How is it that some people do everything right and stay sick, while others seem to do nothing extraordinary yet fully recover? How does faith healing work—or does it? What’s behind the phenomenon of spontaneous remission—and is this something we can influence? Can we make ourselves miracle-prone.

Certain that, if she looked hard enough, she would find the answers, Dr. Rankin embarked on a decade-long journey to explore these questions and more. The result is Sacred Medicine, both a seeker’s travelogue and a discerning guide to the sometimes-perilous paths available to patients when wellness fads, lifestyle changes, and doctors have failed them.

In Sacred Medicine, you’ll follow Dr. Rankin around the world to meet healers gifted and flawed, go on pilgrimage to sacred sites, investigate the science of healing, and learn how to stay safe when seeking a healer. You’ll receive the wisdom offered by Indigenous cultures for whom healing begins with our sacred connection to Mother Earth, and dive deep into the cutting-edge trauma research that is igniting a medical revolution. Rich with practices and protocols that Dr. Rankin has found particularly effective, Sacred Medicine delivers a thoughtful, grounded exploration of questions around how we heal—and a path of hope for those in need.

*This synopsis has been transcribed from the inside cover of the book, Sacred Medicine.

Nonfiction. Personal Development. Health. Healing. Medicine. Philosophy. Mindset. Science. Spirituality. Psychology.

What prevalent themes did you identify in the book?

How would you describe the author’s tone of voice or writing style?

Can you name three feelings this book conjured in you?

What parts of the book triggered discomfort in you?

What parts of the book inspired or motivated you?

Was there a passage that deeply resonated with you? If so, what was it, and why?

Would you recommend this book to others? If so, who would you recommend it to?

How did you feel upon finishing the book?

What overarching sentiment were you left with upon finishing the book?

What insights did this book offer that you can apply to your life and personal growth?

How would you describe this book in just a sentence?

*You can download these questions as a print-friendly PDF here.

Sacred Medicine is a bit of a tricky one to get a physical copy of. It can be purchased as a hard cover from major retailers, such as Booktopia and Dymocks, but is usually not in stock—so takes a little longer to arrive.

It is also available as an audiobook on Audible (14hr 34min listen) and is narrated by Subhadra Newton, rather than its author, Lissa Rankin.

We were fortunate to be gifted a copy of this book by a beautiful friend, Bec. If you ever read this, THANK YOU BEC Xx