Product Description

Journeying not only shows the commonalities shared by shamanism and psychology, but expands on inherent healing possibilities when their forces are joined. This book offers informed insight as to how the practice of journeying weaves into the psychological perspective, as well as providing those who know little about shamanism an enlightened view.

Journeying is the term used to describe a shaman's movement into an altered state of consciousness to obtain healing information. Psychology, like shamanism, works to alleviate human suffering and makes use of altered states in a variety of ways including guided imagery and hypnosis. Shamanism, the oldest healing tradition known to humankind, springs from natural, intuitive, and spiritual sources. Psychology, a relative newcomer on the Western scene, relies on logic and science.

In bringing these two healing disciplines together, the author illustrates how variations on the practice of journeying strengthens the psychological process. The true heart of this book rests in the application of journeying to the healing of emotional wounds--wounds that occur when parents are unable to sufficiently bond with their infants. In such healing journeys shamanic power animals and spirit helpers provide nurturing not previously experienced, softening edges of neediness and desperation that sometimes feed adolescent and adult aggression.

Journeying beats a fast-paced path to the alchemy of psychological transformation in words easily understood by practitioners and lay persons alike.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #547792 in Books
• Published on: 1998-03-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Amazon.com Review
Jeannette Gagan's Journeying is a must-read for those who are interested in shamanism but have been turned off by fuzzy-headed mystical claims or sloppy exposition. In this well-written and eminently useful manual, shamanism, "perhaps the oldest form of practical spirituality in the world," is explained in a straightforward, scholarly manner by a respected licensed psychologist. Gagan succinctly summarizes the procedures, philosophies, and purposes of modern psychology, illuminating the common areas occupied between the two. She builds a strong case for the introduction of shamanistic journeying into the retinue of healing modalities for the modern psychotherapist. For those intent on healing the psyches of themselves or others, shamanism may well work where other modalities have failed. For example, long-repressed anger can be processed while journeying without fear of upsetting the neighbors, or one day awakening to the horrible realization that you just kicked the dog. --Randall Cohan

Review
A landmark application of shamanic wisdom to early developmental wounding where the ills of society begin. -- Larry Dossey,MD, author of Prayer is Good Medicine

Examining modern social concerns such as inadequate bonding in infancy and the effects of violence, brain research, and the consequences of altered states of consciousness, Gagan applies the ancient technique of journeying to the intellectual structure of psychological theory. Her approach is refreshingly original, the goal being to encourage rapid self-discovery and self-healing. -- NAPRA REVIEW, Vol. 9, No. #, 1998

Gagan uses transformative imagery and symbolism as she probes the depths of inadequate bonding in infancy, violence in adulthood, the imprint of violence on the collective psyche. Gagan masterfully tells us why we need the power of shamanic healing in our lives, how psychology would benefit from a marriage of the two, and how even shamanism stands to gain from psychology's theoretical positioning. Highly recommended for practitioners and lay persons alike -- LEADING EDGE REVIEW, Summer, 1998

Here is an author who clearly knows her subject. . . .Gagan's book is nothing short of fascinating. It doesn't ask you to reject modern psychology, only to consider augmenting the discipline with a deeper plane of consciousness. -- THE NEW MEXICAN, March 8, 1998

Shamans in indigenous cultures were and are also the psychologists of the communityl. -- Sandra Ingerman, author of Soul Retrieval and Fall to Grace

This phenomenal book...shows how the separating and controlling energy of violence transforms into healing unity. -- Twylah Nitsch, Seneca Elder

From the Publisher
This is a book that has been waiting to be written. To our knowledge, no one has tackled in such a specific manner the implied and manifest relationship between shamanism and psychology. The substance of Journeying emerges from Dr. Gagan's experience as a practicing psychologist and from individual involvement with shamanism. Relying on case examples and her own personal healing experiences, she not only outlines the bridge between these two worlds, but adds theoretical substance to her hypothesis that journeying contributes to the mending of developmental and emotional wounding.

Initial response to the publication of Journeying is positive, enthusiastic and widespread. Less than six months since its advent, a contract has been signed with DTV, a publishing house in Munich, to translate the book into German for distribution in Europe.

Customer Reviews

Shows brilliant understanding
If you have ever been curious about shamanism and the process of journeying, this book is for you. If you have never heard of shamanism and the process of journeying, this book is the place to start.

Dr. Gagan has written a powerful book exploring the worlds of shamanism and psychology and the bridges between them. The shamanic tradition dates back at least 30,000 years. Like psychology, its intent is to heal and alleviate suffering. Unlike psychology, shamanism focuses on the soul of the individual. Its primary method is through the process of journeying.

As Dr. Gagan explains, the shamanic journey is a process of archetypal reconnection. During journeying, the imagery that springs from the unconscious connects us to nature and the natural order of the universe. The journey itself acts as an alchemical container where we can come to know these images. We journey "in repsonse to a source of healing that appears to beckon from outside ourselves. We connect to this source not through the aid of some guru or cleric, but rather under the power of our own intent." Through the author's eyes, the process is dynamically self-empowering.

The book analyzes in depth many case studies where we can see the art of journeying at work. Dr. Gagan's comprehensive experience in both psychology and shamanism show clearly. She is a master on this topic.

Integrative Healing at its Best
Journeying is an exciting and powerful work with profound implications for those invested in integrative medicine and healing. The word integrative comes from the latin word "integratus" which means to form or blend into a whole; to unite with something else. Dr. Gagan unites or brings together the 30,000 year old shamanic tradition of healing with the field of psychology. The function of psychology, according to Dr. Gagan, is "to study behavior and mental processes and apply the resulting knowledge to the human condition". While taking different routes, shamanism and psychology seek to alleviate suffering in communities of people. Although the book is titled: "Journeying: Where Shamanism and Psychology Meet, I feel the book is really about holistic healing.

Allopathic medicine has been primarily concerned with healing the body, the field of psychology has been focused on healing the mental and emotional pain of persons. The shamanic healer is concerned not only with a person's symptoms and pain, but also a person's entire beingness experienced within the context of one's environment and circumstances. Dr. Gagan posits that shamanic healing integrates healing the body, the mind and the spirit. Shamanic forms of healing are about soul care and healing of the spirit. When we experience "pain" in our spirit or soul, it also sooner or later affects us mentally and physically. Therefore healing, to be effective, must be holistic. Shamanic forms of healing and journeying work at assessing and responding to the mind, body and spirit needs.

Dr. Gagan has written a prophetic book on the nature of healing and how modern medicine, psychology and one of the oldest forms of healing (shamanism) can be integrated to heal our overstressed and immune suppressed society. The form of healing is within ourselves and the process is dynamically self-empowering. Dr. Gagan's extensive clinical practice as a psychologist and expertise in shamanism is integrated in a revolutionary new yet traditional form of healing the human person. This is a five star book and a must for persons who are interested or in need of holistic healing.

A candle in the darkness
I don't have to write a wordy essay to sum up what this book is
and what it did for me. Over the last fifteen years I have accumulated
a virtual library of material on shamanism and psychology. All I
needed was three books, this being one of them.I wish and hope a
multitude will read and use the material in this book. Thank you
Jeannette Gagan. P.S. The other two books are, The Way of The Shaman by Michael Harner, and The Vision Seeker by John Lame Deer.