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Shamanism and Spirituality in Therapeutic Practice: An Introduction By Christa Mackinnon2012 | 320 Pages | ISBN: 1848190816 | EPUB | 1 MBThis authoritative, accessible book explores ancient and contemporary shamanism, as well as modern therapeutic approaches, in the wider context of human development. The underlying concepts and world-views of indigenous and contemporary shamanism are compared, contrasted and tied in with current developments in psychology, physics and neuro-science. After clarifying altered states of perception, concepts of integrative wholeness of mind, body, soul and spirit and transformative shamanic healing approaches, the book discloses how indigenous traditions can be adjusted for contemporary practice. It offers practitioners a highly effective repertoire of insights, psycho-spiritual approaches and step-by-step therapeutic tools and techniques, illustrated with examples and case studies throughout. This inspirational book is essential reading for psychologists, therapists, counsellors and coaches looking for profound insights and innovative methods of practice that cater for the whole human psyche, reaching beyond contemporary Western mind and body approaches. It will also be an enlightening read for non-professionals interested in the subject. Editorial ReviewsAn important and relevant book for the times we live in. It is a must read for therapeutic professionals who look for enlightening insights and innovative methods of psycho-spiritual practice that cater for the whole human psyche. –Ursula James, Visiting Teaching Fellow, Oxford University Medical School, author of The Source: A Manual of Everyday MagicA seminal book that sheds light on the importance and practicality of integrating shamanic and spiritual practices into modern psychotherapy . . .an enlightened contribution to a world where individual and collective purpose must interweave if we hope to create a tapestry of survival. –John Perkins, New York Times bestselling authorA truly compelling, well researched, yet accessible book for therapeutic professionals conveying a wealth of knowledge, insights and practical applications. –John Hempstead, Chair, British Society of Clinical HypnosisMackinnon proves to be a skilled guide. Therapists of all orientations will find inspiration and food for thought in this fascinating book. (Therapy Today)Shamanism and Spirituality in Therapeutic Practice is incredibly well written, balancing being both highly valid academically while maintaining a style written to be understood and used by all… Shamanism and Spirituality in Therapeutic Practice is a remarkable book: filled with a wealth of facts, theories, insights, wisdom and practice; highly knowledgeable and informative; well researched, well balanced and very accessible.An outstanding book which is highly recommended.’Therapeutic Practice – Indie Shaman Magazine’I won’t keep you in suspense: this is a great book. If you’re interested in taking a more holistic, spiritual approach to your coaching and/or therapeutic practice, I think you’ll get a lot from it and find yourself referring back to it often… This is an excellent book which you should be able to quickly and easily apply in your integrative practice. Recommended!(AICTP)a highly effective repertoire of insights, psycho-spiritual approaches and therapeutic tools… Compelling reading for therapists, looking for profound insights and innovative methods of practice reaching beyond contemporary Western mind and body approaches. (Embody Magazine)A very interesting book, thorough and clear, for therapists who work with esoteric and spiritual concepts and for those who are curious about the subject. Christa Mackinnon is an accomplished therapist and academic, who writes with conviction about a subject she is passionate about. (Avy Joseph, Principal, The College of Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy, author of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) Amazon reviews:5.0 out of 5 starsBrilliant bookBy DJL on July 30, 2012As a therapist, I find that many clients admit to finding a sense of calmness and healing in nature, or say that they are `not conventionally religious’ but `believe in something greater than themselves’. Despite this, orthodox training for therapists fights shy of incorporating people’s need for and belief in what can loosely be called spirituality into healing. This wise and wonderful book takes the bull by the horns and shows how ancient shamanic beliefs, teachings and practice can be of immense practicality and benefit to clients presenting with a huge range of problems, from anxiety to deep trauma. It is highly readable, presenting the argument for incorporating spirituality into therapeutic practice with, to me, unanswerable logic. It offers clear advice and practical examples, but it is also deeply moving in its accounts of the experiences of different clients. My practice will be enriched by using the exercises suggested. It is surely destined to become a `companion book’ for many a therapist – the sort of book doesn’t sit on a shelf gathering dust, but is well used and loved.5.0 out of 5 starsGreat bookBy Roger M on July 24, 2012An excellent book. It draws together and integrates shamanism and contemporary therapy, whilst putting it all into the wider context of human development. It is one of the best books I have read about the subject. I agree with John Perkins who called it an “enlightened contribution”. If you ever buy a book on the subject matter, this is the one to buy!5.0 out of 5 starsGreat step forwardBy RS on July 26, 2012Christa Mackinnon has achieved something remarkable. Respecting the claims of both the everyday and the magical, she