The Medicine Way: A Shamanic Path to Self Mastery (The "Earth Quest" Series) [Paperback]

Kenneth Meadows (Author)

Book Description

Series: The "Earth Quest" Series | Publication Date: August 1997

To the North American Indian, medicine meant more than just a substance to restore health and vitality to a sick body. Medicine was energy - a vital force and source of knowledge that was inherent in nature itself. This book introduces the practical workings of this means of self-development, which aims to help the reader: realize the true wonder of nature and their place within it; find the way consciously to shape their own destiny; and learn how to enjoy the present moment and find fulfilment in life. It also contains information on the origins of important traditional teachings, including insights into symbolism and meaning of the Crystal Skulls.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Element Books Ltd (August 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1862040222
• ISBN-13: 978-1862040229
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #709,559 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Head's up! You may fall into a trap, July 31, 2000

By 

Christine (Thena) McArthur - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Medicine Way: A Shamanic Path to Self Mastery (The "Earth Quest" Series) (Paperback)

I have reviewed other books by Kenneth Meadows. I really do like them, but I have to warn readers to be careful. This book suffers from the "Shamanism equals Native American" or the "All Shamans are Native Americans" syndrome. Meadows and many Europeans are being trained in Lakota-esque tradtions and learning a great deal from them. WONDERFUL! However, the outcome is that many of these Europeans become authors and begin writing authoritative books on the subject. I ask the reader to be aware of this ... and then, thus armed, to make much of the good exercises and comfortable language of the book.

For a better idea of Shamanism and its world wide impact, take a look at Michael Harner's 'Way of the Shaman' or Sarangrel's 'Riding Windhorses.' The best books I have read about the Lakota people have been by Ed (Eagle Man) McGaa.

22 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Plastic Shamanism, July 9, 2002

By 

A reader (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Medicine Way: A Shamanic Path to Self Mastery (Earth Quest) (Paperback)

I do not recommend any of Kenneth Meadow's books. He is what many American Indians would call a "plastic shaman," in other words a fake. He fails to mention that the beliefs he has taken are mainly Lakota beliefs, in other words he practically generalizes all American Indian tribes as if they have all the same beliefs. Which is definitely not the case. One of his sources is Harley Swiftdeer. Swiftdeer was officially kicked out of the Cherokee nation because of making sacred beliefs become public.

I would also recommend to STAY AWAY from authors such as Sun Bear, Mary Summer Rain, Ed McGaa, and Dhyani Ywahoo. And there are many more authors to stay away from when it comes to Amerindian spirituality. If you really care about spiritual theft and authenticity do not buy these authors' books and throw them away if you have them. I recommend doing an online research into "plastic shamans." You'll come up with lists of people of who to stay away from and what to watch out for (for example, a Choctaw "medicine man" does not teach Cherokee, Lakota, or Navajo ways and vice versa).

If you are interested in legitimate Amerindian beliefs I suggest these authors and books:

For Southern (Montana) Piegan (Piikani) Blackfoot beliefs I'd highly recommend the book 'Ni Kso Ko Wa: Blackfoot Spirituality, Traditions, Values and Beliefs' by Harold E. Gray Long Standing Bear. He is a known and respected Blackfoot activist and scholar.

For Blood (Kainai) Blackfoot beliefs, I recommend the book 'The Sacred Tree' by Judie Bopp, Michael Bopp, Phil Lane, and Lee Brown. It was developed by the Four Worlds Development Project, an inter-tribal group based in Alberta, Canada. It was guided by the elders of the tribe. It was initially created to help American Indians return to the traditional ways and to stay away from alcohol and drugs, but they eventually decided to release the book to the public at large.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who are you? The answer is within......., September 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Medicine Way: A Shamanic Path to Self Mastery (The "Earth Quest" Series) (Paperback)

Anyone interested in being one with the universe, while maintaining their uniqueness, will find this book helpful and inspiring. If the tasks and quests are attempted, I believe you will come away from them with a renewed respect for all inhabitants of the Earth, animate and inanimate, and for the infinite possibilities beyond.