my sacred cosmic vision to market a memoir. But I found the book both interesting and enjoyable. Daniel's willingness to use his body as a human test-tube was nothing short of heroic. I've practiced medicine for twenty years and have never heard of the drugs he comes across. It's a look from inside a subculture I know little about. I will probably never meet Daniel Pinchbeck in this life, but if I ever see him in a dream, I'm getting a six-pack and taking him to a mountaintop. Please don't wake me up. I'll be having a truly great conversation.



2. I am not here to tell you if this is a good or a bad book. You have many other reviews for that. I am here to tell you only one thing: if you want to read about the year 2012 and all the events that might happen on this year, THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT BOOK. The author keeps telling you about his own experiences with this or that drug, in this or that country. So, for 2012 information, look somewhere else.



3. This is probably the best book I've read on the topic of 2012. I couldn't put it down! Definitely worth purchasing. Much more interesting than "Breaking Open The Head."



4. I found this book very interesting and very well written. The interesting with Pinchbeck is his backgrund in the intellectual art milieu of New York combined with a later interest in the occult, new spirituality and mysticism. 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl is sort of a spiritual and intellectual biography. We follow Daniel on his travels and thoughts, to Stonhenge to look for crop circles, to the amazonas to try hallucinogenic mushroooms and so on. Driven by a frustration over the shallowness and crudeness of "western" "materialism" he seeks new and/or alternative world views.
   What I like is Pinchbecks openness towards "the other side". He actually tries it all: drugs, crop circles, meditation, 2012 "prophesies", mayan calendar stuff and so on, with an open but inteligent mind. Often his reasoning is interesting to follow, sometimes it gets a bit too longwinded. I also like that he does not give the reader a new philosophy or ontology or religion or system of beliefs. Rather, as I read him, it is an attempt to shake a little the ingrained view of reality we usually take for granted. Is the established conception of reality so obvious? Or is there something fundamental that we can't see? And if so, can alternative world views give us a hint? 2012 opens up windows to alternative and fascinating ideas, described by someone with a foot in mainstream acedemic discourse as well. Which I think is unusual.
   New age-fans or seekers of a belief system will probably find 2012 too ambiguous. Rather I think this book is intended for sceptical readers with an open mind.



5. I thought that this book was going to be about 2012, but instead it was some annoying guy justifying his drug habit. I wish I had kept my money and bought something of substance.

5 comments about Reiki The Ultimate Guide Vol. 4 Past Lives & Soul Retrieval Remove Psychic Debris & Heal Your Life (Reiki - The Ultimate Guide).

1. This is a great book! I liked the illustrations because they made the Past Life and Soul Retrieval process easy to understand. The few books on these topics never really show you how to do them. They just tell you in the text. That's what I like about all Steve Murray's books, they give you good visuals on what he is talking about.



2. Very useful book. As someone who takes the study of Reiki very seriously, and as someone who also studies hypnosis, I found that this book was easy to use and had a past life experience the first day I received it. I couldn't wait to see how Steve was able to take Reiki and use it for Past Life Regression.
   
   I had several very good outcomes from my first Reiki Past Life session. The answer to a question that I needed answered was given. Not only was that one question that I asked answered, but other revelations came from the same session. I was curious as to how a history buff like me could love all times in history except one, that was answered during this session. I also saw that one of my spirit guides was a good friend of mine during that time frame. What was really great is that each of us, me and my guide, had the same personalities back then as we do now.
   
   Not only do I use this method of Reiki healing for myself, but I also use it to guide people through past life regression.



