Aya: a shamanic odyssey

by Rak Razam

Aya: a shamanic odyssey by Rak Razam 1. Ayahuasca 2. Shamanism 3. Counterculture 4. Memoir 'The vine has spread her tendrils across the world and a genuine archaic revival was underway. My bags were packed, South America beckoned and the ancient mysteries of the rainforest awaited. I wanted in on it...' When "experiential journalist" Rak Razam sets out to document the booming business of Amazonian shamanism in the 21st century, he quickly finds himself caught up in a culture clash between the old world and the new. Braving a gringo trail of the soul, he discovers a movement of seekers coming from the West to experience the multi-dimensional reality shamanism connects one to. Central to this is ayahuasca-the "vine of souls"-a South American hallucinogenic plant that has been used by Amazonian people for millennia to heal, cleanse and purify the spirit, connecting it to the web of life. As Razam trains with indigenous curanderos he lyrically documents his experiences and burgeoning relationship with the plant world. And the more he drinks this potent jungle medicine the deeper it leads him, from the wet jungles where the ayahuasca vine grows, to the middle of the Amazon and on into the raging heart of consciousness itself... Razam has a hip, breakneck style of reporting delicately threaded with deep insights and understandings of the indigenous view of reality. His journalistic eye for detail captures a unique spiritual adventure that echoes the archetypal Western quest, propelling you on a cosmological travel memoir that is at turns beautiful, terrifying, mind-blowing and ultimately, cathartic. Part journalistic account, part adventure, Aya is ultimately a love song to something intimately familiar to the human spirit. 'As Razam so aptly demonstrates, a new kind of traveler is emerging-one that embarks into the mysterious and uncharted domain within, where they aim to conquer their own heart. Written in the tradition of a great adventure narrative, AYA is a timely story for a new emerging era.' - Yossi Ghinsberg, author of Lost in the Jungle www.ayathebook.com

Genres: Religion

444 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2009

Reviews

[William Keefer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. When future historians write works on how Ayahuasca saved the world they will surely refer to Aya Awakenings as a source book about the spiritual wild west of Iquitos, Peru.

[Celestin Büche · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a true gem - a linguistic object downloaded directly from the amazon.

[Mason Dupuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, vulnerable and thorough. Great storytelling.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Razam is a self-described experiential journalist. In this book, he explores the mystery and ritual surrounding ayahuasca in South America. The business of shamanism in the 21st century is one of the central themes of Aya: A Shamanistic Odyssey. In many cases, Razam finds himself straddling the traditions of ayahuasca with thoughts and ideas from the modern world. He encounters a movement of soul-searchers coming from the West and befriends them, learns from them and shares multi-dimensional experiences with them.

Ayahuasca, or the vine of souls, is a South American hallucinogenic plant that the Amazonian people have utilized for millennia to heal, cleanse and purify the spirit. Many users of ayahuasca report that it allows them to connect to the overall web of life that entangles us all.

Razam trains with many indigenous curanderos, or ayahuascueros, while in South America. These medicine men and women each have their own way of approaching ayahuasca. A few common threads were prevalent with the majority of curanderos: icaros, or the songs of the vine, brujeria, or the evil and threatening forces that want to harm curanderos and their patients, and mapacho, or the specific type of tobacco used during ayahuasca ceremonies to cleanse and purify the ritual space and spirits inside.

As Razam drinks more ayahuasca, the vine of souls seems to lead him deeper into the Amazon on various trips. Each is different, but somehow connected to the web of life. Aya: A Shamanic Odyssey is a great account of 21st century shamanism in the Amazon. While the occasional typo or meandering thought might trip up the flow of the book, it is very enjoyable. And it is also one of the most current books on the topic. A definite must-read for fans of this genre.

[Niklas Spitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elucidating journalistic journey of a fearless psychonaut into the current trend of ayahuasca tourism and the ongoing quest for knowledge. Rak Razam is what I would call a contemporary beatnik author. Fun stuff.

[Emma Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cant put this book down, only started the other day and think I will be done tomorrow (this is 400+ pages and I can be a slow reader). Helping me plan my Jungle trip, he is very honest and realistic about it all and it is very easy to relate to his writing style, he just comes across genuine.

[Leonie Starnawski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I'm was utterly ignorant of ayahuasca and the spirits and the understanding they can awaken in us all. This is one amazing journey, conveyed so well, which shares much of Rak's learnings for all to benefit. Vivid, entertaining, informative and highly recommended.