Book Review: Awakening to the Spirit World by Sandra Ingerman and Hank Wessleman

Posted by Jenn Royster on May 22, 2010 in Energy Medicine/Healing, Jenn's Book Reviews, Natural Health & Lifestyle, Self Improvement/Happiness, Spirituality & Meditation | 6 comments

Sounds True Publishing House graciously offered me a copy of this new book release, for a review on my blog. A CD with several drum recordings was included in the book jacket for use during a Shamanic Journey. They also sent another CD by Sandra Ingerman called Shamanic Meditations. I had plenty of goodies to prepare me for my Shamanic experience.

I was so captivated by the first book I reviewed by Sandra Ingerman called How to Thrive in Changing Times that I could not resist. So off I went on a Shamanic Journey that was thought provoking and soul enlightening. Never before, have I seen such a collections of shamanic healers gathered in one place. Sandra enlisted the assistance of Hank Wessleman who co-authored the book with her, along with several experienced Shamanic Healers contributing their insights.

As soon as I opened the pages of the book, I was moved to by the words:

“We dedicate this book to the next seven generations……

May this foundation help them to envision a new world….

And may a profound reverence alight on them….”

I personally enjoyed the ease and clarity of how the book was organized. Starting with an explanation of Shamanism, to the finer details and spiritual way of life a Shamanic practice brings to the individual. The book clearly defines the difference between a Shaman and a Shamanic lifestyle.

The Shamanic Journey is explained in detail for the beginner.

The reader is gently guided into the world of the Shaman and sees for the first time a new perspective and respect for the ancient spiritual practice. The misconceptions are clearly revealed giving the reader a good understanding of what the Shamanic lifestyle really is all about, and what it is not, and how to begin a Shamanic journey. The CD that accompanies the book has several drum recordings for use during a journey.

I have used them several times now and I throughly enjoyed each and every journey. I found solutions and understanding to questions I had. It was different from my usual meditation practice in that it was truly a journey, with travel and activity. Where my regular daily meditations are a stillness and quiet place.

Before, discovering Sandra’s book I wondered why some of my meditations would be as though I traveled. After reading this book, I realize I was moving from meditation to journey. They were always very enlightening when this happened. Now, if my meditations go this way, it’s OK, I am to take a journey for understanding.  My gratitude to Sandra for clearing this up in my own spiritual practice.

The additional Shamanic Meditations CD is perfect for the beginner’s practice in Shamanic Journeys. Sandra gently guides you through the journey and back. I like this approach for those that have been hesitant to explore this amazing experience. No fears, just a beautiful experience.

I had the privilege of speaking with Sandra Ingerman last week via phone interview. Her passion and love for healing the planet was obvious as she shared her thoughts in the creation of this book. She also spoke passionately about a monthly column she writes called Transmutation News and is available on her website for free. The archive holds all the articles she has written since 1997. Sandra says her who purpose of the Transmutation News is working with the principal of light. She says it’s been just as important for her to write this column for herself as it was to share with others, as we are all on this spiritual path together.

My Interview with Sandra Ingerman begins:

Jenn Royster: Sandra, why did you write Awakening to the Spirit World?

Sandra Ingerman: For a few reasons, one being that Shamanism is a powerful system of healing and is based on the principal of Direct Revelation, which means that everyone has access to their own personal spiritual information.

I think a lot of power of Shamanism is being lost today in what you could call cookie cutter Shamanism. People take workshops, take notes and try to follow instructions to a tee on a particular method that is given to them. I am trying to inspire people to move back into Shamanism as a principal of Direct Revelation.

I have never heard of two Shamans working in a similar way in an indigenous culture verses allowing direct revelation to unique methods that help a healer with that particular client.

Another reason I felt called to write the book was to ask a few different Shamanic teachers how they’re working. Although all the material the contributors gave wove together well, without contradicting, the material does show they are different ways of working, not just one way.

