Shaman, Healer, Sage: How to Heal Yourself and Others with the Energy Medicine of the Americas
Shaman, Healer, Sage: How to Heal Yourself and Others with the Energy Medicine of the Americas
Alberto Villoldo, a classically trained medical anthropologist, has studied shamanic healing techniques among the descendants of the ancient Inkas for more than twenty years. In Shaman, Healer, Sage, he draws on his vast body of knowledge to create a practical and revolutionary program based on the traditional healing methods used by these shamans — methods that, until now, have been inaccessible to most of the world.
Villoldo explains that central to shamanic healing is the concept of the Luminous Energy Field that is believed to surround our material bodies. His book teaches us to see and influence the imprints that disease leaves on this field and thereby to heal ourselves and others, as well as prevent illness.
Villoldo weaves wonderful teaching stories throughout about the healing power of the energy medicine of the Americas. In one story, Villoldo comes down with pneumonia while in Peru. When antibiotics fail to control the infection, his mentor, the shaman Don Antonio, uses the process of Illumination to remove the toxins that had invaded Villoldo’s body. These same shamanic techniques later allowed Villoldo to remove stagnant energy from a young woman whose marriage was suffering due to her past experience with abandonment. With the aid of shamanic work, the woman regained her trust in others, and her marriage was revitalized.
This book is rich with ancient wisdom and contemporary techniques we can use to help ourselves and others, as well as with the more advanced methods of master shamans, which are being brought to a wide audience for the first time.
User Ratings and Reviews
1 Stars False Advertising
Villoldo is clearly no anthropologist, and his methods seem to be largely based on his own synthesis of other systems, rather than South American practices. I personally have come to doubt whether he ever even received the types of training he claims. If he had, I would have expected more discussion of language and the Quechua world-view, and a clearer attempt to discuss their systems rather than merging in material from India, Hermeticism, and contemporary neo-Shamanic traditions.
On the positive side, I think some of his exercises have some value, but the question is how much value they can have when divorced from a systematic approach.
I would not recommend this book at all. For those few areas where the work has some value, there are better works to be found elsewhere.
5 Stars Wonderful Book….
This book is well-written, well-organized, and is a joy to read! I learned so much about Shamanism, what it is, how it works, etc. I especially loved the personal stories about the author’s experiences studying with the mountain and jungle shamans, describing his personal journey.
After reading this book, I was inspired to begin taking Alberto’s classes [...]. After finishing my first 1-week course, in which Alberto personally gave some of the lectures, I’d say I am very impressed.
3 Stars uh…just a regular person looking for answers
Hiya all. First, I’m a novice at shamanism and this book was my initiation. That said, I found the book sometimes inspiring, mostly interesting, and often difficult to assimilate. It was recommended by my therapist, who does work in EMDR and who also, I guess, does energy healing (tho she didn’t do that on me).
I wish I could understand the book better and that it was a little easier to practice on my own for my own benefit, tho i’m not sure that’s the book’s intention (altho the subtitle says “how to heal yourself and others”).
I found the description of the chakras esoteric, difficult to digest, but maybe because i’m a newbie.
I was also intrigued by a brief mention of how to cleanse one’s chakras in the shower, but I didn’t understand the explanation. Can anyone help? The reference starts on page 54. “Hold your left hand at the base of your spine,…” How? Palm against skin or facing outward? “…and with your right hand three or four inches above the skin feel for you first chakra. Spin the chakra counterclockwise.” How? How do you hold your right hand? Fingers pointed towards my body? And is it counterclockwise as if my “body is the face of the clock” such that it’s actually clockwise from my eye’s perspective looking outward, but counterclockwise looking inward? Then you clean all the chakras and go back to each one and spin in the oppostite direction (clockwise)?
Anyway, if I could understand how to cleanse, it would seem a bit easier and less time consuming than doing some of the other exercises in part II, the section the author designates for self-helpers.
About the book as a whole, I felt the author has a lot to offer that wasn’t communicated (at least to me!) in the book. Anyone know where I can learn more?
Thank you!
5 Stars decide for yourself
lots of folks have reviewed this book–it’s not new but it’s good and my opinion is just that—mine. that said–it’s interesting that some people are more concerned with analyzing the author than writing about the book itself. ultimately, i read reviews to figure out if i’d like the book enough to buy it. i’m pretty sure that reviewers are motivated to write because they love it or hate it, not so much in-between.
this book is a good overview of the techniques that are used in Villoldo’s teachings and as taught by The Four Winds. if you are interested enough to pay the money and take the trainings or visit a shaman for healing, reading this book would certainly whet your appetite and give you a pretty fair overview of what you’d be in for. the trainings in the Healing the Light Body school are extensive so there’s no way any single book would cover it in any thorough manner. and i would hesitate to work with a shaman who didn’t have extensive hands-on training that was a lot more than what they got from reading a book (or books.) i would for sure want a shaman who has done very extensive professional training, done lots of hands-on client work and the personal work of their own, much like you’d want a therapist who has at least a master’s degree, clinical supervision, experience and a clear head vs. a boatload of personal baggage. that’s the stuff you get in the training, not from this book. the book gives the average joe or jo the overview of what some shamans do, at least for the Four Winds trained shaman.
would i buy this book? yes–if you are interested in learning more about healing from a different perspective. is it for everyone? no–and it leaves you wanting more—more information, more technique, etc. then—if you are that hungry, take the trainings, find a qualified shaman of your own to work with and keep searching. this book is going to be something that whets your appetite for more kinds of spiritual and emotional healing.
5 Stars Real Deal
I have been doing my research on energy healing as well as shamans. I have to say he is the real deal. This book was amazing and life changing. I highly recommend this book.
Filed under: Mental Health Book Reviews