Jaguar in the Body, Butterfly in the Heart

The Real-life Initiation of an Everyday Shaman

By: Ya'Acov Darling Khan

Narrated by: Ya'Acov Darling Khan

Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

Shaman, meaning "intermediary between spirit and the natural world", has become a much overused word in the West. It's not a job title one can give oneself, and in indigenous societies a shaman is usually born to this role. Ya'Acov Darling Khan is one of the few Westerners who have been acknowledged as shamans by indigenous elders or teachers. After being hit by lightning, Ya'Acov took a 30-year journey into the heart of shamanism to seek his own healing and to learn how he could serve others with the wisdom he acquired through his experiences. He has studied with indigenous teachers from the Arctic Circle to the United States and South America and has taken part in ceremonies in such diverse locations as Welsh caves and the depths of the Amazon rainforest. Nowadays Ya'Acov continues to study and regularly journeys to the Ecuadorean Amazon to work alongside the Achuar and Sápara people.

For thousands of years, shamans helped the people in their communities remain in balance with themselves, each other, the natural world, and the spirit world. This audiobook is not only a powerfully honest, humorous, and inspiring memoir but a guidebook for those from many cultures and walks of life wishing to return to their indigenous roots and be part of midwifing a more benign human presence here on Earth as part of a new dream.

With music from Susannah Darling Khan's album Torch Songs (featured song: "Drum Song"), available from music-medicine.co.uk.

©2017 Ya'Acov Darling Khan (P)2017 Hay House UK Ltd. Drum Song from Susannah Darling Khan's album Torch Songs available from music-medicine.co.uk in all stores

AHHHH not so good

I did not enjoy this... I found it just 9 hours of “how cool” the author found himself... I did not enjoy it.

Awesome

An incredible journey of self discovery. Ya’Acov shares his incredible personal journey of transformation and struggles as he works to follow his path of becoming a shaman.

authenticity

I loved this book, this reading, and felt total trust in the author and gratitude for his honest sharing and humility. I feel closer to my own self by getting a window into another soul.

A boring look at me I'm a shaman, full of ego tale

How a story about shamanism could be so boring, I do not know. I practice shamanism, and I kept trying to like it and him. But something about how he tells his story gets in the way of the story being truly absorbing or powerful. If you don't know anything about shamanism it might be entertaining. I think it might be that he's just not a good writer. Too many empty, abstract commentary on his experience, rather than just telling his stories. When he was in story telling mode it was better. But there's too much abstract concentration on his issues, his development, blah blah blah. It reads very much like "look I'm a shaman, look I'm a shaman, look who I've worked with, look who gave me what...." I think he's still full of ego. Plus the narrator sucks. He sounds too young. The old adage in literature: show, don't tell certainly applies here. I'd never go to this guy for healing in a million years.

For seekers of truth and honesty

A story if growth courage and feeling. A story anyone can relate to about the merging of the inner and outer journey. good listen!

Many paths but similar landscape

I really enjoyed this story and found many similar experiences to my own. I appreciate hearing someone else's spiritual journey to finding their inner medicine.

Captivated my mind and renewed my spirit

I have learned so much about the world and myself from this book. I cried and heaved and gaped in awe at various different points, just marveling at the splendor and miracles the author describes. I'd recommend it to anyone with an open mind or intuitive spirit.

Spellbound

I enjoyed the narration and pacing of the adventure. I liked that it was action and adventure oriented as well as containing philosophical issues over the course. I appreciated that it was honest, and heartfelt and addressed the issues of power and shadow. Mentors and the issues of moving on. There are ups and downs and foreshadowing and suspense;so many elements of good storytelling exist alongside the subject matter of Shamanism so it’s compelling on a number of fronts.

Powerful Account.

A very powerful account of his call to the shamanic vocation. For those being called to this path this book is a worthy listen. Its a humbling perspective on trust & humility.

A beautiful look into modern shamanism

This was such an amazing account of what it takes to truly become a shaman and bring ancient traditions into modern times. Would highly recommend to anyone interested in indigenous spiritual practices and connecting to the spirit of nature.

Fascinating story, love that its by a UK shaman

I bought this based on the good reviews. I kept putting off reading it because I felt it might be preachy about things I feel powerless to change (eg deforestation). But instead it's mainly a fascinating journey about a shaman's mind and life work, from youth to empowered adult.

Also challenges and opens debate on some stereotypes about power and masculinity, things I've wondered about in the 'alternative world' but rarely addressed.

Great for people interested in lucid dreaming, shamanism, healing, anthropology, ecstatic dance and more.

I found the autobiography exciting and listened to it as much as I could. I'll be reading/listening to more of yacov's work!

A joyful ride one can take again and again

Since written so truthfully I have no doubt that the book was a ritual itself, likely more beneficial to the author than the reader haha..
Given that the author was a narrator as well, the story made all more sense while listening to it.
I felt honesty from the author and all I can say that book was everything but a waste of time. I'm always grateful to books that let you experience a life (segment of a life) of another person, furthermore a colorful life as this one.

Outstanding!

It is a strange thing but as you begin to walk this path it seems you stumble across things that are perfectly designed to help you on your way, this book was just that, perfect timing, loved it.

An inspiring story told beautifully

I love this book! I've shared it with many people because it touched me deeply with its honesty, humour and wisdom. It put the meaning of "dedication" to a whole new level. I recognized my inner dialogues, my own blindspots and challenges and was amazed at the wide variety of spiritual experiences Ya'acov talks about. Can't wait his next book!

A new favourite.

I loved this book. It was so interesting and heartfelt with many many gems of wisdom.

Absolutely fantastic.

Excellent book. Wonderful story of his journey. Truly inspirational. Highly recommended. Loved listening on audible.

Wonderful

A great heartfelt account of self discovery combined with experiential knowledge. Such a deep understanding is hard to come by.

Wonderful! Really enjoyed this

I listened to this more than once because there were so many little gems I wanted to make sure I really heard and sometimes missed. I gained a lot of insight about the shamanic path and particularly appreciated his honesty and openness about the struggles and challenges.

exceptionally beautiful

You have made me delve deeper into the visions I had years ago. visions of my inner child walking the jungle with a jaguar. thank you for this beauty

Excellent recount of a personal journey.

Excellent recount of a personal journey, honestly given. Well put together to allow non natives to understand parts of a native narrative without appropriation.