In 2001-2003, the first fragments of the book by Vladimir Serkin "The Laughter of the Shaman" were released. Reviews about her are very numerous, but somehow similar to each other. Perhaps because readers were people who felt the need to "go beyond the flags" of reality and were in search of a solution to this problem. Nevertheless, it cannot be said that absolutely all book reviews are full of enthusiasm and gratitude. There is also criticism of the author. But it concerns the volume and style of presentation.
Historical reality
The publication of the book, as mentioned above, took place at the beginning of the XXI century. In Russia there was a time of troubles. The permissiveness of the 90s gradually declined, but there was still a whirlwind of freedom when everything was possible, and the degree of self-expression of an individual was limited only by the scope of her imagination. People were expecting something from the new century, but everyone was tired of experimenting in politics and in life. The authorities gradually turned to "tightening the screws", trying, however, to prevent this from happening too clearly.
Man in search of meaning
Since all old philosophical concepts were destroyed, everyone was looking for something that could become an internal pillar. The craze for Carlos Castaneda is a thing of the past: some of his followers went underground, and some joined the ranks of psychiatric clinics. There was also Anastasia Vladimir Megre, whose stories were read by the creative intelligentsia. However, this idea was mistaken after a while and turned into a romantic fairy tale.
Nevertheless, the emptiness required filling with something that was as far away as possible from the Marxist-Leninist philosophy that was imposed in the teeth. At this time, the "Laughter of the Shaman" was published. Reviews of the dialogues of a practical psychologist and a person living in unity with nature show that the book arrived in time.
Different worlds
This is not a novel, nor a story, nor a composition. The book, most likely, can be attributed to notes, which is confirmed by the reviews. The "laughter of the shaman" fit in 30 pages, and many readers blame the author for the lack of volume. But, as they say, disadvantages are a continuation of advantages. So it is here: the material set out in the notes, firstly, breaks the view of the ordinary city dweller on the shaman, and secondly, the succinctly presented information leaves a lot of room for thoughts about her.
In reviews of the book "Laughter of the Shaman" amazement is often found about the scale of the personality of the hermit. It is much wider than the usual framework in which authors usually place a similar character. This person does not avoid society: moreover, he is well-versed in him. This does not mean that he knows how to cross the road and communicate with city residents. A shaman can easily find a job and earn a living (rather than subsistence), as well as give advice to a completely successful subject from the point of view of society.
Therefore, if you think that you will encounter another exotic representative of the "endangered nature", decorated with baubles and beating a tambourine, then you are mistaken.
What are the conversations about
The very contents of the book "Laughter of the Shaman" and reviews about it are an interaction that resembles communicating vessels. Since the readers of the notes are people quite advanced in such areas, their opinions represent the development of the stated theme through the prism of a separate individuality. The result was a kaleidoscope of impressions, thanks to which interest in the diary only increases.
By the way, the process of distributing the book is indicative: it is passed from hand to hand, because the circulation is not too large. Many note in the reviews: “Laughter of the shaman” is better perceived not on the Internet and not in the format of an audio book, but with live reading. Almost every reader who opened the notes admits that the material was so exciting that he wanted to immerse himself in it and go all the way proposed by the author. And many took from several hours to 2 days to do this. What caused this interest?
Most likely, the topics of the issues discussed. Their range covers the problems of the universe and sex, as well as the features of interaction with the surrounding macro- and microcosm. And this is not just philosophizing and philosophizing: each concept is supported by practical advice, of course, taking into account the mental preparation of the listener and potential reader.
Is the meeting random?
Studying the reviews of Vladimir Serkin’s “Laughter of the Shaman”, it is impossible to ignore the fact that this book did not come to many people in the easiest period of their life. To put it more specifically, it was a time when a person was at a spiritual crossroads and urgently needed practical advice uncomplicated by complicated special terminology.
And, as said in one of the reviews, "Laughter of the Shaman" has become a universal settler necessary for life. By the way, having completed his task of leading a person out of the crisis, the book continues its path, getting to the next researcher, looking for answers. And those for whom these notes have become not just another exotic reading, but timely information, begin to do things in accordance with the “shaman’s code”.
Way of transmitting thoughts
A modern person lives in a state of "tunnel vision": his life revolves within the framework of socially defined needs and tasks, performing which, he can expect to receive bonuses, or, so to speak, positive reinforcement. The problem is that with the external well-being of the system, internally it is very vulnerable.
Its weak link is the very human factor: the person feels locked up within the narrow boundaries of the predestination of being. Accustomed to living in a confined space, a person begins to think over time that this is the very reality given to us in sensation, the passage for which is protected by all kinds of structures: institutions of secular and religious power.
But there is a certain desire for transcendence in the personality, which makes one look for answers to strange questions about the meaning of life and the boundaries of the universe. And in this context, the book “The Laughter of the Shaman” appeared very opportunely: plunging into its meaning, readers find that calm confidence that comes from an awareness of the laws of world processes.
