Lion Eyes is a difficult book to describe. Written by Victor Villaseñor, it is a spiritual, mystical and full of faith and miracles. It is a story about a man who had a life-changing encounter with a mountain lion when he was 11, hence the book’s title.

While lost in a snowstorm near Los Gatos, Calif., Jan Milburn is terrified until he feels a presence and sees the yellow eyes of a very large female lion through the snowflakes. After closing his eyes, he feels calm and fearlessly follows the lion, which leads him home. According to indigenous peoples’ beliefs, this type of experience reveals a person’s totem, or guardian spirit. The lion has helped Jan through terrible ordeals when he has faced threats and almost certain death.

At 17, Milburn became the youngest minister in California. That was during the hippy days of the 1960s, and Milburn rejected the traditional role of a Methodist minister. While on his motorcycle, he rode the streets of San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district to help young drug-users find their way. He also opened havens for young people to escape those who preyed on them. After his life was threatened, the church sent him to Chihuahua, Mexico, for work.

There, Milburn continued to help lost youths who struggled with drug addictions. After hit men tried killing him, he spent a long time recovering from horrible injuries. His friend, Rev. Carlos Rochín, a Catholic priest, took Milburn up into the remote region the famed Copper Canyon near the town of Creel to escape further death threats.

It was there in the company of nature, and later the Tarahumara Indians, that Milburn’s body, heart and soul began to heal. The Raramuri, or Tarahumara, are known for their ability to run long distances and their unique outlook on faith, miracles and religion. Milburn began a unique relationship with these people that has continued to this day. He is the only gringo allowed to share the miracles and spirituality of the Tarahumara, and it was in Creel that he met his soul mate, Mireya.

Mireya joined Milburn to take the youths of Mexico up into this special and sacred land to learn how to connect with the Earth and spirits. The fearless couple also had to escape death threats after beginning their campaign to return thousands of acres of ancestral lands to the Tarahumara Indians. The Milburns succeeded in this battle, but it cost them their home and almost their lives. Later, they were blessed with the birth of their son Joaquin, who recently graduated from Durango High School.

The Milburns live in both Durango and Creel. They continue their work through the Milburn Foundation International Institute and are working to advance environmental, cultural and indigenous awareness. They also work to aid the Tarahumara by providing medical care, food, legal and construction.

Villaseñor has had two Pulitzer Prize book nominations for Burro Genius and Crazy Loco Love. His highly lauded Rain of Gold trilogy is also being developed into a movie series for HBO.

Although Villaseñor is the author, the Milburns voice their stories in alternating chapters. This tends to lead to much repetition of the narrative and slows down the inspirational story of the Milburns. Villaseñor’s use of all capital letters and exclamation points make it feel as if he is continually shouting at the reader. It’s also a little off-putting. Regardless, this is a tale that will appeal to those seeking spirituality, a connection with the natural world and different approach to faith.

Freelance reviewer Leslie Doran may be reached at sierrapoco@yahoo.com.