Customer Reviews

Modern Shamanic Living: New Explorations of an Ancient Path

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book is concise and well written; and I am VERY happy that she does not recommend the use of halucinogenic drugs.

This book has assorted meditations, and a few Shamanic journeys the author has taken. To give you an idea of what you will see and experience.

I especialy enjoyed Chapter 10 (Spiritual Ecology)Pages 93-102.

Ms. Rysdyk mainly focuses on Shamanic journeys into the lower & upper worlds.

I have three minor complaints with this book.

1. Ms. Rysdyk completely ignored the subject of protection. (in the beginning you should never journey alone (without your totem animal) because not all spirits are friendly (especially in the middle world). You should cast a medicine wheel and call in the white light or smudge the area to protect your body while you are out and about. If you want help with this E-Mail me.)

2. Ms. Rysdyk completely ignored the subject of integrity. (When you give your word to the spirits; they expect you to keep it. To use a Shamanic motto "Walk your talk".)

3. On page 57 Ms. Rusdyk relates the journey to get help from her power animal in getting a new job. (I perfer the term "Totem Amimal". The Spirits are there to help when you need it. They expect you to help yourself too; instead of using them as a crutch to get through life.)

Please see my listmania lists for recommended books.

I encourage questions or comments about my reviews via E-Mail. Two Bears

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

Reviewing MS Rysdyk's writing from the standpoint of being a shamanic practitioner for many years has been a pleasure. There are precious few authors to whom one can recommend beginners or those who are exploring. MS Rysdyk is one of those. She presents shamanic practice and the draw, in this modern world, of ancient cultures in a uniquely practical and yet intellectually stimulating manner. The Hunter-gatherer in us all becomes an attainable reality, a birthright realized. And, this book should give those of Jungian persuasion an entree into this fascinating other reality. The person for whom shamanic practice is a way of life will find wisdom and understanding paralleling their own--I did. I heartily recommend MS Rysdyk to readers at any level of shamanic attainment. Other books that would interest MS Rysdyk's readers are: "The Way of the Shaman," by Michael Harner; "Soul Retrieval," by Sandra Ingermann; Shamanism as a Spiritual Practice for Daily Life," by Tom Cowan; By Oak, Ash and Thorn," by D. J. Conway; and, "Entering the Circle," by Olga Khartidi.

Modern Shamanic Living was worth the price for the first chapter alone. In it Evelyn Rysdyk gives those of us who have despaired the condition of our world and our individual lives hope for a new way to find the wisdom that will remake our lives for the better. Step by step the succeeding chapters unfold a practical spiritual path that has completely changed my life and those of several friends. I believe this book is a must read for everyone.

I was looking forward to this book since some of the reviews are so glowing. But I found the book to be of very little substance. It is mostly the author's personal fantasies and anecdotes. The few exercises in the book are infantile and unremarkable. Do not waste money or time on this book. There are better alternatives out there.

Modern Shamanic Living offers one of the clearest explorations of shamanism and shamanic journeying available today. Using the concept of an Inner Hunter/Gatherer as our guide and jumping off place, Rysdyk provides us with the tools to live life to the fullest. At once, eloquent, visionary and easy to read, this book is also well researched. The author has studied with both anthropolgist Michael Harner, Sandra Ingerman, and also with indigenous tribal elders. The book is filled with easy-to-learn exercises, marvelous original stories and lots of up-beat suggestions. It is very highly recommended!

My first review was a tad harsh on this little opus. I was angry because I felt that by actually paying money for the thing I automatically had "sucker!" branded on my forehead.

The book alienated me within the first few pages by indicating that the hunter/gatherer mode of existence is so much superior to any other, that the only hope we poor moderns have is to find our "inner hunter/gatherer" to counteract the horrifying fact we live in the pathetic and depressing age of electricity, the internet, antibiotics, soap, and indoor plumbing.

An author has maybe 2 pages to interest you in their premise. I gave the author 6 pages. I felt the tone was condescending and the approach smacked of silver-bullet nonsense. (Just become a "hunter/gatherer" and everything will be just peachy.)

Maybe it gets better after the sixth page of text. Stranger things have happened. Not many, but some.

Shamanism isn't new to me, by the way. I recommend Michael Harner and Thomas Cowen. When I try a new author for a different POV -- which is what I was doing here -- I think I will go with Louise Strongbear.

Ms. Rysdky refers to allot of other books in her writing of this one. So, I'm not too sure how much information is truly of her experience. I recommend this book to someone who is just curious, like I am about Shamanism.