Shaman, Healer, Sage: How to Heal Yourself and Others with the Energy Medicine of the Americas

by Alberto Villoldo

Book Overview

Alberto Villoldo, a classically trained medical anthropologist, has studied shamanic healing techniques among the descendants of the ancient Inkas for more than twenty years. In Shaman, Healer, Sage, he draws on his vast body of knowledge to create a practical and revolutionary program based on the traditional healing methods used by these shamans -- methods that, until now, have been inaccessible to most of the world. Villoldo explains that central...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0609605445
• ISBN13: 9780609605448
• Release Date: December 2000
• Publisher: Harmony
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.91 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Ancient primer for a modern world

Journeying through the lower, middle and upper worlds, gathering images, thoughts and guidance from the universe, seems as natural as awakening from the dream state each morning. Using this tool of "walking between the worlds" with clients seems more akin to magic/alchemy than medicine. After experiencing the power of a simple square of shiny blue cloth and feather, given as a result of journey, watching as it encouraged the person's own healing ability, I was honored...to be the "doorman"... holding sacred space. Reading Villoldo's book early in 2000, several of his practices were incorporated within my own work. I did find it a bit surprising that he didn't include other ideology well known and practiced within shamanism, such as use of the various gates, totems, spirit teachers, with his clients. The ancient ways promote a more comprehensive outlook encompassing body, mind and spirit from the inner core of a person. Healing then commences from within that sacred place of the individual. After, re-reading "Shaman Sage Healer" again (2007), other questions arose concerning certain aspects presented. Herein lays a conflict: modern scientific knowledge and medicine versus universal ancient traditions. While working with different teachers, there seems to be an underlying unspoken "fear" of the unknown that we must be "protected" from. Villoldo seems to hold this viewpoint as well, by stressing that his students "need" a certain protection ceremony prior to commencing with the work. Perhaps it's simply my naiveté not to embrace this belief system. Encountering "heavy/dark" energy, I`ve been shown not to engage the negative, but simply observe my reaction to the experience. Which to believe? Questions such as this need further discussion. There's also great debate amongst teachers as to whether one should "run energy" through one's self or simply work at interface, allowing the energies to work within the surrounding sacred space. Villoldo's teachings of creating and use of sacred space, deepening points, the Illumination process, clearing chakra's, and releasing toxic energies are highly recommended tools for any practitioner. Embracing quiet listening, setting intention and embracing the intuitive, more is revealed for the client. Use of journey and communication with higher beings or ascended masters compliments the session. One of Villoldo's practices I don't completely agree with is to "process" at length with the client. Care must be given not to re-seat or amplify any trauma. Times have changed since "Shaman, Healer, Sage" was written. Perhaps Peter Levine's trauma work ("Waking the Tiger", North Atlantic Books,1997) speaks a more gentle voice. Thoroughly embracing his concept of having guidance and support of a teacher or mentor is extremely important. Too many times people read a book or attend a weekend seminar and proclaim they are "this" and work without any guidance. There are individuals that aren't as involved i

Thank you Dr. Villoldo

This book has completely changed my life, as well as the lives of the many people I have touched, since reading Shaman, Healer Sage in late 2003. After finding myself (totally unexpectedly) on the path of shamanism, I found and read this book. I will admit, I did have many reservations on much of the books teachings. Frankly, it just didn't seem possible that such a profound level of healing, could be so simple. I mean, if it was this easy, why hadn't I heard of it before, or come across someone who was a shaman and could do these wondrous things. At 50 years old, I really didn't know what a shaman was, short of the 1992 Sean Connery movie "Medicine Man", in which the diminutive shaman (who Connery had made very angry) scared the hell out of me. Not a good start for me. Anyway, I had just spent several months, looking for someone to teach me about shamanism. After reading his book, I decided that the good Dr. was probably a very good place to start. I read two more of his books, just because I'm an eternal skeptic, then I reread Shaman, Healer Sage again. Did I mention that I'm a skeptic??? I began formal study with Dr. Villoldo and his staff of shaman instructors in July of 2004. The work of the south was true to the teachings of the book, and I saw (and experienced) healing work that I still find unbelievable. The teachings are just as simple and eloquent as the book that led me to these classes. I found the same to be true about the next two classes. The gifts of healing I have learned so far, have allowed me to heal people of both physical and psychological ailments. In some cases, these people have been treated for, and suffered from these illnesses, for several years. I do not take credit for this work. If you have read the book, you will know why. I am leaving for two more weeks of study in March of 2005. I read Shaman, Healer Sage before I leave for every class. I noticed that many of my fellow students who took the class on the teachings of the west, seemed to have their copy of the book with them. I believe that not only does the book serve as a helpful reference to what we are learning, but it also serves as an inspiration to those of us who have dedicated our lives to this calling. Before I close this, I would like to say that I do not intend what I write in this review, to make anyone think this road is an easy one to follow. Much to the contrary. To learn, and apply Dr. Villoldo's teachings take total commitment, and intentions that must be pure. It isn't something you do on a whim, as your entire life will never be the same, and you won't either. This is a serious way of life, that is sometimes a heavy weight to carry. I will say that to be able to do something about someone's suffering, instead of standing by and watching them suffer, is a gift that goes beyond any gift I could ever imagine. I can think of nothing more wonderful to do for someone, than to remove their pain. If you are going to read one book on shamanism, rea

