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The Shaman's Body: A New Shamanism for Transforming Health, Relationships, and the Community
by
From the author of Dreambody - a pioneering method of using crisis as a dynamic opportunity for accessing our inner world, confronting our fears, and catalyzing self-discovery.
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
November 30th 1993
by HarperOne
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Start your review of The Shaman's Body: A New Shamanism for Transforming Health, Relationships, and the Community

The first suspicious thing I found reading this book was a fact that the author so many times mentions Don Juan' teachings. This is not good, because The Shaman's Body is positioned as a book about the culture research of shamans, not a retelling of some artwork.
The second is about the practical parts of the book. The strange practical exercises that appear between sections of the book, in fact, are just a common meditation technique and this have nothing in common with dreams.
I can't put just ...more
The second is about the practical parts of the book. The strange practical exercises that appear between sections of the book, in fact, are just a common meditation technique and this have nothing in common with dreams.
I can't put just ...more

Had to give up on this one for now. Frustrating as some of the content and ideas are interesting, but the authors personality I find off putting. A sense of moralising always in the background, a supercilious kind of tone and style that is not to my liking. Sure, he gets out of that attitude at times, but its too often and too much for me to relax and enjoy this book right now.

Just the book I needed--
This came to me at exactly the right moment in my life—so many things he said about the hunter, the warrior, the ally, and the path of heart resonated with me and helped me sort out and come to terms with events happening in my life. It also helped that I did sweat lodge back in April and took some Shaman Skills class that's basically the practical version of this book, marrying shamanism and process-oriented psychology. It gets four stars only because the last few chapte ...more
This came to me at exactly the right moment in my life—so many things he said about the hunter, the warrior, the ally, and the path of heart resonated with me and helped me sort out and come to terms with events happening in my life. It also helped that I did sweat lodge back in April and took some Shaman Skills class that's basically the practical version of this book, marrying shamanism and process-oriented psychology. It gets four stars only because the last few chapte ...more

This is an intriguing book that explores how shamanic traditions can be applied to working with your body and learning from your body. At times, the book does verge on cultural appropriation, but I think the author does try to treat what he writes about with respect. There are useful insights and perspectives about power, about the body, about connecting with spirit. What I fund helpful was considering all the above and my relationship with each. And I know this is a book I'll read again, to see
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This is one of those books that somehow managed to stay in my pared down travellers library for 20 odd years, until the right moment for it to be picked up for another foray into its pages - and this time, the time is right. (Originally, appropriately given as part of a Shiatsu / bodywork study reading list.)
So far in the reading, I am finding this work to be timeless, relatable (subjective), inspiring, relevant and instructive.
What's of incidental interest, browsing through the negative reviews ...more
So far in the reading, I am finding this work to be timeless, relatable (subjective), inspiring, relevant and instructive.
What's of incidental interest, browsing through the negative reviews ...more

I think if the author made his statements from the first person this would be a much more interesting read. I felt preached at and, as a practicing shamanic practitioner and psychotherapist, I disagreed with most of what he was preaching. However, the world needs more books combining psychotherapy and shamanism. I guess I'll have to write one too.
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This is one of my favorite books of Arnold Mindell. The way he compared and linked shamanism with psychology makes a simple exercise magical in its outcome. This book can definitely transform one's life. It did mine.
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This book is rather interesting even if it is not really what I believe. Some of the ideas are worth noting but I have issues with the basics of the book. I think that the dreaming body is different than the author describes and I feel that this book is for more advanced students of Shamanism than I initially thought.
If you want to follow the author and what he describes you might need to read other books first.
If you want to follow the author and what he describes you might need to read other books first.

There's so much I resonate with here! The author practices and writes about a deeply connected and spiritual way of being in the world, where the spheres of shamanism and psychology intersect. The lens provided can transform the way you see and interact with the world and its inhabitants. There is untapped richness and meaning in the little things all around us.
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It was not what I expected, but it was worth my reading.
It's a little winding, and at times bizarre, but some concepts presented have been very useful to me in my own practice. ...more
It's a little winding, and at times bizarre, but some concepts presented have been very useful to me in my own practice. ...more

A truly amazing book that has the power to change the world, if people would only listen. It is probably easier to relate to if you have experienced altered states of consciousness, but I would imagine that having read it without such experiences, one would feel the desire to seek them out and feel the magic that Mindell writes about so deftly.
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