Woman Between the Worlds

This book offers readers a rare view into the journey of how a native American woman became a shaman. As Apela reveals her life story, it becomes obvious she was meant to live in two worlds this lifetime. * Caroline Myss, author of 'Intimate Conversations with the Divine' *
This book is alive, and it will continue to grow by the reader. There are many two worlds in this world, and they exist at the same time. They look like mirrors, but they are slightly different because the phenomena that occur in one tribe are connected to the phenomena of other tribes, and evolve while influencing each other. Apela is an important spiritual messenger who told me that. And her journey and my (your) journey will continue to grow throughout the world, linking through this book. * Eiichi, Indigenous Spirituality of Japan researcher *
Nothing is more essential for the future of the planet than an honoring and integration of indigenous wisdom in every realm. In this brilliant, poignant, profound, superbly written book, Apela Colorado offers us the treasures of a lifetime of shamanic passion and practice as well as a practical template for all of us to start our journey's home to celebrating and protecting the creation and ourselves. This essential book should be in the backpack of every seeker, every policymaker, and all those passionately concerned for the birth of a new humanity. * Andrew Harvey, author of The Hope: A Guide to Sacred Activism and Radical Regeneration (co-authored with Carolyn Baker) *
I know Apela Colorado as a special human who possesses the power of Umai Ene [goddess of creation], and knows the secrets of the Universe, Nature, and Humanity that turn her into a magic box which keeps these mysteries alive. She is a child of snow leopards, a prophet of the golden age, a limitless human whom I deeply admire and respect. * Muratalieva Elmir, Kyrgyz clairvoyant *
Apela is the original and world leader in trying to bring together indigenous and modern Western perspectives. * Brian Bates, author and former Chairman of Psychology, University of Sussex, UK *
What a Life! What a Story! What a Heroine's Journey! This is a book that takes us far beyond the general ignorance of our culture in relation to the existence of subtle levels of reality. In brilliantly vivid imagery, it tells the story of the initiation of a modern woman of mixed heritage (both Indigenous and French) into the depths of shamanic experience and wisdom. This led her to many different countries and the encounter with modern shamans of ancient Indigenous cultures-ultimately to the recognition of her supremely important mission in relation to them. Her courage in the face of enormous challenges is formidable. The way her path opens out, stage by stage, as if guided by invisible hands, and how she learns to trust it, is both moving and inspiring. A rare book that is both a treasure and a wise guide for the soul. * Anne Baring, author of The Dream of the Cosmos *
I have been on this sacred path for over twenty years, and have become one family with you since-like all indigenous people are. We met at Arashan for the first time when I was fifty, and since then, for the past ten years, we have been collaborating on spreading the indigenous science around the world and lighting the sacred fire Uluu Ot in different countries. Your idea of lighting the sacred fire became a huge endeavor that took us traveling to 13 different countries as we called for protectors to light a fire. The snow leopard descended, and we prayed for the well-being of all humanity, for its prosperity, and world peace. Soon I am launching a new project about the snow leopard to work with youth and spread the indigenous knowledge about it further. Thank you for helping me to find my mission in life. You are an amazing anthropologist, scientist, and shaman. And thank you to deceased Gengish ata and Sonunbubu apa for helping us! * Zhaparkul Raimbekov, Kyrgyz shaman *
We are living in a time, when we are no longer believing and trusting in the strength of ancestry, which is why each time we are becoming without roots, without foundations, mere robots guided by cell phones. We need to reconnect with the true source of our being. We need to meet again. When we meet, we meet everyone around us, and everyone finds us, because our essence is pure light. Apela's vision of seeing the world and seeing the spiritual path, makes us feel confident that we are not alone in our spiritual journey. From here in my little corner in the Amazon rain forest, I can feel the echo of this strength, and I come to express my management and gratitude for the hard work that she has developed with the indigenous wisdom around the world, and now she can share with the world through this book. * Tashka Yawanawa, Chief of the Yawanawa People of Yawanawa territory in the State of Acre, in the Brazilian Amazon Rain forest *
Apela Colorado has written a masterful book on her journey from indigenous roots to contemporary society and back again. She profoundly differentiates between the worlds she has experienced, and dynamically unites them into her being in a way that illumines both ancient and modern, sacred and secular, tribal and cosmopolitan. She is a true elder for our time, pointing the way to the human future. * Jim Garrison, President, Ubiquity University; Convener, Humanity Rising Summit *
I met Apela for the first time on a mountaintop of Arashan, a sacred site in the west of Kyrgyzstan. She said that she had been working on a project to unite indigenous people all over the world. With other two Kyrgyz elders, Gengish ata and Sonunbubu apa (both now deceased), I gave her my blessing to light the Sacred fire (Uluu Ot) to help indigenous people remember their past and that they were one. Apela has been on her task for the past 10 years, and I have been helping her. We traveled together to 13 different countries and connected Elders of Occitan, Buratian, Kyrgyz, Native American, African, Mongolian, Altai, and Hawaiian people, and prayed together for world peace and reconnection of the people with nature. I am currently working with youth and children to carry on my work and the legacy of the snow leopard, which blessed us for this work that first time in Arashan, when we lit our first fire to remember. May we never forget again, and may Apela live long and prosper in her life and work. May she become a Light Mother for the whole world, may she escape the bad things, and may good things shower on her as pouring rain, her path be open and wide. May the creator help us to stay astray from bad things, and follow good things in life. May we serve humanity and help the return of whales into oceans, and snow leopards to our mountain tops. And may the spirit of whales and snow leopard return to us. * Nargiza Ryskulova, journalist, BBC Russia *
I took some time to translate the beautiful text that is the chapter called 'The Caves' in your book. A beautiful story, great memories, beautiful writing. Two things particularly moved me-the first is your approach to fight against claustrophobia and the way you conquered it and overcame your fear. The second is your receptivity in these caves, witnesses of the spirituality of our ancestors. First the perfect 'communion' with this underground world and then these perfect exchanges between you and the spirits represented by all these paintings, witnesses of the great artistic mastery of the Paleolithic shamans, but above all, still messengers of their spirituality and their wisdom, of their perfect understanding of this world where we are only small elements to respect life in all its forms. Another aspect awakened in me fond memories-the sound, the songs, the xylophones, the growling of the felines. And then your modesty-because it is thanks to you that several people were able to see and participate in these caves, not in visits, but in real communion with this Paleolithic world. Of course, I am thinking in particular of those shamans and medicine men who had the chance to see and participate in these great moments, thanks to you. So, in summary, bravo for your book, memory of time, witness of experiences, which, like the paintings in the caves, will be there for a long time, will survive you, and will allow others who will not have the chance to come to this 'land of sacred caves' to experience great moments thanks to your emotions and your literature. * Pascal Raux, author and paleontologist *
Apela Colorado has brilliantly illuminated the depths of Indigenous knowing through stories she tells with honesty and humor in a register wrestled back from the wreckage of colonial history. She speaks of relationships and journeys that have shaped her life, with powerful messages on how humans are to be. Woman Between the Worlds is a gift to a world at a precipice. A bringer of hope. * Grace Nono, Ph.D., author of Song of the Babaylan: Living Voices, Medicines, Spiritualities of Philippine Ritualist-Oralist-Healers *