Tending the spirits

Book Description

In the remote mountains of northeastern Laos, ancient spiritual traditions continue to flourish through the dedicated practice of shamanic healers who serve as bridges between the physical and spirit worlds. Ellison Banks Findly presents an intimate exploration of these sacred practices, drawing directly from conversations with the shamans themselves to reveal their calling, rigorous training, and transformative healing work.

This remarkable study illuminates how female and male healers navigate the spirit realm to restore balance and wellness, while specialized funeral shamans guide departed souls on their journey to the afterlife. What emerges is a vivid portrait of living spirituality that has adapted and evolved across generations through oral tradition alone.

Particularly fascinating is the symbiotic relationship between shamans and textile weavers, where trance visions become woven art. As shamans chant their mystical journeys, skilled weavers translate these spiritual narratives into powerful ritual textiles, creating sacred objects that embody the shamanic experience itself.

Findly connects these Lao-Tai practices to broader patterns of shamanism worldwide, examining the neurological dimensions of trance states and spiritual flight. Yet this is more than academic study. It captures a tradition at a crossroads, where ancient wisdom meets modern challenges. The shamans themselves remain optimistic that their healing arts can continue serving their communities, adapting to contemporary realities while preserving essential spiritual knowledge.

For readers seeking authentic insights into indigenous spirituality and the enduring power of shamanic practice, this work offers rare access to a world rarely documented with such depth and respect.