has produced a synthesis which bridges the gap. Her range of knowledge and experience is impressive. Her writing is clear and lively. Her message is just what a better future requires. Something many people consider strange and possibly deluded might just be entering the mainstream. Good thing too.4.0 out of 5 starsNot bad at allBy Fred J. Fritz on July 27, 2013When I first read the title of this book I thought to myself, “How is this even possible?” Shamans do everything for their clients. They listen to the client’s explanation of the problem (that is, if they don’t already know the problem); enter an altered state of consciousness through various means including drumming, fasting, chanting, meditation, or psychotropic substances; contact their own personal power animals or spiritual allies; enter via trance either the lower, middle, or upper world; and with the assistance of their allies, cure whatever ails the client.The process can take hours, days, or months (years even). So how on earth could a therapist do the same in a 50 minute counseling session?The very thought of such an undertaking goes against what I was taught in school:If you are working harder than your client then you are doing it wrong.The answer to my question became abundantly clear within the first few pages. Mackinnon is not proposing a traditional shamanic healing but rather uses the shaman’s cosmology or maps of consciousness in areas of guided meditations, between session work assignments (also called homework), and in broadening the worldview of her clients.I had two competing impressions of this book. The first was, “This isn’t shamanism!” (stated with a tone of righteous indignation). My second thought was, “I can actually see some of these ideas working.” As much as the purist in me (okay, there’s a little purist in me) wanted to hate this book, I just couldn’t. I found myself actually liking what Mackinnon was selling.Mackinnon opens the book with an argument on why spirituality is important in any setting but particularly in a therapeutic setting. She then gives a brief overview of what shamanism basically is without going into too much detail. A good call in my opinion as a thorough review of what shamanism is and what it has become would put this book well over 1000 pages.In the third part Mackinnon offers ways of incorporating certain elements of shamanism into a therapeutic practice. Several aspects of shamanism are left out such as soul retrieval and guiding souls, which makes total sense because I could not fathom how either of these would be applicable to a therapeutic session.Some of the content gets a little hokey, in my opinion. For instance, Mackinnon refers to building a medicine wheel with a client in session and having the client reflect on each direction while sitting in the middle. She also speaks of doing certain rituals with the client such as writing down habits wished to be broken on a piece of paper and ceremonially burning them during a session. My thoughts on these aspects are, “Where are you conducting these sessions?” My mind is screaming “Fire hazard!” Smoke and the smell of burning paper are probably not welcomed in a community counseling agency either. Also, how large is the consultation room? It would have to be large enough to construct a stone circle in which a client can sit in the middle of. These thoughts are all in addition to the misunderstanding of what these rituals were originally intended for (but that’s another story for another day).I know that not every book is going to resonate 100% with me so I can overlook quite a bit. Fortunately there was enough good stuff in this little book to compensate for some of the more egregious areas that simply rubbed me the wrong way.All in all, I’m glad I read it. There are areas of this book I may find myself referring back to from time to time.Recommended5.0 out of 5 starsHits the nail on the head!By Matthew J. Pallamary on September 9, 2013The Spirit of Carl Jung has evolved into the twenty first century through the work of Christa Mackinnon who has brilliantly integrated ancient indigenous wisdom with western therapeutic practice, bridging spirituality with psychology in a shamanic manner that Dr. Jung would revel in.Hands down one of the best books I’ve read to date.Shamanism and Spirituality in Therapeutic Practice hits the nail right on the head.Literally.Matthew J. Pallamary – author of Land Without Evil and Spirit Matters5.0 out of 5 starsWorth it’s weight in diamonds…By Natalie on July 25, 2012This book is incredibly well written, both for the lay-person and the professional. Full of insight, wisdom and compassion, many of the case studies moved me to tears, such was the depth of healing received. I particularly loved the clear directional markers for further research on the specific areas of Shamanic practice covered, and was impressed by the authors depth of knowledge and understanding of the subject. In fact the entire book is written to be understood and used, without any of the obscurity or highly ritualistic elements so common to Shamanic texts. I have to say that if you are looking for books that will broaden your understanding of Shamanism or provide clear instructions for how to incorporate Shamanism into your current practices or daily life, this book will definitely hit the spot.Highly recommended!!!5.0 out of 5 stars#1 Book of Its Kind!By Nicola Martina on November 19, 2014This is exactly the book I was looking for. It provides practical step-by-step ways to implement shamanic practices into therapy. If you’re at all interested in this type of work, this is your #1 book! I hope to see much more from this author, including more about the ethics and legalities of this type of work and case studies.