Songs Of The Shaman

The first book in the English language devoted to the study of Korean shaman songs, this book is essential reading for those with an interest in Korean shamanism, the literature and cultural history of Korea, and shamanism and oral literature in general. Shamanism, commonly regarded as the oldest religion in Korea, is still a force in the modern industrial society of today. Korean shamans, performing their rituals, sing and dance for the gods they worship as they have done for centuries.

Imagine sitting quietly around a campfire. Deep throated Native drums are playing softly in the distance and somehow remind you of the beat of your mother's heart. A Native flute echoes in the wind from tree to tree, and an uncommon peace begins to settle over you. A sage old Native Warrior, in the full wisdom of his years, is sitting with you ... and begins to speak ... and you close your eyes to listen. He speaks of the old ways, he speaks of the old honors, and he speaks of his love for his people and their devotion to the balance in Nature. His heart and his words are kind and gentle ... but the space between those words is filled with foreboding. He offers hope, but ..... "This is the way I would begin describe my waking vision ... a solo journey of four days and three nights alone, into the wilderness ... a Lakota style "vision quest" with no food and no water. It was a trail that would lead deep into the heart, and the mind, and the body, and the Spirit!" ......... Robin Miller

This work is mainly comprised of a translation into English of four complete large-scale Korean Shaman ritual songs transcribed from tape recordings, which, until the present time, have remained either entirely untranslated, or, if otherwise, are only quoted in the form of brief excerpts in a few short articles. The song contents cover a broad regional spectrum which contain invaluablematerials related to Korean folklore, mythology, literature, history, and religion, and offer deep insight into a facet of Korean culture that has remained largely overlooked and unexplored.

Shamanism can be defined as the practice of initiated shamans who are distinguished by their mastery of a range of altered states of consciousness. Shamanism arises from the actions the shaman takes in non-ordinary reality and the results of those actions in ordinary reality. It is not a religion, yet it demands spiritual discipline and personal sacrifice from the mature shaman who seeks the highest stages of mystical development.

Told from the perspective of a shaman healer, this unique anthology reinvents old stories and creates new ones designed to guide and inspire readers in their own personal spiritual quests. In the manner of old-time teachings, ancient wisdom is revealed through poetry and fairy tales. In this telling, Cinderella, here named Ashera for the cooking ashes, chooses not to marry her prince and instead becomes an apprentice to a powerful healer. The poem, Gifts, offers an insightful perspective on mystical thinking. Like a kaleidoscope coming into focus, each entry reveals layer upon layer of depth. Some of the stories are lighthearted and fun while others are darker and more serious, yet all are thoroughly entertaining. This book is truly a delightful journey into the magical world of the hero/heroine with its potential for healing, wholeness, and adventure.