Another reason I felt called to write this book with other contributors is that I find that the Shamanic community, as well as the Spiritual community, can be quite divided, and what we need right now is for the Spiritual community to come together. In bringing other Shamanic teachers in, I wanted to show that we could work together in the principal of unity to heal the planet and to talk about the power of Direct Revelation.

Jenn Royster: What are the principal values of a Shamanic Lifestyle that one could practice without becoming a Shaman, and what would you recommend to a person being called to be a True Shaman?

Sandra Ingerman: The Shamanic Lifestyle is more than a series of techniques and methods. It is actually a way of life. From a Shamanic point of view, everything that exists is alive. Shamans in indigenous cultures believe that all things are alive. Trees, plants, elements, the earth itself, animals, humans beings, everything is alive and all are connected to the Web of Life. This means that human beings are a part of this web of life not separate from it.

What we are seeing in the world today is how humans have tried to separate themselves from the rest of nature. The oil spill in the Gulf, is an example of what happens when you try and manipulate or try and have power over nature.

We are living on a planet that is filled with disharmony, and disharmony creates illness on many different levels, emotionally and physically. So, part of a Shamanic way of life is that we are a part of the web of life and not separate from it. This means that every action that we take in the world actually impacts all of life, not just ourselves on a personal level.

We are really being asked to go back to an indigenous way of living in honor and respect. Remembering that it’s the earth, water, air, and sun that gives us life.  We are to respect these elements,  not just dump pollutants into the elements. Respect them, it’s what gives us life. Appreciate them!

So many people are challenged right now, and they are so burnt out that we forget how precious life really is. One of the ways that we can live a Shamanic way of life is by waking up each day and giving gratitude. Something that is common in other Spiritual traditions is the power of gratitude and how it creates a different pathway in our life. Most people start their day in a way that creates a pathway that doesn’t lead you to life of joy and meaning on any level.

These are all aspects of a Shamanic lifestyle that needs to happen on a daily basis that has no specific method attached to it. Being a human being living a life of harmony is a practice we all need to bring into our lives.

Jenn Royster: What connection do you see between your book’s subject and the concept of 2012?

Sandra Ingerman: I believe that the shift of 2012 is happening right now, and it’s really asking us for big shifts in consciousness. Number one, moving from a place of individuation and finding one’s soul purpose to share with the world. This had a shadow side in that it all became “about me”. We forgot that we were connected to a web of all life. It’s not just about what I can personally gather on a material level, but how can I work together as part of a community to make sure that everybody is living a life of abundance, not just me.

The shadow side is where we separated and became self serving. The positive side of individuation is about tapping into our own creative brilliance.

I think that where the 2012 consciousness needs to happen is where we evolve from everything is ”about me” and a self serving point of view, back to an old indigenous point of view, where everything “is connected” and we take everything that we learned, from self expression, being creative and whatever our soul’s purpose is, and join all those pieces of the puzzle together as a global community to look at how we can work together on behalf of all life, not just on behalf of myself.

Since we’re all connected, the question is how can we manifest abundance for everyone?

Also, we have been so outer directed. Everything is about the outer world and we have become spiritually bankrupt in a lot of ways. True wealth, true joy and true meaning is if you have a rich inner life. We have been so focused on gathering more things in the material world, that we have forgotten the richness in the spiritual world.

The only way we are going to shift consciousness and move the planet from what we’re seeing today is by developing a spiritual life that leads to an evolution of consciousness where we see ourselves a part of a greater whole. Through modern technology, we became so focused on the tangible world, leaving us empty in our inner world.

We are seeing people depressed and hopeless right now because they have no real spiritual life. They are empty on the inside. In order for us to thrive in the times coming, all the answers are going to come from within. If we tap into this inner spiritual world, I think we are going find answers and solutions are right there.

Jenn Royster: How can Shamanism help someone with fear of a Spiritual World?

Sandra Ingerman: All hierarchical structures operate on the principal of fear.  This is the only way they can maintain and exist, is to create fear. We see it everywhere. In business, politics, organized religion, etc… it’s all based on fear. So what we see is all these people coming into Shamanism or Spiritual Practice who’ve have been brainwashed to believe that unless you work with a person of higher authority, you could get yourself into trouble.

