Ayahuasca: Soul Medicine of the Amazon Jungle: A Comprehensive and Practical Guide Hardcover – July 31, 2014

This in depth guide to ayahuasca is a remarkable and much needed addition to the existing literature and accounts on ayahuasca currently available.I have probably read all or almost all of the books available on the topic of ayahuasca over the past 7 years. While there have been a few excellent books, most of them are focused on adventures of seekers, personal accounts and experiential reports, with a couple of books focused on the study of the Amazonian world view. This is not a bad thing, but I have been waiting for something more and this book provides it. It brings a much needed depth for the serious seeker, looking to approach ayahuasca ceremonies for deep healing. It is a guide on all things ayahuasca related, but its strength lies in its focus on the suggested mental, spiritual and emotional preparation and approach to working with this extraordinary sacrament.The book is quite personal in places, offering what he found to be the most helpful for his own unfolding and inner work. If someone, born and raised in western society, is going to approach this medicine for deep healing of wounds and the malaise of common western thought patterns, some of the popular approaches to ayahuasca and shamanism in general can at times be slightly limiting, in my opinion. Regueiro’s work adds a fresh outlook, building upon indigenous wisdom by utilizing sometimes Jungian and non-dual approaches in dealing with our fractures and wounds. In my own inner work, I have found these approaches incredibly beneficial and wholesome, so this book really resonates with me. This does not mean that this book discards all conventional wisdom as built up through the ages in the amazon, but rather adds to it in a very meaningful way, and re-frames many of the methods and myths surrounding the use of it to be rather approachable. There is also an explicit invitation to use one’s own discernment and intuition regarding what is “right” for the individual, which I find highly appealing as it avoids an authoritarian view.In a nutshell, this is the one of the only books I would recommend someone read before embarking on their first ayahuasca ceremony, and in my opinion, it is a book that everyone currently working with sacred plants should consider reading for a review of what their current work is bringing them. Very important work and much needed at this juncture in time!

This publication is an outstanding and essential contribution to the field of knowledge concerning the powerful journey into human consciousness that is offered by Ayahuasca. It is at once highly practical and definitive, providing meaningful and direct counseling for anyone considering an Ayahuasca ceremony as well as deep insights into the physical, psychological and metaphysical nature of this potent entheogen. Javier Regueiro writes from a space of deep intimacy and compassion informed by his extensive personal experience with this and many other plant medicines all of it mellowed and tempered by years of rich spiritual explorations. His work provides the reader with a dynamic, succinct and lucid vantage point from which to view the extraordinary and mysterious vista of Ayahuasca’s vast transformational potential. In the past eight years I have read everything I could find about Ayahuasca in order to thoroughly understand my personal relationship to this medicine. If you are looking for experiential knowledge and guidance about the Ayahuasca experience this book is without a doubt a remarkably clear and indispensable guide.I have personally undergone three extensive plant medicine retreats with the author in Peru and can say with no hesitation that he walks the walk of a true mentor with fearlessness, joy, humor and impeccable care for all that he encounters along the path.A companion volume for anyone interested in exploring further aspects of this medicine would be The Ayahuasca Experience: A Sourcebook on the Sacred Vine of Spirits by Ralph Metzner Ph.D.Enjoy your dream – it’s the only one you have…

i have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It has helped me to understand my previous ayahusaca experience....and helping to prepare me for another one, some day in the future.

I first read this book immediately upon receiving it late 2014, and was deeply moved, because I related so deeply to what Javier shares; his wisdom gained through personal experience is very apparent. I related so deeply to his book, I felt called to go to Peru and join him in ceremonies led by him. I did exactly that in Sep 2015 - experienced Ayahuasca for my first time, at the amazing facility Javier has created in Pisac, Peru. I re-read Javier's book while there, and was profoundly struck by the new depth with which I could relate to his insights and wisdom. This book, and my experience in Peru with Javier, has been the most amazingly positive and healing experience possible. I whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone even slightly interested in the topic!

I really enjoyed this book. I found it the best description of my own personal experience with the "Green Lady". I was ever so fortunate to have my first experience with Ayahuasca be supervised by a caring and knowledgeable ayahuascero in a lovely setting with positive reinforcement. That ayahuascero was Javier Regueiro. Sometimes Ayahuasca is perceived to be and do many things that are not a part of its mission. People have misused and abused her gentle nature only to find that she is not so gentle with those that have no wish to learn the lessons presented. Javier was able to explain this in his book as he did in my own personal experience. I encourage anyone with an interest or curiosity of or for this plant medicine to read and enjoy this well written study. I will be booking to go back for a 2 week session in the fall to further my education and renew my relationship with a lovely lady and a caring gentleman.

Great book about the medicine. You can tell that the author has a lot of experience about the subject and has done a lot of inner work and healing himself. I also like how he integrates different spiritual traditions and viewpoints. Thank you for sharing your insights, Javier

This book is a realistic, clear and concise guide for anyone wishing to travel to Peru to partake in Ayahuasca healing . It will also clear up any questions left for anyone who may have already used the plant and wishes to further explore its full potential by working with a true Shaman in its natural environment. Written by a genuine Shaman and ceremony leader , with years of correct training and subsequent experience in leading hundreds of people through ceremony, the writer does not glamorize the use of the plant in any way ,but instead explores ayahuasca's power , natural healing and innate personal developmental possibilities.Written with a true passion and integrity, the book highlights care of the user as a priority and incIudes many of the. do's and don't s of genuine practice, I highly recommended this book for anyone wishing to work with this plant in a safe and professional manner.

I am one of the many to have experienced the wisdom and healing of this medicine. Sharing my own journeys and healing experiences with close friends and family has become part of the healing process, but one that I feel never quite gets close or deep enough. This book is a beautiful and thoughtful work that can assist the experienced and the uninitiated alike. Written from the heart and with knowledge and understanding that only experience can relay. A gift that I will gladly recommend and share with friends and family who feel the need to reconnect.

Ich habe sehr viele Bücher über Ayahuasca gelesen....aber diese ist mit Abstand das aller Beste,sei es nur aus reiner Neugierde oder um sich auf ein Ayahuasca Retreat vorzubereiten. Mehr braucht man nicht!!!!!!!!!

The most beautiful book I've ever read on ayahuasca! his words are definitely free of any stereotype and come direct to the heart, the essence of primary medicine. I find that Javier has a unique and special way to describe his unique experiences with the medicine plant and share it with the people. I would have no hesitation to call him a great teacher.I recommend reading this book to all those who want to feed their curiosity and expand their point of view about the medicine, relying on loving words, his experiences leaving no room for doubt that often reign supreme when it comes to a medicinal plant as that ayahuasca. Thank you for having met this teacher who, with his innate wisdom and the desire to spread the message has definitely changed my life.