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THE BRUJO...four university professors learn the hard way that the world of the shaman is as real as their own.
Novel version. Four university professors invite a Brujo from the Sonora desert to explain shamanism. He guides them into an alive, creative world which turns out to be both seductive and dangerous. They try to return to their safe, familiar world but it's too late. When they invite the Brujo to return, he uses guided fantasies to begin their adventure into the nature of reality. Beyond time and space they slowly become aware of their true identity. The reader is invited to participate in the drama.
Adult language, especially when one of the professors finds himself dressed in black and white stripes, working on a chain gang.
_____________________
The bi-weekly meeting of the Prolific Professors of the Sun Coast has just begun. As usual it is held at night in Ralph’s study. Ralph, Jean, Bill and Johnny sit around the table sipping an Australian Merlot that Ralph recently discovered. A Mozart sonata is softly playing in the background. Bookshelves full of book line the walls, and research papers are piled here and there. Not much color in the room. Mostly tans and grays.
The group is stiff and formal. Ralph is a big bear, who much prefers to go along to get along. The woman, Jean, is slender and has the look and manner of a bird of prey. Bill is tall, serious, self-confidant and has very sharp fangs. Johnny prides himself on being open-minded and multi-dimensional, and is intolerant of those who are not.
“A toast to our newest full-professor,” Ralph said, raising his glass to Jean. “No one deserves it more. Your book analyzing the effectiveness of different therapies on rape victims was outstanding. May the power and glory lie softly upon your shoulders. Or is the word lay? Never could keep them straight.”
Everyone chuckled politely.
“Thank you. I’m so lucky to have such decent people as friends. They are hard to find these days.”
“You had something Johnny?” Ralph asked.
“Yes. I want to bring a guest to our next meeting. A magical man who will amaze and Delight.”
Bill rolled his eyes, “I don’t know Johnny. That theologian you brought last time didn’t exactly amaze and delight.”
“You and Jean were all over that poor guy.”
Jean grinned, “We were just testing his sainthood---he didn’t pass. I didn’t know human faces could get that red.”
Everybody laughs.
“Well, the man I want to bring isn’t a saint either, but I doubt you can get his face red. He’s not a theologian, not a philosopher not a physicist. He’s a shaman, a Brujo from the Sonoran desert.”
“Oh my God Johnny,” Jean said, “you have to be kidding. Is he that creepy character out of Castaneda? Or just an old fashioned guru, gulling the gullible as he drives another Jaguar into his garage?”
Johnny laughs again but is becoming irritated.
“That is for you to decide. I just hope that he can get past your iron-plated skull.”
“No problem, if there is any merit in what he has to say. But, I don’t waste time on nonsense. And, you shouldn’t either”, Jean said, with a slight trace of condescension.
“How can you evaluate an idea before you hear it?”
“You do it by playing the odds. You know in advance that ideas coming from some people are just not going to be worth wasting your precious brain cells.”
“I felt sorry for that poor theologian.” Ralph said. “We never gave him much of a chance.”
“He didn’t deserve a chance.” Jean said, “He still lives in the middle ages. And this shaman still lives in a cave, somewhere far out in the wilderness of the Sonoran desert. Stones talk to him as he walks by, and the friendly crows he meets are smarter than he is.”
Johnny felt even more irritated and a little sad, “And now the stones are dead, and crows are just big, black birds. Science sucked the magic and mystery out of life, and left us with what?”
“Your safe, easy life for starters. You’d rather eat cactus grubs and live in a cave?”
“Some days that is exactly what I’d like to do. But, you’re right, Jean, I love my computer and microwave too much for that. And, so sad, I lost the magic and wonder of my childhood a long time ago. I know how T. S. Eliot felt when he wrote, ‘I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think they will sing for me.’”
“Yes, it is sad. I loved the fairy tales of my childhood too. My mother used to put me on her lap in front of the fire and read wonderful stories of beautiful princesses and ugly goblins. But now I prefer to live in the real world, not one of make-believe.”
“But, how can you be so sure what is real and what is make-believe?”
“You can’t be sure”, Bill said, “but Jean’s right. You play the odds. And the odds are way against the fantasies created by people who believe in the supernatural. You can bow before those wondrous worlds if you like. I bow to facts and logic.”
“Bloodless wonders of the Western World.”
“I don’t see you kicking those bloodless wonders out of bed, Johnny.”
“No, but I don’t bow to them either.”
Adult language, especially when one of the professors finds himself dressed in black and white stripes, working on a chain gang.
_____________________
The bi-weekly meeting of the Prolific Professors of the Sun Coast has just begun. As usual it is held at night in Ralph’s study. Ralph, Jean, Bill and Johnny sit around the table sipping an Australian Merlot that Ralph recently discovered. A Mozart sonata is softly playing in the background. Bookshelves full of book line the walls, and research papers are piled here and there. Not much color in the room. Mostly tans and grays.
