This book review first appeared in New Dawn issue 166, January-February 2018. © Brett Lothian
Book Review:
Book Review:
Shamanic
Healing; Traditional Medicine for the Modern World.
By Itzhak
Beery
In this
outstanding new book on Shamanic Healing, the author Itzhak Beery takes us upon
his fantastic and deeply personal journey into the heart of South American
traditional medicine and importantly shows us how we can incorporate this into
our increasingly disconnected modern world. Drawing upon his over twenty years of
experience including being initiated into the Circle of Twenty Four Yachaks by
his Quechua teacher in Ecuador and into the healing tradition of his Amazonian
Kanamari PajƩ (shaman) teacher in Brazil, the author is uniquely qualified to
bring the message of traditional Shamanic Healing to the greater modern world
in this truly excellent book.
In the
introduction to this book the author expertly explains the urgent need for the
ancient traditional healing methodologies like Shamanism to supplement and be
offered in tandem with our modern western medicine, to create a truly holistic
and integrated healing approach. All too often western medicine attempts to
treat the symptoms of disease without getting to the root causes (which are
often psychological) and that is where traditional methods like Shamanism come
to the fore. By being able to diagnose the root cause and not just the disease,
the traditional Shaman is needed now more than ever in our ever more stressful
and insane modern way of life.
Following
on from this the author takes us back to where it all began for him on the
Shamanic path, right through his over twenty years of experience living and
working with his teachers in both Ecuador and Brazil in what is a fascinating
tale of healing and understanding. Delving into the many and varied aspects of
these traditional healing methodologies, Itzhak Beery shows us from personal
experience an entirely different way of seeing the world and our place in it,
from a perspective that the modern world left behind long ago, much to our
detriment.
Chapter 2
explains for the reader just what exactly Shamanic Healing is from the
perspective of the South American knowledge and healing systems, who can become
a shaman and just what it takes if you have been called upon this path.
Importantly the author delves into some the darker areas of Shamanism that is
often ignored by western writers such as evil spirits and possession, including
personal tales of encountering the dark side of Shamanism.
Chapter 3
outlines step by step instructions on numerous healing methods, ceremonies and
techniques, including diagnostic and divinatory readings, much needed
protection techniques and additional healing methods to aid the modern Shaman
in their work. Whilst this will never replace actually being there and learning
first hand from our traditional elders, it gives the reader an understanding of
the forces at work and how to safely conduct oneself in the mystical realm of
the Shaman.
Finally
with chapter 4 the author presents thirty true and inspiring healing stories,
including heart-warming tales of people utilizing Shamanic Healing to overcome
everything from panic attacks, PTSD, depression and anxiety to cancer, chronic
pain and much more. Whilst the modern western medicine systems continue to
ignore more traditional healing techniques such as Shamanic Healing, people
from all over the world are finding the answers to their dis-ease in these
traditional healing methods, because they work. They have worked for millennia
and are perhaps even more important today in our profoundly sick society. If
you’re interested in the Shamanic path, and or a more holistic approach to
healing, Itzhak Beery’s Shamanic Healing; Traditional Medicine for the Modern
World is a must read.
By Brett
Lothian