3. I was already a Reiki Master, and purchased Steve Murray's, Reiki Ultimate Guide, Ultimate Guide Vol. 2, Vol. 3, and Vol. 4, along with the DVD attunements for each. The attunements were very powerful, and the energy flow is no doubt stronger. This program has to be the most convent, and realistic way to get started in the Reiki healing practice. I have tried several other Reiki programs in the past, and Steve Murrays Reiki Ultimate Guides, are the very best I have found yet. You will not be disappointed.
   D. White



4. Empowering!!
   I am by nature open minded but cautious. I read Steve's website top to bottom and was inspired by the truth as I read it. It resonated with something deep inside me. I was very drawn to his openness and perspectives on Reiki and decided that this was the right path to follow. I have not been disappointed at all!! Very congruent in all his writing and his mission statement.
   His DVD's and books empower you on whatever level you are interested in learning. He is a true teacher. You can read it, see it and feel the energy.
   Thank you so much Steve for all your insightful information and for sharing all your knowledge with everyone in an affordable way. This was a smart investment for me. I am truly grateful and much more knowledgeable.



5. My review for VOL. 4 will read close to that of VOL. 1-3 as I had close to the same wonderful experience: In my 10 years of non-stop study in the healing energy arts, especially Reiki - these books are the best I've read. Steve's approach is open, honest and straight to the point. Sure with different Reiki teachers you are going to get some different minor points here and there. This is the nature of Reiki at it's core anyway. We are all connected to this great source of healing energy, and we all have a different use and way of reaching for it. The good part is simply to take that reach. Steve's entire course is hand crafted to spell out the knowledge and give the guidance needed to heal yourself and others. This guide speaks of healing lost and emotionally charged parts of ones soul. I greatly enjoyed this book. True, there are a lot of pictures and if taken out the writing portion wouldn't be enough to make a big book. BUT this was one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much. When you start from Book/DVD Vol. 1 and work to get to this point: there is so much that doesn't need repeating. I actually felt like this book honored the knowledge I have alread learned and made me feel even more empowered for its delivery. I wouldn't read this one first, but after all it is Vol. 4 for a reason. I highly and with pride say to each and everyone of you, take the chance to read his work - you only have healing growth to achieve!

5 comments about Animal-Wise: The Spirit Language and Signs of Nature.

1. I'm glad I snagged a copy of this book. Usually when an author puts out another book on the same topic as before it ends up being flogge past redemption. This one, though, is a good expansion on what Animal-Speak contained. I'm especially happy about the continuation of the animal totem dictionary, primarily because it reminds readers that there are animals beyond North America ;)
   
   I wouldn't really recommend it as a stand-alone book for a beginner because you really do need a lot of the material from Animal-Speak for betetr context, but if you really, really like Andrews' work go ahead and get this. If you're more independent, you can probably pass it up since it's pretty much the second half of a very large book.



2. Truley another wonderful book on the subject of animal magic and totems. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in finding out what animal(s) is their totem or just to find out what each animal that comes into their life means amd how it relates to them.



3. Another cover that suggests things Native American, another round of clip-art-type illos, another dose of the "New Age" (see my review for Animal-Speak).
   
   This book is interesting in that it lists scores of less-popular, less-cuddly critters: insects, arachnids, arthropods, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. (Where else ya' gonna go if you think you have a Crayfish totem?)



4. Ted Andrews has put alot of research & dedication into this resource.
   Fantastic info on all animals included & excellent sections on how to incorporate animal wisdom into your life.
   An excellent resource for healers & Kinesiologists when balancing or for anyone who loves animals & nature.
   Highly recommended buy.



5. Good reference book for Spirit Guides and tells you how to build your own Totem. Easy to read and Easy to use.

4 comments about The World of Shamanism: New Views of an Ancient Tradition.

1. "The Spirit of Shamanism" has been selected for listing in "Religion and Psychoactive Sacraments: An Entheogen Chrestomathy." http://www.csp.org/chrestomathy



2. The Spirit of Shamanism is a psychiatrist's look at the essence of shamanic practices. Robert Walsh covers such topics as the shaman's initiation, accessing the spirit world, healing, psychedelic drugs, and New Age adaptations. Although Walsh looks across the broad range of the shamanic experience, the most interesting sections of the book deal with the topic of his expertise: mental illness and psychological health. He explores such questions as 1) whether shamanic initiation and trance states are psychotic or schizophrenic; 2) the difference between trance states and mental illness; and 3) the effects of music, trickery and the placebo effect on healing.

