Shaking Medicine: The Healing Power of Ecstatic Movement [With CD]

For anyone who enjoyed reading the author's first book on shaking titled Bushman Shaman, Shaking Medicine gives the reader a more in-depth look on the shake itself. Amongst other things Keeney talks in length on what the shake means to different societies and how it has evolved or became suppressed over time. How the shake relates to our society and/or religion. And he also discusses how anyone can learn to shake. Quite a fascinating book that I would highly recommend. I would also highly recommend Keeney's other book, Bushman Shaman.

If you are drawn to movement as a therapy, this book is a must. I have been interested in energy medicine and practicing as a homeopath since 1996. For years I have studied shamanism and have walked the path of a shaman. More recently I became fascinated with the idea of movement. I felt it from the inside out. This book was able to give me historical and practical information about "shaking medicine" that i have always known on a gut level. I also liked that the book explained the relationship between "sitting still" meditation and "movement" meditation. In my practice there are many clients who struggle with beign able to sit still yet they have a desire to meditate. In Shaking Medicine, I have found a tool to help them. This book has been of great help to me. The CD is also excellent quality.

I've always loved watching documentaries that show traditional African or North American Native dancing. The participants seem so deeply focused into the action that their bodies are doing the movements without conscious thought. That many of these individuals have deep spiritual experiences during these sessions doesn't surprise me at all. The dance is simply another form of mediation, much more active but still so all focused that nothingness is achieved so that the spirit self is given its freedom. Shaking Medicine is a wonderful introduction to ecstatic movement. The author himself is an experienced shaker. He is also a life-long learner who is extremely interested in finding out why people choose to shake, how they shake, and what they experience during and after the experience. Much of this book resembles a memoir of his experiences and his explorations of shaking in various cultures around the world, past and present. I found this book fascinating. I came to realize that there is no real right or wrong way to shake. Being with others who have traveled that path will certainly be a good resources but ultimately every person needs to find that something inside themselves. Reading Shaking Medicine and using the included CD of ecstatic drumming is certainly a good place to start.