Spiritual Bathing: Healing Rituals and Traditions from Around the World (Paperback)

~ (Author), Nadine Epstein (Author), Thayer Allyson Gowdy (Photographer) "In ancient times, when travelers came to a river, they drank and gave thanks to the life-giving energy of the waters that sustained them..." (more)
Key Phrases: spiritual bathing, spiritual baths, flower baths, Native American, Don Elijio, Machu Picchu (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Arvigo and Epstein, authors of a previous book on contemporary uses of the Mayan tradition, offer an intriguing historical-cum-spiritual tour of world religious traditions involving water, its ritual use and spiritual significance. The authors rightly note that water has played an essential role in the rise of world cultures throughout history, and it has been assigned spiritual meaning within various cultures' belief systems. They review 15 cultures' selected beliefs and rituals, some more successfully than others. A tilt toward pre-Columbian Mesoamerican spiritual traditions separate chapters are devoted to the Mayans, Aztecs and Incas is arbitrary but understandable, given the authors' previous book and training with a Mayan shaman. But it does result in relatively stinted treatment of sacred water rituals within such dominant religious traditions as Christianity, in which baptism is one of the world's best-known water initiation rituals, and Hinduism, which has been shaped by the spiritual significance of India's river waters. Practical applications in home ritual are commendable but sometimes strained. While flower baths can be easily done at home without special accessories, a bather will need a fairly large garden for regular baths and, for ideal infusion, sunny conditions more frequent in Belize author Arvigo's home than in, say, Seattle. Still, the book shines light on a common element and underappreciated aspect of ritual that flows through different epochs and world cultures, and its more than 100 color photos greatly enhance the text.
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Product Description

Since ancient times, people have engaged in spiritual bathing—a soothing and restorative practice that rejuvenates the body, mind, and soul. Spiritual baths promote health and have been proven to aid in the treatment of anxiety, grief, insomnia, and depression. In SPIRITUAL BATHING, best-selling authors Rosita Arvigo and Nadine Epstein explore this lost art and its fascinating history, with information on where sacred baths are currently offered and easy recipes to create bathing rituals in your home. Derived from various regions and philosophies—Shinto, Buddhist, Wiccan, Mayan, and others—most of these baths require only water, a simple ritual, accessible plants and herbs, and the desire to nurture your spirit. Rich with luxurious rituals as well as simple, practical remedies, SPIRITUAL BATHING will help you discover a sense of balance, vitality, and pleasure in your daily routine.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 182 pages
• Publisher: Celestial Arts; illustrated edition edition (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587611708
• ISBN-13: 978-1587611704
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #72,950 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Soothe your soul, January 2, 2004

By	Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

In this interesting book, the authors investigate the religious significance of water and the art of spiritual bathing in various cultures and through many time periods. Spiritual bathing is an ancient practice with great health benefits, especially in the treatment of stress-related problems such as depression, anxiety and insomnia.

The book includes examples from the Aztec, Buddhist, Incan, Mayan, Shinto and Wiccan traditions and offers practical information on creating one's own ritual baths at home by using only water, ritual elements and certain herbs.

Plenty of different rituals and practical remedies are provided that will aid the reader in restoring harmony, peace and pleasure in daily living through these easy-to-follow methods. The book contains many impressive full color photographs illustrating spiritual bathing in 15 cultures from around the world.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Resource, January 7, 2007

By	Rochleigh Z. wholfe - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found this book to be informative, fascinating and educational.It covers the cultural and historical aspects of spiritual baths worldwide.It has greatly helped me in my research for a Sacred Bath Product Line I will be launching in January of 2007. Thanks to both the authors. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and will recommend it to my clients and customers for additional references for sacred bathing.

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars misleading and irresponsible, May 2, 2007

By	L. Cristala Allen "NDN_Sobadora" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

beautiful pics,however the native information is misleading and borders on the irresponsible...95% of the plants used in the " traditional Mayan" remedies are not native to this continent and were brought over by Latins...how can it be Mayan if they are not using Mayan plants? One bath calls for Rue, marigold, motherwort,basil,and St. Johns Wort..all Mediterranean plants. They also tell folks to look for a native sweatlodge on the INTERNET!!How dumb can you be?..that is very dangerous and people have died doing that before. Good book for new agers that don't care about authenticity in ceremony. signed, "NDN Sobadora"