ENTERING CIRCLE

This is one of those books that is too good to be true, yet so far I haven't been able to find any evidence that it isn't. It certainly is reminiscent of the Carlos Castaneda books and just as profound even though it is Kharitidi's first book on the subject and not a particularly long one. It had a lot to say to me personally because it reflected my most heart-felt interests and experiences over more than the last fifty years. Not only did it affirm the basic truth that we create our own realities and ourselves as well, it established the thousands-of-years context for that truth besides. Kharitidi's profession as a psychiatrist ought to have given her account special authority, but for me it lent an even stronger credibility especially because it challenged her training and experience within our definition of what psychiatrists are supposed to know. She was out of her depth and does not demure from admitting it.Then, as if reading my mind, she introduces a quantum physicist who is researching the relationship between human perception and reality. Now there is a vital connection between ancient shamanism and modern, non-Newtonian physics. That is precisely the connection I have been exploring for the past twenty years or so. Naturally, I'm sold. If our physical reality exists only when it is being observed by our consciousness, then of course we are creating it from perception to perception and distinction to distinction. Ancient seers knew that, and now we have tangible evidence of it as well on an experimental level. This is a BIG realization now confirmed within our formerly "materialist" scientific tradition (although some scientists are still dragging their feet about admitting it).Finally, I was intrigued by Kharitidi"s writing style. It is impeccable--no small achievement for a non-native speaker of English. I frequently got the impression that I was reading something written by Herman Melville or some other muscular, nineteenth-century prose stylist. Kharitidi's style is clean, spare, and non-intrusive, the result of writing psychiatric patient reports, perhaps? Anyway, it makes her account that much more convincing. This is a "bridge" sort of book, one that connects outdated conventional thinking to a whole new perceptual orientation. It is one to be treasured.

I saw this book recommended by a shaman author whose book I absolutely loved. Entering the Circle was initially riveting, beginning like a tightly woven novel with a first-person narrative. But there came a time about a third into the book where I found some aspects of the story hard to believe. In all the shaman books I've read, I've never doubted the author. I've gone to two shamans myself, so I am a believer. And I'm not necessarily saying this story is untrue, but I became incredibly alienated by the author and the story when...SPOILERS...the author and her sick friend go to a small village far away from civilization to see a healer. The author leaves her friend when she's being healed and comes back to find her in her under-clothes shackled to the wall of a cabin. It's explained as part of the shaman's remedy. The friend/patient agreed to suffer in order to heal and evidently being shackled in your underwear was part of it. If I found my friend alone in a strange village shackled to a wall in her underwear, I wouldn't leave her side the rest of the time I was there--but that wasn't an issue with the author. I could not follow the author's logic and rationale at many points thereafter.The trance periods in which the author met with Other Side types and got the down low on existence and her future role, etc. were long and I found tedious.I really wanted to love this book. I skimmed the last third. I didn't learn anything to help me on my journey. Maybe it's a cultural thing. Others will feel differently.

Entering the Circle is an autobiographical story about a Russian psychiatrist's entry into shamanism. Khartidi is an engaging story teller. Her descriptions of everything from riding a cold bus to the psych hospital to being on a trance journey to the spirit world were really vivid and entertaining. I have no knowledge of that part of the world, so I found that part interesting. Equally interesting were the every day tidbits about Russian life.Of course the nitty gritty is the shamanism piece. The jury is out on whether or not I find all this part credible. There are an alarming amount of coincidences. Some things aren't clearly explained. It seems odd that Dr. Olga was basically initiated into shamanism, then just went back to her psychiatry work. Equally odd is that she makes a point of saying that shamans have a blood lineage, but makes no mention of hers. I don't know the first thing about shamanism, so I won't say that it's a fantasy. I think it's a huge risk for a psychiatrist to make such claims if there is nothing to back it up. What does she have to gain? I'm just saying I am not sure I am buying the story. It's really interesting and well told though.

I never understood the importance of writing an amazon book review until recently, when I published my own book. Now that I know how important it is to get reviews, I will review every book I read ... This book is wonderful. It is well written and it has some "hidden gems " in it. If you understand the teachings, you can use them for your own benefit. Get this book and try them for yourself!

This is amazing book! I couldn’t put it down and want to learn more about Altai and shamanism. The only part I didn’t like is the editing of the book by people who clearly don’t know Russia! Anyone who grew up in Novosibirsk, as author did, would not say that Siberia and Russia are polar opposites (see page 102 in 1997 edition)! This is a statement that would come from someone very clueless about Siberia - something I see too often in America.

I read this the first time in my early 20s and it was so profound and transformative for me that I recently did so again. It is still a remarkable journey that again transformed my thinking and inspired me to intentionally, decidedly be in the world and fully participate in life and community. It is one of those books that can change your life.

Really deep book. Gave me many weird dreams so I had to take a break from reading it. It is very interest but I'm not sure if I want to believe her whole journey. Either way, it is a very interesting read.

Read this book through within a week. I couldn't put it down and have gone on to read her others. I'm very interested in Russian-Siberian Shamanic traditions

I read this years ago, its fascinating. Just wanted to remind myself before I tackle her other title.

a twenty year re-read of an interesting book

Well written spiritual adventure that gets you thinking! Is this for real Olga? You end up hoping so! Great read!