While looking at books, from Hay House publishing, that I could review next, this book by Deborah King caught my attention. For many years, I've heard the words "energy medicine" and "shaman" and have been curious to know more about them. Because of my curiosity, the title of this book, Be Your Own Shaman: Heal Yourself and Others with 21st Century Energy Medicine, inspired me to want to read it and review it.
Have you ever wondered what energy medicine is and how it can help people heal? I know I've wondered for some time now and this book was able to answer some of my questions.
One of my favorite parts of the book was the introduction because in it I got a chance to know a little about Deborah King, how she defines what it means to be a shaman, and also how she became interested in energy medicine. Deborah King discovered energy medicine when she was diagnosed with cancer in her 20s. She tells how it helped her and why she decided to become a healer herself.
Deborah King says, "One reason I use the term shaman, which can also be defined as a person who acts as an intermediary between the human world and spirit worlds — between the natural and supernatural — is that it encapsulates the idea that everything in our universe is connected. We are all linked — to each other, to the physical world of our senses, and to the world beyond that we aren't able to see."
There is a quote from Louise Hay on the book's front cover that also contributed to my decision to review this book:
"Be Your Own Shaman is an excellent book. It will take you deep within yourself and allow you to connect with life in a totally different way. Anyone seeking the path of the healer needs to read this book. I loved it."
— Louise L. Hay
Now that I've read the book, I agree with what Louise Hay says – this book does change how we look at life and healing. It really does take you deep within yourself. You'll see what I mean when you read it.
Reading this book also made me curious to read Deborah King's first book, Truth Heals. After taking a look at it online, I've decided I would like to read it as well.
Deborah King
I've decided to take a workshop with Deborah King when I attend the "I CAN DO IT!" conference in Pasadena this October. If you decide to go, perhaps I'll see you there! To get the best price on your ticket you'll want to buy it by 6/23/11. After that the prices go up.
Click on the following link to get a ticket for Deborah King's workshop – or a ticket for all of the "I CAN DO IT!" conference in Pasadena:
As Deborah King says:
"I'm sure you have something you want to heal. We all do. Your health, your weight, your finances, a relationship – or even the lack of one. And maybe you not only want to heal the parts of your life that are dysfunctional, but you are also intrigued, as I was, by the idea of being able to help others. The fascinating thing is that these two goals, healing yourself and healing others, are inextricably linked: in the process of learning to facilitate healing in others, you yourself become healed. It's actually impossible for you to study energy medicine without experiencing positive change yourself."
Later in the book, Deborah King says:
"In addition to learning healing techniques, becoming your own shaman is dependent upon your clarity. Once you're clear within yourself, you can be a clear channel for others."
To get this kind of clarity, she suggests the following five practices:
1. Journaling
2. Meditation
3. Prayer
4. Forgiveness
5. Being of service
For each of the five practices there are helpful suggestions and ideas for how to do them. For journaling, she had several suggestions for making it work best for you. The suggestions for journaling remind me of doing my "Morning Pages" so I could really relate to that part.
I agree with what Deborah King said about journaling: "In essence to truly be strong and joyful we have to live in truth. Journal writing helps us do that."
In this book, there is a wonderful Hawaiian clearing technique that is said to activate forgiveness. It is like a prayer, or mantra with the words, "I'm sorry. Forgive me. I love you. Thank you."
Just recently I had heard those words during an interview with Joe Vitale by Lisa Garr. Joe Vitale said you can say the words in any order. (He was talking about you saying it to yourself – as well as to others or God.) Because Joe said you could do it in any order, I tried various ways and it seems true to me as well. For example you could say, "I love you. I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you." But I think I like it best when I say, "I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I love you! Thank you."
It seems to me this book can also help us stay healthy by reminding us of the power of forgiveness – for others and ourselves.
I am glad Hay House sent me a copy of this book to review. I am glad to have read it and have it as part of my personal library.
Whether you know what energy medicine is or not – whether you know what it means to "be a shaman" or not – this book will enlighten you, entertain you, and inspire you. And perhaps it will help you to heal your own life and help people you love as well.
If you're curious about energy medicine – and how to be your own shaman – get a copy of this book!
Here are some links to buy the book:
Margaux what you wrote about this book sounds interesting and worth the read... Thanks for your review. I have seen Deborah King's book on Hay House's web site and just passed it by... But now it catches my interest... Thanks ~Duane
Posted by: Duane Brovan | June 05, 2011 at 05:36 PM