(The only book in the world that compares these three directions)
2007, edition pro mente, Linz.
2014 - updated and augmented - in the edition by Ennsthaler, Steyr ISBN 13: 978-3-85068-921-2
In addition to the German and Romanian editions,
2021 an English version is also been available:
The Shaman's Way of Healing
In Light of Western Psychotherapy and Christian Tradition
Release date: 2021
Author: August Thalhamer
266 pages
ISBN: 978-3709501238
Summary:
The book introduces the reader to the most ancient healing tradition of humanity and makes it clear that these skills definitely lie dormant in every human being. The author reports on his personal shamanic experience and shows how it can be explained from a psychological and Christian view. What is new in this book is the attempt to view three seemingly incompatible methods as a whole.
Is shamanic healing really as different from psychological treatment as it seems to be at first glance? The book singles out one essential point: While shamans (in trance) contact demons and good spirits, psychotherapists work with destructive parts as well as resources of the personality. In spite of all differences in the view of life and in external forms, the book postulate that we deal with the same processes, which on the one hand are explained and felt within the psyche and on the other hand outside. Whether I use the wisdom of the (collective) Unconscious to solve a problem or am inspired by good powers, which from a psychological viewpoint are entities projected outside: for the effectiveness of the process it seems to be irrelevant in which way we think about it.
On balance of the results, the author states that surprisingly enough the healing principles of shamanic rituals - in spite of their exotic form - correspond to a great extent with the results of psychological research as well as psychotherapeutic practice. They are also compatible with theological conceptions, especially with the experience of the mystics.
Although the book has been written in a personal, understandable and easily readable style, it should on the other hand satisfy scientific criteria.
Contents:
Preface by Carlo Zumstein, the leader of the Foundation for Living Shamanism and Spirituality, Switzerland
and
an introduction by Sandra Ingerman, author of twelve books, including Soul Retrieval: Mending the Fragmented Self, Medicine for the Earth, Walking in Light, and The Book of Ceremony: Shamanic Wisdom for Invoking the Sacred in Everyday Life.
Prologue
1. Shamanism
My Women
First Basic Assumption:
There Are Other Worlds Besides the Visible One
What Is the Origin of Shamanism? How Does Someone Become a Shaman?
The Shamanic Calling Today
The Foundation for Shamanic Studies
Albert Einstein: “I Rely on Intuition”
How Can a Person Sense and Know Something about Another, That Cannot Possibly Be Known?
Second Basic Assumption: Everything Is Part of a Whole
Third Basic Assumption: Everything Existing Has a Soul
Even Science Is Discovering the Interconnectedness
How Do You Go on a Shamanic Journey
Examples
What Is the Purpose of a Shamanic Journey?
Isn’t That Regression?
How Do Shamans Heal Others?
Examples
Where Do These Images Come From?
A Claim to Exclusivity? Does a Shaman Possess the Truth?
The Third Something
Contraindications
2. Shamanism and Christianity
Is Shamanism a Religion?
You Shall Not Make for Yourself an Image of God! (Ex 20:4)
A Painful History
At the Beginning of Every Religion Is the Experience of the Mystery
Yahweh’s Name Is “Jealous” (Ex 34:14)
The Men of Yahweh Are Shamans with a License
The Wind Blows Where It Chooses (John 3:8)
Jesus Healed. What about Us?
How Did Jesus Heal?
Magicians and Witches
Exorcism
Shamanic Elements in Christianity
The Jesuit’s Initiation
My Personal Shamanic Way
3. Shamanism and Psychotherapy
How Are Shamanism and Psychotherapy Compatible?
Shamanic Treatment Is Healing in Trance with the Aid of Unconscious Wisdom
Examples
So Is Healing Done with the Help of Spirit Beings or the Wisdom of the Unconscious?
The Realm of the Psyche and Spirit Beings Is One
The Same Thing – Expressed in Different Languages
Miracle Healing Instead of an Arduous Healing Process?
Is Health/Healing a Gift or an Accomplishment?
Healing for Mother Earth
Charlatans?
Black Magic and Damage Sorcery
Shamanism and Science
The Problems of Measuring Efficiency
Can a Psychotherapist Integrate Shamanic Healing into Their Practice?
Neo-Shamanism?
Literature
The author
Dr. August Thalhamer (* 1943) is a Roman Catholic theologian. He worked as a priest for five years and then studied psychology. Since 1974 he has worked as a free-lance psychotherapist and economic psychologist. He completed a number of post-graduate trainings in psychotherapeutic methods as well as team-building and organisational development. Soon he also became interested in traditional healing methods and acquired several of them. In order to evade inner conflicts (among other reasons), he has been studying the question how the often astonishing success of spiritual methods can be explained in terms of psychology as well as theology. He also working as Urban Shaman and he reports regularly on this subject at international conferences.
His latest publication was "Für die Versöhnung neuen Wissens und alter Weisheit in der Seelenheilkunde. Streitschrift gegen die Reduktion des Menschen auf naturwissenschaftlich erfassbare Materie. Mit besonderer Berücksichtigung schamanischer Heiltradition": For The Reconciliation Of New Knowledge And Ancient Wisdom In The Medicin Of The Soul. Polemic against the reductionism of the human condition on scientifically comprehensible matter. With special reference to the shamanic healing tradition (Now exists only a German version of the book.)
