URBAN SHAMAN

Rating:
Summary: urban shaman
Review: Urban Shaman is the culmination of King's efforts to spread the good news about modes of healing and dreamweaving in a complicated world. His philosophy is not unique, but his applications are. Highly recommended for the student, this book alone can take you far into the realm of shamanism.

Rating:
Summary: Blue sky, but lots of sketchy clouds
Review: Urban Shaman was the first book I read for instruction on how to think like a shaman. It has opened up amazing possibilities for me. I've impressed nonshaman friends with the healing techniques presented in this book. This book also has fantastic mind exercises for increasing self-confidence and keeping peace of mind. It also presents a solid argument for the purpose of meditation.
With all that said, I was soured by a few elements of this book. First, King claims that a rattleback toy has motion that can't be explained by Newton's laws of motion. A google search of this proves King to be false; rattlebacks have complicated motion but can be described by physics(search google).
King also suggests that one tape a crystal to one's head during work, build themself a pyramid to meditate in, create a staff in some multiple of 5 inches (what about the metric system, buddy?) to build your power up, etc. If any of this is true, he should explain how it works (ie by assigning an arbitrary power to an arbitrary object, any object can have any power).
I recommend this book for the mind exercises and positive philosophy presented, but ignore the sketchy elements if they don't work for you.

Rating:
Summary: Accessible, Believable and Doable
Review: Years ago I was inspired by Bach's Jonathon & Illusions...so much so, that at times I referred to Illusions as my "bible" in the sense that I gave me great inspiration spiritually. After I read the Urban Shaman last year, I returned to the store and purchased every copy they had to give to friends! What impressed me most was that my skeptic, highly educated and scientific self did not balk at any of his teachings...a first for any book/belief. I have always been a warrior and a survivor and now I aim for something better...harmony and unity. This book will be my "bible" for some time to come and I hope to study Huna in Hawaii someday! What an inspiration!