Customer Reviews

Chosen by the Spirits: Following Your Shamanic Calling

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4 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

Using the examples of Mongolian and Siberian shamanism, this book takes a gentle approach in introducing the reader to this topic, one that is attracting more and more interest these days. I liked how in the introduction the author states that if you are reading this book the "spirits" are indeed calling you to become a shaman. And although one book does not make you into a shaman, this book helps you along this path. The introductory chapter gives a good general description of what shamanism is. The next chapter talks about various shamanic spirits, be them power animals, spirit lovers and guides and ways to contact them. There are also chapters describing "the shamanic journey" and what to be aware of and what to be careful of, working with shamanic spirits, and also ways of healing not only other people but the earth as well.

There are also exercises in the book that help you to "welcome the spirits," and visualizing "the world center." The book's last chapter discusses shamanic tools you can use in ritual and the book's appendixes discuss setting up a ritual space, the shamanic pantheon (amazing how many shamanic deities and spirits there are!), and even a glossary of terms. I have to admit at times the terms threw me a little, so having the glossary to refer to was quite helpful for me.

I felt this book was an informative but still gentle introduction on this topic and one that gives an excellent idea of the shaman's life and world.

It's suprising to see folks claiming that Sarangerel was practicing black magic or was not actually Mongolian.

She was a friend and someone I had the blessing to know before her passing. Here is what I learned from her directly: Her mother's people are of Mongolian ancestry and her father's people are of European ancestry. She was not raised with the traditions but was guided to reconnect with her mom's ancestral people by early Native American teachers. She spent over a decade living mostly in Buryatia and I know that she spoke fluent Mongolian because I heard her speak it often enough with her Mongolian husband or with the Mongolians that showed up here in the Bay Area or in Ohio when she offered ceremony. I also met after her death briefly with Batbayar Gonchigdorj and several other Mongolian shamans who knew and thought highly of Sarangerel. That and she was a part of Golomt Center which I believe is still operational. One of her teachers was Brambadorj who from what I understand is a very well-respected preserver of Mongolian traditions. So...the notion that Sarangerel didn't have enough Mongolian 'cred' is just not an informed position.

And about her practicing black magic, that's hardly the case. I hosted her to offer healing sessions in my home and witnessed the positive transformations that came from that. Writing about and educating folks about real risks is *totally* different from practicing black magic. I knew Sarangerel to be a loving, kind, and humble shaman.

About the book itself, it's a gem. For practitioners it's full of great perspective and practices and for those with more of an intellectual interest, it's a great window into how this particular practitioner of traditional ways approaches things. And for those interested in the history/culture of the region, it's also useful. Sarangerel was also a scholar and was interested in pursuing a PhD in Central Asian folklore/traditions before she passed.

Daniel Foor

There are certain books, that I "Must" write a review on,and this is one of them. I found this book by accident. I took a chance buying it, and I think this was one of the best decisions that I've ever made!!

Her details, her thoughts; very carefully written out. As soon as I started reading this book, I fell in love. I fell in love with it's honesty.

She talks about, being called by the spirits, to trances, to dreams, meditating, and so fourth. And that's making it brief.
There's so much to learn from this book. Very good for beginners, as well as the advanced thinking. Enjoy!!!

If you are looking for the truth in Shamanic studies, this is it. While difficult to read, it sums up many secrets that are not easily given out; by masters, who teach real shamanism. This is not for the beginner, one has to have a background and be very clear and grounded to practice these skills.

I absolutely love this book. It has some excellent rituals, it is rather different from the common Shamanic books out there and gives you more of the cultural aspect of Shamanism, which is not necessary but it has a certain beauty to it which to me adds a certain sacredness to what you are practicing. When sacredness is added to what you practice and experience it creates a sense of honor, love and respect. And it appears to me that I don't sense this in the other books on Shamanism that I've read.

But I highly recommend this book.

i attended a workshop given by sarangerel in march 2001. she would make your hair stand on end with her authenticity and power. this is the real stuff.

Sarangerel writes from a bright, positive spirit of generosity and love for the ancient tradition. This is a wonderful book, as is her first. It is full of really great stuff. If you are interested in learning shamanistic techniques, get Sarangerel's books. They're beautiful. We have much to thank her for.

Chosen by the Spirits: Following Your Shamanic Calling

Realmente es un libro increible. El conocimiento de la autora sobre el tema, insuperable!!

I was looking for a foundation of Tibetan/Siberian shamanism, more specifically Buryat. I never thought that this book even existed. I was surprised with validation of certain things and learning many things by reading this book. I haven't had the time to read it uninterrupted yet. This book backs up some of the things that I was already aware of. This book has good information on Buryat shamanism for someone that is a true shaman or has shamanistic beliefs.

She gives lots of warnings and teaches a Russian kind of shamanism. First of all if you were not raised in the belief system, these gods and goddesses are not going to work for you. Second she totally ignores the 75% of the material she learned that has to do with black magic. It is not that it is not there in that belief system, It is very much there! She just doesn't teach about it. And to me that is like handing someone a gun and bullets and not telling them how to load the gun. They will end up with a loaded gun eventually. so yes it is scary and I am sorry to see it published. It will cause a lot of trouble in the world.