As a psychologist in Malaysia, Robert Wolff discovered a community of stone age people living in peace, joy, and happiness. He spent significant time with them, making friends and experiencing the wonderment of their incredible power of knowing. On one occasion when he and other government workers were with them and totally isolated from the civilized world -- they became alarmed about an impending danger and encouraged Robert to contact his family, and to leave for "civilization." They had in fact become aware of the Cuban missile crisis!
 
These people, the "Sng'oi," were happy, and were not interested in most of what civilization offered. They were just given understanding of how to live, where to find food, and to commune with animals and nature. Through help from Ahmeed, a Sng'oi who had something of a "Shaman-like" position with the people, Robert had an "awakening" which he recounts in the book. This was a lasting and powerful experience after which he also experienced the "wordless knowing" that he had been so mystified about earlier.
 
Finally, in an experience of what he calls "oneness," ordinary distinctions dropped away, and he learned that there was a way of knowing beyond thinking. Wolff also describes his encounters in Suriname, Indonesia, and the Pacific islands, demonstrating that far from being "primitive," original tribal societies are the last bastions of true humanity. Wary of both anthropologists and shaman wannabes, Wolff follows a middle path of down-to-earth storytelling, making Original Wisdom an original find. --Brian Bruya

 
Original Wisdom is available from:
 
Amazon