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Sky Shamans of Mongolia: Meetings with Remarkable Healers
Part travelogue, part experiential spiritual memoir, Kevin Turner takes us to visit with authentic shamans in the steppes and urban centers of modern-day Mongolia. Along the way, the author, a practicing shaman himself, tells of spontaneous medical diagnoses, all-night shamanic ceremonies, and miraculous healings, all welling from a rich culture in which divination, soul-retrieval, and spirit depossession are a part of everyday life.
Shamanism, described in the 1950s by Mircea Eliade as "archaic techniques of ecstasy," is alive and well in Mongolia as a means of accessing "nonordinary realities" and the spirit world. After centuries of suppression by Buddhist and then Communist political powers, it is exploding in popularity in Mongolia. Turner gives compelling accounts of healings and rituals he witnesses among Darkhad, Buryat, and Khalkh shamans, and goes on to provide us with his insights into a universal shamanism, principles that lie at the heart of shamanic traditions worldwide. This astounding, inspiring book will appeal to shamans and shamanic therapists, students of Mongolian culture and comparative religion, and fans of off-grid travel memoirs.
Shamanism, described in the 1950s by Mircea Eliade as "archaic techniques of ecstasy," is alive and well in Mongolia as a means of accessing "nonordinary realities" and the spirit world. After centuries of suppression by Buddhist and then Communist political powers, it is exploding in popularity in Mongolia. Turner gives compelling accounts of healings and rituals he witnesses among Darkhad, Buryat, and Khalkh shamans, and goes on to provide us with his insights into a universal shamanism, principles that lie at the heart of shamanic traditions worldwide. This astounding, inspiring book will appeal to shamans and shamanic therapists, students of Mongolian culture and comparative religion, and fans of off-grid travel memoirs.
248 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 9, 2018
This a brief review of an extraordinary book. I'd recommend it to anybody. It is an accessible and truly unique introduction to a culture and practice that is misunderstood and under-represented in the West.
Sky Shamans is an incredibly interesting book. I hadn't read much on shamanism before this one and it tied so many things together. It's so atmospheric it is the equivalent of a immensely satisfying documentary on the subject. The publishers did an excellent job of including photos throughout the text which provides the reader with a palpable sense of a truly remarkable culture on the rise.
Sky Shamans is an incredibly interesting book. I hadn't read much on shamanism before this one and it tied so many things together. It's so atmospheric it is the equivalent of a immensely satisfying documentary on the subject. The publishers did an excellent job of including photos throughout the text which provides the reader with a palpable sense of a truly remarkable culture on the rise.
August 17, 2016
The author's candid, yet matter-of-fact voice invites the reader to a journey through the history, the types and the evolution of Mongolian shamanism. Turner recounts his personal shamanic experiences as well as his insights and observations in the shamanic communities of Mongolia with compassion and passion for the plight of Mongolian shamans and universal shamanism. His knowledge of the topic is extensive and is conveyed in a very balanced way, interweaving personal accounts with general historical and technical insights. The sceptic should start by reading the final 10-15 pages of the book where Turner skillfully and tactfully addresses historical, psychological, neurobiological explanations for shamanic experience.
Sky Shamans is skillfully written, balanced, engaging, informative and a joy to read.
Sky Shamans is skillfully written, balanced, engaging, informative and a joy to read.
January 2, 2020
Compelling, relatable storytelling undergirded by scholarly rigor.
Kevin Turner writes evocatively of his adventures on the Mongolian steppe, such that his readers feel like they are along for the often bumpy ride. His research on indigenous shamanism is unmatched in my readings and his insights into accessing, exploring and synthesizing experiences gained in altered states of consciousness are profound.
Kevin Turner writes evocatively of his adventures on the Mongolian steppe, such that his readers feel like they are along for the often bumpy ride. His research on indigenous shamanism is unmatched in my readings and his insights into accessing, exploring and synthesizing experiences gained in altered states of consciousness are profound.
August 25, 2017
Though this book reads like a travel memoir, it's heavily researched and referenced without feeling dry. Kevin Turner does a great job at gently bringing a western reader into eastern experiences and concepts.
April 5, 2019
Very Interesting!
March 26, 2021
Wonderful sharing journey, personable and scholarly.
November 16, 2024
Sky Shamans of Mongolia: Meetings with Remarkable Healers explores the rich tapestry of Mongolian shamanism through personal narratives and ethnographic observations. This book is a unique blend of travelogue, spiritual memoir, and anthropological study, providing readers with an intimate glimpse into the lives and practices of contemporary shamans in Mongolia.
Turner draws from his extensive experiences studying shamanism across various cultures, including his encounters with indigenous shamans in Mongolia, Indonesia, and other regions. His journey into the heart of Mongolian shamanism reveals a resurgence of this ancient practice, which had faced decline during the Soviet era. The author documents his meetings with different shamanic practitioners, including the Darkhad, Buryat, and Khalkh peoples, highlighting their healing rituals and spiritual insights.
Turner illustrates how shamanism in Mongolia is experiencing a revival as people seek to reconnect with their cultural roots and spiritual heritage. He emphasizes the importance of these practices in modern society, where traditional healing methods are increasingly valued alongside contemporary medicine. The book provides compelling accounts of various healing rituals performed by shamans. Turner describes not only the rituals themselves but also the profound effects they have on individuals seeking help for physical and spiritual ailments. These narratives serve to bridge the gap between ancient traditions and modern therapeutic practices.
