Customer Reviews

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

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

 

 

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.

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

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.

1) Show Up 2) Pay Attention to What has Heart and Meaning 3) Tell the Truth without Blame or Judgement 4) Be Open yet Unattached to Outcome.

This is the Four-Fold Way. Simple, yes. Easy, no. But a very powerful model for living each of our lives to the fullest.

I have read the book multiple times, and it continues to offer me insights for improved living. I use the methodology to assist me in maximizing my own potential. I also use it in my work as a Human Resources Professional to help me assist others and the organization achieve theirs.

I have studied with Angeles and respect her work, her teaching, and her being. I recommend this book to anyone who desires bringing their personal gifts forward and a tool for lifelong learning.

This book was a wonderful overview of many traditions with simple yet powerful exercises in the tradition of the medicine wheel. A great introduction to the subject - you will want to read and learn more!

I like the book better than the CDs. There is a nice breakdown of information and a simple to understand text.

My main problem with the book was that there just wasn't much to it, both in terms of the writing (very wishy-washy) to the ideas. The author descibes 4 paths but does not do a good job of telling a person how to incorporate the concepts into daily life. Some other reviewers had much that was positive to say but I would argue that this book was like a cheerleading manual than a thoughtful guide.

I read this book as preparation to work with a client using the leadership compass.
This is an easy to read book that divides the personality into 4 different abilities: Warrior (being present), Healer (heart), Visionary (truth), and Teacher (non-attachment). Unlike many other books, it's about becoming an effective leader by balancing your abilities in each area.
I especially liked the way the author not only described each area but also connected each back to nature and indigenous people's beliefs. There are also exercises for each area to help you identify where you are. The only thing I would have added were ideas for how to strengthen any areas in which you may be less capable.
Karen L. Jett, Values Based Growth Expert, Author Grow Your People, Grow Your Business

The exploration of archetypes and symbols within one's life is a powerful tool for self understanding, healing and growth. And so, this is a significant book in my life at least.

This book took a while to be effective in my case. It has become well-worn from being opened to certain pages over and over again. It is marked, folded, penned and penciled in many spots.

I had to go through just one part at a time, and then take time--- to think about the words and their meanings, meditate upon how it applied in my life. Thus, I was able to experience difficult but valuable lessons when taking on the roles of Warrior, Healer, Visionary and Teacher while living through my own self-disassembly and dissection.

I know some reviewers didnt like them, considering them hodgepodge puzzles of various religions... but I particularly liked the tables and charts that illustrate the symbols and things to contemplate upon and process for a particular archetype or power role. For example, I was drawn first to "The Way of The Healer" and Arrien presents the following ideas, symbols and actions: Direction: South/ Element: Earth/ Human Resource: Love/ Kind of Meditation: Lying/ Way of Living: Right Speech/ Four-Fold Way: Pay Attention/ Season: Spring... to just name a few. Trying out the ideas on for size, the suggested practices, the skills... takes a lot of time! I can read a cliffhanger novel in one night, but I couldn't do that with the stuff in this book. LOL.

And so, I read this book for 1 year for self-healing and gained some inner strengthening. I also began to recognize my boundaries and the circle of power that I would have to be willing to stand in. During this time I also began to see patterns of these archetypes in leadership roles within communities and societies and thus continued discerning and observing the qualities of Warrior, Healer, Visionary and Teacher in the admirable men and women leaders I have met personally.

Bottom line, the ideas and symbols associated with Warrior, Healer, Visionary and Teacher needed time and again, contemplation, trial and error, before it really opened up for clearer understanding on the levels of mind and heart for me. Maybe this book can work for you too if you give it some time and your self some patience.

Fare thee well, book lover and fellow Seeker!

Ms. Love's comments give one a good view of the book's strengths. Here is it's shadow.

It's a workbook for those who believe. For someone looking to learn enough to become a convert, it's weak. There are virtually no scholarly references, disappointing given the authors foundation, and almost no illustrative examples or case stories.