Shinto: A Celebration of Life

I absolutely loved this book and I felt I was coming home spiritually as I read this engrossing account on this ancient philosopy as well as way of life. Shinto spiritually completely resonated with me and honestly spoke to my Pagan/Universalist souls pathway. I didn't really know much about this religion and discovered it is the original indiginous religion of Japan; it has ancient roots being decended directly from spiritual pracitices dating back at least 14,000 BCE. As an indigenous pathway, Shinto is in the same spectrum as Native American and Australian Aborigines. It is also comparable to the spiritual path's of the Celts and German peoples before the coming of Christianity. Unlike the Celts, Germans and too many other Earth Based/Indigenous spiritual pathways Shinto has remained intact since its inception - unlike so many others who were intensionally wiped out (can you say genocide anyone?). This book is wonderfully written, and gets you familiar with such key concepts as Kami, Musubi, Kannagara, and of course Great Nature. There are no sacred books or tenants as Shinto is really more of a mindset, way of life, philosopy, and is celebratory in nature. I would highly recommend AIDAN RANKIN'S enchantingly thorough read - SHINTO A CELEBRATION OF LIFE for anyone who's feeling disconnected from our often souless modern world and whose not finding their spiritual home in any of the more volatile Abrahamic faiths. If you've always had a connection to Japan, loved Nature and the Earth Based spiritualities, into Wicca/Witchcraft, or the like - this wonderous ancient mentality could add greatly to your soul's journey.

I am mid-way through this book and have been loving it so far. Rather than an academic discourse on the history of Shintoism, this focuses on what is known of the actual philosophy and beliefs, as practiced in individual communities and villages. How politics, interaction with other cultures and beliefs (such as interaction with early Chinese and Taoism as well as Indian Buddhism) have influenced Shintoism is outlined from the perspective of beliefs and practice today. The author also discusses common misconceptions about Shintoism, areas within Shinto that may differ from practitioner to practitioner, and other valuable information on the philosophy.Anyone interested in Earth & nature honoring spirituality, Goddess based spirituality, Pagan beliefs, or comparative philosophy and religion will appreciate the philosophy of Shinto as discussed in this book.

Having visited Japan recently I was very interested in learning about Shinto. This book delves into the subject although personally I believe it is a theme that is rather complicated for us Westerners to fully understand.

This book is probably accurate and informative, but if you are also looking for a book on the topic that is easily read and holds your interest then this is not it.

There are upwards of 5 typographical and grammatical errors per page! The utter lack of copyediting severely mars this book's message. There is some helpful information to be found, but the number of errors is simply inexcusable and leaves the impression that the publisher is disrespectful of its readers.

I am still reading this book but absolutely love how it talks about the principles of Shinto and is easy to understand. If you are interested in Shinto, please get this book today!

This book is a most excellent read on Shintoism,really clarifying many concepts about a religion often little known to may of us...If you like shamanism,Asian style,get this book.

this book is in general and it makes for a quick informative read...I did order several and this one was the handiest

This book actually tells you very little about the practice of Shinto. Quite apart from the dry-as-dust prose style of the author, it is riddled with vague new-aginess and the all-too often modernist attempt to squeeze an ancient tradition into contemporary 'right-on' politics and spirituality. There's a LOT of 'faff' and repetition, too. Struggled to give this two stars.

This book allows us to have a more philosophical view of this misteriose and at same inspiring and inspired way of life. Altough i am buddhist sympatizer, i think i understand why so many japaneses fallow at same Buddhism and Shintoism. It may not be a insight view, helps us to find out the universal massege behind the indigenous features of this spiritual path.

It is academic type of writing, not much soul in it, just a philosophical introduction to shinto.Just not what I was looking for.

Although this book is on Japanese Shinto, you will see a red Buddhist pagoda on its cover. This clearly indicates the level of this book. It is an untolerable mistake from the outset, which will make you judge this book easily.