Call of the Great Spirit

NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES / SHAMANISM This redemption story of Native American healer Bobby Lake-Thom invites the reader to enter a world of authentic indigenous traditions and ceremonies. Because he was raised by relatives who had fallen away from traditional knowledge, it took Bobby some time to recognize his shamanic calling. He didn't realize that his vivid dreams, psychic abilities, and visitations by wild animals and ghostly figures were calls from the Great Spirit. In the age-old shamanic tradition, it took a near-death experience for the message to get through to him. Though still a young man, he was wracked with debilitating arthritis. Unable to handle the physical and psychic pain, he set out into the wilderness determined to kill himself with an overdose of drugs and alcohol. But before downing the substances, he approximated a Native American ceremony as best he could, sending a heartfelt prayer for assistance to the Great Spirit. He woke up--alive--the next morning and received a message from Eagle telling him to seek help from Wahsek, a medicine man in the northern California mountains. Aware that Bobby was destined to receive his shamanic knowledge and carry his healing work forward, Wahsek took Bobby on as his apprentice. Forbidden to reveal Wahsek's secrets until ten years after his death, Bobby is now free to share this fascinating story with the world. BOBBY LAKE-THOM (Medicine Grizzly Bear) is a traditional Native healer and spiritual teacher of Karuk, Seneca, Cherokee, and Caucasian descent. He lectures, conducts workshops, and has doctored hundreds of different people from all walks of life. He has also served as Professor for Native American Studies at Humboldt State University and as an Indian affairs specialist for numerous Indian tribes, organizations and academic institutions in the United States. He lives in northern California.