Principles of Shamanism [Paperback]

Leo Rutherford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 25, 1996 | Series: Principles of

Shamanism is the oldest spiritual path on this planet, with roots tracing back more than 50,000 years.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Leo Rutherford is a trained psychotherapist with an MA in Holistic Psychology. He has studied with many shamanic teachers including Joan Halifax, Michael Harner, Prem Dass, Gabrielle Roth, Harley Swiftdeer, Jamie Sams, Grandfather Wallace, Black Elk, the Gnawas of Morocco and particularly Inca Shaman Don Eduardo Calderon. He runs the Eagle's Wing centre. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 162 pages
• Publisher: Thorsons (January 25, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0722533217
• ISBN-13: 978-0722533215
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,545,020 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I had a twenty year career as an engineer and business manager followed by a mid-life crisis - well what else would you expect! This led to an eight year period of therapy and life changing experiences.

Living in California doing my MA in Holistic Psychology, I came across the ancient ways of the shamans and recognised the earthy and the magical that was missing from Western cultural concepts. Shamanism is spiritual, ecological and psychological, it connects us to the roots of our being and to the great powers of nature that surround us and without which we do not exist.

It is the only path I have found in which nothing is left out - and it is the only path I have found which doesn't, however subtly, try to tell me that something in me is put together wrong!

'I walk in beauty, beauty before me, beauty behind me and beauty all around me'. That is what I try to remember daily.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Introduction to Shamanism!, July 14, 2003

By 

Peter Messerschmidt "denmarkguy" (Port Townsend, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Principles of Shamanism (Paperback)

I am always a bit suspicious of books that makes claims such as the subtitle of this one: "The only introdution you'll ever need." However, Leo Rutherford does an excellent job of covering the major aspects of Shamanism in enough detail to give the novice (or curious) a basic sense of what is entailed in this ancient spiritual path-- all in a scant 160 pages.

The book-- in a concise fashion-- covers a definition of Shamanism and mythology, then introduces the reader briefly to the concepts of the Medicine Wheel; the "tools" of Shamanic living-- including ceremony and ritual; journeying and soul retrievals-- including "non-ordinary" realities; Trance Dancing as a path to healing; and "Teacher" plants from nature. Rutherford concludes with a section on "Shamanism Today," and includes an appendix with assorted resources-- however, please note that the resources are somewhat "skewed" towards the UK, where this book was published.

Final thoughts: Highly recommended! (10 out of a possible 10 bookmarks) Very readable, and highly worthwhile, introductory text on Shamanism.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Waste of Money!, November 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Principles of Shamanism (Paperback)

I was fooled into believing that "Principles of Shamanism" is a different book from "Way of Shamanism" - THEY'RE THE SAME BOOK!!!! Buy one or the other - buying both is a waste of money!

At least buy one of them though, it's a great book.

4 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars and the journey begins, February 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Principles of Shamanism (Paperback)

This is a great guide and over-view of all the major aspects of shamanism!!