Wild Earth Wild Soul

Bill Pfeiffer describes himself as a maverick deep ecologist and shamanic guide who has dedicated his life to building an earth-honouring culture. This book is a manual of the 10-day retreats that he conducts to show people that an ecstatic culture is possible and that we can dream a new future for the Earth. An Amazonian Shaman once told John Perkins, who contributes the foreword, that the world is as we dream it. We may think that a culture embedded in nature is a relic of the past, but this book shows how it can indeed re-emerge in the future. People have been through the intensive discover that a place of community, empowerment, meaning wholeness, connectedness and gratitude is possible, out of which wise actions and sustainable cultures can grow. The book itself is highly practical, providing a template for the process and experience. There are guidelines for the facilitator and a series of seven core principles, including that we are tribal species, that the Earth is alive, that humans naturally live in abundance, and that ancient wisdom is mirrored by modern science.

As with many books reviewed in these pages, there is an observation that 'a different model of reality is emerging beneath the surface of mainstream discourse' and that we can participate in bringing this about. The following chapters go into great detail about the various aspects of the Intensive, including listening, feeling and healing, immersion in nature, the power of story and ceremony, play, stillness and the importance of mentoring. There is an important chapter near the end on vision and manifestation, which recapitulates the essential principles involved: surrendering to a higher truth, focusing on and fuelling the vision with inspiration and enthusiasm, aligning with a feeling of well-being, letting go of attachment to the outcome, believing that the vision is possible and acting collaboratively. This is the blueprint for anything radically new, and challenges readers to think about how to manifest their own highest vision, starting today.