Customer Reviews

Shamans of the 20th Century (Frontiers of Consciousness)

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

 

 

When most people speak of Shamanism, they tend to speak of it as being something of the past. This book shows that indigenous religions are very much alive, and being practiced around the world. Half of this book goes into the proccess of defining what shamanism is and examining the initiation of shaman and the healing practices of shaman. The author is very knowledgable on Asian shamanism in particular from what I saw. The other half of the book, which particularly caught my eyes, details interviews and biographies of modern day shaman. We are given a look at various traditional shaman who practice in the modern world, including David Kaonohiokala Bray (a Hawai'ian Kahuna), Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa (a Zulu Sangoma), Usha Devi Rudola (an Indian mystic), the Dahli Lama's oracle and Max Beauvior (a Voudon Hougan). We also get a look at more unusual shaman, including TV entertainer shaman from Korea, three city shaman from Southeast Asia, a shaman/lawyer and a shaman/director. All of these interviews give some a great deal of insight to indigenous spirituality.

I have known Ruth Inge since 1989 and she has run the Asian Institute at UC Berkeley California with care. The International Shanamanism and Alternative Modes of Healing conferences that she offers each year in San Rafael, Ca. Are the "Best of the Best" in their Field. She is though in her demands for preciseness and does not put up with egos. Her book reflects her dedication and love of her work, her unduanting spirit, and the importance that the indigenous spirit of this work goes on--afterall, she is 87 years old. I have great respect and love for her and know the work that she puts into each book she produces; it is nothing but the best she can do--do not sell her short. If you are looking for the "real deal" this is it. She puts up with no pretenders, or posers. You can read her books with the knowledge that if she has acknowleged them as 'good people', they are. In short, she doesn't do this for the 'glamor' or fame' she does this because it is her calling, pure and simple.