The Sacred Heritage

The contributors to this volume describe the many facets shamanism and depth psychology have in common: animal symbolism; recognition of the reality of the collective unconscious; and healing rituals that put therapist and patient in touch with transpersonal powers. By reintroducing the core of shamanism in contemporary form, these essays shape a powerful means of healing that combines the direct contact with the inner psyche one finds in shamanism with the self-reflection and critical awareness of modern consciousness.

Key Features

• Exploration of animal symbolism in shamanism.
• Recognition of the collective unconscious.
• Healing rituals connecting therapist and patient.
• Integration of shamanism with modern depth psychology.
• Insights from cultures including the Lakota Sioux, Peruvian Andes, and Hawaiian Islands.

Additional Information

The contributors draw from experiences both inside and outside the consulting room. The focus is on those aspects of shamanism most useful and relevant to the modern practice of depth psychology. These explorations bring the young practice of analytical psychology into perspective as part of a much more ancient heritage of shamanistic healing.