The Hollow Bone: A Field Guide to Shamanism

This was an interesting guide through an enthralling topic. Deatsman clearly knows her subject and provides the reader with a fairly broad overview of exactly what Shamanism is. A Zulu sangoma living in Swaziland even got a mention!There were temperate reminders of the seriousness of this path, and also practical wisdom and sensible directions to introduce lay people to the history, philosophy and tasks of Shamans in today's rapidly changing world where traditional ways are being lost and the material world is overpowering the spiritual.What I liked least about the book was that, however gently phrased, there was too much authoritative instruction and not enough sharing of the passion which Deatsman clearly feels for her topic. Deatsman's knowledge of shamanism is impressive and allows her to write about abstract concepts in a clear and concise manner. But, at times, I would have enjoyed less intellect and more emotional ecstasy in the way she describes the shamans journeying to the Other (non-ordinary) World.Overall, though, this is an excellent introduction into a fascinating and powerful path to healing for one Self or as a path to assist others in healing themselves.(This review is for the Kindle edition)

Book arrived with giant crease through the center of it

Very easy to understand and a wonderful starting place to be introduced to shamanism. Highly recommend, although the Kindle version is missing the accompanying cd you would get by physically purchasing this book.

I want to recommend a book about shamanism I recently read, Colleen Deatsman's The Hollow Bone - A Field Guide to Shamanism. Academic surveys like Michael Harner's classic Way of the Shaman and Mircea Eliade's Shamanism are well worth reading, but Colleen's wonderful book is an accessible overview of shamanism written for the layperson. Already in love with my shamanic practice, The Hollow Bone reminded me of why I fell in love with it in the first place, and opened up some doorways to deepening my practice.Thank you, Colleen, for putting this well-reserched work of love out into the world. I highly recommend it both for people who have never read anything about shamanism but would like to find out what it's about, as well as those of us who have been practicing for years.([...])

This is another book by Colleen Deatsman that is definitely a keeper. Anyone who reads through this will have a much better understanding of what shamanism is.It is refreshing that the more remarkable and "out of the box" aspects of shamanism are not ignored or reconfigured into a more plain vanilla New Age version. The examples of contemporary people practicing around the world is also very helpful and heartening. The photos and the many pieces of poetry from different sources kept me reading all the way through. There are extensive and readable explanations, and the book is also fun to read. Though this may be a field guide, it is also clearly infused with spirit throughout. Excellent work in a very easy to reference and read format.

Great explanation of shamanism for today’s practitioner. This book is for anyone wanting to know about practices, origins, and practicing in these times.

This book is an amazing exploration into shamanism and it’s fundamental values. It helps those intrigued by this beautiful ancient art to better understand these practices & what they in fact entail.

I love that the author titled this work "Hollow Bone" as that philosophy is so core to the practice of shamanism and is intrinsic to its definition. The shaman never takes credit for healing, that credit belongs to Spirit. As a practitioner since the 1980s I still sometimes struggle with how to explain my spirituality, but Ms. Deatsman is an excellent writer and does a great job of this. I recommend this book even for people experienced in shamanism as it is a fresh and inspiring look at the beauty of Nature, the Web of Life, and is approached with the love and respect this ancient spirituality deserves. A five star effort.

A little bit flat, like a lesson book- didn't excite my interest in the topic and the possibilities for personal enlightenment. But good for those curious about the basics.

This book is very good indeed, thoroughly recommendable for starters and those more 'on the path'.The book was in excellent condition and is in my favourites section!

Colleen Deatsman provides a very thorough passionate explaination of the ancient ways of surviving by knowing our place in the Web of Life and seeking aid from other greater energies in the same Web. She makes what may commonly be viewed as mysticism or even sorcery into a practice that is honoured and full of wisdom. Her title "Hollow Bone" describes how one 'clears' themselves of thought, energy, in order to be a receptor for greater knowing from spirit. Deatsman shows how this ancient way of being with the world is perhaps even more relevant for us today.This book takes the mysticism out and replaces it with a source of wisdom and spirituality.I will always have a copy of this book on my shelf.