Customer Reviews

Riding Windhorses: A Journey into the Heart of Mongolian Shamanism

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in Shamanism. Sarangerel's book is neither a hollow academic essay nor a self serving autobiography. Riding Windhorses is a practical introduction to Mongolian/Siberian shamanic culture, and a hands-on manual for bringing very ancient practices into modern life. It is written in a comfortable and logical style, which makes it quite useful for anyone of any background. This book also serves an important role by presenting shamanism from a cultural perspective not yet given: today's bookstores are filled with terrific N. and S. American shamanism books. Now, the culture that gave us the word 'Shaman' is being represented, and represented very well.

The book covers modern Mongol shamanism to a reasonable degree, but leaving some areas not covered. At first I thought the book was simply deficient in spots, but I think perhaps it is Mongol shamanism that is deficient. What I would like to see is a book on how their shamanism was BEFORE the Russians and Chinese tore their country to pieces and forcibly converted so many of them. Perhaps such knowledge is lost to history.

One of my teacher's on the path told me to read this book. It's wonderful and very inciteful into the Heart of Mongolian Shamanism. It's quite a journey and excellently written. Someday I'll get there!

I bought this book because I wanted a view of Shamanism as practised in this area of the world because the term Shaman was coined by the Tungus people of Siberia.

The rituals and ceremonies are simple and could be performed by just about anyone.

Chapter 6 deals with assorted forms of diviniation.

The book is clearly written and concise; however; the author uses terms used by the Mongolian Shamans throughout the book, and in a few places; this is tiring and tedious.

My only real complaint deals with page 91 "A more potent hallucinogen, the mukhomar mushroom has been connected with Siberian and Mongolian shamanism from ancient times." (In my opinion; hallucinogenics are NOT needed, and NOT recommended.)

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

I was very interested to read this book. I was very disappointed to read that she's not from Mongolia. Despite her adopted name (Sarangerel, a Mongolian name) she is not Mongolian. She was born the the US to parents who were from Siberia. Her parents were not Buryat or Mongolian ethnicity. They were Russian/caucasian, so she did not grow up in a Mongolian or Buryat culture. So, to me, that leaves her with a lot of catching up to do.

I am very wary of people from one culture trying to achieve a deep understanding of another culture. And I am further wary of those who then think that they are experts. I liken it to how a non-native speaker can, with much skill and effort, become a fluent speaker of another language. It's possible, but only a very few can achieve fluency.

The book has lots of recipes for rituals, which some may find interesting, but without a mentor, guide or teacher, are of limited value. The text is disjointed and not scholarly. Indeed, she does not pretend to be a scholar, and says so.

Perhaps I am not giving her enough credit. The book I was really hoping to read was one written by a Mongolian/Buryat or Siberian who grew up in the shaman culture, and is able to share their wisdom with those of us who did not.

If you are in Mongolia, you might be able to get a copy of "Mongolian Shamanism" by P. Otgony and P. Gurbadaryn. ISBN 99929-0-239-6. You are unlikely to find this book outside Mongolia.

So as long as you realize that she adopted Mongolian culture, and is not a native, you may find this book helpful.