Calling the Soul: The Sookwan Ceremony (Sacred Thai: Ghosts, Beliefs, and Rituals in Thai Culture, #3)

What happens when the soul goes missing?
In the cultural heartlands of Thailand and Laos, the Sookwan ceremony-often called the "Calling of the Soul"-offers a profound answer. This ancient ritual is neither superstition nor mere tradition. It is a vibrant and deeply symbolic practice of spiritual healing, rooted in Buddhist cosmology, animist belief systems, and the emotional strength of community rituals.
In Calling the Soul: The Sookwan Ceremony, author and cultural researcher Montree Sandee invites readers into the quiet, powerful world of Thai soul-calling traditions. This third volume in the Sacred Thai series weaves together ethnographic narrative, psychological insight, and lived experience to explore how a simple white thread, a circle of community, and softly sung chants can help bring a fragmented spirit home.
Whether performed for a child recovering from illness, a migrant returning after years away, or someone healing from deep emotional trauma, Sookwan is more than ceremony-it is an act of care, a cultural framework for restoring balance, and a deeply moving model of trauma-informed spirituality.
Through richly detailed chapters, the book explores:- The philosophical roots of soul concepts across Thai, Lao, Buddhist, and global traditions- The historical evolution of Sookwan in rural Southeast Asia, from agricultural rites to modern-day mental health relevance- The role of sacred threads (sai sin) and healing chants in rebuilding one's sense of identity- Firsthand stories of transformation from people who found clarity, hope, and emotional healing through this ancient rite- The delicate balance between ritual, community, and emotional resilience in Thai culture
Blending anthropology, psychology of trauma, and Southeast Asian spirituality, this book is ideal for:
🧘 Healers and therapists seeking culturally informed healing models
📚 Students and researchers of Southeast Asian studies, religion, or cultural anthropology
🌿 Readers interested in spiritual practices for healing and traditional wisdom in modern wellness
🌏 Cultural travelers and diaspora readers longing for deeper roots in ancestral heritage
Rather than exoticizing or simplifying Thai beliefs, Calling the Soul offers respectful, accessible insight into a living tradition-one that has helped countless people rediscover peace after illness, heartbreak, or spiritual disconnection.
If you've ever searched for alternative healing rituals, if you've ever felt emotionally unmoored and longed for a spiritual homecoming, this book offers not just knowledge, but a path-a thread-to follow.