Lessons in Courage: Peruvian Shamanic Wisdom for Everyday Life

I have heard the stories; captivated in their spellbinding drama, yet the phrase that repeats in my brain is so simple. "Keep it green," don Celso continually admonished both apprentice and client. A simple sugar cane farmer; a master at reading "the green"--the message from the plant as to perfect harvest timing. A humble man, a curandero's curandero, a true healer among a host of those peddling sorcery and black magic. Be always the student; learn something new everyday from whatever source it may come. Keep it green and you'll never become rigid prey to the forces that will break you and shatter. His words shared one person at a time to be passed ear to ear and thus out in community. He feared for a time when the teachings would fall silent; for a world deaf and dumb to the truths that they bear, and in keeping with that, he courageously sent forth his Emissary.We stand at such a place in our world at this moment. Our "leaders" feed us lies and guard secrets to maintain power and control us. Yet the Wise Ones, the elders of all the old traditions, have steadfastly guarded the Truths that will set us free. They know that the times long foretold are upon us and, with caution, release their wisdom for those with eyes to see and ears to hear. They speak with courage despite those who would continue to hide this knowledge in fear of its misuse--and that fear is well-founded, for just look around at our world. Courage, however, is not the absence of fear. Courage is experiencing the full effect of that fear with a willingness to face it head on; to walk right straight into it and out the other side.Lessons in Courage is a story of love "becoming"; a story of courage through fear and a forging of heart. This heart that emerges is the heart of a healer. It is told, not for self-aggrandizement, yet in humility, to encourage others--to "in courage" others--to follow this path to the wholeness of heart. It is shared with candor by a man who is no better and no worse than the rest of us, an honest review to inspire us to re-member and follow the same good road back to wholeness. All the while reminding us to always "keep it green", for the point in all this travel is not the final destination--it's the journey that holds the Magic if we're not too rigid to notice. It's the twists and the turns that mold us as the people we become.This book is for novice and adept in the Great Work. The exercises are simple, yet profound, in effect. They are basic in terms of shamanic technique. Fully compatible with any religion or system of belief, they are available to all who desire Self healing. I can personally attest to the efficacy of the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition and have practiced this healing art to great effect for over a decade. I heartfully encourage all to check it out for yourselves. Find even more at heartofthehealer.orgThis book is a precious tool to remind me to keep it simple; to keep it green, always learning that there's always more to learn. It's quite thrilling to have it written and universally accessible (thank you Bonnie!)I recognize and appreciate the courageous process that unfolded in the telling and I remain ever grateful for don Oscar--my teacher, my brother, my friend.

What a great couple of days it has been reading "Lessons in Courage." It is a beautiful little book, destined to be one of the ones that actually matters. Bonnie did a wonderful job of being pure water. All we see is Oscar's wisdom, his soul, his pain, his lessons, his courage... As a writer, I give you great kudos for disappearing. That is a shamanic trick of its own. The story takes you through Oscar's life, from his asthmatic childhood to his early experience with the supernatural, his apprenticeship with Don Celso as a surfer in his twenties to educating himself in psychology and other western disciplines in his thirties, from Rama groups with Sixto Paz Wells to establishing the Pachakuti Mesa tradition in the United States. However, the heart of the book teaches. Oscar bears his truth, reveals his pain and shows us a way. Each phase in his journey helps teach the whole. From the initial pages, poignant teachings are given, and I so gratefully received them (forever thirsty)!I must admit that I have been affected by Oscar's teaching right to the core of my soul. I was the intellectual in my twenties, traveling the globe and studying the world's great cultures. I was pissed off at religion, yet felt fairly spiritual. Encountering Oscar's teaching in my thirties was just about the best thing ever. I learned how to relate again. I felt part of nature, the forces of the universe became companions, teachers, guides... If you wanted to know if you were on the right track, well pay attention to what is happening now. Where did that hummingbird come from? Why did that woodpecker do what it did? Fire swirls? That person made me tingle, how strange. I felt that in my bones. Look at that rainbow around the moon. In other words, Oscar enabled me to become a lover, a lover of this earth, and a lover of this life. There is no greater gift possible.My own novel pays much respect to Don Oscar and his teachings. I am so glad that now "Lessons in Courage" is available for us all. As another reviewer said, it rejuvenated me and brought back so clearly how important Oscar's sharing has been for my own life (including my wife). I have nothing but immense respect for him and hope many people will read this outstanding work and benefit from the love contained in its pages.D. Chris Castagna, author"Shine in Kashmir"

Brilliant

Is amazing teacher and greatest information ,I am grateful Bonnie Glass-Coffin write this book Don Osca is amazing teacher I felt so blessing have this book Gratitude

Wonderful heart and mind opening book! Don Oscar's personal story interwoven with a deep introduction to Peruvian shamanism and don Oscar's Pachakuti Mesa Tradition.

A+++

A staple for your book collection if you are looking to deepen your connection to nature and yourself.Five Stars Don Oscar!