The Accidental Shaman: Journeys with Plant Teachers and Other Spirit Allies

Description

A story of awakening to remarkable shamanic powers, teachings, and techniques * Describes the author's work with plant spirits, entheogens such as ayahuasca, and indigenous shamans during his 20 years of fieldwork in the Peruvian Amazon * Explores the practice of soul retrieval and shamanic work with feathers, stones, and sound * Includes techniques for exploring non-ordinary reality, exercises for expanding sensory perception, and practices to open your creative artistic visionary potential After surviving a serious elevator crash in London, Howard G. Charing found he had developed healing touch as well as the ability to hear voices and experience visions--just as a healer in Italy had predicted only a week before the accident. He began using his abilities to heal but felt he needed more guidance and training. He first connected with a national spiritual healing organization, only to be told he was doing everything wrong. Then, through a friend, he discovered shamanism. Sharing profound teachings and extraordinary experiences from his more than 30 years of shamanic healing work, Charing explains how he accidentally became a shaman and completely changed the course of his life. He describes his work with plant spirits, entheogens such as ayahuasca, and indigenous shamans during his 20 years of fieldwork in the Peruvian Amazon, including his studies with the late visionary artist Pablo Amaringo. Investigating altered states of perception, he provides visionary techniques for exploring non-ordinary reality, exercises for expanding sensory perception, and practices to open your creative artistic visionary potential. Detailing the practice of soul retrieval, the author discusses why it is one of the most effective and profound spiritual healing practices and shares emotionally charged stories of successful shamanic healings he has attended. He also includes shamanic wisdom on working with feathers, stones, and sound and compares current research in physics with the vast body of experiential knowledge from indigenous spiritual traditions. From the accident that started his journey to the many remarkable spiritwork encounters that have happened since, Charing's story will empower readers to begin exploring the realms of consciousness and energy that surround us and welcome the dissolution of the boundary between the physical and the spiritual.

Howard G. Charing holds workshops internationally on shamanism as well as Plant Medicine Retreats in the Peruvian Amazon. He is the coauthor of Plant Spirit Shamanism and The Ayahuasca Visions of Pablo Amaringo.

"An amazing journey into the mystery of shamanism and a great personal story at the same time. Highly recommended." * GRAHAM HANCOCK, author of Magicians of the Gods * "The author's honest narration of his long exploration of South American shamanism is a delight to read. Valuable insights from an author who walks his talk." * Nicholas Breeze Wood, editor of Sacred Hoop magazine * "The author tells insightful shamanic stories based on personal experience while recognizing the wisdom of indigenous cultures. His book also contains precious wisdom regarding safety in contemporary shamanic practices." * Jeremy Narby, anthropologist and author of Intelligence in Nature * "Although the author refers to himself as "the Accidental Shaman" it becomes very clear from his shocking elevator crash to his stunning encounters with the indigenous people and their medicines that Howard G. Charing was chosen by powerful spiritual forces beyond his own ego control to walk the shamanic path of death and rebirth. His miraculous transformational journey has manifested in his being able to share his gifts with others also in need of deep healing." * Linda Star Wolf, Ph.D., author of Soul Whispering * "A must-read for anyone wanting to explore unseen worlds! Powerful shamanic wisdom that will guide you on how to consciously connect more fully with energy fields and the spirit world." * Robbie Holz, coauthor of Secrets of Aboriginal Healing *