Black Elk: The Sacred Ways of a Lakota

by Wallace Black Elk, William S. Lyon

"An unprecedented account of the shaman's world and the way it is entered."
Stanley Krippner, PhD, coauthor of Personal Mythology: The Psychology of Your Evolving Self and Healing State.

Black Elk opens the Lakota sacred hoop.

Genres: Native American, Nonfiction, History, Spirituality, Indigenous, Biography, Religion

199 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1990

About the author

Wallace Black Elk (1921-2004), a traditional Lakota Elder and spiritual interpreter, was a Channupa (sacred pipe) bearing descendent of the legendary Nicholas Black Elk whose visionary experiences were recounted in the book "Black Elk Speaks." Grandfather Wallace was born and raised on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota and has been trained since childhood in the sacred ways of his people. He passed away on January 25, 2004 at his home in Denver, Colorado.

(from http://www.greatleap.org/blackelk/)

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

LEARN FROM THOSE WHO KNOW

Buy this for Wallace Black Elk's picture on the cover--and for everything inside. Black Elk's state is written all over his face. The man's soul comes right through this book. My spiritual teacher, who was from India, told us to study masters who could impart the experience of God, not people who wrote about people who had experience. Black Elk fits the category of those who know.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book and I actually met Wallace Black Elk, what a wonderful, kind, gentle soul.
Spent time helping out the Lakota in South Dakota after suffering a terrible time when a tornado came through and people lost their homes. He is a true teacher and shaman and would love to be in another lodge with him!

[Eliza Buffalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I just loved this man...Wallace Black Elk - not to be confused with one of his elders Nicholas Black Elk...still very much the medicine man and holy man... He is a character not to be missed. lol

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the honor & pleasure of knowing and spending time with Grandpa Wallace (not related to Nicholas). He was a great man and was willing to share his knowledge & wisdom with anyone who was willing to listen. He was funny too, but many people didn't catch his subtle sense of humor.

This book is written about his experiences in life and with Tunkashila (Creator). There are many good teachings offered in this book and for anyone interested in modern Native American spirituality this book is a must.

[Lee Van Ham]

Having lived in Nebraska for 16 years, I visited a Black Elk monument and came to understand the great contribution made by University of Nebraska professor John Neihardt to appreciation for First Peoples. He'd given priority to a relationship with Black Elk and wrote up much of Black Elk's shamanic story in the Lakota's own words. So a book co-authored by Wallace Black Elk is a great treat to me—a treasure on my shelf.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wallace Black Elk. I thought there was only one Black Elk. Come to find out, there’s Nick Black Elk, Ben Black Elk and now, Wallace. Maybe more.

A sweet, beautiful story. Kinda hard to read, because of the roundabout style but too much editing might weed something out. Requires concentration and inspiration, I guess. Couldn't finish this, too many parables.

[Beckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wallace Black Elk touches the reader on a spiritual level, addressing that what has been handed down through the generations as part of our genetic codes.

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely interesting but only pick it up if you're already interested in learning more about shamanism; the text isn't conducive to making you more interested if you aren't already.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more than 3 stars... it probably deserves more than that. But I fall into the category of people Black Elk refers to as "educated". Which means I've been to school, college, etc and some of the more basic truths have probably been schooled right out of me. I did like the ideas he talks about, how we've lost a lot of basic knowledge about how we are integrated with other systems, because we feel we know so much already, and have made so much progress with science and technology. We question these older cultures, how could they know anything we don't? We say their ways are uneducated just because we can't explain them with our science. His attitudes on what we are doing to our planet and our children, they all make sense. But It took forever to read (I started it over a year ago). There was a lot of repetition, and it wasn't written in a very organized fashion. It felt like reading a transcript as if you were listening to someone sitting around the dining table telling stories. I had a hard time believing some of the details. But I did enjoy seeing the world through a completely different perspective, and was horrified to read about the way this man was treated after fighting for America in the war, simply for being Lakota and for having non-Christian spiritual beliefs and for practicing his spiritual beliefs. He is an interesting man with a big heart. Overall, an interesting read.

[Cherop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this short book but would have to read it several times to really understand it all. Not so sure I believe the section that spoke about UFOs. Although I have heard it said that the Anazazi depicted UFOs in their cave drawings I've yet to hear this about any other tribe in North America (it doesn't mean they don't have the teachings, just that I haven't heard about it yet). There were a few instances near the end of the book where I started to wonder how much of what was written was influenced by new age thoughts or even Christian teachings.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my personal favorites. As a shaman/medicine man in training I've found this book not only extremely helpful but absolutely hysterical. The Amerindian sense of humor is absolutely invaluable to the world.

[Michael]

I went to my first lodge yesterday and want to go deeper in reverence. Deeper into Lakota culture & history, deeper into myself and feel the heartbeat of the earth. I will never forget the beauty of this first lodge of mine.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing, amazing, amazing. This is an account of unimaginable realities and mysteries. Very highly recommend to anyone with an interest in indigenous spirituality and how it deepens our experience of life and nature.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much is lost to so many!

The dating of the book reflects some of the contents - the concern w/ nuclear weapons was most likely the worry of the day as was it a worry in the book. Nonetheless, the importance of all of the lost culture is prominent.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful sacred book, describing ways of being (and people) that are fast disappearing from this world. I do wonder though about the seeming lack of the feminine in all this and any female shamans (and their respect).

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

though I am skeptical about the existence of spirits, i liked his humor and perspective.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting ideas about Shamans and spirituality - Makes me want to jump into a sweat lodge and call in the gourd people. :)

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read only the preface to this book and I already have gained more understanding about the Black Elk Speaks visions.

[Mada Dalian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book that is both revealing and entertaining.

[Rainbowheart1978]

This book is on hold for now. I had to return it to the library. I will check it out again sometime.

[Eileen (Elana) · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books! Very insightful!

[Joseph Kavajecz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great understanding and teaching of the Sacred Pipe.

[Luce Cronin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me quite a while to read this book as it is better if you stop and reflect on just what he is saying. A very important book if you are interested in the ways of the Earth People.

[Dottie Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, a reinforcement of all the things we do not learn in school or church about Native American cultures and religions, and some amount of insight into the historical injustice.

I found this interesting, and the narrator's voice, Wallace Black Elk, so very charming and humble. Here is a man who has repeatedly used his shaman gifts to help and aid other people, yet he remains egotistically untouched. He good naturedly pokes fun at modern technology and medicine, but not in an offensive way, rather to draw contrasts and make the reader think.

Highly recommended - stay with it, worth the read.

[Stan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look into the world of native American religion. The book describes rituals in how the author approached various requests for spiritual intervention in order to help others or seek guidance in life's path.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read. Black Elk explains the importance of Native spirituality in his own words and explains the magical power of the chanunpa. Calls you to ask which parts of your life you are forgetting to thank.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book for anyone interested in tribal, Native American, and Lakota ways of life. I love how throughout he jokes about "educated people" who don't know things that are very basic to him. He also jokes about being a "dumb Indian", when in fact he's knowledgeable in things that aren't valued anymore. This book taught me that we have a lot of soul-searching to do about the types of knowledge or ways of being that we think are valuable.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

They knew everything in their teepees, we are all apart. Amazing read