The Path of the DreamHealer: My Journey Through the Miraculous World of Energy Healing

"I had a mixed reaction to this book, and that was due to the fact that there was plenty of material that resonated well with me, yet there was some material that I found problematic or at least dealt with in an insufficient manner.

On the positive side, much of the book is essentially an affirmation of the mind-body connection and that we can heal ourselves of ailments through (1) restoring a harmonious flow of "energy" in our bodies and/or (2) positive thinking and its beneficial effects. (Conversely it is asserted that ailments in some way disrupt the flow of "energy" in our bodies and that negative thinking has a deleterious effect on us.) One can probably not legitimately deny these claims, and there is much to be gained from what Adam says in this particular regard. He also has some fascinating ideas on the Big Bang theory and how quantum physics help us in some way to understand the "energy" of which he speaks so often throughout the book.

On the negative side, though, there are some weighty considerations that in my mind seriously detract overall from the book's benefits:

(1) He relates the story of how his "powers" originally came to be, namely a "vision" or paranormal experience that led him to travel to Nootka Sound in British Columbia where he encountered a giant black bird in the forest. This bird "downloaded" (infused) information into his mind in an apparently supernatural way. What is missing, though, from his recounting of this event is whether or not he critically evaluated his experience. For instance, he never questions the existence of a crow-like bird that, judging from the picture of it in the book, appears to be larger than a human being. (Does such a creature actually exist in the natural world?) He also never questions how this bird was able to infuse information directly into his mind or where that information came from in the first place. This is disturbing to me, and were it not for the fact that Adam seemed okay with this "download" of information I would be tempted to call the whole event an instance of mental rape. In addition, this occasion played a key role in the development of Adam's psychic abilities which he apparently accepted without question or hesitation. Was that wise?

(2) He experienced other paranormal or psychic activities and (again) did not critically evaluate them: "During our planning for the trip [to Nootka], I noticed that two crows seemed to be always following me. They woke me up every morning and were more or less permanent fixtures in our yard....I didn't spend any time trying to understand their presence." (p. 7) "...I communicated telepathically with a shaman at a Native American healing gathering in which I was participating." (p. 30) "In high school, my pen flew out of my hand many times." (p. 32) "After my vision of the bird, any time a question popped into my head, I was bombarded with vast amounts of information that addressed it." (p. 73)

(3) He proposes a view of human nature and reality that is quite different from the typical Western view, yet he offers no reason why the reader should accept it. Some of his claims include: "A self separate from everyone else is an illusionary concept, created merely for our own purposes of human definition or for convenience." (p. 27) "Our reality is completely subjective." (p. 74) "...every atom, every cell, every subatomic particle in the body has some form of consciousness as a result of connecting to the field [of energy]." (p. 78) "The idea that consciousness is something special, reserved only for humans, is quite arrogant." (p. 89) "Your consciousness, present in every atom and cell, also exists externally of your physical self." (p. 168)

(4) He ascribes intentionality to the field of energy, yet he fails to explain how the field can be purposeful without possessing intelligence or consciousness: "The field responds to our every intention if we make it clear what that is....The field responds to what is asked of it." (pp. 36, 37)

(5) While Adam is clearly concerned with helping people to be healthy (and this is laudable), he is, quite frankly, espousing aspects of Hinduism. In particular, his view of the cosmos is one whereby he claims a universal energy field exists that contains vast amounts of information that can be accessed by anyone anywhere anytime once the discipline to do so has been learned. He further claims that all reality is ultimately one, a monistic world view that lies at the heart of Hinduism. He also devotes a portion of his book to the belief in reincarnation. I fault his approach simply because the core material in his book is specifically religious in nature, yet no formal sanction of religion is made, and the reader may be unaware that he/she is being introduced (even indoctrinated into?) to a definite religious world view.

I think the book has merit because of its power-of-positive-thinking approach, yet it fails because while it is promoted as a book about healing, it is essentially an introduction into a specific religion yet does not acknowledge that fact. That makes it potentially misleading."
~ Written on 2008-05-30

"I highly recommend all Adam's books for everybody who wants to take charge of their own life and it's quality. Adam's books guide you how to awaken you innate powers to heal yourself and others. They can save you tons of money on medical bills and side effects that conventional medicine brings with its treatments. Adam's stuff works! I use it on myself and on my love ones. It works long distance as well (thousands of miles from the subject). "
~ Written on 2008-03-28

"I've read several negative blogs trashing Adam and am wondering what's the big deal? After reading this book I came to believe that we truly all can heal (ourselves & others), I learned tools that resonated with me, and I tried them and they worked ... for me. This book opened up a whole new world to me and I'm left mystified why someone would trash a person and method that when employed only has positive results? Finally someone in the healing arts comes forward and freely shares the nuts & bolts "how to" of what works for him (and can work for us) & seeks to empower others, not glorify himself or say his is the only modality that works. I love to learn new methods of energy healing but get tired of books leading me to believe they will show me how, yet at their conclusion find I have to sign up for an expensive weekend retreat or series of training classes. I don't want to make a career of this, I have other interests, but I'd like to do my part to help heal our planet and this book greatly empowered my belief that I can make a difference. "
~ Written on 2007-10-29

"The Path of the Dreamhealer is not just remarkably well written, it turns out to be a very penetrating account of the human spirit in relationship to the cosmic whole. Adam guides us with precision ease through the Creation, how our body, mind and spirit integrate into all that is in such an easy to read and grasp format. Its illustrations well enhance the effectiveness of the processes outlined in the book.Though I am aware of other critics' counterclaims on Adam's healing technigues, I agree with Adam that there are no miracles involved here, rather a knowing more of your Self involved here. It is only due to ignorance that things appear or seem miraculous. Adam's honest and refreshing advice has been for everyone to practice, practice, practice! Ability is involved and naturally needs to be cultivated through diligent exercise, which includes feeling your tai chi energy ball, seeking auras, and forming imaginative visualisation skill with the help of the colorful illustrations included. I have come to the conclusion that this outstanding literary offering is an invitation to transcend many of our current healing practices , from psychoanalysis to reiki, without any mind numbing intellectual jargon. More astounding is the realization that this is the work of an extraordinarily bright and gifted teenager. I am giving this book a second readthrough and give it 5 stars.
Charles Wildbank
P.S. After this review was written, I have had the pleasure of meeting Adam at one of his workshops in Toronto. It was well attended, about 500 people. Two healing sessions were given by Adam to entire room. Though I am deaf, I was able to feel the effects of his intention throughout the brief sessions. Most likely, everyone would yield different results or experiences compared to each other, but what I felt was a type of white noise vibration as if my ears would pop. I did have a persistent health issue present, a problem with rotating one of my shoulders as it was painful. Though no healing claims were promised by Adam, I did go through a gradual recovery within a week. The book explains everything."
~ Written on 2007-07-23

"This is probably the most comprehensive of Adam's books. Ancient wisdom from such a young man. There is much of value in this book and I would highly recommend it for anyone who works with energy."
~ Written on 2007-07-18