The Shaman's Quest: Journeys in an Ancient Spiritual Practice

by Nevill Drury

"Since the beginning of time, from all corners of the earth, cultures have been producing shamans - men and women who are visionaries and healers. Their aim is to remind people of the sacredness of human life, and to reinforce appreciation of the earth and its gifts." "This narrative recounts the spiritual journeys of four shamans, from their first calling through initiation and training into their roles as leaders and healers. From the arctic snows of Canada, the central Australian desert, the mountains of Japan, and the forests of South America, these four shamans embark on a quest to the mythic center of the world, where they will bear witness to the healing of the earth." In addition to Nevill Drury's visionary fiction, shamanic practitioner Tom Cowan adds an accessible, basic introduction to Shamanism that explains the concepts, terms, and core features of the tradition, as beautifully depicted in Drury's narrative. This book is the ideal place to begin your exploration of this ancient spiritual healing practice.

208 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2002

About the author

Nevill Drury PhD is an independent historical researcher whose specialist interests include modern Western magic, shamanism, transpersonal psychology and visionary art. His most recent publications include The Varieties of Magical Experience (co-authored with Lynne Hume; Praeger, January 2013), Dark Spirits: The Magical Art of Rosaleen Norton and Austin Osman Spare (Salamander, 2012); Stealing Fire from Heaven: the Rise of Modern Western Magic (Oxford University Press 2011); Homage to Pan (Creation Oneiros 2009), The Dictionary of Magic (Watkins 2005) and The New Age: the History of a Movement (Thames & Hudson 2004). He received his Ph.D from the University of Newcastle in 2008 for a dissertation on the visionary art and magical beliefs of Rosaleen Norton (awarded 'Best Humanities Ph.D'. in that year).

Born in England in 1947 but resident in Australia since 1963, Nevill has worked as an international art-book publisher, lecturer and magazine editor and is now a full-time writer. He is the author/co-author/editor of seventy books covering a range of subjects like contemporary art (Images in Contemporary Australian Painting, New Sculpture, Australian Painting Now, Fire and Shadow: Spirituality in Contemporary Australian Art), Aboriginal culture (Wisdom from the Earth), holistic health (The Healing Power, Inner Health) and the magical traditions (Dark Spirits; Stealing Fire from Heaven: Sacred Encounters; Homage to Pan, Inner Visions). He is also the author of a work of mythic fiction, The Shaman's Quest, which was described by Publisher's Weekly as a 'poetic' book that 'could become a classic'. His work has been published in 26 countries and 19 languages.

Reviews

[Andee Marley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had the time to make this a short play. I can see the costumes and staging. Delightful!

[Yvonne Ryves · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Shaman's Quest, Drury weaves the fictitious life stories of four shaman, one from each of the four corners of the earth. Each of these Shaman are called to the Great Lake of Spirit, the eternal lake from which all things come, which lies at the centre of the world, to witness the rebirth of the world.

From the North comes Enoyuk, from the South Kalu, from the East Teteke and from the West Baiya. As their individual tales unfold we hear how each shaman receives their own calling and learn of their various initiations. In doing this Drury uses the classic dismemberment shamanic journey varying it to suit the culture of each of the shaman and in doing so explains that there are many paths to becoming a shaman.

The message throughout is that although each of the shaman has lived and learnt their path within different cultures, has a different story and different guides and helpers their existence all stems from the one source and that in the end this is where all of us originated and to which we will all return.

There is also a second message that we all, from all corners of the earth have to come together and work together in order to create new ways of being and of living to help the earth heal. Perhaps this is a timely message coming towards the end of 2012, the end of the Mayan Calendar and the move into which many believe is a new way of being.

[Nimue Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

stunning, startling, inspiring.