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In Focus #13
In Focus Shamanism: Your Personal Guide
Shamanism is an ancient healing tradition that serves to connect nature with all living creatures. Based on the ancient traditions and wisdom from around the world, including North and South America, Asia, and Europe, In Focus Shamanism teaches you how to create a spiritual practice to bring change, healing, and transformation to your life using updated and modernized shamanic traditions that include:
Making a journey to another realm and vision quests
Drum, dance, and dream trances
Divination for individuals and community
Working with medicine wheels and spirit animals
Aligning yourself with nature
This accessible and beautifully designed guide to shamanism includes a frameable poster of powerful spirit animals and their unique characteristics.
The In Focus series applies a modern approach to teaching the classic body, mind, and spirit subjects. Authored by experts in their respective fields, these beginner's guides feature smartly designed visual material that clearly illustrates key topics within each subject. As a bonus, each book includes reference cards or a poster, held in an envelope inside the back cover, that give you a quick, go-to guide containing the most important information on the subject.
Making a journey to another realm and vision quests
Drum, dance, and dream trances
Divination for individuals and community
Working with medicine wheels and spirit animals
Aligning yourself with nature
This accessible and beautifully designed guide to shamanism includes a frameable poster of powerful spirit animals and their unique characteristics.
The In Focus series applies a modern approach to teaching the classic body, mind, and spirit subjects. Authored by experts in their respective fields, these beginner's guides feature smartly designed visual material that clearly illustrates key topics within each subject. As a bonus, each book includes reference cards or a poster, held in an envelope inside the back cover, that give you a quick, go-to guide containing the most important information on the subject.
- GenresSpirituality
144 pages, Hardcover
Published January 12, 2021
6 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 22, 2021
A comprehensive book about Shamanism.. It has a mix of modern and historical practices. it is a book about Shamanism, how to use it and to heal from it... Our Spirit guides and levels of perception are described and how to take a Shamanistic Journey...
If you want to know what Shamanism is and how it works then this book is for you
Very enjoyable read and a great insight into what can be a complex and mis-understood practice
If you want to know what Shamanism is and how it works then this book is for you
Very enjoyable read and a great insight into what can be a complex and mis-understood practice
December 5, 2020
Entry level reference guide on the topic of shamanism, with both summary explanation and suggested practices.. Individuals looking for a cursory explanation of shamanism (in both contemporary and historical contexts) are the most likely to find this book useful. Authors and writers who focus on science fiction and fantasy may also want to buy a copy as a tool for future projects/writings.
February 7, 2022
Not sure what to think until I do a deeper dive into the subjects at hand.
A few read flags popped up during my reading but overall this seems an in-offensive introduction to traditional Shamanism, presenting a multi-cutural look at various practicing. While I have some fears that this book meshes multiple cultural practices together (and at certain points condemns or refuses to mention more taboo Shamanic practices which is neither here nor there but does remove some cultural context for the practices themselves), if anything this was a good baseline for me to begin exploring the subject.
Red flags included:
- Using the term 'smudging' with instructions and practices involving the technique, a native spiritual practice which, ironically, another book I was reading at the same time made explicit statements towards the use of the practice by non-natives (which I was already aware). I actually got confused while reading the two books side by side, thinking the author here first condemned non-native use of smudging only to outline how to do it throughout. That said, pro-tip to neo-shamans, just burn your herbs and please don't call it smudging.
- Introducing the concept of the medicine wheel as a 'Vedic Tradition' but attributing it to Native American Practices??? I acknowledge that I may be limited in my understanding but like, that's two separate continents and cultures gang.
EDIT
Like one google search in, the idea of Native American Astrology is an entirely New Age idea which (while of Native origin) are not ancient or historic as this text claims. I'm taking this entire thing with a grain of salt.
A few read flags popped up during my reading but overall this seems an in-offensive introduction to traditional Shamanism, presenting a multi-cutural look at various practicing. While I have some fears that this book meshes multiple cultural practices together (and at certain points condemns or refuses to mention more taboo Shamanic practices which is neither here nor there but does remove some cultural context for the practices themselves), if anything this was a good baseline for me to begin exploring the subject.
Red flags included:
- Using the term 'smudging' with instructions and practices involving the technique, a native spiritual practice which, ironically, another book I was reading at the same time made explicit statements towards the use of the practice by non-natives (which I was already aware). I actually got confused while reading the two books side by side, thinking the author here first condemned non-native use of smudging only to outline how to do it throughout. That said, pro-tip to neo-shamans, just burn your herbs and please don't call it smudging.
- Introducing the concept of the medicine wheel as a 'Vedic Tradition' but attributing it to Native American Practices??? I acknowledge that I may be limited in my understanding but like, that's two separate continents and cultures gang.
EDIT
Like one google search in, the idea of Native American Astrology is an entirely New Age idea which (while of Native origin) are not ancient or historic as this text claims. I'm taking this entire thing with a grain of salt.
May 5, 2023
This is a good reference book if you’re wanting to learn more about shamanism, and how to incorporate it in your life. It might not be as extensive or all inclusive as it could be for one who is delving deeper into shamanism However, for those individuals who are seeking some guidance on how to get started and the fundamentals this is a great reference for such.
Each chapter covers a specific aspect of shamanism. There is a good amount of history given us to wear this practice came from and what it’s used for. I always enjoy learning about the history of something, as it gives you a context in which to understand the practice, and to greater appreciate different peoples and cultures.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking into shamanism. The chapters are short easy to understand in layman’s terms. It gives you ideas on how to carve out space for this in your life. It gives suggestions on how to do things on your own as well, as when it would be best to consult with someone who is trained in the practice. All in all, it was enjoyable to read.
Each chapter covers a specific aspect of shamanism. There is a good amount of history given us to wear this practice came from and what it’s used for. I always enjoy learning about the history of something, as it gives you a context in which to understand the practice, and to greater appreciate different peoples and cultures.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking into shamanism. The chapters are short easy to understand in layman’s terms. It gives you ideas on how to carve out space for this in your life. It gives suggestions on how to do things on your own as well, as when it would be best to consult with someone who is trained in the practice. All in all, it was enjoyable to read.
December 13, 2020
Interesting book that covers a broad range of Shamanic practices. There is a fair amount of detail in this book, including various step by step guides, including cleansing rituals and meditation journeys. I haven't attempted any of the meditations yet, however found reading the processes interesting.
I really enjoyed the illustrations throughout.
Overall good read for an overview of the topic, with some interesting and helpful points for people with an interest in Shamanism but with little prior knowledge.
3/5
**I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
I really enjoyed the illustrations throughout.
Overall good read for an overview of the topic, with some interesting and helpful points for people with an interest in Shamanism but with little prior knowledge.
3/5
**I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
October 16, 2024
When I picked up this book, I was hoping to learn about the Shamans (witch doctors), but this book turned out to be a manual for an apprenticeship in Shamanism. I even found it silly when it described the practices as solid and proven beliefs. I mean talking to plants and asking for their permission, this is kind of an overreach and silly.
January 2, 2024
It has the basics, good to start and have an idea about what’s shamanistic practices.
January 17, 2024
(as always, please respect closed practices.)
very insightful and informative.
very insightful and informative.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews