The Fellowship of the River: A Medical Doctor's Exploration into Traditional Amazonian Plant Medicine

When I say this book changed my life, I am not exaggerating. I mean it deeply and profoundly. First, it gave me comfort and understanding about some of the things I was experiencing that were hard to put into words. Joe has a way of putting big spiritual concepts into clear, sensible language and it isn't just educational content - it is sincere, human sharing from personal experience. It is spiritual but it is also grounded. In reading this book, I felt less alone and it helped me understand more about my unfolding relationship with Ayahuasca and plant medicines, in general. It came to me at a time when I really needed that. I have gifted this book to others more than any other book.After reading this book, my community connections opened up and I met Joe and eventually began working with him. Now I work with Joe and his non-profit Modern Spirit and support his course based on the book, The River Course. (It is worth mentioning that if you liked the book, you might also enjoy the course!) I now know and love several of the people in the book. It impacted my life and then it somehow became interwoven with it. Life is so mysterious!For me, there is a pretty clear distinction: my life before The Fellowship of the River and my life after The Fellowship of the River. Thank you, Joe! It is a truly beautiful and meaningful book.

I read Dr. Joe Tafur's book "The Fellowship of the River' several years ago, as I began to explore healing with sacred plants as a patient and as a physician. I love the way he blends science, spirituality, modern medicine and Amazonian medicine into a cohesive collection of case studies and information. I first learned about teh default mode network (DMN) through this book - and now I hear about this at almost every psychedelic or consciousness conference that I attend. I have recommended this book to many other physicians or colleagues who have a curiosity about psychedelic medicine, Amazonian medicine, and/or trauma healing. It is an easy read and is very accessible to those without prior knowledge of any of the above topics (ie, you don't have to be a doctor or scientist to understand it - the language is clear and straight forward).. Dr. Tafur is an excellent writer and I look forward to reading his next book. Thank you Dr. Tafur.

This book was a wonderful and life changing read. Actually I’ve read it twice. The writing was heartfelt and meaningful. Dr. Tafur is committed to helping the reader understand his path with the spirit world and plant medicines and their value in contemporary culture and healing. He makes clear connections to science and builds his case as an allopathic physician and a gifted healer. This world was new to me and I am grateful to have been introduced with such an important book. I highly recommend this read and look forward to his next book.

A good synthesis of traditional and non-traditional medicine, demonstrating how much we in the west have yet to learn from indigenous peoples.

Joe has a refreshing writing style that has the reader feeling like they too are a part of the story. Loved the book, engaging and easy to read, great information on ayahuasca and it’s healing potential.

I love the way this book was written. Beautiful way to help deepen understanding and even connection with Ayahuasca. Thank you for writing this! Modern Dr meets ancient traditions. Plants are so intelligent.Thank you for the work you’ve done to bring this work to the world.

Dr. Tafur’s book offers a brilliant first-hand exploration of Ayahuasca and indigenous medicine and its many applications for healing in our modern culture. If you are interested in the holistic healing power of psychedelics this book is a must read. It is filled with information and case studies, and is also a fun and adventurous read (it kinda made me feel like I was traveling to the Amazon). Riveting and relevant book.

I can’t recommend this book enough as it gives you a first person perspective into a medical doctors journey to discover the healing powers of plant medicine of the Amazon. Dr Joe is very candid and down to earth, but remains somehow to keep his scientific objectivity intact while also undergoing genuine initiation into the Shipibo tradition. I had the luck to undergo healing session with Dr Joe a year ago, and I must say that one session has nearly completely cured my treatment resistant depression. If you’re clearly curious about whether or not plant medicine is right for you I highly recommend this book..

The stories, and scientific information blend together seamlessly to provide valuable insight into the Power of traditional plant medicine. Was very captivating.

An account of Joseph’s journey to becoming a shaman and the people he met along the way. Thoroughly enjoyed the book

La ciencia y el chamanismo interactúan divino ennla narración, buena lectura para todas las mente logicas que han abierto la puerta de lo místico.

As I'm doing my first Ayahuasca ceremony 3 weeks from the day I bought the book, I wanted to read more about it. This book was absolutely perfect. It confirmed me in my choice by explaining Ayahuasca through the exact things I've been learning about the last 5 years: Epigenetics, the HPA-axis, the emotional body and the general holistic way the body works. It doesn't go into too much detail, but it makes a lot of sense if you are already familiar with those concepts.However, this book is not just about Ayahuasca. It really gave me a great view on Amazon Plant Medicine in general & shamanism (which both are very wonderful to learn about). I'm doing my ceremony in Amsterdam. Even though it is with guidance and the reviews there are excellent, this book made me wishing I actually went to the jungle and an actual shaman to undergo this experience. Maybe later:)

Arrived on time in good condition.