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highly recommended |
A book for our era 
I have read Alberto Villoldo's previous books but I feel this account summarizes all he knows and the best he can give us about modern shamanism. Against the traditional views of shamanism, Villoldo offers an enlightening perspective of what this practice is and how it can help us view life with more meaning. In bringing to light the fascinating world of our Elders, he teaches us how to rid ourselves of unhealthy patterns and move on with more hope, particular at a time in the planet's evolution where pessimism and anger rule. As a writer and psychotherapist myself, I find this book essential to re-frame people's view of their life, but as an individual on the path of growth, and interested in doing my bit for the planet...I find this book divinely inspirational. Well done Don Alberto!!!
Courageous Dreaming: How Shamans Dream the World into Being 
This book is more down to earth than the title might indicate - although the author, Alberto Villoldo Ph.D., is discussing four levels of consciousness, there is much said about how one perceives the world and interacts with it on any given level that is in the current range of more popular, and perhaps more accessible, self-help topics. I appreciated the practicality of his approach, encouraging one to look towards the bigger picture to live more fully in awareness in the world, and to utilize dream power to change and expand the way one may live their lives.
Good basic information on dreaming 
I really like Alberto. Of all the metaphysical authors out there he seems more genuine than most. You don't get the sense Alberto is playing games with you or is acting like an absolute know it all. For anyone new to the metaphysical path I recommend that you read at least one of Alberto's books to get an idea of his concepts. I would say after reading most of Alberto's books you come to know what to expect. You hear the same concepts about levels of consciousness (Snake, Jaguar, Hummingbird, Eagle) (aka Andean Medicine Wheel), Luminuous Energy Body, the EarthKeepers, etc. That is both perhaps comforting and limiting.
In this book Alberto attempts to show you the power of dreaming, how some cultures use it, how to use different levels of consciousness to live a more intent-full life. That's all good. And for the major part most of the book content is true to this and delivers.
But if you look deeper you begin to see some holes in his presentation and limits in his theories. As an example I wonder who exactly he means when he uses the label EarthKeepers? Everyone is an EarthKeeper (most are slacking off the job). And the use of this term is a bit distracting because it is used as a label of authority and implies that it is not you. Other reviewers have also pointed out that Alberto's use of the 4 animals as the 'Andean Medicine Wheel' is largely of his own creation and not a traditional concept. It was the North Americans who were really into the medicine wheel. The South Americans had many other symbols with the closest being the Chakana which is ubiquitous throughout. So this association with these animals to the directions and/or levels of consciousness is really his schtick and he should say so clearly. In the book when he says there are only four levels of consciousness he is partly using these animals and partly using brainwave theory. But in reality there are limitless types or levels of consciousness. As Terrence McKenna would rant a double cappuccino will give you a really specific type of consciousness.
The other aspect that Alberto is pawning, indeed as part of the title of this book, is the concept of these shamans who taught him about the dreamtime. Others have pointed out that Shaman is a mongolian term. In the Amazon there are healers, curanderos, ayauascaros, etc. Besides the technical inaccuracies Alberto again cites these unnamed sources and say that 'they' told him this. So I caution the reader again that when anyone inadequately cites an authority, or better yet try to guide you in any way beyond your own inner knowing, take note and be very careful. It's not that there is anything wrong with the theories in this book. But I think the author should take more credit and responsibility for the teachings. Otherwise he risks sounding like Drunvalo Melchizedek in Serpent of Light: Beyond 2012 who has all these outrageous experiences being acknowledged by the elders of nearly the entire planet (exaggerated for effect).
But into the heart of the material. I did not feel that Alberto really deeply connected with the concept of how intention can change the world. He also did not emphasize clearly enough that the outer world is a reflection of the inner world. Yes, he does talk about doing inner work, breaking old patterns. But somehow his delivery here was disconnected from how it fits into dreaming. Like if you have this block then when you vision you could produce an aberration or something. I also felt that he either glossed over or left out many approaches to modifying consciousness and producing vision such as drumming, fasting, dancing, toning, even psychedelics. And the most transformational changes occur when we realize something deeply and most powerfully when it comes from vision. We are very visual creatures and visions carry layers of meaning in the Jungian and metaphoric senses.
I was disappointed that even as good as the best part of the book are that overall it is still a self-help book and not a manual for transformation of self and the world which it could have been. The book could have focused more on how we affect the planet by healing ourselves. There was some of this in a few places such as in the section 'Practice Beauty' in the chapter 'Clean up your river'. In fact it is gratitude and thankfulness that are amoung the most powerful emotions to align us with the larger universe.
So in the end I felt that the author did not describe his ideas about the process of intention to dreaming to reality clearly enough. There were opportunities to makes ties to Huna which would have been helpful. What he did present was framed in his familiar structure of the four animals, the luminous energy field, quantum physics, etc. These are his themes and have been for a while and it feels like he needs a referesh.
If you are interested in this topic then I would go to a few sources. First is Joseph Rael as in Sound: Native Teachings and Visionary Art of Joseph Rael. Joseph is a master who knows about vibration and how the universe is put together. Even his language is very deep, grades above most other writers. Second would be Hazrat Inayat Khan as in The Heart of Sufism. Next to or perhaps in hand with the Native approaches, Sufism is one of the deepest paths that exists. Third, if you want to understand some of the deep changes going on in the world today, and especially if you have some interest in either the Mayan Calendar or 2012 then the best book on the subject hands down is by John Major Jenkins The 2012 Story: The Myths, Fallacies, and Truth Behind the Most Intriguing Date in History
Great Book
Powerful Revelations on Dreaming the World into Existence, Love the Shamanic Way. "Alberto", certainly has had the experience to be writing such a Book, he has been there and done it, much of his experience he freely passes on. Thank you.
drop your old stories and step out with courage
This book seemed to resonate with where I have been at. Villoldo makes it clear that we spend so much time in our victim roles and that by staying in victim or bully roles prevents us from creating new dreams. The books points out that it is about dropping old scripts and re writing our stories and stepping into these with courage. The book does not suggest you fix your stuff but to simply drop old patterns of thinking and move on. As part of this it is important to get real with yourself and accept your weaknesses and faults and yet still create a remarkable life for yourself and so you can serve the world in a more empowered space.If you are ready to drop your old scripts or stories and begin to create something compelling in your life then consider this book as a companion to that process.
reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4
Modern physics tells us that we?re dreaming the world into being with every thought. The Courage to Dream Your Life tells us how to dream our world with power and grace. The ancient shamans of the Americas understood that we?re not only creating our experience of the world, but are dreaming up the very nature of reality itself?that is, ?life is but a dream.? When you don?t dream your life, you have to settle for the nightmare being dreamed by others. This book shows how to wake up from the collective nightmare and begin to dream a life of courage and grace, a sacred dream that shamans throughout time have known and served. Alberto Villoldo reveals ancient wisdom teachings that explain how to birth reality from the invisible matrix of creation; and reveals how we can interact with this matrix to dream a life of peace, health, and abundance. He shows us that courage is all that is required to create the joy we desire!
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based on 19 reviews
