A book that calls your soul into healingJuly 15, 2008 I cannot express the beauty and love that went into writing this book. Alberto is truly an amazing writer and gifted shaman. This has to be the best book for helping me with my spiritual growth. Let there be peace in the world and let it begin with me. A book of self healing, peace, and joy!
Aloha.
Please read this bookSeptember 21, 2007 1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Mending the Past and Healing the Future with Soul Retrieval is a great book on the idea that people can learn how to heal ourselves and each other. The basis is to learn the three worlds that we all live in and the four directions, and some of the spirits who rule those directions and the Plant Nations, Star Nations, and Stone Nations. If you understand anything about Medicine, this is it in the world today. This book written with the loving help of the Inca Elders is an important means to learn how the world of loving Spirits and Creator can help us all save our own souls. I have recommended it to all of my friends, and relations.
andean neoshamanismJanuary 26, 2007 14 out of 22 found this review helpful
In this book Alberto Villoldo recapitulates neoshamanist techniques used by CG Jung and popularized by M. Harner, Sandra Ingerman and their gang at the 'Foundation for Shamanic Studies' as the best (and harmless) way to introduce Westerners to some form on nonlinear, non-thinking experience. Basically, 'soul retrieval' is a form of active imagination or 'awake dreaming' that leads the 'dreamer' into her subconscious mind. Villoldo's book is no better and no worse than other products on the (increasingly saturated) market - basic neoshamanist imagery techniques spiced with (successful) episodes from Villoldo's own counseling practice.
While I like Villoldo's early books based on his own apprentice stories from Peru, his conversion into neoshamanism and syncretism seem a bit unexpected. Certainly V. never explains why he finds 'journeying' methods more effective than (or complementary to) age old Andean practices, nor does he provide a rationale for blending the two at the end of the book (when he speaks about the pururuna, sacharuna, uiwayruna etc). It seems funny that a man who seems to call himself a 'laika' (sorcerer; something an Andean would never do)and claims to have been taught by some of the best Peruvian native shamans, now teaches Westerners active imagination developed by Jung and Harner... a method that can be called shamanism only with a significant stretch of imagination. To me it seems the man simply had to write another book.
Or that he finds it difficult to stay out of the limelight. Writing books is an addictive business.
Mending the Past and Healing the Future with Soul RetrievalJanuary 11, 2007 6 out of 7 found this review helpful
Once again Alberto Villoldo shows us the path to healing. I have actually tried to view myself in a future healed state and it really helped me in my healing from recent surgery. I want to take his courses in the future as this is invaluable knowledge as a human being in a physical body. His website is listed in his books. His DVD's are also wonderful.
Interesting, informative and helpfulJanuary 9, 2007 10 out of 11 found this review helpful
I have heard some opinions about Villoldo that he's not authentic enough, that he distills the techniques and ideas too much. However, I feel this book is a good introduction to soul retrieval and other shamanic techniques and ideas. It is well-organized, and laid out in an easy-to-understand and easy to follow fashion. The techniques are easy to learn and try. I think he should explain more forcefully in the beginning that these techniques carry a lot of power and that readers should not use them on others unless they have been trained by a teacher. Other books I would recommend for those who want to learn about shamanism are The Shaman's Body by Arthur Mindell and Keepers of the Ancient Knowledge by Joan Parisi Wilcox. You should also become familiar with Chakras and so read The Chakra Handbook by Sharamon & Baginski. You will also probably end up working with power animals and might like Animal Talk or Animal Speak I forget which it is.
