Customer Reviews

Five Spirits: Alchemical Acupuncture for Psychological and Spiritual Healing

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm an acupuncture student and was looking for a more in depth discussion of the mystical aspect of acupuncture...The title is beautiful and implies insight into the spiritual and alchemical aspects of acupuncture, yet it does not do that. Instead we are given case histories and few acupuncture points used, but no background info as to why those points were chosen. There was nothing alchemical or spiritual about the book. Although it does give a good example of the interview process of the patient.

This book, "Five Spirits", it is indispensable the all that that works with psychology and acupuncture. Being more thoroughly known the five spirits, Shen, Hun, Yi, Po and Zhi, we can understand the disturbances psychic, spiritual, mental, emotional and physical better that so much afflicts us, still more in a life so afflicted that the modern times impinge us. It is an easy and fluent reading, of great value to all searching of the human knowledge. Every acupuncturist and psychologist should read this book, and even the veterinary doctors that work with disturbances of animal behavior. It is a good book!

I found Lorie Dechar's Five Spirits to be breathtaking in the way it presents a new vision and context for healing. When talking about the ephemeral "spirits" of Chinese Taoist thought (which are guideposts on our journey, like the chakras), she shows that the journey downward that includes the parts of ourselves that seem most chaotic and where we have least control is a journey to true integration. I read this book after a recent illness, and it helped me to turn toward deep forces for healing within myself. With many case histories and graphics, this book is also a joy to read -- entertaining, engaging and beautifully written! I would recommmend it to professional healers, or to anyone on a personal healing journey.

It is the same exact information out there in many other books, but at an expensive price. If you never knew anything about alchemical acupuncture it would be a good book for you, but if you do, this book teaches you nothing new. It does have a beautiful cover.

I have been practicing 5 Element Acupuncture since 1994 and this book is fantastic !! The only book on the subject that is equally applicable to both laymen and practitioners. Bravo Lorie !

This book profoundly affected my practice as an acupuncturist and as a person. Ms. Dechar is a humble, wise and learned scholar who has seriously researched the five spirits and the process of alchemical acupuncture for decades. I studied with her in NYC over 10 years ago and can say she is truly a gifted practitioner and this book encapsulates her wisdom.

As a beginning student, I got a lot out of this book. If you are an advanced student, you might be familiar with most of the material. I thought it was great!

As someone who stumbled upon the alchemical process in his own therapy I find Ms. Dechar's book to be focused, knowledgeable and inspirational.

Since reading "Five Spirits" they visit me in my dreams, my waking life and in meditation.

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in their own holistic or spiritual growth.

Ms. Dechar has been able to weave the Chinese characters and the meaning behind the words of Oriental Medicine, showing the depth of health care even 3 thousand years ago.

The book is very comprehensive and should be regarded as a resource to return to, time after time.

I am enjoying the beauty of the words and the medicine very much.

Excellent! A must for Chinese Medicine practitioners.