Customer Reviews

Mending The Past & Healing The Future With Soul Retrieval

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been on my own personal journey for a few years now, searching for answers to a few key problems I had been experiencing for much of my life. Certainly I had been working diligently to work through my beliefs, thoughts and attitudes etc that I believed were holding me back. But after quite some time, I became frustrated that I had been unable to make a break through in areas related to my health and direction in life.

Just when I was about to give up, this book came along....

If you have taken part in visualisation exercises as I had, you might think you know what is going to happen when you follow the instructions in this book. However, it is likely that you will have an experience quite unlike anything you have had before!

The instructions in the book guide you through certain exercises which take you to various parts of yourself that cannot usually be accessed except via the shamanic journeying technique. Thankfully, the experience is described in an easy to understand manner and the concepts are further described by way of storey-telling to reinforce understanding.

The effects of working with this book are almost immediate. Health problems I have had for years evaporated within days of doing the exercises in this book. Other areas of my life cleared up almost as quickly. After wondering for 20 years what I was supposed to do with my life, I finally got my answer! So if you have some big challenges and are looking for a way to really make some inroads, try this book and see if it doesn't make a difference!

Villoldo provides an artful synthesis of various spiritual views which will be familiar to readers of Brian Weiss's work, as well as to qi gong practitioners, shamanic studies types, bodyworkers of various stripes and many types of therapists. It is precisely formulated, with step by step instructions - it is also exceptionally well written, and follows from chapter to chapter with ease, fluidity and depth. It is personal, but not self indulgent - this is not a book which is all about the author's self aggrandizement as a mystical guru figure. It seems very much written in a spirit of service, and is rendered with care and attention to details throughout.

Bottom line: This book is quite terrific, and really lifted a weight off of me just by reading it, although I certainly do look forward to putting the information it contains into actual practice and action. I am glad I read the whole thing through first, as there is a lot of valuable information packed into here, some of it beyond the immediate task at hand. I will be participating in a soul retrieval workshop soon, and picked this up as some useful background material, but I think many people would get genuine benefit from it, regardless of their immediate soul retrieval plans per se.

I really recommend it!

This book is great. So far the information about the Shaman's techique seems to be very similar to techiques used by ancient Hawaiians known as Kahunas and also another technique which I am trained in doing which uses quantum physics as well. I have studied the Ancient Hawaiians' culture for several years and it is always interesting to read about other ancient teachings. In fact, the more I learn about the different ancient teachings the more I feel that they are all just ONE TEACHING. I am already interested in looking into a seminar which I found on the author's website.

Dr. Villoldo writes in simple language and states his information in a clear concise way. He actually outlines how to do the process for yourself. When I finish the book I am doing the process for myself.

You'll find it quite interesting.

Soul retrieval works, regardless of whether we have an explanation for why/how or not. Science and technology has convinced the Western mind that they can and will have an explanation for everything when this is not true...

This book was a disappointment to me in that is was a 250 page brochure for the services and teachings of Villoldo's Four Winds Society, where "You too, can be a shaman for only $10,000- Call NOW!!" If not you can pay for a private consult...

If you want a book of his that supports changes in your life try The Four Insights and actually put the info to use. If you really believe you need a soul retrieval, find a reputable practitioner and discuss it with them... An ethical shaman/medicine person will interview you before taking next steps...

Good luck.

I have heard some opinions about Villoldo that he's not authentic enough, that he distills the techniques and ideas too much. However, I feel this book is a good introduction to soul retrieval and other shamanic techniques and ideas. It is well-organized, and laid out in an easy-to-understand and easy to follow fashion. The techniques are easy to learn and try. I think he should explain more forcefully in the beginning that these techniques carry a lot of power and that readers should not use them on others unless they have been trained by a teacher. Other books I would recommend for those who want to learn about shamanism are The Shaman's Body by Arthur Mindell and Keepers of the Ancient Knowledge by Joan Parisi Wilcox. You should also become familiar with Chakras and so read The Chakra Handbook by Sharamon & Baginski. You will also probably end up working with power animals and might like Animal Talk or Animal Speak I forget which it is.

Alberto fills his pages with adventures and new possibilities. I've dabbledbefore, reading extensively about different kinds of Eastern philosophy and spirituality. But this is the closest I've come to finding a scholar or mystic who can put ALL of the pieces together. Things are much clearer, and
I'm really greatful for this book!

Many of the processes covered in the book are taught in Dr. Villoldo's Healing the Light Body School. I found that having the techniques,outlined in book form, very helpful as a reference guide. The personal experiences of the clients and author enrich the learning experience.

This is Dr. Villoldo's best book by far. He interweaves mythology, psychology, quantum physics, and indigenous medicine to help us re-think old paradigms that are keeping us from living abundantly and without doubt. But beyond being a black belt scholar, Villoldo is a vivid storyteller. He's produced a very readable book that I had trouble putting down! And his scientific explainations were easy to absorb- even for a C+ physics student like myself! I've already called his office to sign up for a 5 day Soul Retrieval class on the beach in Mexico this winter and may register for his expedition to work with Peruvian shamans next summer.

The mystery of shamans are explored and honored in this book by Alberto Villoldo, a seasoned medical anthropologist who has studied with native healers in South America for over 20 years. Beyond the distorted visions of shamans being witch doctors ... the book brings to light ancient beliefs and practices that were once the knowledge of the chosen few. Not only does it reveal new paradigms of intense healing but also a cultural renewal of aboriginal tribes whose survival and wisdom has been threatened by modern culture. Dr. Villoldo contributes both a healing perspective as well as a preservation of an ancient society.

I really liked this book when I read it. I found it inspiring, hopeful and engaging. The exercises presented where pretty good, but difficult without a guide or a cd...I believe there may be one that you can purchase separately? CD's are incredibly cheap, why not include one? I do believe there is too much selling of his "Four Winds Society" where you too can become a "Certified" Shaman for a small fortune. He talks a lot in this book about his private consultations with clients and then doesn't really offer them unless you are an advanced student, ie have dropped loads of cash already. The book itself was pretty good, but if you want to take it any further...prepare for a sticker shock. My advice, take half of the ten grand you will spend on four winds and go work with a Shaman...not a sorcerer (laika) in Peru. I did this and you will get a whole lot out of drinking ayahuasca and doing dieta in the jungle...oh yeah, but no laser printed certification, sorry.