Jaguar in the Body, Butterfly in the Heart: The Real-life Initiation of an Everyday Shaman

‘Shaman’, meaning ‘intermediary between spirit and the natural world’, has become a much overused word in the West. It’s not a job title one can give oneself, and in indigenous societies, a shaman is usually born to this role. Ya’Acov Darling Khan is one of the few westerners who have been acknowledged as shamans by indigenous elders or teachers.

After being hit by lightning, Ya’Acov took a 30-year journey into the heart of shamanism to seek his own healing, and to learn how he could serve others with the wisdom he acquired through his experiences. He has studied with indigenous teachers from the Arctic Circle to the USA and South America, and has taken part in ceremonies in such diverse locations as Welsh caves to the depths of the Amazon rainforest. Nowadays, Ya’Acov continues to study and regularly journeys to the Ecuadorean Amazon to work alongside the Achuar and Sápara people.

For thousands of years, shamans helped the people in their communities remain in balance with themselves, each other, the natural world and the spirit world. This beautifully written book is not only a powerfully honest, humorous and inspiring memoir, but a guidebook for those from many cultures and walks of life wishing to return to their indigenous roots, and be part of midwifing a more benign human presence here on Earth as part of a new dream.

About the Author :
Ya’Acov Darling Khan is a modern-day shaman, who has studied and practiced with many gifted teachers around the world. He has studied with healers and shamans from the Amazon to the Arctic Circle, including an 18-year apprenticeship with Gabrielle Roth. He has been recognized as a practicing shaman (i.e. traditional healer) by Elder Shamans from the Sami (European tradition), and Achuar and Sápara peoples of the Amazon. He is the Co-Founder of Movement Medicine and the Co-Director of the School of Movement Medicine. www.schoolofmovementmedicine.com

Review :
‘Jaguar in the Body, Butterfly in the Heart is a magnificent adventure story that travels like an arrow right into the heart of what it means to be a conscious human being. Like all stories told with unflinching honesty and humility, this one has the potential to heal the reader, and help him or her remember who they really truly are.’
Dr Christiane Northrup, New York Times bestselling author of Goddesses Never Age and Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom

‘Jaguar in the Body, Butterfly in the Heart charts the journey of a young man treading the path of an ancient vocation in a modern world. In his wise, funny and tender book, Ya’Acov Darling Khan writes of his teachers and experiences with compelling generosity and practicality, and lessons abound. Shamanic teaching that is accessible and divine.’
Sophie Dahl, author

‘Ya’Acov Darling Khan has written an exquisite and important book that places the great and deep work of shamanism in its rightful context in this critical time in human history. For too long, shamanism has been seen as a left-field weekend pastime that is divorced from the challenges that we face as a species. Ya’Acov’s story of his 30-year initiation into the shaman’s world is an invitation for us to look deeply into what matters most to us and to find the courage to live from this place. Ya’Acov’s book is vital for all of us who are ready to find the passion, dedication and courage to bring our visions to Earth and to leave a legacy for our descendants that we can be proud of.’
Lynne Twist, Co-founder of the Pachamama Alliance and author of The Soul of Money

‘An important shamanic ritual involves “dismembering and remembering” – releasing dysfunctional patterns of thought and behaviour in order to embrace beneficial new ones. Through this beautiful book Ya’Acov offers that ritual for a world of humans who need to rebalance and remember themselves and their relationship with all else. He sings the shapeshifter’s song; that song awakens a new dream, it manifests a new reality.’
John Perkins, New York Times bestselling author

‘As our world rocks with each new onslaught of unresolved human pain, there comes a bright light to remind us that we have resources far beyond our own: that we have help if we ask for it and that help is transformative. Written with integrity, authenticity and the flowing, addictive poetry of a born storyteller, Ya’Acov’s book is a must-read for anyone who seeks to share in the bounty of the greater spirits of this world and beyond. Ya’Acov’s journey as a shaman began long before the current fashion for all things shamanic. When it comes to spirituality, many people talk the talk, but few actually embody the teachings in their day-to-day life.’
Manda Scott, teacher of shamanic dreaming and author of the Boudica series and Into the Fire

‘Ya’Acov Darling Khan’s journey reveals the hard path that goes from a sincere but innocent day-dreaming about shamanism, to the struggles, doubts, failure and eventual victories to be found for those who travel far enough and persist for long enough to discover the secrets of shifting consciousness, and then bring them back to the world of our everyday affairs. What I love about him and the journey he shares in this book is that his passion for the Spirit has always been so strong, and was not broken when ego-driven fantasies were shattered again and again by the bitter-sweet kiss of everyday reality.’
Victor Sanchez, researcher, author, teacher and founder of El Arte de Vivir A Propósito (The Art of Living Purposefully) and toltecas.org

‘Ya’Acov is a medicine man of the highest integrity. His shamanic skill and embodiment transcend culture to reach the universal place of humanity and spirit. One doesn’t declare oneself a shaman, the people do. When we are in the rainforest together, the indigenous people line up for healings with Ya’Acov, who works side by side with the elder tribal shaman. In his book, Ya’Acov demystifies the original vocation, one often shrouded in misperceptions and aggrandizement in modern times. As our current systems and structures break down, more and more people are turning to the ancient shamanic worldview of interconnectivity and meaning. Jaguar in the Body, Butterfly in the Heart provides a blueprint for how to authentically walk the path.’
David Tucker, Pachamama Journeys Director