Of Water and the Spirit :Of Water and the Spirit :
Ritual, Magic, and Initiation in the Life of an African
Shaman
by Malidoma Patrice Some
Paperback (May 1995)
Penguin USA (Paper); ISBN: 0140194967
Synopsis
One of the most astonishing and intimate accounts of spiritual transformation
ever written, this is the true story of an African's shaman's initiation--a
remarkable sharing of living African traditions, offered with compassion
for those struggling with our contemporary crisis of spirit.
Reviews:
Rae from New York , April 30, 1999 A
gift generous gift for the spirit.
The book is a wonderful reminder for anyone who remembers, believes, and
works to receive all of God's promises for humankind.
A reader from Brooklyn, NY (US) , March
30, 1999 So revealing, and yet it is "light stuff" (in your words).
I felt as though I were reading about my own person's life experiences while
reading this book. Although I was raised in America, I was sent to Catholic
school for 11 years as a child, knowing I would never be a part of that
culture. I have since returned "home", just as Malidoma did, and
begun my trek on the path of self-realization. But, as Malidoma points out,
he did not (and cannot) give you the full "4-1-1" on the cultural
practices. . . those who are not on the path simply are not allowed to know.
Thus, this indeed is "light stuff".
"When the student is ready, the teacher will come."
A reader from NY,NY , March 23, 1999
Great
Umm, i'm in a rights of passage space right now and i had to read this book.
The book is amazing, it teaches alot through his experience. He is a great
elder and everyone should read this book.
Wambui Maoga from Cahuita, Costa Rica
, March 4, 1999 Sublime
There are many of us in-between Africans for whom the mindless runaway train
of Western living has failed. After shunning our pasts, our land, our blackness
and our ancestors, no matter how hard we may have tried to lose ourselves
in foreign ideaologies, there's still an emptiness inside. Thank God that
Malidoma appeared. When I read this book a few years ago, whatever complexes
lingered in me about my African-ness flew out the window. I have grown tired
of en vogue directionless movements that exist almost only for the purpose
of allowing individuals to feel good - in the guise of spiritual growth
- without the necessary psychological catharsis. Thank God I'm an African
woman, albeit an angry one. My anger and consternation increases everyday
when I see the continuous exploitation and decimation of my people and our
continent. But more than that, I am angered by the fact that so many Africans
seem oblivious to the status quo and aren't interested in finding out what
role we have played in the destruction of our race and home. A people will
always be what they have always been. We Africans need to realise once and
for all that spiritual awareness will never come from losing ourselves in
another's ways. Find out who you are and where you come from. Go back to
your source. Because surely, what have we gained from the West that is so
much more meaningful than the knowledge of who we really are? May Malidoma
keep helping us.
A reader from Boise, Idaho , February
28, 1999 Captivating reading!
I picked up this book after hearing an old New Dimensions radio interview
with Malidoma Patrice Some. I was more interested in village life than in
the initiation, but the book drew me into the full story. Malidoma has had
a very unusual life. This book is fascinating and well-written. I think
it's important because of the excellent discriptions of...everyday village
life...the initiation experience...the missionary influence...and, not least,
because the Dagara at Dano will be changed by this book. This book should
be a must for anyone interested in Africa or real-life magic.
A reader from Oregon, USA , February
28, 1999 Mystical.
While reading this book I was beset with strange dream journeys in my sleep.
I felt moved deep within myself just from reading the words. Funny thing
too, the book kept getting wet..."Of Water and Spirit." Some explains
the brutality of the current African leaders are the results of the "educational"
methods of the colonial settlers religious shamans (Jesuit).
A reader from Galveston, Island Texas
, November 29, 1998 A Masterpiece - Similar to some degree to Carlos Casteneda's
This work is very important at this time in our history. It sheds new light
about the need to embrace (not destroy) rituals, beliefs and sacred traditions
of other cultures. Would we as Americans like for someone of another culture
to destroy our televisions, computers, fax machines, microwaves pagers and
cell phones? I think not.
Brian from Elgin, Illinois , October
23, 1998 Soul Retrieval Par Excellence!
This book brought me to places of wonder that I vaguely remember as a child.
Even though my upbringing was western and dramatically different, there
were times where I found myself strongly identifying with his experiences.
I look to his story as a model of how to function in the world with integrity.
A beautifully written story of bringing one's soul fully into incarnation.
I was deeply touched and moved.
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