The Four-Fold Way: Walking the Paths of the Warrior, Teacher, Healer, and Visionary [Paperback]

Angeles Arrien (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 1993

A leading expert on native spirituality and shamanism reveals the four archetypal principles of the Native American medicine wheel and how they can lead us to a higher spirituality and a better world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A lucid account of spiritual approaches in other cultures. It is a fertile interpretation of shamanic traditions that hold great treasures and wisdom for us all." -- Piero Ferrucci, author of Inevitable Grace

"A treasure of practical wisdom for anyone on a path to wholeness.... An inspiring, creative synthesis of shamanic teachings by an authentic, cross-cultural practitioner." -- Frances Vaughan, author of The Inward Arc and Awakening Intuition

"No matter how much I learn, grow and share, Angeles Arrien's wisdom always holds more before me to practice, integrate, and give away to others. She is a shining light in my life, and I know she can become on in yours through this fine, empowering book!" -- Brooke Medicine Eagle, author of Buffalo Women Comes Singing

About the Author

Angeles Arrien, Ph.D., is an anthropologist, author, educator, and corporate consultant. She lectures and conducts workshops worldwide, showing the bridge between cultural anthropology, psychology, and comparative religions. Her work reveals how indigenous wisdoms are relevant to our families, professional lives, and our relationship to the Earth.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 1 edition (February 26, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062500597
• ISBN-13: 978-0062500595
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Native American
  • #52 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Wicca
  • #52 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Witchcraft

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Medicine Wheel is practical today, April 28, 1998

By 

April M. Love - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Four-Fold Way: Walking the Paths of the Warrior, Teacher, Healer, and Visionary (Paperback)

Angeles Arrien is a Basque born in the United States who trained as a medical anthropologist. However, it is her Basque roots that have given her entry into the shaman's world. The Basque tradition is very mystical in that they draw power from their appreciation of the ordinary world to accomplish extraordinary things.

Ms. Arrien respects the teachings of indigenous peoples; their respect for Mother Earth and their awareness of the relationship of everything to all of its parts. Nothing is separate, hence the phrase, "All our relations." She has found that each of the four cardinal directions of the Medicine Wheel has something to teach us as we progress through life. The Medicine Wheel she shares with the reader is a creation cycle, and links power animals, the mystical Elements, musical instruments or tools, and the modes of meditation and healing which are appropriate for each direction. We begin in the North, "The Way of the Warrior," the place of the Leader, where we SHOW UP and take a stand and choose to be present. We then move to the East, The Way of the Visionary, the place of the Seer, where we TELL THE TRUTH about what works and doesn't work for us. Then, we move to the South, the Way of the Healer, the place of the Lover, and PAY ATTENTION to what has Heart and Meaning for us. And then we move to the West, The Way of the Teacher, the place of Wisdom, where we LET GO OF EXPECTATIONS, and yet are open to what we do receive. Then we begin the cycle again, refining as we go. Each direction has an energy of its own, and if we leave any part out, the cycle falls apart.

I have found Ms. Arrien's principles as described in this book to be very practical in my professional (I am a librarian) and personal life. I have healed issues about my own confidence and leadership abilities and even received a promotion because I first decided to SHOW UP at work and later followed through with the rest of the places on the Wheel! I use the Wheel to assist me as I go through my day. I have used Ms. Arrien's highly effective guided meditations to heal personal wounds as well. I have taken what I learned and written about my meditative experiences in my daily journal to expand and go deeper. As a result of working with this book, my life has gotten more fun, more creative and more responsible. I find it easier to shift my energy instead of getting stuck in assumptions or past expectations, or other people's energy patterns. There is imaginative artwork and poetry and amazing information. This book shows us how we can bridge and connect to our natural mystical nature (we are all psychic, you know) and trust the knowledge that is easily available, believe it or not, to all us. A must read for those on the mystical or metaphysical path.

143 of 167 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting philosophy but not good for Shamanism, May 28, 2000

By 

W. Lambdin "Two Bears" (Ellensburg, WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Four-Fold Way: Walking the Paths of the Warrior, Teacher, Healer, and Visionary (Paperback)

This book claims to teach you to walk the paths of the Warrior, Teacher, Healer, and Visionary.

This book teaches four different kinds of meditation.

This book places the elements in other directions than I do, but if this technique speaks to you, by all means use it. The fact that you honor the elements, and treat them with respect is more important than the directions you associate them with.

This book describes the four brainwave frequencies beta, alpha, theta, and delta, but the frequencies are wrong.

delta (deep sleep) 4-7 HTZ

theta (light sleep) 7-11 HTZ

alpha (most meditation occurs here) 11-17 HTZ

beta (Wakeful consciousness) 17-21 HTZ

Appendix E was VERY informative. It described where the author has some people listen to Shamanic drumming tapes (3.5-4 beats per second)without telling them any thing in advance, then getting their experieces afterward...

If you want to learn Shamanism, I would recommend these books in this order.

"Shamanic Experience" Kenneth Meadows

"Shamanism: As A Spiritual Practise For Daily Life" Tom Cowan

"Shamanism" Gordon MacLellan

"The Way of the Shaman" Michael Harner

"Secrets Of Shamanism: Tapping the Spirit Power Within You" Jose and Lena Stevens

"Rainbow Medicine: A Visionary Guide to Native American Shamanism" Wolf Moondance

...Two Bears

Wah doh Ogedoda

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is alive, it is an event., May 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Four-Fold Way: Walking the Paths of the Warrior, Teacher, Healer, and Visionary (Paperback)

I have found this book to be one of the most empowering, insightful books for the journey of self discovery. Since I started reading my friends copy, I have come to a fuller way of life, and able to absorbe, release, and transmit beauty, healing and energy. I find this is not a book one can read like a manual, put it down and practise it's content. Rather it encourages one to look within one's self first, and through ones lived experience, enter the mystery of this beautifull book. The world becomes a better place to live in.

Much thanks and appreciation to Angeles Arren.

I hope to purchase my own copy soon.