Teachings of the Peyote Shamans: The Five Points of Attention - Softcover

Endredy, James

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1620554615 ISBN 13: 9781620554616

Publisher: Park Street Press, 2015

Synopsis

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.

About this title

From the Author:

James Endredy leads workshops throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada and is actively involved in preserving the world’s indigenous cultures and sacred sites. For more than 25 years he has learned shamanic practices from all over the globe and has lived with the Huichol of Mexico for years at a time. The award-winning author of several books, including Ecoshamanism, Lightning in My Blood, and Earthwalks for Body and Spirit, he lives in Lake Tahoe, California.

About the Author:

James Endredy is a practicing shaman of Hungarian descent who learned his craft from formal initiations with the peyote shamans of Mexico and through 30 years of living with and learning from shamanic cultures in North and South America. He is actively involved in preserving historic alchemy texts as well as the world’s indigenous cultures and sacred sites. The award-winning author of several books, including Advanced Shamanism, Teachings of the Peyote Shamans, Ecoshamanism, and Earthwalks for Body and Spirit, he lives in California.

José Stevens, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist with more than twenty years of experience. He lectures nationally and internationally.

About this edition

• Publisher: Park Street Press
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1620554615
• ISBN 13: 9781620554616
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192