Customer Reviews

Soul Retrieval: Mending The Fragmented Self

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I didn't know what to expect with this book. I didn't think much when it said shamanic journey and personally I think that a lot of the rators are getting stuck into comparing this book by what those words mean to them then the amazing content of this book if they read it.
This book was an excellent tool for introspection. It has safe and wonderful easy EASY practices that allow you to work gentally at becoming whole. There are explanations to change the way you deal with your emotional and spiritual bodies to heal and become more connected. This book is not for those that want to achieve power but rather impowerment. It is a book that is based on the idea to heal the childhood and the innerchild.

This book found its way into my hands. I had no previous information concerning Shamanism or the practices there of. Upon reading this book I felt a new understanding of my own life and wanted to learn more. I found a Shaman who performed a soul retrieval for me. What Sandra Ingerman had written in this book prepared me for the experiences.
As it happened, this book was the catapult into a new "knowing". I've since loaned this book to others, and still have a list of those yet to borrow it. My excitement about this book is comparable to "salvation"! :)
But, I would also interject here that this was my first introduction to Shamanism. Those already familiar with the practices might find this book trivial. If so, please keep in mind the usefulness it holds for "beginners" and that everyone must find their own doorway.

This is a very good overview on the general/traditional technique of Soul Retrieval. There are a bit too many examples of client studies and perhaps not enough analysis of the spiritual things which occurred. What is most disturbing is that in the preface the author says something completely contradictory to the rest of the book regarding how to restore the soul part once retrieved.

Perhaps this book demonstrates most clearly the current tension and change in the area of soul retrieval. In general, the formal patterns of shamanism, including the use of drumming being necessary to achieve trance states, are under question and being challenged. Many people today are able to enter shamanic states of consciousness through concentration alone. As more people become capable of shamanic techniques the older assumptions will be modified and fall away.

This book is a good representative of the more formal ideas about soul retrieval how they were understood perhaps ten or twenty years ago. If you read this just remember that it is your awareness and attention that are the real keys to opening to shamanic experiences, not being constrained to specific static techniques.

Sandra Ingerman describes the soul retrieval journey, and relates several of the soul retrieval journeys she has done. The account of the little girl that did not want to return home (and others) were touching.

I did not give this book five stars because

1. In my opinion; this book is written like an advertizement to get people to take courses in Shamanism from the Foundation for Shamanic Studies (Ms. Ingerman is one of the FSS instructors).

Dr. Michael Harner (and the other authors recommended in my shamanism listmania list) puts the tools in your hands.

2. I have done soul retrievals; but I hate to do them (because the Shaman can not tell how much misery the person can stand (there is a lot of bad memories and emotional baggage the recepient has to deal with), and if you overload the recepient; the soul fragments will leave again). I would much rather teach the person Shamanic practices where they can conduct their own soul retrieval peice meal with the support of their totem (power) animal.

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

Some critical reviews on that first page there about the author not teaching soul retrieval and being self important. To teach shamanic soul retrieval in a book would be highly irresponsible. Also if you keep in mind that this is the FIRST book on soul retrieval and that in many ways she was the first person to teach people how to do this in the US, who was she going to reference besides her self? Also the whole thing has evolved since then as well.
This is a nice intro to soul retrieval, its not too complex, and the case studies are meant to give people a good idea of what it is, it is not a how to book. If your advanced in shamanism, this is not likely to teach you new things but might give you some insights. If you find anyone who will teach you shamanic journeying/soul retrieval in a book run the other way. The audiotape is also very nice, and the way she presents the material in the tape is very easy to understand. This is not a Carlos Castaneda type book.

I loved this book, and I would recommend that anyone at all that is the least bit interested in learning anything at all about the work of a Shamanic Practitioner to read this book. You will follow this author exactly as she takes you on each of her journeys. Facinating. Sandra presents her book factually, and understandably so that we the reader understands fully the scope of this practice. You may also write to the author, which was an added plus. Sandra also teaches through Michael Harner's Foundation of Shamianic Studies.

What could be fascinating swiftly turns to frustration.

I honor Shamanism, have learned much from its rich, insightful journeys, and want to learn more. However . . .

Ingerman comes across as yet another New-Ager who's just learned something--then, immediately, presumes she's ready to teach it.

She's unable (unwilling?) to understand that some Shamanic journeys are not literal but obviously symbolic--as in "Going to the Land of the Dead," on page 113.

As a self-appointed gatekeeper, she never questions that her personal journeys might illumine only her own life, but no one else's.

This book is a stepping stone, if not a stumbling block, to better, more useful ones.

This book is a great introduction to soul retrieval from a core shamanic perspective. It reads easily and covers all the bases. I would be cautious, however, of having a soul retrieval done by anyone except a very experienced shaman. As one comment before stated, sometimes people are not ready and cannot contain the soul pieces they retrieve. An experienced shaman is able to intuit this and proceed accordingly in the best interest of the client.

This is a compelling book. It tells about soul retrieval, finding the lost essence of a person. It is a great tool. In telling about case histories of her clients it opens the door for others to realize that there is a part of themselves that is lost.
It is not an instruction manual. It gives ordinary people a way to visualize what it is like for the practiciner making the journey and a way to start connecting to the parts of themselves ready to return.

Author Sandra Ingerman shares ancient soul-retrieval practices in
very down-to-Earth terms in her pioneering book, SOUL RETRIEVAL.
While the requirements for doing successful shamanistic healing
are simple (requiring crystal-clear intention and complete faith
in spiritual assistance), many of us raised within modern-day
Western society are likely to face our own inner skepticism that
this method of healing can be effective. Ingerman masterfully
addresses this and other common pitfalls, as it takes the reader
on a journey of rescuing soul fragments from one's past.

We often become physically ill following loss of soul or
diminishment of essential spiritual energy, so soul retrieval is
a healing art for one's entire being. Ingerman explains, "If the
soul totally vacates the patient, the patient will die. It follows
that, if the shaman can retrieve the lost soul parts, the individual
can be restored to harmony and well-being. This retrieval is done
by the shaman in an altered state of consciousness."

SOUL RETRIEVAL contains case studies of Ingerman's involvement
with numerous patients who have requested her assistance, as well
as fascinating historical background on the ancient shamanic art
of soul retrieval. Those who have undergone soul retrieval therapy
claim as the author herself asserts, "Having my own lost soul parts
restored to me brought me back to a place of wholeness. I
experienced the fullness of life and a joy that I had not been sure
I would ever feel again."

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in healing,
shamanism, psychology, or consciousness.

-- Cynthia Sue Larson
author of AURA ADVANTAGE: How the Colors in Your Aura Can Help You Attain What You Desire and Attract Success