The Mask of Oya: A Healer's Journey into the Empowering Realm of Ancestors and Spirits

By Flor Fernández Barrios

Book Overview

Flor Fernandez Barrios continues her story of personal growth that she began in "Blessed by Thunder," with this new book, recounting her education and experiences as a psychotherapist and spiritual... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0615977650
• ISBN13: 9780615977652
• Release Date: March 2014
• Publisher: Flor Fernandez Barrios
• Length: 252 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

The Mask of Oy

Isn't it funny how we often we mistake our greatest gifts as weaknesses or obstacles. Such was the case for Flor Fernandez Barrios. Growing up in Cuba, it had always been assumed that Flor would become a curandera, following in the footsteps of her grandmother. But at fourteen, Flor immigrated to the United States and everything changed. Somewhere between trying to fit into her new world and growing up, Flor lost herself. She became deeply ashamed of everything Cuban. She began seeing her culture and her birthright as old fashioned and superstitious. The Mask of Oya tells how Flor came to understand that her heritage and her spirituality could very well strengthen her abilities as a therapist. In the first half of the book, we follow Flor's journey back to herself. Then, she shares how her new outlook has helped a wide variety of clients.

Excellent Book! Thought Provoking and Insightful!

Insightful and inspiring, the Authors journey toward the cultural recovery of her selfhood as outlined in this book is gripping and thought provoking. In this book the concept of Oya is transcended as a ritual exercise and given deep personal meaning through the Authors unmasking of self through the halls of university and reconnection with family. I highly recommend this book for serious seekers of healing and wisdom who seek to move from outer ritualization in search of healing and transformation toward inner work and sanctification.

A profoundly uplifting revelation of the process of inner awakening.

Written by Flor Fernandez Barrios, a psychotherapist and spiritual workshop leader of Cuban heritage, The Mask of Oya is testimony introducing the reader to the spirit world she has experienced since childhood. Afro-Cuban dieties such as Yemaya, lord of oceans and giver of life, and Oya, lord of the winds and gatekeeper between life and death, are among the spiritual figures portrayed for the lay reader; testimonies of men and women in physical or emotional pain and the guideposts to their healing illustrate the power and wisdom of ancient practices. A profoundly uplifting revelation of the process of inner awakening.

Where spirit meets scientific knowledge:

A courageous and beautiful book. A practicing psychologist, the author recalls the impact of a visit from her aged grandmother to her family's new home in LA. At her grandmother's admonition the author was called back to the healing practices she learned as a young girl in her native country Cuba. A reconnection with her beloved elder prepared her for a journey into the jungles of Mexico where she encountered her fears and strengths under the thoughtful direction of another powerful teacher. The last half of the book describes by example how the author accesses her gifts for healing blending them with her scientific knowledge of modern psychology. The end result is to bring about the therapeutic transformation of her clients. The book is challenging to our modern ideas of healing, thought-provoking. The reader will be processing the story well past the last page.