Customer Reviews

Call of the Great Spirit: The Shamanic Life and Teachings of Medicine Grizzly Bear

5 star:		(9)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I read "Native Healer" by the same author many years ago and I liked both books. This one gives you the added benefit of information on his teachers and case studies of healings as an afterward. He tells his story in such a personal way I felt like I was right there with him at times. It was also interesting to read about the sorcery and curses that he had to contend with as a healer.

I also appreciate the fact that he is a college professor and works at a normal job like the rest of us yet is in touch with the old ways. It also encouraged me how he talked of times in his life where he lost everything and had to start over and he did so by first seeking out a place to ask the Great Spirit for mercy. It gives me hope that there are people out there keeping the traditions alive for future generations. If he was nearby I'd be seeking him out right now.

I found his suggestions very helpful and I continue educating myself in the Native ways until I can find my teachers. May I also recommend:

Beyond the Lodge of the Sun /Chokecherry Gall Eagle

Black Elk: The Sacred Ways of The Lakota / Wallace Black Elk

Lame Deer: Seeker of Visions / Richard Erdoes

Gift of Power: The life and teachings of a Lakota Medicine Man /Archie Fire Lame Deer and Richard Erdoes

Sacred Fireplace / Peter S. Catches

Wisdom of the Native Americans / Kent Nerburn

Black Elk Speaks / John G. Niehardt

We are all related...

I bought this book because i thought it would have infrmation about shamanism. It does, kind of... But, not much as it wasn't written for that. It is written more in novel form than anything. If you like May Summer Rain's "Spirit Song" or Dan Millman's Peaceful Warrior books than you will probably like this one.

I totally enjoyed reading this book. Bobby Lake-Thom gave us a wake up call to return to the old ways of our ancestors. He provided us with the knowledge of the Creator's Natural Laws, which some have forgotten or no longer choose to follow. He gives us examples of what might occur if one chooses to ignore the laws. And how a Native Healer can aid in returning a person into balance.
He shows us the path of the Native Healer is not an easy one. That it demands sacrifice and discipline. Those that are chosen by the Great Creator for this work will under go testing and trials to prepare themselves for their path in life.
Many today are seeking out the Red Road and Native American spirituality. This book will give you insite into these ways.

Robert Lake-Thom is in the minority of native spiritual healers/leaders, willing to share the mysteries of their spiritual and physical experiences and encounters.
If you are aware of your quest to understand who you are, and what the world around you is truly about, this is a must read.
With an open mind and attentive heart, you will receive some of the most valuable information a modern day shaman could share. This man pours his heart out to the reader, with a down to earth feel. His teachings, founded on ancient esoteric knowledge and beliefs may offend you. If so, maybe you need to take a closer look at what the current world has sold you into believing, and read between the lines. Those of you who are strong enough to challenge the reality of your existence, should read this book as if you were drinking the first water of a long dry spell.

I am a psychotherapist in private practice in NYC. I've had a burning desire to understand the depth of what's being expressed through illness and imbalance for a very long time. Finding western psychology's understanding of mental health to be helpful but limiting, I've explored psychospiritual perspectives ala the Open Center in NYC & Omega for years. Through the generous sharing of his remarkable life & work, I feel that Bobby Lake-Thom has given me a strong sense of what is truly occurring on multiple levels. This is the most honest and revealing of these kinds of books that I've ever read. More than once I found myself speechless and truly humbled by his beautiful spirit. Not a New Ager, this guy is the real deal: answering the call of Shamanism, resulting in many many years of apprenticing with healers coming from a truly indigenous lineage, who unfortunately have almost been eradicated by our government. What a rare & invaluable treasure he is. Most grateful for the opportunity to encounter him through his writing, I hope to have the privilege of meeting him in person.

This book grabbed my attention immediately with its gritty, up-front honesty and vulnerable, first-person narrative. Bobby Lake-Thom's story takes us along the "Red" road of truth through tough, unbalanced beginnings, subsequent violations, confession, redemption, and awakening to a powerful healing destiny and life mission. I appreciated the generosity with which Bobby reveals the details of his doctoring journey, understanding that it is a powerful gift he is bestowing on all of us readers for him to divulge so much about his path, his teachers, and later on in the book, his doctoring cases.
If you were born into the Western, predominantly "White" way of life like me, you may be shocked and even stressed by the fantastic psycho-phenomenal nature of Bobby's experiences and spiritual/physical trials. You may have a knee-jerk repulsion or denial concerning the list of violations against Nature and the Great Creator, which Bobby insists are universal in truth whether you believe them or not, and which must be avoided or atoned for in order to live in health and balance. I can only speak for myself and tell you that once I allowed my initial reactions to settle, I breathed into Center to discover a profound desire to be reconnected and restored to my truest self and to Source. From this, a new humility emerged which allowed me a greater resonance with these principles, and a new willingness to take action caught fire.
I am grateful that the author includes instruction and encouragement for readers to cleanse themselves of past wrong and come again into right relationship and respect for self, other people, Nature, and the Creator. I took this book to heart and began my own process of healing and transformation (and I'm feeling a world better!). I believe that wherever you're at in your growth, development, and understanding, "Call of the Great Spirit" can help you go to the next level. In such times as these, when radical change often comes unexpectedly and at accelerated pace in every strata, from personal to global to universal, this book and its stories come as strong medicine and answer to our prayers for help and health. A heart full of gratitude to Medicine Grizzlybear!

This book was by far,one of the most authentic depictions of genuine native american "shamanic " healing and medicine practices ive seen.Having spent many years with native people,its nice to see books written by native people in their own words(vs.anthropologists,mystic writers etc.)It is a gritty,true to life account and case studies, of the power and complexities of doctoring people in the traditional,ancient ways.Its a testament to how much ancient knowledge all people have lost, in the domination and abuse of indian people.There are many useful precautions to prevent violating natural laws and unconcious spiritual mistakes,that could wind up in illness and inabalance.This book is powerful,and stays on your mind and heart long after you read it.If I was on a desert island,this book would be with me.So many thanks to this author.

This is one of the most important books I have ever read and experienced in my lifetime. I really appreciate been able to read and actually meet Bobby lake thom in person. He is a wonderful teacher and healer. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is serious about spiritual development and learning about the spirits that inhabit our mother earth. It is an autobiography into a magical and real world of healing and getting in touch with our relations in nature. I want to personally thank bobby again for such a great book. If I could I would give this book 10 stars instead of just five!

Great Book. I read this book after I met Bobby. I have already read Native Healer and Spirits of the Earth. This book contains more of his experiences and the point in his life when he felt he could not go on and attempted the unthinkable, "suicide". Luckily for Bobby and for all who know him know, he did not succeed but instead became a great healer and spiritual teacher.

I gave the author the benefit of the doubt for most of the book, but when he claimed to have seen bigfoot, it makes the rest of the story hard to believe. Seems more like a charlatan to me.