American Shaman: An Odyssey of Global Healing Traditions

This books talks about life in a way that much of the mechanized, individualistic Western World has abandoned. Keeney is not talking about New Age fads or chemically induced experiences. It is not a how to book nor is it an attempt to give insightful knowledge to the reader as many psychologically oriented books try to do. Rather, it acknowledges the great complexity and circularity and mystery innate in living and encourages embracing these in a way that expands human experience rather than reducing them into seemingly understandable explanations. Keeney demonstrates how healing comes through adding mystery to mystery, through play, improvisation and by dancing together. I highly recommend this book to anyone; especially to professionals in psychiatry and psychology.

Although I'd never before read anything about Shamanism or healing of any kind, this book inspired me to do so. Bradford Keeney sounds like a really incredible person and Jon Carlson and Jeff Kottler end up feeling like old friends by the end of the book. I was absolutely engrossed in this book and it wasn't at all dry or overly academic. It fits with real life as well as for phsychologists and other healers.