Book Decription
A rare in-depth look at the inner workings of
Huichol shamanism
• Describes the five sacred sites of the
Huichol and their peyote ceremonies
• Explains how the Huichol teachings of
awareness, centered on the five points of attention,
connect you to your true essence
• Reveals the deep relationship between
Huichol cosmology, Gnosticism, and Christianity,
especially Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary
Taking place in the heart of the Huichol homeland
in western Mexico, this book offers a rare in-depth
look at the inner workings of Huichol shamanism,
which is permeated with the use of the sacred
peyote cactus. Outsiders are almost never allowed
access to Huichol sacred sites and ceremonies;
however, James Endredy, after years of friendship
with Huichol families, earned the privilege nearly
by accident. Swayed by persistent pleading, he
agreed to take another gringo into the mountains
to one of the Huichols’ ceremonial centers,
and they were both caught. After trial and punishment,
Endredy was invited to stay within the sacred
lands for the festivities he had illegally intruded
upon and found his initiation into the Huichol
shamanic tradition had begun.
Sharing his intimate conversations and journeys
with the shaman he calls “Peyote Jesus,”
the author explains how Huichol belief revolves
around the five sacred directions, the five sacred
sites, and the five points of attention. As Peyote
Jesus explains, the five points of attention refer
to dividing your awareness yet staying focused
on your inner self. This is not a normal state
of consciousness for most people, yet when we
maintain these points of attention, we discover
our true essence and move closer to God.
Endredy undergoes dozens of spiritual journeys
with peyote as he makes the pilgrimages to the
five sacred Huichol sites with Peyote Jesus. He
is shocked by his vision of the Virgin Mary while
under peyote’s guidance and learns of the
deep relationship--strictly on Huichol terms--between
their cosmology, Gnosticism, and Christianity,
especially Jesus Christ. Providing an inside look
at the major ceremonies and peyote rituals of
the Huichol, this unexpectedly powerful book reveals
the key tenants of the Huichol worldview, their
beliefs in the afterlife, and their spiritual
work on behalf of all of humanity.
Reviews
“An honest, true-life story of spiritual
exploration and humble learning. Endredy weaves
together years of travel and personal initiation
into a tale that introduces an often controversial
topic with wisdom. Readers will come away with
a better idea of the investment of time and cultural
sensitivity needed to meet this plant ally on
its home territory.” (Lupa, author of Nature
Spirituality from the Ground Up: Connect with
Totems in Your Ecosystem)
“Beautifully written and engaging, Endredy’s
tale recounts a ‘spiritual rescue mission’
to save the sacred peyote from those who seek
to steal and/or exploit the Huichol’s most
revered instrument for connecting with the cosmos.
Unlike many books of the spiritual memoir genre,
this story possesses a humanistic vividness and
value that often gets lost in overly rarified
accounts of journeys into non-Western realities.”
(Hillary S. Webb, Ph.D., author of Traveling between
the Worlds: Conversations with Contemporary Sham)
“The world of shamanism is magic and psychopomp,
secretive and healing. It is reserved for the
indigenous peoples of faraway lands. James Endredy
is a singular exception because I have seen the
medicinal power he wields from his time with the
Huichol. This story is something only a few have
experienced and it is told in James’s masterful
yet honest manner. This is a book of personal
transformation for the reader, so read on and
witness the spirituality we cannot see with our
eyes.” (Shawn A. Tassone, M.D., author of
Spiritual Pregnancy)
“I recommend this book as a smooth ride
into the world of the indigenous Huichol people
of Mexico. The author gives rare insight into
the everyday life of these people, their art,
and religion.” (New Dawn, Jennifer Hoskins,
May 2016)
“James is a wonderful storyteller who takes
us into an altered state of consciousness as he
shares teaching stories from his journeys. You
will learn about the history, culture, ancient
shamanic spirituality, and wisdom-ways of a people
who have much to share with Westerners about what
living meaningful lives in a time of challenge
and transition looks like. It is an adventure
story that will carry you along a river of learning
into new realms of thinking, of being, and of
exploring who and what we really are. . . . It
just takes cleaning the lens of perception to
see and know the deeper dimensions of reality.
James and his teachers have been there. Now you
can glimpse it as well.” (Tom Pinkson, Ph.D.,
author of The Shamanic Wisdom of the Huichol:
Medicine Teachings for Modern Time)
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