   On the negative side, Walsh has a poor opinion of anthropologists, yet he relies heavily on the work of anthropologists who are marginal in the anthropological community. Many of his resources are outdated. The book is not very deep, yet this makes it accessible to just about anyone. It doesn't "feel" like it's written by an M.D./Ph.D. -- Walsh slips easily into New Age thinking -- yet, again, it's accessible.

   This quasi-scientific book is good for anyone interested in knowing more about the psychology of shamanism. It's well-written, the chapters are short, and it's easy to understand.




3. The World of Shamanism is the best book I've read on the topic. A totally updated work that builds on his earlier book ((The Spirit of Shamanism) this book explores shamanism as we find it in the world, in the psyche, and in neo-shamanic practices.
   
   Dr. Walsh has mastered the art of writing in a popular manner rooted in rigorous research. There is no doubt about his sources as he carefully provides them in footnotes for the more curious reader. In his even-handed presentation of multiple perspectives Dr. Walsh models the tolerance for ambiguity he notes as necessary for a mature experience of the mystery of the universe.
   
   Most important, with regard to the subjective aspects of shamanic experience, he models "the principle of causal indifference" which reflects an acceptance (rare in our society) that "subjectively identical experiences can be produced by multiple causes" (p. 196).
   
   This is a must read for mental health professionals whose map of the universe includes the potential of non-ordinary states for healing as well as for the layperson trying to dig their way through all the misinformation on shamanism that has piled up in the "new age" market over the years.



4. From a science veiw, this is a very reference book, and covers lot of the basics of the type of practice and ways of the shamans. It is not a how-to book on riturals and so forth, but it is one that you should have one your book shelf. It talks about spirit visions, alter-sate meditations, atro-travels, healing and mudiumship, spirits and beliefs, etc.

5 comments about Conscious Dreaming: A Spiritual Path for Everyday Life.

1. Although all Robert Moss books are wonderful, Conscious Dreaming is one of my favoites. Moss is by far my favorite dream author. The book is fascinating, easy to read, and very informative. It contains excellent istructions for beginners as well as experienced dreamers. Not only do I remember more dreams after reading this book, now but I can use them more effectively to guide me through life. My life is richer and more meaningful.
   The only thing that has helped my dreaming more than this book are Robert Moss workshops, which make this book come alive! Moss is so obviously not in this for the money. After doing a dozen or so workshops I can tell that his teaching and writing come so passionately from his heart. He writes and teaches because he truly believes in helping others with dreaming- it's his calling. Other dream teachers in the field honor,recognize and hightly respect him as a pioneer in the field. He has synthesized dream work like no one else. I enthusiastically look forward to future dream books by Moss and highly recommend this one to you.



2. Having read a lot of books about dreams, I think Robert Moss' classic "Conscious Dreaming" is arguably the best on the market. Moss implores the reader to go beyond just recording and working with dreams. Mr. Moss' focus is on Shamanic Dreaming; the ability to consciously explore and practically use time in the dreamspace to solve problems while awake. If the dreamer can do just a little of what Moss describes, he / she will grow by leaps and bounds as a human being.



3. A good "how to" book. Very helpful if you want to learn to remember, journal & analyze your dreams. Since I read this book, my life has changed--I have experienced or remembered messages from ancestors and healings. When you wake up in the morning you cannot always remember that dream; it is right on the tip of your brain, but you just cannot remember. This book will help you reach in and "get it".



4. I've always been interested in dreams and their interpretation regarding everyday life. I agree with Moss regarding using dreams to understand your life. He gives sound examples of how to recall your dreams upon waking, and I have been doing this for years with good results. The book is filled with useful exercises for visualization to aid with creativity, life's messages and healing of self.



5. Conscious Dreaming is really in-depth--it takes you to all the places you want to go, without making you feel insignificant because you can't (or don't want to) control your dreams. The title is apt, since the goal of dreamwork is to be aware, not hyper-vigilant. It touches on Shamanic themes and provides a lot of inspiration and advice for getting more deeply in-touch with personal issues: those needs and wants that can escape everyday living. A must-read!