Way of the Ancient Healer: Sacred Teachings from the Philippine Ancestral TraditionsThe first-ever comprehensive introduction to traditional Filipino healing practices—featuring rare photographs and insights into the roots and modern-day rituals of this ancient shamanic and spiritual belief system. “. . . brilliantly blends the art and science of the sacred teachings of Filipino traditional healing to help people find their path toward health and happiness.” —Deepak Chopra Way of the Ancient Healer provides an overview of the rich tradition of Filipino healing practices, discussing their origins, world influences, and role in daily life. Enhanced with over 200 photographs and illustrations, the book combines years of historical research with detailed descriptions of the spiritual belief system that forms the foundation of these practices. Giving readers a rare look at modern-day Filipino healing rituals, the book also includes personal examples from author Virgil Mayor Apostol’s own experiences with shamanic healing and dream interpretation. The book begins with an explanation of Apostol’s Filipino lineage and legacy as a healer. After a brief history of the Philippine archipelago, he describes the roots of traditional Filipino healing and spirituality, and discusses the Indian, Islamic, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and American influences that have impacted the Filipino culture. He presents a thorough description of Filipino shamanic and spiritual practices that have developed from the concept that everything in nature contains a spirit (animism) and that living in the presence of spirits demands certain protocols and rituals for interacting with them. The book’s final chapter thoughtfully explores the spiritual tools used in Filipino healing–talismans, amulets, stones, and other natural symbols of power. |
Contents
The Challenge in Categorizing Animistic | 13 |
Tracing the Roots | 27 |
Austronesian Roots and Indigenization | 34 |
Shifting Cultural Trends | 54 |
Inheritance and Documentation of Knowledge | 60 |
Significance of the Anito | 85 |
Hunt for the Anito | 94 |
The Sibrong | 100 |
Early Concepts of Religion and the Soul | 127 |
TranceInducing Sounds and Vibrations | 137 |
Directing the Soul through the Patawag | 143 |
Deep in the Filipino Psyche | 155 |
Altered States of Consciousness | 165 |
Phenomena of Spiritual Realms | 172 |
Spiritual Paraphernalia | 192 |
289 | |
Channeling and Mediumship as Communication with Spirits | 107 |
Gulgol and the Cleansing Ceremony | 119 |
About the Author | 309 |
Other editions - View all
Way of the Ancient Healer: Sacred Teachings from the Philippine Ancestral ... Virgil Mayor Apostol No preview available - 2012 |
Way of the Ancient Healer: Sacred Teachings from the Philippine Ancestral ... Virgil Mayor Apostol No preview available - 2010 |
Common terms and phrases
Ablon According amulet ancient animal animistic anito Apo Allang archipelago Asian atang babato beads believed Bontoc bulul called ceremony chakra Chinese Christian coconut collection of Virgil consciousness crocodile culture deity dream Dulnuan energy Fay-Cooper Cole Filipinas Heritage Library Filipino food offering Frank McCormick Fuga Garnier hand head healer healing practices herbal Heritage Library Photo Hilot Hindu Ibaloi Ibanag Ifugao Ilocos Norte Ilokano Iluko India indigenous island Isneg Itneg Kalinga Kankana-ey known kris lambon Library Photo Collection Licauco lingam linglingo Luzon makara male Manaoag mangngallag Mangyan manual medicine medium naga northern Luzon oracion pain Pangasinan patient Philippines Photo courtesy phurba Plate prayer Private collection psychic surgery regions reveal rice ritual river root word sacred script shaman sibrong sick similar snakes soul Southeast Asia Spanish spirit world statue stone symbol Tagalog Taiwan tattoos tektites textile Tinguian tion traditional trance various Virgil Mayor Apostol water buffalo