Customer Reviews

Pocket Guide to Shamanism (The Crossing Press Pocket Series)

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Tom Cowan offers an excellent comparison of the strengths of both tribal and contemporary neo-shamanic practices. He includes how to work within each model as well as providing rich information on how to approach a tribal/native shaman for healing or assistance. Mr. Cowan also provides a full list of resources. A great book to enter into an exploration of shamanic practices.

This book was tightly-written and concise. It talks about traditional shamanism and "neo-shamanism" in the current age when there are no teachers around.

He ties the concepts of shamanism to modern terminology and concepts. So, in modern day, we think of energies in mountains or streams or trees, not Mountain Spirit as an entity. Modern-day projection or OBEs is a parallel to the non-ordinary reality of shaman.

Even if you don't think shamanism is your path, this book concisely describes what it was, what it has become in modern times, and how you might pursue it if you feel it is your path. Very worthwhile.

I'm just not sure how the same author can be verbose and indulgent in one book and concise in the other. Editors, perhaps? [These Pocket Guides probably have very tough editors!]

If the idea is of interest, I recommend this book. It's very cute to hold too.