The Way of the Spirit: Native American Ceremonies and Traditions

by Time-Life Books

Book Overview

SOFT COVER This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0783549083
• ISBN13: 9780783549088
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Time Life Medical
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 2.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 8.8" x 11.2"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

For Truth Seekers

This is a beautiful book, presented in the rich tradition of Time Life Books that captures the images of our times; it is more than superb photography. The text accompanying the images that depict various aspects of the Native American experience are well written testaments to a spiritual understanding in tune with all of the creations of this world. The role of animals, nature and all it's special places to reach your spiritual quest are examined. Each page has a magnificent one or two page photograph that is spectacular; no matter whether it is a panoramic view of an Arizona desert, a peak dominating a Montana vista with reflective imagery in a deep blue lake or a whirlwind of feathers in a colorful ceromonial dance, the pictures are breathtaking and inspirational. Several tribes belief systems are examined more closely but all have the universal thread of harmony with nature. There is a pretty extensive overview of the Haida culture of the Northwest accompanied by beautiful pictures, often artifacts of the their magnificent woodwork. Also the Kachina Spirits of the Hopi have a nice section displaying the creative representations of their world. All the elements of the spirit world are covered, including the role of the shaman and the tools used to invoke their power. The role of symbols, fetishes, talismans ,dance and the seasons are explained as well. The book is organized in the tradition of the full circle of life as the opening section deals with the matters within the circle and the last section of the book deals with the eternal circle. In the final section , the eternal circle there are a series of beautiful historical black and white photographs of represenatives of various ages from many different tribes; the faces of a proud people will astound you with their piercing penetrating looks at the camera. This is an outstanding book to add to your Native American or history section of your library, whether personal or public, that will delight truth seekers of all ages. The accompanying poems, stories and anecdotes are truly inspirational. The colorful oversized photographs are worth the price of the book alone but the text is a bonus that solidifies the total package. This quote by Jenny Leading Cloud, Lakota Sioux, pretty much sums up the attitude expressed in this book. " We Indians think of the earth and the whole universe as a never -ending circle, and in this circle, man is just another animal. We end our prayers with the words all my relations- and that includes everything that grows, crawls, runs, creeps, hops and flies."

The Way of the Spirit

This is a beautiful compilation of stories, poems, songs and images that not only serve to evoke the tremendously rich culture of the various Native American tribes, but also serve to put you in touch with your spirit now. Life, all of life, is so precious--however the forms of honoring it may change over time. There is the timeless, there is the eternal. The breath of it can so easily be discerned in these beautiful pages. Thank you!