As a Shamanic teacher, once I can get people into the spirit world and meet up with their helping spirits, what they start to see is that they are being held in the loving arms of the universe.

All my work as a Shamanic teacher, whether I’m training healers or people that are wanting to gain access to the helping spirits for themselves, I am constantly breaking through the conditioning of ”there’s a right way, there’s a wrong way and I am going to get into trouble”.  Once they finally gain access to the helping spirits, they are overwhelmed with how much love is available to them. But, first the person, has to be willing to break through some of the conditioning.

Part of that is education. We have been educated not to trust ourselves and give our power to other people. Shamanism is all about empowering people. It’s the lack of power that creates the fear.

Jenn Royster: What are some of the misconceptions of Shamanism?

Sandra Ingerman: A lot of the misconception in our culture is that Shamans use sorcery, control other people and use magic to gain power over others. It’s not to say that there were Shamans that did that, but you can see this type of control  just about anywhere. In business, politics and even organized religion.  You’re going to see that where ever people had any kind of power, if they don’t engage in a process of self examination to look at how their own ego is running them, they are going to move into more of an immature evolution of consciousness of trying to control.

But there are great Shamans who work with a unity of consciousness, and work with the principals of love and light. When I am training of people, I try to bring in that you can’t  evolve with your spiritual work, unless you’re willing to do the personal examination, growth, and personal evolution of your own ego.

The true Shamanic path is about how can I be of service to others? The Great True Shamans, were ones who had life experiences that brought them to a place of God, and experienced the creative force of the universe and the love that went into our creation. They have a unity consciousness, the unity that connects all of us. Ego does not run the show on a Spiritual path.

The Shaman is know as the wounded healer, for they have suffered wounds so deep that they have compassion for the suffering of others. What happens when you lose your compassion, is that your ability to heal is also lost, because compassion and love come together.

Shamans are known to be healers that have suffered wounds so deep that they will never heal, so that stay in a place of compassion and not close down their heart, because Shamans see through their hearts, how they heal is through their hearts. To see and heal with your heart, you have to have an open heart. To have an open heart you have to have compassion.

Jenn Royster: Where can people to learn more about Shamanism?

Sandra Ingerman: There are many ways to learn about Shamanism, There are various books. We came together with Awakening to the Spirit World to give people actual direction for those that don’t want to take a workshop, this is a workbook to work with on your own.

I created the CD Shamanic Meditations for those that needed a little hand holding, someone to walk with them into the Spirit World.

There are endless workshops around the world. I personally have a website: www.Shamanicteachers.com that lists a few hundred teachers that I’ve trained globally around the world. I received insight severals years ago that it was important to train great local teachers because travel was going to be difficult. So for the past ten years I have been training teachers.

Shamanism is something that a person has to experience, it’s not something that one can understand on an intellectual level. It’s important to explore Shamanism in your comfort level, whether it be a workshop, a work book or Meditative CD.

(end of interview)

My interview with Sandra was a blessing. I am thankful for her contribution and all the contributors in this book for sharing their insights with the world. I give gratitude to her for the time she gave me out of her busy schedule. she also graciously accepted the offer to be a guest on my radio show Intuitive Connections this summer. I will post more on this after I have a confirmed date. You’ll want to mark your calendars for this one.

Below are links to learn more about all the contributors that participated in bringing this work to you the reader.

Links to Author & Contributor Websites

• Sandra Ingerman (Santa Fe, NM) : www.sandraingerman.com

• To find a local shamanic teacher or shamanic practitioner who has trained with

Sandra, please visit shamanicteachers.com.

• Hank Wesselman (Hawai’i Island): www.sharedwisdom.com

• Tom Cowan (New York’s Hudson River Valley) www.riverdrum.com

• Carol Proudfoot-Edgar, www.shamanicvisions.com, www.shamaniccircles.org

• José Luis Stevens, PhD, www.thepowerpath.com

• Alberto Villoldo, PhD, www.thefourwinds.com