The group is stiff and formal. Ralph is a big bear, who much prefers to go along to get along. The woman, Jean, is slender and has the look and manner of a bird of prey. Bill is tall, serious, self-confidant and has very sharp fangs. Johnny prides himself on being open-minded and multi-dimensional, and is intolerant of those who are not.
“A toast to our newest full-professor,” Ralph said, raising his glass to Jean. “No one deserves it more. Your book analyzing the effectiveness of different therapies on rape victims was outstanding. May the power and glory lie softly upon your shoulders. Or is the word lay? Never could keep them straight.”
Everyone chuckled politely.
“Thank you. I’m so lucky to have such decent people as friends. They are hard to find these days.”
“You had something Johnny?” Ralph asked.
“Yes. I want to bring a guest to our next meeting. A magical man who will amaze and Delight.”
Bill rolled his eyes, “I don’t know Johnny. That theologian you brought last time didn’t exactly amaze and delight.”
“You and Jean were all over that poor guy.”
Jean grinned, “We were just testing his sainthood---he didn’t pass. I didn’t know human faces could get that red.”
Everybody laughs.
“Well, the man I want to bring isn’t a saint either, but I doubt you can get his face red. He’s not a theologian, not a philosopher not a physicist. He’s a shaman, a Brujo from the Sonoran desert.”
“Oh my God Johnny,” Jean said, “you have to be kidding. Is he that creepy character out of Castaneda? Or just an old fashioned guru, gulling the gullible as he drives another Jaguar into his garage?”
Johnny laughs again but is becoming irritated.
“That is for you to decide. I just hope that he can get past your iron-plated skull.”
“No problem, if there is any merit in what he has to say. But, I don’t waste time on nonsense. And, you shouldn’t either”, Jean said, with a slight trace of condescension.
“How can you evaluate an idea before you hear it?”
“You do it by playing the odds. You know in advance that ideas coming from some people are just not going to be worth wasting your precious brain cells.”
“I felt sorry for that poor theologian.” Ralph said. “We never gave him much of a chance.”
“He didn’t deserve a chance.” Jean said, “He still lives in the middle ages. And this shaman still lives in a cave, somewhere far out in the wilderness of the Sonoran desert. Stones talk to him as he walks by, and the friendly crows he meets are smarter than he is.”
Johnny felt even more irritated and a little sad, “And now the stones are dead, and crows are just big, black birds. Science sucked the magic and mystery out of life, and left us with what?”
“Your safe, easy life for starters. You’d rather eat cactus grubs and live in a cave?”
“Some days that is exactly what I’d like to do. But, you’re right, Jean, I love my computer and microwave too much for that. And, so sad, I lost the magic and wonder of my childhood a long time ago. I know how T. S. Eliot felt when he wrote, ‘I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think they will sing for me.’”
“Yes, it is sad. I loved the fairy tales of my childhood too. My mother used to put me on her lap in front of the fire and read wonderful stories of beautiful princesses and ugly goblins. But now I prefer to live in the real world, not one of make-believe.”
“But, how can you be so sure what is real and what is make-believe?”
“You can’t be sure”, Bill said, “but Jean’s right. You play the odds. And the odds are way against the fantasies created by people who believe in the supernatural. You can bow before those wondrous worlds if you like. I bow to facts and logic.”
“Bloodless wonders of the Western World.”
“I don’t see you kicking those bloodless wonders out of bed, Johnny.”
“No, but I don’t bow to them either.”
43 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 11, 2010
96 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Ernest Kinnie
125 books2 followersThe goal of my writings is to expand what you can feel, what you can think, and what you can become. They range from self-help psychology books to the wild adventures of a young girl, Alice, who can dance with time, space and the Shadow World. A warning. Not intended for the easily offended. Adult language is used when appropriate to the narrative, such as in ALICE, and techniques for enhancing sexuality are given in THE MAGIC THEATER II. I’m is a retired psychologist, using a lifetime of experience to create entertaining and useful books for your enjoyment and personal growth.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 7, 2020
A scary truth for too many kids
As an adoptive mother of 2 kids, I know the hard time the parents had but our kids were 25 months and 8.5 months at adoption. (Two at one time, not related, from Russia) our kids had been in the hospital and baby house before adoption. Some odd things They have retained from their short stays in orphanages: super-hypervigilance, intolerance to food above room temperature, obsessive cleaning, fear of vacuums near feet... My kids were only there for 8.5 & 15 months.
Poor Nutmeg was in horrible places for YEARS. For her to come out with any semblance of “normality” is amazing. But she did end up having continuity and some very loving people helping her at Children’s Garden. And to continue to be able to see the same therapist for so many years is almost unheard of.
