Rating: 
Summary: Informative and enlightening
Review: For those of African descent who want to know more about the religious and cultural practices of their ancestors, this is a particularly good source. It appears to be written with openness and honesty by one who has crossed several cultures outside of his West African origins. I imagine it is also a good source of information for those who are not of African descent, but have an interest in enhancing their spiritual journey through an understanding of religious and cultural practices in diverse cultures throughout the world.Before reading this book, I had never heard about the West African country of Burkina Faso, even though history reveals that my heritage has its roots somewhere in West Africa. I have read extensively about the religious beliefs and practices of the Yoruba people of Nigeria, central to which is the worship of the Orishas. I continue to read about other African religions. Central to all such religions that I have read about so far is the reverence to spirit and rituals. Very important to these rituals is the use of the elements of Water, air, fire and earth (minerals). This approach to worship of the Divine is most revealing and seductive, as it challenges some of the practices of Christianity and other western religions. At the same time, if one examines more closely the essence of all religions, there is a commonality about them all. I am by no means an expert on this, just a seeker. As I continue to read and observe, "The Healing Wisdom of Africa," is yet another step in my journey to connect the dots for myself. For each person who makes that journey, the dots will be connected differently because religion is a very personal experience. However information from people like Malidoma Patrice Some, can help one in contemplation of which dot is the next dot to connect in the sequence. Five stars.
Rating:
Summary: Opens eyes to spiritual world
Review: I am reading this book with great pleasure and anticipation. After completing 1/3 of it, I feel compelled to recommend it to people interested in spiritual awakening. Attending Catholic school for 8 years dulled my senses to the spiritual world and the positive knowledge it has to offer. I have been frightened to learn more about spirits, and this book has made me fear them and death less. I also have a better value of community and ancestors as a result of reading this book. Thank you Prof. Some for sharing your scholarship and knowledge of indigenous African beliefs.
Rating:
Summary: Phenomenal!!!
Review: I have read this book along with all of Malidoma's works. I believe Malidoma has one of the best skills at articulating the problem that Western/European reality has posed on the rest of us. I personally do not use the specific rituals that he recommends because I have rituals that my own culture prescribes; however, I think any person that is ready to take a spiritual advance need to read this book and put his suggestions to practice. I have met Malidoma and found him to have a beautiful spirit filled with wisdom and the innocence of a child. I believe that anyone can trust what this teacher has to say. I also recommend this book for all priests and healers in the world because Malidoma has touched something that need not be ignored if we are to heal ourselves and others. Thank you Malidoma.
Rating:
Summary: Malidoma Some addresses himself to spiritual healing
Review: In his latest book, Malidoma Some talks about how the wisdom developed over millenia by indigenous people in Africa can be used to deal with the very real psychological and spiritual impoverishment of the West. He says that while the West has an abundance of material goods (taken in large part from the natural resources that belong to all living creatures), Africans possess the capacity of enriching their own lives by communicating through rituals on a continuous basis with what he calls the "other world", the world beyond the material senses, or what Carlos Castaneda would call the "human inventory". Some recommends getting in touch with our ancestors and keeping them in our lives by devoting shrines to them and opening a dialogue with them. This makes particular sense to someone who has lost someone close and feels a great lack between the material message that the person is dead and therefore gone, and the feeling that somehow one has not really disconnected. Some also recommends frequent grief rituals (not just when suffering a loss but all the time) to keep the spirit in tune, and purged of the daily wear and tear of living. It is a wonderful book: humane, wise, well-thought out and very well written. A real joy for someone looking for a new way of dealing with life.
Rating:
Summary: A profound and deeply moving book
Review: Malidoma Patrice Some is one of my heroes. I've only read one other book by him, "Of Water and the Spirit," which I also loved, but I can say that he is an enlightened being and an exceptional teacher. He offers a new way to appreciate this earth and the spirit world with statements such as, (I'm paraphrasing) ...stones are the bones of the earth and in stones are stored the earth's memory... I found myself having to put the book down over and over just so I could give myself time to assimilate the profound thoughts and theories offered. His chapter on women and menstruation was a fascinating opening into concepts I had never heard before, and which left me both dumbfounded and euphoric at the importance of his insights. He is a great inspiration to me.
Rating:
Summary: Sensational. REAL African wisdom.
Review: Malidoma shows a great understanding of his peoples' values and trys to put them into western language as articulately as possible. The result is a window into another world so unrelated in every way to the one we are so distracted with. Malidoma very concisely sets the book out under the headings of values that his culture considers are of the most importance eg. ritual, he then passes on the physical happenings and the spiritual meanings behind it. It is an eloquent and yet complex read that will touch your souls memory and it remembers the peace that it felt once....
Rating: 
Summary: Such honesty !
Review: Malidoma shows a great understanding of his peoples' values and trys to put them into western language as articulately as possible. The result is a window into another world so unrelated in every way to the one we are so distracted with. Malidoma very concisely sets the book out under the headings of values that his culture considers are of the most importance eg. ritual, he then passes on the physical happenings and the spiritual meanings behind it. It is an eloquent and yet complex read that will touch your souls memory and it remembers the peace that it felt once....
Rating:
Summary: Sensational. REAL African wisdom.
Review: Malidoma Some is a sensation, worthy of a world-wide audience. The wisdom he has gained will be a blessing to the entire world. It completely transcends boundaries, and shows the true spirit of Africa... the true goodness of the continent which has regrettably been nearly destroyed by the introduction of Western ideas which simply did not fit. At last we get to learn from Africa, rather than the other way around. The impact of these new ideas from Africa may just save the world.
Rating:
Summary: One of the clearest books I've read on African World view.
Review: Malidoma Some', gives a clear explination, of the African World View, as seen thru the eyes of the Dagara people. It's a book of philosophy, spirituality and culture, presented for any reader to comprehend. This book opens the doors to a greater understanding of African culture.
Rating:
Summary: A tremendous gift...TEN STARS!!!
Review: This book clearly offers the insights and wisdom that many "Western" readers seek for the creation of community and healing rituals. Malidoma's writing is inspiring and personal. I felt not only a deeper understanding of the Dagara way of life, but also of the commitment and dedication Malidoma has in offering their wisdom for healing the ills of the modern world. I was left with a sense of embarrassment and shame that for all the complexities, distractions and damage that we have brought down upon the indigenous cultures of the world, that this wonderfully generous and caring man would offer us healing rituals in return. I would hope that all who read this book will take its message to heart and work to incorporate the healing rituals that are described into their lives. I sincerely believe that the survival of both the modern and natives cultures depends on it.
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