The Accidental Shaman: Journeys with Plant Teachers and Other Spirit Allies by Charing, Howard G; , Beyer, Stephan V

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Occult Philosophy

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

Name: The Accidental Shaman: Journeys with Plant Teachers and Other Spirit Allies
Price: 17.00 USD
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Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)
Author: Charing, Howard G; , Beyer, Stephan V
ISBN: 9781620556092

Charing, Howard G; , Beyer, Stephan V

Reader rating

4.5

(1 reviews) 59 sold

$17.00

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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

An ordinary man's life shatters, then remarkably transforms into a shamanic path.

Discover the incredible true story of Howard G. Charing, whose life irrevocably shifted after a traumatic accident in London. This book chronicles his unexpected awakening to healing abilities and visions, leading him to the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. Through twenty years of fieldwork with indigenous shamans and powerful plant teachers like ayahuasca, Charing details his journey from accidental healer to seasoned practitioner. The narrative weaves together profound personal experiences with practical insights into shamanic techniques, offering a unique perspective on connecting with spirit allies and exploring non-ordinary reality.

Key themes

The Accidental Awakening Plant Teachers & Indigenous Wisdom Shamanic Practices & Techniques

Historical context

This work sits firmly within the contemporary Western neo-shamanic movement, bridging indigenous Amazonian traditions with modern personal transformation narratives. It reflects a period where English-speaking seekers increasingly turned to plant medicine and spirit ally practices as alternatives to conventional healing.

Difficulty

● Easy

Fans will love it

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🏛 Destiny Books 📅 2017 📖 232 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781620556092

Fun fact

Charing’s 'Accidental Shaman' is a captivating narrative that grounds the often-mystified world of shamanism in a deeply personal, relatable journey. Its strength lies in weaving the author's transformative experiences with tangible practices, making complex concepts accessible. Those seeking a purely academic or anthropological text might be disappointed, but readers drawn to experiential spirituality and practical techniques for consciousness expansion will find a valuable guide. It stands as a testament to the unexpected paths of healing and spiritual discovery in the modern world.

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

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.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Charing provides a compelling, first-person account of his transition into shamanism, offering genuine insights into the Amazonian context. However, readers expecting rigorous anthropological analysis or strict doctrinal instruction may find the narrative too subjective and anecdotal. The focus remains firmly on personal experience rather than broad cultural critique. It is best suited for those already open to esoteric practices who want a relatable entry point into shamanic worldviews, rather than skeptics or those seeking detached scholarly observation.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a grounded, authentic account of spiritual awakening will find this memoir deeply resonant. It is ideal for those curious about plant teachers and non-ordinary reality but wary of overly academic or dogmatic texts. Charing’s journey from trauma to healing offers hope and practical insight into connecting with spirit allies. Those who appreciate personal narratives that blend profound experience with accessible shamanic techniques will gain valuable perspective on this path.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're drawn to stories of profound personal transformation, curious about shamanic healing, or seeking practical methods to expand your consciousness and connect with deeper spiritual realities, this journey into the Amazon and beyond offers compelling insights and actionable wisdom.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Charing provides a compelling, first-person account of his transition into shamanism, offering genuine insights into the Amazonian context. However, readers expecting rigorous anthropological analysis or strict doctrinal instruction may find the narrative too subjective and anecdotal. The focus remains firmly on personal experience rather than broad cultural critique. It is best suited for those already open to esoteric practices who want a relatable entry point into shamanic worldviews, rather than skeptics or those seeking detached scholarly observation.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While entheogens are a part of Charing's journey, the book also extensively covers broader shamanic practices, healing techniques, and exercises for perception that are valuable regardless of one's interest in plant teachers.

Beyond the compelling narrative of his personal transformation, Charing shares specific techniques for exploring non-ordinary reality, exercises to heighten sensory perception, and practices aimed at fostering creative and visionary potential.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

The Accidental Awakening

Explore Charing's extraordinary transition from a normal life to one imbued with psychic abilities following a severe elevator crash. This section delves into the initial confusion and subsequent recognition of his newfound gifts, tracing his steps from conventional spiritual healing organizations to the unexpected embrace of shamanism, guided by a prescient Italian healer's prophecy.

Plant Teachers & Indigenous Wisdom

Journey deep into the Peruvian Amazon alongside Charing as he learns from indigenous shamans and sacred entheogens like ayahuasca. The book illuminates the profound teachings received from these plant teachers and spirit allies, offering a respectful and insightful look into the ancient practices and deep spiritual connections cultivated during his two decades of intensive fieldwork.

Shamanic Practices & Techniques

Uncover the practical applications of shamanic healing, including detailed explanations of soul retrieval and the ceremonial use of feathers, stones, and sound. Charing also provides accessible exercises designed to expand sensory perception, explore non-ordinary reality, and unlock one's creative and visionary potential, making these ancient wisdom traditions tangible for modern seekers.

💬 Quotes from the book

“My world fractured in that London elevator, opening a door to unseen realms I never knew existed.”

“The Amazon's ancient plant teachers did not merely instruct; they reshaped my very perception of reality and healing.”

📜 Historical context

Charing's work stands firmly within the contemporary resurgence of interest in shamanism, bridging ancient indigenous practices with modern Western experience. His narrative contributes to a growing body of literature that explores the personal journey of spiritual awakening and the integration of plant-based entheogens into healing traditions, reflecting a global dialogue on holistic well-being and altered states of consciousness.

📚 Glossary

Entheogens
Shamanism
Soul Retrieval

📔 Questions to reflect on

Have you ever experienced an 'accidental awakening' or an unexpected event that dramatically shifted your life's direction or spiritual path?
Consider the concept of 'plant teachers' or 'spirit allies.' How might you open yourself to guidance from non-human sources in your own life?
Which of the shamanic practices mentioned (e.g., soul retrieval, working with sound/feathers) resonates most with you, and why?