Overall, a very good, detailed read of a kid caught in the foster care system but able to realize her “bad side” and her “good side”and overcome the stigma of older child adoption. A bit of fantasy by being placed with the perfect family who had enough money for a great life for 2 fun girls. I really liked the book. If you have any foster/adopt kids or families or among your friends, it’s a good read. It might open the eyes of the friends to be a good venting or sounding board for the family. Getting a group of support is essential for any adoptive parents.
As an adoptive mother of 2 kids, I know the hard time the parents had but our kids were 25 months and 8.5 months at adoption. (Two at one time, not related, from Russia) our kids had been in the hospital and baby house before adoption. Some odd things They have retained from their short stays in orphanages: super-hypervigilance, intolerance to food above room temperature, obsessive cleaning, fear of vacuums near feet... My kids were only there for 8.5 & 15 months.
Poor Nutmeg was in horrible places for YEARS. For her to come out with any semblance of “normality” is amazing. But she did end up having continuity and some very loving people helping her at Children’s Garden. And to continue to be able to see the same therapist for so many years is almost unheard of.
Overall, a very good, detailed read of a kid caught in the foster care system but able to realize her “bad side” and her “good side”and overcome the stigma of older child adoption. A bit of fantasy by being placed with the perfect family who had enough money for a great life for 2 fun girls. I really liked the book. If you have any foster/adopt kids or families or among your friends, it’s a good read. It might open the eyes of the friends to be a good venting or sounding board for the family. Getting a group of support is essential for any adoptive parents.
May 8, 2020
Great Story
This book appeared in my Amazon account as a book I might be interested in, based on other books I’ve read by Cathy Glass, Casey Watson, Maggie Hartley, etc... I do read all of the fostering books, so I thought I’d give this book a try. It is quite different from the fostering books, but it was a good story, about Nutmeg, who had been mistreated as a baby, taken away from her mentally ill mother, and then went from placement to placement, unsuccessfully- until she ended up at Children’s Garden, and met Miss Jacqui. The story is told mainly by Miss Jacqui, but at the end, Nutmeg tells the story from her point of view, including the status of her present life, and I liked hearing the story from both points of view. I recommend this book to those who read the fostering books, and to those who are interested in this topic. I will also check out any other books in this series or by this author.
This book appeared in my Amazon account as a book I might be interested in, based on other books I’ve read by Cathy Glass, Casey Watson, Maggie Hartley, etc... I do read all of the fostering books, so I thought I’d give this book a try. It is quite different from the fostering books, but it was a good story, about Nutmeg, who had been mistreated as a baby, taken away from her mentally ill mother, and then went from placement to placement, unsuccessfully- until she ended up at Children’s Garden, and met Miss Jacqui. The story is told mainly by Miss Jacqui, but at the end, Nutmeg tells the story from her point of view, including the status of her present life, and I liked hearing the story from both points of view. I recommend this book to those who read the fostering books, and to those who are interested in this topic. I will also check out any other books in this series or by this author.
October 26, 2019
A quick read about a girl stuck in a system not designed for her best interests. She is taken from a dangerously abusive mother and went through a string for foster parents until she finds a place she is safe and loved only to be removed because of the racial makeup of the home and strict rules for placement based the race lines. She ends up in a specialty care facility for difficult to place children and finds a bit of safety and a permanent home that racially looks much like the home she was removed from because of race.
The story is told from both the point of view of the specialty caseworker covering the time she entered the specialty care facility until she is adopted. Nutmeg then tells her story looking back as an adult. Well worth the read.
The story is told from both the point of view of the specialty caseworker covering the time she entered the specialty care facility until she is adopted. Nutmeg then tells her story looking back as an adult. Well worth the read.
May 12, 2020
Nutmeg
I liked the sweet ending. I do wish adoptingg was not so expencieve. I think many more kids would be saved if they would make it cheaper. It seems it has become about money and not the children. My daughter cant have kids ,works as a daycare provider and is asked for by kids and parents as babysitter as she is so loved by them. She would make a great Mom yet is robbed of this. How sad as many more are like this too. At 1 time back in early 1800 to 1900s it was just trading hands of kids when now its money.
I liked the sweet ending. I do wish adoptingg was not so expencieve. I think many more kids would be saved if they would make it cheaper. It seems it has become about money and not the children. My daughter cant have kids ,works as a daycare provider and is asked for by kids and parents as babysitter as she is so loved by them. She would make a great Mom yet is robbed of this. How sad as many more are like this too. At 1 time back in early 1800 to 1900s it was just trading hands of kids when now its money.
January 4, 2022
really good, insightful book
I enjoyed this book immensely! It is so refreshing to see a damaged young girl slowly grow into a confident, extremely intelligent woman thanks to a place that did its best to do things right. I do so wish that the foster care system had more of these types of programs. If you enjoy an uplifting story, this one's for you!
