The Woman Who Glows in the Dark :The Woman Who Glows in the Dark :
A Curandera Reveals Traditional Aztec Secrets of Physical
and Spiritual Health
by Elena Avila
Hardcover - 337 pages (April
1999)
J P Tarcher; ISBN: 0874779588
Reviews:
The author, Elena Avila EAvila9234@aol.com
, April 22, 1999 The Gods and Medicine that Refused to Die
Practicing Curanderismo has taught me to be creative, compassionate,
and more in touch with the Divine light of Spirit. This luminous medicine
has been passed down orally for hundreds of years. I am the first practicing
Curandera to write a comprehensive book on Curanderismo. I need to share
how relevent, powerful, and useful this spiritual medicine is to the Universal
community. I also have a Masters degree in Nursing. Has it made me a better
Curandera? No. Being a Curandera has made me a better nurse. In conventional
medicine, the body goes to the hospital, the mind to the psychiatrist and
the spirit and soul to the church. In Curanderismo, the healing takes place
under one roof, with earth mother as the foundation, and the Divine as the
source. Ometeotl
Meredith from Decatur, GA , May 17, 1999
An incredibly empowering, inspiring, enlightening book!!!
Not only does Elena (with Joy) explain clearly the essential concepts, tools,
and techniques of curanderismo, but she also illustrates how these principles
and practices can be applied in a variety of contexts and settings in very
individualized and meaningful ways. Filled with wonderful stories about
her own evolution as a curandera, and her experiences with teachers, friends,
family and clients, Elena speaks to us with tremendous honesty, compassion,
and a beautiful sense of humor. I smiled, and cried, many times, sometimes
simultaneously, as I read this book --it was like poetry for my heart and
soul. Elena teaches us just how important it is to respect and honor the
needs of the soul, which she regards as sacred. She shows us how we can
better listen to, communicate with, and heal the deepest, wisest, and most
authentic parts of our being. She explores the value of emotions, intuition,
instincts, relationships, humor, creativity, touch, prayer and ritual; and
she suggests how we can acknowledge and integrate these resources into everyday
personal life as well as professional practice. I don't want to say too
much about the book or give away La Curandera's "recipes" for
happiness and health, because each reader should have the pleasure of discovering
them for herself or himself. Suffice it to say that this book is essential
reading for anyone seeking to achieve greater physical, mental, emotional
and spiritual balance and clarity in their lives and in relationships. It
is also essential reading for anyone involved in the healing professions
who desires to assist and support others in the healing process, especially
those working with culturally diverse populations. This is a timely and
timeless book that is filled with, to quote Elena and Joy, "practical
spirituality". I have already recommended it to family, friends and
colleagues, and, as a healthcare social worker, I plan to recommend it to
clients. It is a pure joy to read, and I am certain that I will reread and
consult the wisdom of 'Woman Who Glows in the Dark' many, many times in
the future.
Gloria from Pagosa Springs, Colorado ,
May 17, 1999 The vision of a new health system for mind/body/spirit.
Elena Avila's vision is years ahead of our present health care system, which
fails to treat the whole person. We send the body to a doctor, the mind
to a psychiatrist, the spirit to a church. Elena's heartfelt book explains
why this doesn't work. She explores the mysteries of curanderismo in a straightforward,
sensible way. No wonder this system of healing has worked for people for
centuries. After finishing Elena's book, I found myself longing for a curandera
to heal my own "susto" or soul wounds. Her rational explanations
of folk diseases are treasures of understanding. She's right that people
are frustrated with Western medicine because it lacks "heart."
Her intelligent approach to healing is brave and she truly does have a foot
in two worlds. This book is one I'll re-read again and again.
Irma from Pagosa Springs, CO. , May 9,
1999 A STANDING OVATION FOR ELENA AVILA!
As a practicing Curandera I found WOMAN WHO GLOWS IN THE DARK inspiring,
helpful and right on target. A long overdue blueprint for getting in touch
with our inner and ancient knowing and healing powers. I applaud her life's
work and what it took to write about it. I am ecstatic that this healing
tradition is now out there for the advantage of all. The guiding light has
been lit - let the healing begin! I have been very privileged to work with
Elena, to be in her life, to be her sister. Irma Martinez Mossner - Oxlahun
Ahau
Linda from Taos, New Mexico , April 22,
1999 This book is a tribute to curanderas throughout the Americas
Woman Who Glows in the Dark is a tribute to curanderas throughout the Americas.
Elena Avilas long awaited book will help to validate and continue the traditions
of our ancestors. Woman Who Glows in the Dark helps us embrace our traditional
ways of healing and reclaim our rich heritage. Linda Velarde, Curandera
Brooke Medicine-Eagle from Montana, USA
, April 20, 1999 Wonderfully alive & full of wisdom--just like Elana
herself!
Elena's book is wonderfully alive, and full of spirit and wisdom--just like
Elana herself. The people who had the good sense and great fortune to be
treated by her were very lucky people, and so are we as we take the opportunity
to read about her life and work. WOMAN WHO GLOWS IN THE DARK not only takes
us into the primary world of healing through curanderismo (expressed for
the first time by one who is actually practicing it, rather than someone
outside looking in), but also has the capacity to inform our own life and
spirit. Joy has helped Elena do a wonderful job of telling this fascinating
story. Beginning with Elena's own experience and on into the healing stories
of others, this book will keep you deeply interested. OPEN YOUR MIND AND
HEART AS YOU OPEN THIS BOOK - THERE IS MUCH TO GAIN.
Gloria from San Antonio, Texas USA ,
April 20, 1999 Refreshing View of a Beautiful Healing Culture!
Elena Avila delightfully takes her readers through an enlightening and joyful
exploration of the traditional art of a Curandera(healer). She shows us
the vibrant beauty of what "woman" is and the magnificent power
within all of us to heal.The book truly brings to all of us the great power
of love and ritual in our lives and how important it is to "remember"
our past pain with respect, and then move forward to create new, more wonderful
lives!
A reader from U.S.A. , April 19, 1999
Her medicine is on time for our multicultural ailments.
Elena's reappropriation of curanderismo is relevant for us today not only
because of the curative wisdom the tradition maintains and advances. It
is a fruit to be savored for our times because of curanderismo's roots in
multiple contexts. Is not one of the concerns of our period how to integrate
the many diverse manifestations of human spirit in a loving and fulfilling
approach to life? Top curanderas are well schooled in these matters. Elena's
book is a wonderful example of cultural inclusiveness and assimilation that
not only expands health care modalities it also show what is possible for
us to become as we explore our human potential personally and collectively.
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