Initiation: A Woman's Spiritual Adventure in the Heart of the Andes [Paperback]

Elizabeth B. Jenkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1998

In 1989, Elizabeth Jenkins was living in San Francisco, working on a doctorate in clinical psychology. Her life seemed full...but she felt empty. Then she traveled to Peru, intending to research Andean healing practices--and found herself taking an unexpected journey, with the guidance of an initiated priest of the Andean Path. This is her story, filled with compelling details of her own initiation in the beautiful but harsh setting of the high Andes--and how the voyage has changed her life.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Jenkins writes about her visit to the Andean village of Cuzco, Peru, while studying for her Ph.D. in psychology. Her spiritual experiences there were so compelling and profound that she returned home to San Francisco, sold everything, and went back there to live. Over the course of eight years, she traveled back and forth, studying and participating in the shamanic practices of the ancient Inca traditions. Her experiences are exciting, portrayed here with a great deal of honor and respect, and her writing is compelling. The result is a fine addition to the growing genre exploring indigenous spirituality. Nealson was a practicing psychotherapist and teacher for 15 years when, on turning 40, she decided to live for one year alone in a mountain cabin surrounded by nothing and no one. Her book, a poetic diary of that year, was written four years later. Nealson has structured her work around the eight holidays of the pagan calendar. She reflects on thoughts and ideas concerning those holidays as well as revelations about the details of living remotely. Her work is not a linear portrayal of the facts but rather a poetic and reflective glimpse of a heart and soul. It is gentle, gracious, and profound. Both works are highly recommended.?Gail Wood, SUNY College at Cortland, N.Y.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 273 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade; First Edition edition (August 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425164764
• ISBN-13: 978-0425164761
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #766,540 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book changed my life!, December 18, 2000

By 

"marlay" (Lima Peru) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Initiation: A Woman's Spiritual Adventure in the Heart of the Andes (Paperback)

I started reading "Initiation" on my way to Cusco, and was immediately hooked on it. I just couldn't stop reading. Elizabeth Jenkins' accounts of her experience with the Apus and Pachamama are so vivid that you feel you are actually living them through her words. I am Peruvian and have been for some time researching on Andean mysticism. I was not fully aware of the path that would open before me when I started my research, and just like Elizabeth, I heard Pachamama's call loud and clear. So I can fully relate to her story. The smooth and personal style in which the book is written makes it easy to read - but this is not just another nice story. This book takes you by the hand into the realm of Pachamama, and it actually complies with its mission of bringing Pachamama's word to the world. The description of the Hatun Karpay (initiation) is very vivid and compelling, and it truly opens your eyes so you can learn to distinguish between the real Andean mysteries from what is merely (to put it some way) a description of Andean folklore. I fully recommend this book to anybody who is seriously interested in embracing Pachamama's ways. After all, it did change my life!

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars an american tourist in peru, March 25, 2002

By 

kaioatey (Awatovi, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Initiation (Hardcover)

This is a superficial and at times naive account by a yet another starry eyed, eager and willing "shaman's apprentice". Elizabeth Jenkins worked as an English teacher in Cuzco when she met a "fourth level" shaman, Juan Nunez, who showed her around Peru. Juan immediately initiated her into the fourth level herself. The apparent ease and efficiency of this "initiation" process has, if i am allowed to be slightly cynical, allowed Elizabeth and Juan to create a major business catering to those who are looking to get something for nothing. About 20 times a year, Juan initiates yet another group of wide eyed tourists, and both E. and J. lead initiation workshops all over the world, including the US.

This book will be of interest to people who are inclined towards safe "spiritual adventures". I would not recommend it to people who are looking for more resources on shamanic "technology", initiation or peruvian beliefs.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comparing it to The Celestine Prophecy does it injustice!, November 18, 1997

By 

Susan H. Aguirre "knitter, beader, reader" (Saint Paul, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Initiation (Hardcover)

This is a well-written and thoughtful account of a woman's spiritual adventures in the Andes. Her experiences, along with a group of initiates into the 4th level of an Inkan (and world reaching) tradition are explained. The language, while being connected to spirituality and esoteric principles, is easy to understand.

This book is for any level of spiritual searching person. Unlike The Celestine Prophecy, I did not want to throw the book across the room - her writing is very good and although adventurous, does not read as being trite or ill conceived.

The only connection I feel comfortable about in relating these two books is in my wish for it to be as wildly popular.