The Four-Fold Way: Walking the Paths of the Warrior, Teacher, Healer and Visionary [Paperback]

Ms. Arrien respects the teachings of indigenous peoples; their respect for Mother Earth and their awareness of the relationship of everything to all of its parts. Nothing is separate, hence the phrase, "All our relations." She has found that each of the four cardinal directions of the Medicine Wheel has something to teach us as we progress through life. The Medicine Wheel she shares with the reader is a creation cycle, and links power animals, the mystical Elements, musical instruments or tools, and the modes of meditation and healing which are appropriate for each direction. We begin in the North, "The Way of the Warrior," the place of the Leader, where we SHOW UP and take a stand and choose to be present. We then move to the East, The Way of the Visionary, the place of the Seer, where we TELL THE TRUTH about what works and doesn't work for us. Then, we move to the South, the Way of the Healer, the place of the Lover, and PAY ATTENTION to what has Heart and Meaning for us. And then we move to the West, The Way of the Teacher, the place of Wisdom, where we LET GO OF EXPECTATIONS, and yet are open to what we do receive. Then we begin the cycle again, refining as we go. Each direction has an energy of its own, and if we leave any part out, the cycle falls apart.

I have found Ms. Arrien's principles as described in this book to be very practical in my professional (I am a librarian) and personal life. I have healed issues about my own confidence and leadership abilities and even received a promotion because I first decided to SHOW UP at work and later followed through with the rest of the places on the Wheel! I use the Wheel to assist me as I go through my day. I have used Ms. Arrien's highly effective guided meditations to heal personal wounds as well. I have taken what I learned and written about my meditative experiences in my daily journal to expand and go deeper. As a result of working with this book, my life has gotten more fun, more creative and more responsible. I find it easier to shift my energy instead of getting stuck in assumptions or past expectations, or other people's energy patterns. There is imaginative artwork and poetry and amazing information. This book shows us how we can bridge and connect to our natural mystical nature (we are all psychic, you know) and trust the knowledge that is easily available, believe it or not, to all us. A must read for those on the mystical or metaphysical path.

This book teaches four different kinds of meditation.

This book places the elements in other directions than I do, but if this technique speaks to you, by all means use it. The fact that you honor the elements, and treat them with respect is more important than the directions you associate them with.

This book describes the four brainwave frequencies beta, alpha, theta, and delta, but the frequencies are wrong.

delta (deep sleep) 4-7 HTZ

theta (light sleep) 7-11 HTZ

alpha (most meditation occurs here) 11-17 HTZ

beta (Wakeful consciousness) 17-21 HTZ

Appendix E was VERY informative. It described where the author has some people listen to Shamanic drumming tapes (3.5-4 beats per second)without telling them any thing in advance, then getting their experieces afterward...

If you want to learn Shamanism, I would recommend these books in this order.

"Shamanic Experience" Kenneth Meadows

"Shamanism: As A Spiritual Practise For Daily Life" Tom Cowan

"Shamanism" Gordon MacLellan

"The Way of the Shaman" Michael Harner

"Secrets Of Shamanism: Tapping the Spirit Power Within You" Jose and Lena Stevens

"Rainbow Medicine: A Visionary Guide to Native American Shamanism" Wolf Moondance

...Two Bears

Wah doh Ogedoda

Much thanks and appreciation to Angeles Arren.

I hope to purchase my own copy soon.