The Sacred Heritage: The Influence of Shamanism on Analytical Psychology

Rating:
Summary: Profound experiences and insights
Review: Being interested in both Jungian psychology and Shamanism I found this book extremely interesting. It contains a series of short chapters written by various authors that represent both diversity and expertise in their fields. While showing their knowledge in their fields the individual authors relate deeply personal experiences that are very moving and thought provoking. The order of the chapters is well thought out and each of them has an informative intro that both prepares you for what comes next and helps tie the whole book together. At the end of each chapter there is a list of references that can further help with ones research in this and related material. Although each chapter can be read individually as one's interest is sparked, I enjoyed reading the whole book in succession.

Rating:
Summary: An always engrossing, sometimes harrowing compilation
Review: This book is a compilation of essays on Shamanism and Jungian Psychology. Many diverse points of view are presented, from Christian mysticism to Native American visionary dance rituals.

The book is presented in four sections, which progress from the abstract to the concrete.

The essays in the first section make a convincing case that Dr. Carl Jung was a Western Shaman whose healing energies were coincident with his personal wound.

The next section, dealing with shamanic medicine, contains essays with brilliant therapeutic case studies, interpretations of animal dream symbolism, a fascinating discussion of shamanic allies and examples of the healing potential of altered states of consciousness.

The third section grounds us further with essays dealing with the realities of coping with pain, cancer, surgery, death in childbirth and loss of soul. Some of these essays were difficult reading, but worthwhile nonetheless.

The fourth section, the most amazing of all, takes us into the physical experience of shamanic visionary states. Essays include: shamanic practices of a Native American tradition, a visionary Big Dream in the Christian mystical tradition, a participation in the modern counterpart of an ancient sacrificial ritual and worship of the Goddess Pele in a Hawaiian volcano.

This diverse book is a marvel, bringing together the ancient and modern, weaving them with the thread of Jungian thought and spirit. It is a worthy addition to the library of anyone interested in Shamanism, Jungian Psychology and mystical experience.