Coyote's Council Fire : Contemporary Shamans on Race, Gender and Community [Paperback]

Loren Cruden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1995

Shamanism is a spiritual path that emphasizes close connections with the immediate environment. As environments change, so too must shamanism change, but how can one distinguish between healthy innovation and corruptions of tradition? Coyote's Council Fire focuses on these and other controversial issues that have ignited the shamanic community. Drawing on her decades of involvement in that community, Loren Cruden brings calm wisdom and common sense to these subjects. Along with her perspective are the words of contributors such as Brooke Medicine Eagle, Grey Wolf, Jamie Sams, and Ed “Eagle Man” McGaa, reflecting the diversity of opinion within the Native American community, while the contributions of Nina Wolf, Axis, and Sandra Ingerman suggest the variety of ways in which non-Natives have incorporated shamanism into their lives.

Throughout the book are meditations and exercises that help the reader explore his or her own attitudes and assumptions toward matters of race, gender, and community.

For anyone interested in shamanism, Native American affairs, or the role of spirituality in a changing society, Coyote's Council Fire offers a provocative opportunity to examine one's own beliefs and compare them with those of leading members of the shamanic community.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Loren Cruden leads shamanic workshops in the Pacific Northwest. An experienced midwife and herbal healer, she has outlined the process of developing an eclectic yet truly authentic spiritual practice in The Spirit of Place: A Workbook for Sacred Alignment. She is also the author of Compass of the Heart and Medicine Grove. She lives in Washington State.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Destiny Books (October 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892815663
• ISBN-13: 978-0892815661
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,310,775 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gender, Race, Responsibility ... No easy answers., June 3, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Coyote's Council Fire : Contemporary Shamans on Race, Gender and Community (Paperback)

The subjects of gender, race relations and responsibility in the growing field of Shamanism requires a tremendous amount of thought and respect.
Cruden's book provides both.

Written in an easy style, Cruden takes her readers through personal and shared experiences, each dealing with the toughest questions facing anyone interested in Modern Shamanism or in practicing the numerous Native American religions.
These are often painful subjects, and the author does not shy away from the issues.
As the author and commentator, she makes no apology for her personal bias, yet offers an even commentary, including reminders to the reader to make their own opinions.
To counter author bias, and to bring fresh perspective to the discussion, Cruden supplies the reader with a list of questions posed to today's leaders in Shamanistic practice, and their unique responses.

The only possible shortcoming is that the book is fairly small for such an encompassing topic.
Even a few of the respondants were daunted by the sheer scope of the questions, and fell back into the familiar territory of their own published works.
However, unless the book develops into a twelve volume set, all efforts on the part of the author are meant only to spark thought and ignite debate.
For anyone who has an interest in Shamanism, Native American Religion, or Earth-focused Religion, this book is a must.<BR

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Are your brave enough to look at yourself?, June 27, 2002

By 

"bluedragoncpkr" (Oakridge, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coyote's Council Fire : Contemporary Shamans on Race, Gender and Community (Paperback)

To have many of the contemporary Healers and Ceremonialists contribute to Ms. Cruden's study is an accomplishment in its own right.
The section of this book that deals with the issue of Race Relations between Native Americans and non-natives/ those of us who are 'breeds' is particularly enlightening for anyone who is drawn to the Spiritual practices of The First People of the Americas.
As someone who has worked with many of these Healers and knows some of them personally, I can tell you that their words which appear within this book is their Truth and a truth that they walk every day of their lives.
The book is an easy read but don't expect it to be 'light' reading. You may be confronted with your own 'issues' and pre-judgements regarding Spirituality, Race, Gender and your Community.