Praise for Maps to Ecstasy
"Gabrielle Roth is a unique and inspirational teacher, and this book is filled with her presence and her wisdom. I find Maps to Ecstasy fascinating, powerful, and delightful. . . . "
Shakti Gawain, author of Creative Visualization
"Gabrielle Roth is one of the most astounding beings alive and moving on the planet today. Her story and method move beyond ordinary definitions. "
Joan Halifax, author of The Fruitful Darkness: Reconnecting with the Body of the Earth
"A wonderful and inspiring book that can lead people to a new level of understanding and give them the courage to follow their dreams. "
Lynn Andrews, author of Medicine Woman and Love and Power
"I love Gabrielle's unique, poetic, down-home, funky style. She has been a constant inspiration to us creative people around the world. Maps to Ecstasy opens the door to living an ecstatic life. "
Margot Anand, author of The Art of Everyday Ecstasy
"Whether we live in urban or rural environments, our task is to remember and use the inherent instincts, rhythms, and intelligences available to us. Gabrielle Roth identifies these aspects of human nature and shows how we can apply perennial wisdom in contemporary times. Many books talk about shamanism; this one gives the reader an experience of shamanism. "
Angeles Arrien, author of The Four-Fold Way
"Gabrielle Roth dances timeless wisdom to the rhythms of today and tomorrow. Maps to Ecstasy is a moving, inspiring, and vivid experience from one of the world's greatest teachers . . .."
Brian Bates, author of The Way of Wyrd and The Way of the Actor
"Gabrielle Roth's book is a joy, a truly moving experience from a very fine teacher. It is both fun to read and immensely instructive. Don't expect to finish the book in a couple of sittingskeep it around and work with it over time like an old friend. FIVE STARS FOR GABRIELLE ROTH AND MAPS TO ECSTASY!"
Brooke Medicine Eagle, author of Buffalo Woman Comes Singing
"You're in the desert. The raven comes down and talks to you in a dry, ancient voice. Don't mind the wordsyou recognize the voice. You knew it before you were born. That's Gabrielle. "
Boris Grebenschikov, Russian rock musician
"Gabrielle Roth is a woman of power. In Maps to Ecstasy she takes us on a mythic journey through our lives and points the way to true balance. She challenges us to move and empowers us with the tools to dance our own dance. "
Michael Toms, host/producer of the radio series New Dimensions and coauthor of True Work
"This book of impassioned, dancing wisdom teachings will delight you. As the saintly Mr. Gurdjieff might have said, Gabrielle Roth is a human being not in quotation marks. "
Dr. Robert Masters, director of research, The Foundation for Mind Research
A Healing Journey for the Untamed Spirit
Gabrielle Roth
with John Loudon
Revised edition © 1998 by Gabrielle Roth
Original edition © 1989 by Gabrielle Roth
Permissions acknowledgments are on page 213
Cover design: Michele Wetherbee
Cover illustration: Paul Heussenstamm
Interior design: Aaron Kenedi
All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review; nor may any part of this book be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or other, without written permission from the publisher.
The author of this book does not dispense medical advice nor prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical or mental problems without the advice of a physician either directly or indirectly. In the event you use any of the information in this book, neither the author nor the publisher can assume any responsibility for your actions. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for personal growth.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available upon request
Roth, Gabrielle, 1941
Maps to ecstasy : a healing journey for the untamed spirit / Gabrielle Roth.
Rev. ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 1-57731-045-4 (alk. paper)
1. Shamanism. 2. Mental healing. 3. Shamans. I. Title.
BL2370.S5R67 1998 98-35180
291.1'44dc21 CIP
First printing, October 1998
ISBN 1-57731-045-4
Printed in Canada on acid-free, recycled paper.
Distributed to the trade by Publishers Group West
10 9 876543
Acknowledgments xi
Foreword
By Angeles Arrien xv
Author's Preface xvii
Introduction 1
initiation
Chapter One
freeing the body the power of being 29
The Five Rhythms
Practicing the Rhythms
Rhythm Massage
The Rhythms of Lovemaking
Chapter Two
expressing the heart the power of loving 55
A Map of the Emotions
The Song of the Heart
Discovering Your Emotional Self
The Pulsing of Love
Chapter Three
emptying the mind the power of knowing 85
Discovering Your Own Mind
The Five Sacred Teachers on the Journey of Life
Writiing Your Story
The Birth Cycle
The Childhood Cycle
The Puberty Cycle
The Maturity Cycle
The Death Cycle
Chapter Four
awakening the soul the power of seeing 141
Soul and the Power of Seeing
The Soul and the Ego
The Characters in the Ego Theater
Enacting the Soul
Chapter Five
embodying the spirit the power of healing 175
Inertia
Imitation
Intuition
Imagination
Inspiration
Ways to the Center
Healing
Epilogue 209
Permissions Acknowledgements 213
Selected Bibliography 214
About the Author 215
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