Turner's own journey is a significant aspect of the narrative. His experiences with shamanic journeying allow him to reflect on his personal growth and understanding of spirituality. This introspective element adds depth to the ethnographic accounts, making it relatable for readers interested in personal development through spiritual practices. The author employs an ethnographic lens to document his experiences, providing detailed descriptions of rituals and interactions with shamans. His background in linguistics and previous studies in Asia enrich his observations, allowing him to convey the nuances of cultural expressions within Mongolian shamanism. Turner’s insights are not just academic; they are infused with personal anecdotes that enhance the authenticity of his encounters.
Sky Shamans of Mongolia stands out as an important contribution to the field of shamanic studies and ethnography. Kevin Turner successfully captures the essence of Mongolian shamanism while sharing transformative experiences that resonate with a broader audience interested in spirituality and healing. His work encourages a deeper appreciation for indigenous practices and their relevance in contemporary life, making it a valuable read for both scholars and laypeople alike.
Turner draws from his extensive experiences studying shamanism across various cultures, including his encounters with indigenous shamans in Mongolia, Indonesia, and other regions. His journey into the heart of Mongolian shamanism reveals a resurgence of this ancient practice, which had faced decline during the Soviet era. The author documents his meetings with different shamanic practitioners, including the Darkhad, Buryat, and Khalkh peoples, highlighting their healing rituals and spiritual insights.
Turner illustrates how shamanism in Mongolia is experiencing a revival as people seek to reconnect with their cultural roots and spiritual heritage. He emphasizes the importance of these practices in modern society, where traditional healing methods are increasingly valued alongside contemporary medicine. The book provides compelling accounts of various healing rituals performed by shamans. Turner describes not only the rituals themselves but also the profound effects they have on individuals seeking help for physical and spiritual ailments. These narratives serve to bridge the gap between ancient traditions and modern therapeutic practices.
Turner's own journey is a significant aspect of the narrative. His experiences with shamanic journeying allow him to reflect on his personal growth and understanding of spirituality. This introspective element adds depth to the ethnographic accounts, making it relatable for readers interested in personal development through spiritual practices. The author employs an ethnographic lens to document his experiences, providing detailed descriptions of rituals and interactions with shamans. His background in linguistics and previous studies in Asia enrich his observations, allowing him to convey the nuances of cultural expressions within Mongolian shamanism. Turner’s insights are not just academic; they are infused with personal anecdotes that enhance the authenticity of his encounters.
Sky Shamans of Mongolia stands out as an important contribution to the field of shamanic studies and ethnography. Kevin Turner successfully captures the essence of Mongolian shamanism while sharing transformative experiences that resonate with a broader audience interested in spirituality and healing. His work encourages a deeper appreciation for indigenous practices and their relevance in contemporary life, making it a valuable read for both scholars and laypeople alike.
February 23, 2020
I guess people that read this book have a strong bias to anything related to magic, soul, etc.
I'm just curious. And I like to read about different cultures.
But there are many think that disapointed me in this book:
0.there are many inconsistencies in what is written. Writer mentions different branches of shamanism, but then makes a point in writing that every shaman has very different practices, that only have the very basics in common. So wait: what are then the branches based on?
1.You don't get much about any culture. The writer was either too focused on his topic (which btw means he probably missed out many things) or he is so into it that he doesnt notice. Point is: i missed hearing about mongolians
2.The writer is no doubt into the bio/fairtrade trend. which is totally OK and not surprisong given the topic, but it shouldnt be a recurrent topic of this book. letting us know that the meat you eat in the middle of the mongolian nowhere is BIO is useless information. Plus it is misleading. Mongolian food in the outback sure has no chemicals in it, but it does not mean its healthy. they usually cook it with animal crap, which adds other toxic by products.
I'm just curious. And I like to read about different cultures.
But there are many think that disapointed me in this book:
0.there are many inconsistencies in what is written. Writer mentions different branches of shamanism, but then makes a point in writing that every shaman has very different practices, that only have the very basics in common. So wait: what are then the branches based on?
1.You don't get much about any culture. The writer was either too focused on his topic (which btw means he probably missed out many things) or he is so into it that he doesnt notice. Point is: i missed hearing about mongolians
2.The writer is no doubt into the bio/fairtrade trend. which is totally OK and not surprisong given the topic, but it shouldnt be a recurrent topic of this book. letting us know that the meat you eat in the middle of the mongolian nowhere is BIO is useless information. Plus it is misleading. Mongolian food in the outback sure has no chemicals in it, but it does not mean its healthy. they usually cook it with animal crap, which adds other toxic by products.
January 1, 2019
I got this book as a gift, and other than the title I didn't know much about it. I thought it would be an objective, more anthropological view on modern Shamanism in Mongolia. The author clearly had a great time and whole-heartedly believes in shamans' abilities.
It was interesting to read about the various practices, especially from the point of view of a believer. It was also interesting to see how Turner traveled around the country. I wish the last chapter on Shamanism as Personal Evolution would have been at the beginning of the book. But the pictures throughout really helped me
It was interesting to read about the various practices, especially from the point of view of a believer. It was also interesting to see how Turner traveled around the country. I wish the last chapter on Shamanism as Personal Evolution would have been at the beginning of the book. But the pictures throughout really helped me
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews