Ancestral Medicine: Rituals for Personal and Family Healing

Philosophical PragmatismThere are a handful of teachers/elders out there at this moment who are emphasizing the importance of ancestors and relating to them. Daniel is the only one I have come across who is actually teaching the practical steps of engaging them in a safe, direct, effective, compassionate, and intimate way. He generously shares dozens of powerful ways (specific rituals) to work with ancestors of blood, place and spiritual traditions. These are informed by a myriad of traditions he has studied with impressive depth (Important note here: the author is sensitive to and courageously addresses cultural issues such as appropriation/misappropriation with compassion, humility, and accountability, which is such a rarity amongst white teachers in spiritual settings). His methods are also informed by his clear connection to his own ancestor work. One of the things that the book discusses is how ancestors are basically subject-matter-experts on what our life purpose and destiny is while we are their face here on earth. And it is clear by this book that the author is well in touch with his ancestors, and is right on track with his own personal calling. Honestly, if you are looking to engage your own ancestors, this the primary book I would recommend.Non-Dogmatic DirectionIt is so rare to come across a book discussing spiritual ideas these days that is not New Age and full of what increasingly seems like not-very-well-thought-out advice. If anything, Daniel’s book is the opposite of new age. Rather, it is a contemplative, proactive reclamation and restoration of something much more ancient, powerful, relevant, and what to me, feels like truth. All of this said, one of the most endearing traits of the author and the book, is the recurring theme of offering up direction based on experience and research, in stark contrast to the dogmatic approach so many others seem to be taking these days. The humbleness of Daniel and the accessibility of this book in the face of the fierce competence clearly gained by years of experience and education in his field, is a worthy feat and I think it’s notable enough to mention here. Usually folks who are this competent in their respective areas of study tend to have a confidence that feels overwhelming, especially to folks new to the topic. This wasn’t the case at all with this book. It reads as much more of a sweet invitation to the work, as opposed to an onslaught of facts, inaccessible knowledge, etc.Radical ResultsThese practices have, and consistently continue, to transform my life. I don’t share this lightly. Since embarking on this journey, building real relationships with my own ancestors based on the practices in this book, every area of my life has shifted. Many of the shifts have tended to center on figuring out why I’m here and why I am needed at this moment. I’ve learned how to step into my destiny with more purpose and have received increasingly clear direction on bringing forth the gifts that are particular to me – becoming braver and a bit more healthily unapologetic about doing what I was born to do, and understanding the ways in which I am necessary in the world at this moment. These practices and the cultivation of coming into deeper relationship with my ancestors jolted me to face the (urgent but not desperate) reality that my attendance on this Universe at this time means that my presence is mandatory, and so is the courageous bringing forth of my ‘me-ness’. Gratitude and respect to Daniel and his ancestors for bringing this book into the world at this time.

Daniel Foor writes with the authority of experience and with the empathy of a healing guide. He has a way of relating that warms my heart and connects to what I also know is true. I am very impressed at how he lays out the book and by the exercises at the end of each section. The full completeness, the guidance to record ourselves to play back... and his natural ease and allowing attitude creates a space of self-compassion and ease for me. He is not dogmatic and makes so much space for us to pace oursevles and be self-accepting. I appreciate how he shares his personal stories. The work I have done so far in the book (halfway through) has been so healing for me, and my relationship to myself. Relating to the ancestors is a way of relating to myself, and creating healing for myself while I care for the grandparents before me who are interested in their subsequent generations and care about me now in the present. My living embodied existence is a huge opportunity for me and for them, so I feel inspired by Daniel's book to utilize this time now to help all of us on our connected lineages with simple easy to do practices that don't take work, but mostly intention and attention. That alone is quite healing... to be in intentional aware states. Daniel speaks with a loving accepting graciousness that is full of kindness and humble guidance.

Brilliant book! This is a topic that has desperately needed the kind of approach that the author presents: pragmatic as well as spiritual. I thoroughly enjoyed the flow and writing style. One of my favorite aspects was that the author repeatedly suggested reading the entire book *prior* to doing any of the exercises/rituals, and I agree ... by giving it a once-over first, a solid groundwork is laid, not just in the topic of relating to our ancestors but also an understanding of where the author is coming from. He seems to be very balanced in his approach and not rigid in outlook, acknowledging there are many perspectives and ways to meet our ancestors. Okay, there's a tiny bit of "judgement" regarding certain aspects, but what spiritual book doesn't have that? I mean, we all bring in our own context, but this author does a fine job of maintaining a heart-open attitude in the writing. Overall, I whole-heartedly recommend the book and I look forward to integrating many of the author's suggestions into my lineage repair work. I'm grateful to Daniel Foor for writing this book and sharing his knowledge.

Ancestral Medicine, and its author, Daniel Foor, follow in the marvelous lineage of elder-authors like Michael Meade, Clarissa Pinkola Estes and Bill Plotkin. So soulfully, beautifully written it is healing simply to read, let alone to learn and integrate its practices into our daily lives. The teaching of Ancestral Healing; the devotional and fundamental work of 'ancestralizing' and harmonizing our lineages, understanding the Blessings & Burdens we each carry as the living embodied prayer of the unique genetic and ensouled imperatives of our family lines and doing the healing work necessary to ensure that our descendants will be better behaved, more deeply embedded and animist humans is, arguably, some of the most critical work of our times.This book is poetic, practical and inspiring. And Daniel Foor has so clearly devoted his life to this work – creating a form of Ancestral Healing that is accessible to our Western cultural 'way' while still being ritually powerful.

I am learning so much from this book. It is a slow read but so worth it. There is also a website for Ancestral Medicine with many courses and insights.

Everyone should read this book.

An interesting read with plenty of theory as well as most importantly practical exercises which work. It has set me off on a path of ancestral work and exploring ancestral paths which I had not explored before.

Bien

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A wonderfully deep and detailed book exploring the whats, the whys, and the hows of ancestor veneration. But it is much mor than that.Daniel Foor gives is clear and detailed exercises and rituals to assist the dead who are not yet at peace, and heal our relationships, and our world. This book is deep. This book is beautiful. This book is full of hope and encouragement.