Forest of Visions: Ayahuasca, Amazonian Spirituality, and the Santo Daime Tradition (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Amazon: a magical word with so many meanings..." (more)
Key Phrases: obsessive spirits, sacramental drink, sacred drink, Mestre Irineu, Santo Daime, Padrinho Mario (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Part biography, part document of spiritual wisdom, Forest of Visions is a fascinating story that satisfies on many levels. Author Alex Polari de Alverga spent years as a political prisoner during military rule in Brazil. Here he recounts his spiritual transformation after release under the tutelage of Padrinho Sebastião Mota de Mela, one of the founders of the Santo Daime religion. Forest of Visions is also a study of the inner workings of the Santo Daime utopian community of 500 in the heart of the Amazonian rainforest. The Santo Daime is a Christian-indigenous syncretic religion that centers around the drinking of a sacramental psychedelic tea called Ayahuasca as a shortcut to spiritual revelation and growth. After years of study, the Brazilian government decided that Ayahuasca positively benefited society and church members, and declared it legal. Approximately 50 Santo Daime churches now exist around the world, including in the U.S., Japan, and Holland, with various legal statures. The forward by Stephen Larsen, author of The Shaman's Doorway, and the preface by Jonathan Goldman provide an informative transition from our world to the realm of this mysterious and unique Amazonian cult. --P. Randall Cohan

Review

. . . moving and often poetic writing. The book is a saga and a memoir... giving us insight into the spiritual path... -- Charlie Tilt, Talking Leaves, Summer/Fall 1999

Alex Polari de Alverga has provided a moving firsthand account of an unusual and compelling contemporary spiritual phenomenon. -- Eliezer Sobel, The Quest

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Park Street Press (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089281716X
• ISBN-13: 978-0892817160
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #92,174 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #55 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Occult > Cults & Demonism
  #75 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Shamanism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only worthwhile book on Santo Daime in English, July 18, 1999

By A Customer

There is much on the internet about Santo Daime, almost none of which accurately portrays the church or the religious and spiritual significance of the Daime. This book, however, is a deep discussion of the church, the doctrine and the Daime which offers a clear picture from a man who has traveled far on the spiritual path of the Santo Daime. Interested people, please read this book before reading anything else.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely portrait of a visionary, January 12, 2008

By	Catherine Pherson (Somerset, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

I've read this book twice. I'm particularly interested, as a member of a Santo Daime church in North America. However, the story of Sebastiao's struggles to find a place for his faith community and to secure the sanction of the Brazilian government for the use of ayahuasca as a religious sacrament is inspirational for anyone. There are several stories of mystical experiences in the Amazon, and the devotion of author Alex Polari is touching. The writing is sometimes awkward (mainly due to an inelegant translation from Portuguese) and sometimes repetitive.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent exposition of Santo Daime, November 3, 2009

By	Spencer "espencers" (miami, fl) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

If you want to learn the truth about the Santo Daime, then this is definitely the best resource. If you are reading this, then maybe something is already stirring inside you. Enjoy your journey.