I enjoyed this book immensely! It is so refreshing to see a damaged young girl slowly grow into a confident, extremely intelligent woman thanks to a place that did its best to do things right. I do so wish that the foster care system had more of these types of programs. If you enjoy an uplifting story, this one's for you!
May 28, 2020
Excellent!
This book got my attention from the start. A baby girl is taken from her young, schizophrenic mother. Her !other had cut off the end oh her baby's finger to "let out the evil" This book is about that baby girl as she goes thru the "system"!
This book got my attention from the start. A baby girl is taken from her young, schizophrenic mother. Her !other had cut off the end oh her baby's finger to "let out the evil" This book is about that baby girl as she goes thru the "system"!
May 22, 2021
Not the titled book
Although the story I read was good and I would score it’s 4/5, it was not about the foster girl as titled. This was a story placed in the 1800 about an orphan who grew up in a whore house.
Although the story I read was good and I would score it’s 4/5, it was not about the foster girl as titled. This was a story placed in the 1800 about an orphan who grew up in a whore house.
October 29, 2019
Couldn't put down
Amazing. I read it in one day. I felt like I was a part of her life. I would recommend that anyone that works in social services read it
Amazing. I read it in one day. I felt like I was a part of her life. I would recommend that anyone that works in social services read it
November 15, 2019
Excellent book from the perspective of both the social worker and the foster/adopted child.. Quite touching.
December 9, 2019
Uplifting but glossed over.
It is a nice story, but no real meat to the text No details on methods used or any thing that might be useful for foster parents.
It is a nice story, but no real meat to the text No details on methods used or any thing that might be useful for foster parents.
March 4, 2021
while the story was inspirational the writing was quite boring n not written with much emotion. i am very happy that the child overcame!
October 27, 2021
Great story
This books well written, doesn’t drag on too long and offers great perspectives on the foster care system. Worth the time.
This books well written, doesn’t drag on too long and offers great perspectives on the foster care system. Worth the time.
August 7, 2011
Four professors are challenged to think outside of the education box they have grown to love.
***
Author Ernest Kinnie demonstrates how denying that something exists gives credibility and power to the something being denied resulting in a catch 22 of what came first, the chicken-or-the- egg argument. The four intellectual professors are supposed to put reasoning aside and allow their minds to explore possibilities outside of their usual five senses and scientific history. The author does clearly describe the façade and barriers the professors automatically display between colleagues, students and family members.
Author Ernest Kinnie is a retired clinical psychologist interested is self-help psychology for the spirit and mind. The abstract “Are you really here?” theme he used throughout the book is often explored in entry level philosophy classes. The “Brujo” lacks professional systematic study required of philosophical study and therefore more appropriately belongs in the fantasy fiction genre. Adding basic information about metaphysics and either lessons learned or participant exercises would move this from an amusing yarn to a thought provoking tale of self-enlightenment.
***
Author Ernest Kinnie demonstrates how denying that something exists gives credibility and power to the something being denied resulting in a catch 22 of what came first, the chicken-or-the- egg argument. The four intellectual professors are supposed to put reasoning aside and allow their minds to explore possibilities outside of their usual five senses and scientific history. The author does clearly describe the façade and barriers the professors automatically display between colleagues, students and family members.
Author Ernest Kinnie is a retired clinical psychologist interested is self-help psychology for the spirit and mind. The abstract “Are you really here?” theme he used throughout the book is often explored in entry level philosophy classes. The “Brujo” lacks professional systematic study required of philosophical study and therefore more appropriately belongs in the fantasy fiction genre. Adding basic information about metaphysics and either lessons learned or participant exercises would move this from an amusing yarn to a thought provoking tale of self-enlightenment.
May 30, 2011
Ernest Kinnie once again challenges the reader’s imagination and boundaries. The bruja, invited by the four university professors to explain shamanism, whisks them to an imaginative, innovative world where the professors discover they don’t know how to leave. The bruja dares the professors to discover their true identities through this world, in a sense, he also challenges the reader. The reader will enjoy getting to know each character as individuals, he/she will enjoy following their development through the novel. The imaginative world will feel more and more real to the unsuspecting reader. This novel is truly a page-turner. The plot will never be found in any other novel; Ernest Kinnie is truly an original in this way. The dialogue is easy to follow and enjoyable to interpret. Almost akin to a Dr. Seuss novel for adults, both adults, teens, and young adults will enjoy this fun, inspired novel.
December 3, 2011
Thought provoking as a novel and makes a great play. Professors get together for bi-weekly meetings and one week they bring in Brujo where they expect to break down his thinking but instead find themselves becoming more and more enlighted. Not a bad way to spend a day in the sun.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews