Customer Reviews

Soul Retrieval: Mending the Fragmented Self

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Author Sandra Ingerman shares ancient soul-retrieval practices in very down-to-Earth terms in her pioneering book, SOUL RETRIEVAL. While the requirements for doing successful shamanistic healing are simple (requiring crystal-clear intention and complete faith in spiritual assistance), many of us raised within modern-day Western society are likely to face our own inner skepticism that this method of healing can be effective. Ingerman masterfully addresses this and other common pitfalls, as it takes the reader on a journey of rescuing soul fragments from one's past.

We often become physically ill following loss of soul or diminishment of essential spiritual energy, so soul retrieval is a healing art for one's entire being. Ingerman explains, "If the soul totally vacates the patient, the patient will die. It follows that, if the shaman can retrieve the lost soul parts, the individual can be restored to harmony and well-being. This retrieval is done by the shaman in an altered state of consciousness."

SOUL RETRIEVAL contains case studies of Ingerman's involvement with numerous patients who have requested her assistance, as well as fascinating historical background on the ancient shamanic art of soul retrieval. Those who have undergone soul retrieval therapy claim as the author herself asserts, "Having my own lost soul parts restored to me brought me back to a place of wholeness. I experienced the fullness of life and a joy that I had not been sure I would ever feel again."

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in healing, shamanism, psychology, or consciousness.

Sandra Ingerman trained me in soul retrieval in 1992. She continues to this day to be the western authority of soul retrieval. She offers a clear guide to understanding shamanism, soul loss, soul retrieval, long distance healing, and integration of returning soul parts. Many people have been inspired and healed as a result of receiving soul retrievals. She has done us all a great service by reviving this sacred practice.

Some critical reviews on that first page there about the author not teaching soul retrieval and being self important. To teach shamanic soul retrieval in a book would be highly irresponsible. Also if you keep in mind that this is the FIRST book on soul retrieval and that in many ways she was the first person to teach people how to do this in the US, who was she going to reference besides her self? Also the whole thing has evolved since then as well.
This is a nice intro to soul retrieval, its not too complex, and the case studies are meant to give people a good idea of what it is, it is not a how to book. If your advanced in shamanism, this is not likely to teach you new things but might give you some insights. If you find anyone who will teach you shamanic journeying/soul retrieval in a book run the other way. The audiotape is also very nice, and the way she presents the material in the tape is very easy to understand. This is not a Carlos Castaneda type book.

Sandra Ingerman describes the soul retrieval journey, and relates several of the soul retrieval journeys she has done. The account of the little girl that did not want to return home (and others) were touching.

I did not give this book five stars because

1. In my opinion; this book is written like an advertizement to get people to take courses in Shamanism from the Foundation for Shamanic Studies (Ms. Ingerman is one of the FSS instructors).

Dr. Michael Harner (and the other authors recommended in my shamanism listmania list) puts the tools in your hands.

2. I have done soul retrievals; but I hate to do them (because the Shaman can not tell how much misery the person can stand (there is a lot of bad memories and emotional baggage the recepient has to deal with), and if you overload the recepient; the soul fragments will leave again). I would much rather teach the person Shamanic practices where they can conduct their own soul retrieval peice meal with the support of their totem (power) animal.

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

This literary work, which I gobbled up in just a few sittings, nourished a void in my spirit and was the catalyst that began my journey into the study of core shamanic practice. Sandra's documented work in the area of souls *lost and found* has inspired me to learn to negotiate the terraine of ordinary and non-ordinary reality. I highly recommend this book.

How do I begin a review of the one book out of thousands that I have read, that marked the most dramatic healing journey of my life? Until this book whispered to me from the second shelf in a holistic center in Huntington back in the early '90s, I had done a virtual sleep-walk through my days. I had even remarked to a friend that up until that point, my whole life had been a near-death experience.

I was working in the book department of Body, Mind & Soul holistic center on Route 110, and had begun studying shamanism with a local teacher, after a series of mystical experiences that had left me terrified and shaking. I needed training, that was sure, because I needed to understand this path I was being called to. And I also needed healing; I needed to have my soul parts returned to me.

When I opened this book to the checklist of soul loss symptoms, I saw every reason that I had always felt so lost and frightened, and at the same time somehow deadened inside. There had been long periods of time wherein colors were so dull they had almost appeared grey-black. There were periods of my childhood I had blocked out entirely.

At this time I was being trained to do shamanic journeying, and one night I was guided to retrieve my own soul. I actually had to check with a shaman who I was later to work with, to understand what this intense experience had been about. She confirmed what I already knew in my heart.

Later that year, I went to her to have 3 more parts returned to me.

Reading this book by Sandra Ingerman helped me to realize that gathering my soul was the necessary path I would begin to take, and that I would continue until I had achieved wholeness. This book was invaluable on the brave journey I needed to begin; there was no paradigm in my world up to this point for what I was about to embark upon, I knew I would just have to trust that I had been led to the right place, the right book, the right teachers.

The book is simple, straightforward, and the poetry is lovely. If you pick up a copy of this book, and know in your heart that it is time to reclaim your soul, please find a trustworthy healer, and begin your journey to wholeness. But do read this book first, so you will know what to expect, and what to look forward to.

The experiences I had following my own soul retrievals became the focus of my own recently published book. My goal was to bring you with me on the journey, so you would know you are never alone on your own path. From all the wonderful feedback I have received so far, I know in my heart that I achieved what I set out to do.

I cannot thank Sandra Ingerman enough for this precious book that helped me to achieve a richer, more vibrant, and amazingly magical life. The gifts that are waiting for you are even better than you can imagine.

From my Heart,
Louise Teresa StrongBear, author of: Journey By Night: A Solitary Journey
Journey by Night: A Solitary Journey

Over the past few years, I've read this book twice, and it's helped me understand my "returning-inner-child" dreams, and begin to welcome back home those split-off parts of myself that left in childhood and adolescence due to trauma (such as excessive bullying by older boys).

The author feels that lost or hiding soul parts have an independent existence in other dimensions of reality. The scariest story for me is when she travels shamanically to the "Land of the Dead" to rescue a lost soul, and almost gets trapped there herself. And like Ingerman, I am heartbroken by her visit to the "Cave of the Lost Children": "hundreds of children...huddling together....in their timeless reality--lost, unwanted, and frightened. Always waiting" (p. 54).

When a lost soul part returns, "colors are brighter; the world is...more sensual. People rediscover...the magic of the child....a sense of aliveness and a desire to live" (p. 135). Harmful habits end, relationships heal, we reconnect with nature, and our gifts and abilities begin to flower--truly a coming home.

I agree with the reviewers quoted on the back cover of the book: "life-affirming", "fascinating and illuminating", "uplifting and vitally important", "brilliant....a must".

Sandra Ingerman's book is a very good over view of the traditional shamanic technique of Soul Retrieval. Anyone interested in the traditional aspects of this technique will find this book helpful. Like the reviewer below, "Two Bears", I find that it is much more healing for the person, not the shaman, to do the Soul Retrieval. The practitioner (shaman) can hold space and help with integration, but the real work is most effective and empowering when the individual is doing the work for themselves.

In this book, Sandra demonstrates the traditional method, retrieving the soul part for the person, blowing it back in, and leaving the person more of an observer in the process than an actual participant. Clearly there are healing aspects to this method as well, though again, the potential for the person to feel dependant on the healing by the shaman makes me a bit squeamish. All in all, however, this book is a nice introduction into the methodology and offers some insights into the experience of Soul Retrieval.

This is a very good overview on the general/traditional technique of Soul Retrieval. There are a bit too many examples of client studies and perhaps not enough analysis of the spiritual things which occurred. What is most disturbing is that in the preface the author says something completely contradictory to the rest of the book regarding how to restore the soul part once retrieved.

Perhaps this book demonstrates most clearly the current tension and change in the area of soul retrieval. In general, the formal patterns of shamanism, including the use of drumming being necessary to achieve trance states, are under question and being challenged. Many people today are able to enter shamanic states of consciousness through concentration alone. As more people become capable of shamanic techniques the older assumptions will be modified and fall away.

This book is a good representative of the more formal ideas about soul retrieval how they were understood perhaps ten or twenty years ago. If you read this just remember that it is your awareness and attention that are the real keys to opening to shamanic experiences, not being constrained to specific static techniques.

This book found its way into my hands. I had no previous information concerning Shamanism or the practices there of. Upon reading this book I felt a new understanding of my own life and wanted to learn more. I found a Shaman who performed a soul retrieval for me. What Sandra Ingerman had written in this book prepared me for the experiences.
As it happened, this book was the catapult into a new "knowing". I've since loaned this book to others, and still have a list of those yet to borrow it. My excitement about this book is comparable to "salvation"! :)
But, I would also interject here that this was my first introduction to Shamanism. Those already familiar with the practices might find this book trivial. If so, please keep in mind the usefulness it holds for "beginners" and that everyone must find their own doorway.