From Green Beret to Shamanism, One Man's Journey to Heal - Paperback

From Green Beret to Shamanism: One Man's Journey to Heal is a raw and transformative memoir about war, trauma, and the search for wholeness. Matthew Butler, a retired U.S. Army Green Beret, carried invisible wounds long after combat ended. Haunted by PTSD, loss, and the weight of violence, he found himself on the brink of collapse. But where conventional paths offered little relief, ancient ones called out. Drawn into the world of shamanism, plant medicine, and holistic healing, Butler embarked on a journey that demanded the same courage and discipline he once carried into battle. Through ceremonies, visions, and a deep reconnection with spirit, he confronted the shadows of his past and discovered the possibility of healing not just for himself, but for others walking the same path. Told with honesty, humility, and flashes of wry humor, this book weaves together the grit of military life with the mystery of spiritual awakening. It explores what it means to face trauma without flinching, to seek meaning beyond survival, and to embrace the paradox of being both warrior and healer. More than a veteran's story, From Green Beret to Shamanism is an invitation to anyone carrying pain - whether from war, family, or the silent battles of everyday life - to believe that healing is possible, and that the soul, once fractured, can be made whole again.