Coyote Wisdom: The Power of Story in Healing

Found this book very disappointing Purchased because of all the 5 star reviews, and glad that it helped others. I was very disappointed in this book. Can't recommend.

I'm a HUGE fan of all three Coyote books! The author not only offers credible explanations for medical "miracles," but also teaches how to engage our own (miracles) through the power of story to shift our outcomes. If more of us had grown up with this wisdom, our health care situation would be dramatically improved. I consider this one of the most important books I've read and recommend it to all my clients.

I think this is Dr. Mehl-Madrona's best book yet. As a registered nurse, Zen Shiatsu therapist and shaman-in-training, I to have witnessed the power of the story in healing...even when all else fails. I'm looking forward to the next book!

Lewis Mehl-Madrona is certified in family practice, geriatrics and psychiatry, and includes Native American traditions in his practice. Healing through storytelling is the principal approach he shares in this book - of the various Native American ceremonial treatments that he uses. Mehl-Madrona's storytelling is rich with the wisdom of his Cherokee grandmother. He seems to have stories available for every possible circumstance and occasion. These tales provide insights into a person's hidden fears and hurts that often underlie and contribute to or even cause the development of many physical and psychological problems. The stories also suggest a variety of solutions and inspire hope that change is possible. Through these stories, he helps people discover the inner healing resources that can transform their lives, including their illnesses. He reports dramatic successes - often with people who have struggled for many years with their health issues - including anorexia, lupus (a chronic form of arthritis), victimization through emotional and physical abuse, panic disorder, and more. What I see as particularly helpful are the suggestions for change that Mehl-Madrona intersperses within the stories. These are very similar to the tales that Milton Erickson used to tell - in the process of hypnotic inductions, with imbedded suggestions that often slipped past the sentinel guardian defenses of his patients. Mehl-Madrona is most remarkable for having gained a measure of acceptance for his methods within western medicine. For a book that contains generous portions of wisdom, this book is an easy and enjoyable read. See also Mehl-Madrona's earlier books: Coyote Healing and Coyote Medicine.

This book gives perspective to illness in ways that balance Western medicine with healing stories based in a variety of traditions but primarily Native American creation stories. I value that the author offers credentials from both backgrounds and appreciate the wisdom one gains from understanding that so much of what we bring to the mentality of illness is based upon the opinions and attitudes that we have been exposed to in medical text or taken on board through our own environmental coping mechanisms. The stories radiate hope when we realize that we alone can be empowered through fresh perspectives to create our own story for health and well being.