The Shamanic Odyssey: Homer, Tolkien, and the Visionary Experience
“The authors weave a fascinating tale connecting South American shamanic practices of magic plants and wondrous spirit beings to one of the West’s oldest mythic tales of exploration--Homer’s Odyssey. Such tales provide nourishment and medicine for the soul’s growth.” (Ralph Metzner, Ph.D., psychologist, Professor Emeritas at the California Institute of Integral Studi)“The authors’ exploration of the shamanic, indigenous characteristics of Odysseus’ journey through the ancient otherworld of divine powers is a noteworthy new contribution to the field of Classics. In particular, his reading of the Odysseus and the Cyclops episode in light of the encounter between the indigenous peoples of the Americas and the ‘civilized’ European conquistadores opens marvelous new possibilities for understanding the mind of Homeric man.” (Carl A. P. Ruck, Ph.D., professor of Classical Studies at Boston University, and co-author of The Ro)“A unique and insightful comparative look at the Odyssey and the South American shamanic tradition—highly recommended!” (Mark Plotkin, author of The Shaman’s Apprentice and Medicine Quest)“Tindall and Bustos do more than remind us of a world celebrated by visionaries from Homer to Shakespeare to Tolkien to indigenous shamans, a world where the old gods walked with us and the animals taught us how to live and the plants healed us. They take us there.” (Steve Walker, Ph.D., Professor BYU College of Humanities, author of The Power of Tolkien’s Pro)“Placing the story firmly in a shamanic context, ranging on the way over sacred psychoactive plants and the creative mythology of Middle–earth, and presenting us with a Homer who is an indigenous singer of healing song, Tindall and Bustos have a truly comprehensive vision, a striking depth of knowledge, a scholar’s love of language, and a compelling storyteller’s way of tying together the many threads. A significant and hugely enjoyable book.” (Stephan V. Beyer, author of Singing to the Plants)“The Shamanic Odysseyis a brilliant book, and beautifully thought out. The authors explore wildness, in the form of plant spirits, indigenous people, and ancient roots of deep knowledge. They illustrate what one meets on a shamanic quest, whether mythic, collective or individual. The treatment is erudite, illuminating, and deeply insightful.” (Kathleen Harrison, M.A., Ethnobotanist)“Tindall and Bustos have blended personal experiences and scholarship into a compelling narrative that links the indigenous wisdom hidden in the Odyssey to contemporary shamanistic practices in North and South America. A marvelous blend of stories and practices illuminating today’s pressing problems. Overall, a splendid, engaging and ultimately hopeful presentation.” (James Fadiman, Ph.D., author of The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide)“The elegance and brilliance of this book will demolish philosophical presuppositions, break literary boundaries, create new dialogue between worlds, change your eyes, and open your heart.” (Adine Gavazzi, author of Arquitectura Andina)“The nature of reality and of consciousness is slippery. At the cutting edge of quantum physics scientists now tell us that no absolute truth or reality exists. InThe Shamanic Odysseyhowever, Tindall and Bustos demonstrate we have always intuitively known that to be the case, from the first origins of European literature to the oral wisdom of shamanic traditions worldwide. This evidence has important consequences for how we view meaning, life and truth.” (Ross Heaven, founder of The Four Gates, therapist and author of Cactus of Mystery)“An ingenious, innovative approach to the Odyssey, the symbolic language of the myth and the world of Classics. Extremely interesting, well documented, intuitive and very well presented. A joy to read.” (Evie Holmberg, professor of Classics and Greek Patristic Literature, Hellenic College, Holy Cross Sc)“This is a fascinating work which offers an insider’s view of the shamanic way of life, it is solidly founded on a traditional worldview and while offering much of the latest psychological research on the nature of shamanism avoids many of the pitfalls of a ‘western looking in’ at the shamanic experience.” (Living Traditions, February 2013)“..if you enjoy literature and the role of shamanic thinking in the world-at-large, then this is great reading.” (Psychedelic Press UK, March 2013)“The authors’ exploration of the shamanic, indigenous characteristics of Odysseus’s journey through the ancient otherworld of divine powers is a noteworthy new contribution in the field of Classics.” (Carl A.P. Ruck, Boston University, Reality Sandwich, January 2014)