In the diary, simple phrases explain complex things that seem fantastic to the city dweller. For example, the age of a shaman, judging by the historical events to which he was a participant, totals more than a hundred years, at least. For him, this is the reality of his path, a consequence of the fulfillment of internal law and life in harmony with nature. For us - something beyond.
Among the reviews of Serkin’s “Laughter of the Shaman” there are accusing the author of the lack of specificity. However, people may not see certain things because of a superficial viewing of the book or because they could not switch to the peculiar language of the shaman. This can be easily fixed by re-reading the notes, and then the tips that were missed earlier will become apparent.
For example, the advice regarding survival in the winter forest is very paradoxical at first glance, but think about the dialogue and everything will become simple and clear:
Keep in mind: as soon as you start fighting, this is the first step to death.
- And do not fight, so freeze right away?
- Do not fight and do not freeze. Just act in harmony with the world.
- How?
- Do not oppose yourself to Nature, do not even think about it. Nature will always triumph over you.
The opinion of experts
Of particular interest are the reviews of Serkin's "Laughter of the Shaman" by readers representing a sophisticated audience whose field of activity is literature. These are not only critics, but also bookstore managers, who certainly cannot be suspected of gullibility or statements on advertising tricks. These people are rooted in the root and, according to several sentences of the printed opus, are able to determine its value.
According to such readers, the book is thought-provoking, since it does not give ready-made answers "on a silver platter", but offers to speculate the phrase that has been expressed. In addition, the specifics characteristic of the notes are noted, which are quite rare in printed materials of this kind. Thanks to this, the reading process takes place in one breath. Tips and practices sometimes seem paradoxical and little suitable for real life, but this is only a first impression. If you delve into the essence of the recommendations, then their vitality becomes apparent.
Expert opinion: this is a reading that takes time and a thoughtful attitude.
"Despicable metal"
Banknotes are a category that is indispensable in society and completely superfluous in a person’s natural environment. In the book "Laughter of the Shaman" the author repeatedly tries to determine the relationship of his interlocutor to money. The shaman’s answer testifies to his knowledge of urban life and its ritual conditioning:
In the city you have to buy relatives and yourself what you don’t need for life: fashionable clothes, appliances, furniture, drinks, gifts ... You can’t count them all. Here you are free from this.
- But these are the necessary things. Relations, level, prestige, finally.
“So far, you better live and practice in the city.”
The completion of the dialogue is indicative: the shaman does not enter into an argument, he simply states the fact that his opponent is not ready for inclusion in the world of “strong practices”. This point is noted in many reviews and confirmed by real circumstances.
Critical eye
As noted above, there are also negative reviews from readers. The "Laughter of the Shaman" by Vladimir Serkin, in their opinion, is a remix of the works of Louise Hey, Zhikarentsev and other similar authors. In addition, the superficiality of the information provided is noted, in particular, the lack of exact proportions in recipes from herbs and the lack of descriptions of the practices used by the shaman.
The drawbacks of the book, according to critical readers, include discussion of various kinds of portals, spirits, snow people, and the like: these characters confuse the picture of reality and send seekers of truth to mysticism.
Thus, this kind of readers relates diary entries to light reading, intended for those who are interested in psychology and exotic shamanism.
Style selection
Some readers accuse Vladimir Serkin of duplicating Carlos Castaneda's style. Responding to his opponents, the author refers them to the "Dialogues of Socrates" transmitted by Plato. The fact is that all writers who choose this style risk being accused of plagiarism, but this is the way that most successfully manages to convey the originality of communication between two people belonging to different worlds.
As for the significant differences in the worldview of Don Juan and the Shaman, it refers to the understanding of human nature and the purpose of the individual. In the philosophy of Don Juan there are mainly descriptions of the processes taking place around, because, in his opinion, a person is called to observe the world.
For the Shaman, all living creatures that inhabit the planet are creators of realities of different levels, using the appropriate activities ("practices").
Reasons for disharmony
Thoughtful readers note the Shaman's remarkably accurate remarks regarding the lifestyle of modern people. The method of health restoration used by him is very peculiar and far from the postulates of modern medical science. To begin with, the Shaman never gives advice to anyone unless asked to do so. And he notes that those who have already tried everything and who have nothing to lose come to him.
The Shaman has a special approach to such “aliens”: he begins by connecting the subject to the rhythms of nature and the Universe. Then follows the preparation of a decoction, the composition of which is selected intuitively and never repeats.
- Most diseases occur due to the desynchronization of a person with his world. Dance and songs with a tambourine help a person to synchronize again.
After spending a lot of time in the society of the Shaman, the author learned to identify violations in the lifestyle of others. And if they turned to him for advice, then he made recommendations based on the practices that he had adopted while communicating with his taiga interlocutor. And it helped a lot of people.
Can Vladimir Serkin's notes be attributed to mysticism? The answer lies in defining this category. In the understanding of the Shaman:
Mysticism - to perform an action and think that nothing will happen. And to take action and know that the result will surely follow - consistent materialism.
Pondering the meaning of this phrase, one can understand the reason for such a genuine interest in the book "Laughter of the Shaman": here it is proposed to replace blind faith with the path of knowledge.