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

by Angeles Arrien

Book Overview

A leading expert on native spirituality and shamanism reveals the four archetypal principles of the Native American medicine wheel and how they can lead us to a higher spirituality and a better world.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0062500597
• ISBN13: 9780062500595
• Release Date: February 1993
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.2" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Take time with this book. This aint no all-nighter.

The exploration of archetypes and symbols within one's life is a powerful tool for self understanding, healing and growth. And so, this is a significant book in my life at least. This book took a while to be effective in my case. It has become well-worn from being opened to certain pages over and over again. It is marked, folded, penned and penciled in many spots. I had to go through just one part at a time, and then take time--- to think about the words and their meanings, meditate upon how it applied in my life. Thus, I was able to experience difficult but valuable lessons when taking on the roles of Warrior, Healer, Visionary and Teacher while living through my own self-disassembly and dissection. I know some reviewers didnt like them, considering them hodgepodge puzzles of various religions... but I particularly liked the tables and charts that illustrate the symbols and things to contemplate upon and process for a particular archetype or power role. For example, I was drawn first to "The Way of The Healer" and Arrien presents the following ideas, symbols and actions: Direction: South/ Element: Earth/ Human Resource: Love/ Kind of Meditation: Lying/ Way of Living: Right Speech/ Four-Fold Way: Pay Attention/ Season: Spring... to just name a few. Trying out the ideas on for size, the suggested practices, the skills... takes a lot of time! I can read a cliffhanger novel in one night, but I couldn't do that with the stuff in this book. LOL. And so, I read this book for 1 year for self-healing and gained some inner strengthening. I also began to recognize my boundaries and the circle of power that I would have to be willing to stand in. During this time I also began to see patterns of these archetypes in leadership roles within communities and societies and thus continued discerning and observing the qualities of Warrior, Healer, Visionary and Teacher in the admirable men and women leaders I have met personally. Bottom line, the ideas and symbols associated with Warrior, Healer, Visionary and Teacher needed time and again, contemplation, trial and error, before it really opened up for clearer understanding on the levels of mind and heart for me. Maybe this book can work for you too if you give it some time and your self some patience. Fare thee well, book lover and fellow Seeker!

5 stars for 4 Fold

I got this book as recommended reading for a workshop I took on the heart. It contains a wealth of information presented in a warm, stratighforward way. There's so much in it to help guide you to opening yourself up where you need it and to expanding your knowledge of yourself. I practice some of the exrciese and meditations daily and refer to it often.

This book is alive, it is an event.

I have found this book to be one of the most empowering, insightful books for the journey of self discovery. Since I started reading my friends copy, I have come to a fuller way of life, and able to absorbe, release, and transmit beauty, healing and energy. I find this is not a book one can read like a manual, put it down and practise it's content. Rather it encourages one to look within one's self first, and through ones lived experience, enter the mystery of this beautifull book. The world becomes a better place to live in.Much thanks and appreciation to Angeles Arren.I hope to purchase my own copy soon.

A powerful tool to develop conscious living and learning.

1) Show Up 2) Pay Attention to What has Heart and Meaning 3) Tell the Truth without Blame or Judgement 4) Be Open yet Unattached to Outcome.This is the Four-Fold Way. Simple, yes. Easy, no. But a very powerful model for living each of our lives to the fullest.I have read the book multiple times, and it continues to offer me insights for improved living. I use the methodology to assist me in maximizing my own potential. I also use it in my work as a Human Resources Professional to help me assist others and the organization achieve theirs.I have studied with Angeles and respect her work, her teaching, and her being. I recommend this book to anyone who desires bringing their personal gifts forward and a tool for lifelong learning.

The Medicine Wheel is practical today

Angeles Arrien is a Basque born in the United States who trained as a medical anthropologist. However, it is her Basque roots that have given her entry into the shaman's world. The Basque tradition is very mystical in that they draw power from their appreciation of the ordinary world to accomplish extraordinary things. 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.