Customer Reviews

Shamanic Journeying

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Sandra's latest of several publications addressing the practical aspects of contemporary shamanism provides an excellent, clearly described overview of the shamanic journey and is a great introduction to the process for beginners. As a teacher/facilitator of journeying, I found it also a worthwhile read as a way of getting back in touch with the basics of the practice with new approaches to telling the story of journeying and answering common questions and concerns. At 78 pages, it can be read and absorbed quickly, and the included CD is a great asset to putting the journey process to practice immediately.

This book is not for you if you are looking for a deeper or more academic understanding of the journeying process. However, if you have always wondered what the shamanic journey is about and how it can be used to improve your life, health and relationships, this is a great place to start.

Sandra Ingerman embraces Harner's shamanic idea of a lower, middle and upper world (not a surprise for she is one of Harner's students). I have no problem with that. However this book could be entitled "Shamanism: over-simplification made easy". It may be used to explain shamanism to 5th graders. If this is what you want, the book is good. For beginners I strongly recommend Cowan's "Shamanism: As a Spiritual Practice for Daily Life". It's a vastly more complete, yet simple.

This book is very simple to read and to understand for beginners of Shamanic Journeying. I still believe one book won't explain all in this topic. However, it is a great start and it is like a children book. I thought the CD is exceptionally helpful for the sake of journeying. I had a great opportunity doing real-life shamanic journeying with a Shaman in town where he would play the drum and ask us to lay down, relax and journey. The drum beats in the CD are pretty similar to my real-life experience... though I would still prefer the real-life druming if given an opportunity.

Journeying is a great way to tap into our subconsious mind receiving answers of life through communication to spirit guides. I don't think one will see the benefit immediately after one journeying. But over time, and over the aid of a loving and compassionate therapist (and/or supportive friends and family) who has knowledge about mindfulness and Shamanism, one can be gain benefits around dealing with Chronic and emotional pain.

The best part of this book is the drumming CD. I have many drumming CD's including the one by Michael Harner, and her CD is the best one I've come across. I use it for all my journeying excellent when there is a drum available.

This book is exactly what it says, it is for beginning, it was not my first book on Shamanism, but it was the first book in which I use and journey, with much success, I must say. I met two of my power animals on the first journey and I highly recommend this book. However for a more comprehensive understanding of Shamanism for a beginner I would recommend
Shamanism: As A Spiritual Practice for Daily Living by Tom Cowan. For those who like to see a more culture aspect to Shamanism, I would recommend Chosen by the Spirits : Following Your Shamanic Calling by Sarangerel. At any rate this a excellent books that I highly recommend.

This is the book if you want to learn about how to Journey.
It is well written and very informative....
I read it in one night and have reread several times since.
A must book for anyone wanting to begin the journey into the world of Shaman practice. The book comes with a cd of drum-rattle sounds to help you journey. This part is essential for the practice.

Enhanced with the inclusion of an accompanying 60-minute CD "Drumming for Three Shamanic Journeys", Shamanic Journeying: A Beginner's Guide is a definitive manual for students of what is known in metaphysical studies as "shamanic journeying". Shamanic journeying may be undertaken for purposes of divination, for personal healing, to meet one's power animal or guide, and for many other mystic and/or metaphysical purposes. Author, therapist and counselor Sandra Ingerman provides a clear description of ritual procedures and expectations for those who wish to learn to journey. She suggests that journeyers consider forming a journey group that meets regularly, perhaps twice a month, that will evolve into a community. She offers good advice to journeyers, such as the caution to not compare information received with other group members, to not "brag", and to not compete. She also cautions the journeyer not to journey unprepared, and not to listen to the CD of drumming enclosed while driving. These practical applications and suggestions are an invaluable part of Shamanic Journeying. Ingerman teaches that in shamanic traditions, the shaman who "brags" is perceived as being foolish and losing power. She states: "Shamanic journeying is an incredible tool to receive healing and guidance in our lives...You are embraced by the love of the universe and the helping spirits. Open your heart to the love, wisdom, and healing they have to share. In doing this, you can not only change your own life, but the changes in consciousness we can achieve together through shamanic journeying can transform the world as well (p. 79)."

This is a great book for a beginner like me. I purchased it with the accompanying book, Soul Retrieval and enjoyed both. I especially like the CD that came with this one, it is good to listen to while meditating.

I think the book is a little too light, too introductory for this subject. The best chapter for myself is almost at the ned where she gives a varies groups of subjects to focus the voyages of the young shaman. The hardcover edition is very nice, very high quality, the paper. It also comes with a CD, which is nice for begginers. I was expecting a little more.

This is a simple and beautiful introduction to modern neo-shamanism from a student of the contemporary Michael Harner (author of 'Way of the Shaman) and the FSS or The Foundation for Shamanic Studies. I would recommend it for anyone interested in this ancient path but seeking a more up to date practise. Ingermann is a highly respected authority with her own school in Santa FE, New Mexico and I was fortunate enough to take classes with a Denver Shaman Renna Shesso who herself was a student of Ingermann. This book is aimed at the complete beginner. The book contains a 90 minute drumming CD to initiate your own spiritual journeying, and as a whole prepares an individual for actual one to one or group work and journey sessions.

This is a lovely book which instructs the reader in how to explore the lower, middle and upper realms of shamanic journeying. Sandra Ingerman, a very gifted Harner -trained shaman and shamanic teacher, is also a gifted writer. Her discussions are clear and concise, well illustrated with examples from her practice, and sensibly empowering readers to explore and learn to trust their own experiences and judgment.Spirit guides frequently present images or make suggestions that may have diverse interpretations. I was particularly taken with the following example of caution needed in interpreting the language of metaphors:

...the Aramaic language - the language of Jesus... was highly metaphorical and poetic. When the Bible was translated from Aramaic into Greek and then into English, the metaphors were translated literally, often changing the meaning of the words. One example is that there is no word in the Aramaic language for either 'good' or 'evil.' The most comparable words in Aramaic were 'ripe' and 'unripe,' referring to how everything is part of an ongoing, organic process. But when the Bible was translated into Green and then English, the words chosen to represent 'ripe' and 'unripe' were 'good' and 'evil.' This mistranslation alone shaped the evolution of Judao-Christian culture such that human nature became perceived as something separate from the natural cycles of readiness and unreadiness. (p. 43-44)

A drumming CD to help shift consciousness for journeying comes with the book.