Well written, inspiring, and highly useful . . .

One of the other reviewers glibly offers an inaccurate comment regarding "Dr. Villoldo's lack of detail and other concerns regarding truthfulness in contemporary shamanism". If you read the entire article ["The Selling of the Shaman and the Problem of Legitimacy"] the author [Donald Joralemon] doesn't end up unbraiding Villoldo, though it may seem that way at the outset when he is hypothesizing, i.e. stating certain thoughts to begin his argument/query. To the contrary, in one of his footnotes Joralemon makes it seem like he respects Villoldo. The article is a fascinating look at the way an anthropologist tries to come to terms with his craft, and the way it alters and possibly threatens the ways of life that he is studying. Villoldo is only an ancillary figure in the story Joralemon is telling, the principal character being Don Eduardo Calderon, a Peruvian jungle shaman/entrepreneur. The author is generally quite honest in the way he lays out his thoughts. Note also that the full title of the periodical is 'Journal of Anthropological Research'. [One might have a very difficult time searching libraries for the journal 'Anthropological Research' since it doesn't really exist.] The aforementioned reviewer is probably one of those folks who attempts to forge a reputation based on slandering others, then thumping his/her chest about what a great person he/she is for seeing through the foibles of those whom he/she has unjustly depicted as villains.Villoldo has suffered many times at the hands of students who have become furious and slanderous because he doesn't fall into the trap of trying to depict himself as perfect. Some of these silly folks are looking to project upon him the archetypal "guru" role, e.g. expecting him to look and act and think like one of their previous 'Eastern' gurus. Others criticize his teachings for blending in techniques that they cannot verify as being from South America. In actuality, he is only using such methods to help [Westerners] access the spirit of the Andean seers/shamans/healers, by effectively moving aside their/our occidental prejudices and ways of being/seeing. The rites of passage which his students undergo under his guidance are arguably genuine and life-transforming. Still other former students/critics don't like the fact that he is making a good living doing what he loves the best. Too bad for them, I guess. There was even a certain married couple who for years pulled all sorts of shenanigans behind his back, whose real motive was probably to take over his foundation/organization, rather than sweating to build up their own. Anyway, please buy/read this book--it's a really good one. Read in combination with Joan Parisi Wilcox's 'Keepers of the Ancient Knowledge: The Mystical World of the Q'ero Indians of Peru' and Elisabeth B. Jenkins' 'Initiation : A Woman's Spiritual Adventure in the Heart of the Andes', you'll get a phenomenal tutelage from three excellent writers, all whom have studied/journeyed in Peru

Villoldo's best yet!

I've read Dr. Villoldo's other books and this one is his best yet. It is very easy to read and clearly describes the energy medicine of the Inca: how it works, how to use it, and provides simple exercises to experience the reality of energy medicine. I have been studying the medicine wheel tradition with Alberto and have found that there truly does exist a world of energy connections and interactions that are largely invisible to most of us. Invisible because we have learned how not to see or experience them. But these connections, from our own luminous bodies to every other being out there, are valuable in learning to shape our own lives. We can learn how to live more deliberately on this earth. There is great personal experience and power (over our own destinies, not over others) available to us if only we learn to 'see' it. Alberto clearly and concisely describes his own interpretations of this very ancient tradition. I highly recommend this book for all healers and for those interested in the mysteries of life.