I am so grateful that when I studied with Don Miguel and Sister Sarita the time came that I was done, they told me my job was to go and teach in my own way. They told me a big part of the process would be to ‘catch the energy’ and find the truth for myself.
The Toltec tradition is usual taught based on the premise that this is a predatory, hostile universe. I even had Victor Sanchez e mail me to tell me I wasn’t teaching correctly because I don’t believe in a fear driven, predatory universe. He said I was lying to my students. I was flattered he felt the need to e mail me!
I was taught to journey to other universes and do all that trippy Nagual stuff. There was something about the fear based, predatory universe and the need to be a warrior that never resonated for me.
When I let go of my beliefs and just experience the energy directly all I experienced was pure, unconditional, expansive, limitless love. So eventually, I realized the Eagle wasn’t anything to fear or resist because at the moment of one’s death we have the opportunity to become the Eagle and release our small, limited self.
I so often see people use the Toltec tradition as an excuse to distort the concept of being responsible into a judgmental fault feast. It saddens me when I see someone use these marvelous teachings to deny their humanity and cease having compassion and love. I find it takes far more courage to live from a place of dominion, love and compassion than it does to be a warrior.
Once again I have found that we have two choices: love or fear. The most important question I ever answered for myself was, “Is this a safe universe or a hostile, predatory one?” Depending on my answer I create a totally different reality and live in an entirely different universe.
This is part of a private message I got about my post about losing Dale. To me it is the epitome of a tweaked version of the Toltec tradition that I sadly see so many people embrace.
No offense, but placing the chicken within an unsecure dog-proof environment which was subject to the canine’s natural ways was not wise action. The “Toltec” way would have you accepting responsibility for your actions, not forming bad thoughts upon a dog being a dog. Would we blame the sky for getting us wet if it rains?
And, perhaps, although your mental perception of Dale was that of a cute and sentimental chicken pet, healing and close to you, once again we must remember what the Toltec, and natural way of life, would lead us to think; we need to acknowledge that perhaps the chicken was actually in pain and suffering, and your neighbor’s dog might just have been an angel of mercy. To think otherwise with a false certainty would be “assuming.”
This person, in my opinion is using the Toltec tradition in a way that certainly wouldn’t add to the quality of my life. Traditionally the Toltec wisdom was based on domination and fear. I teach about dominion where there are no bad thoughts, just thoughts that are either expansive or contracting. The way I teach and live the Toltec tradition allows me to deepen my capacity to love and have compassion. It also allows me to see responsibility from a more expansive place that is free of judgment and fault.
I have found love and compassion expands my humanity and is a direct conduit to personal freedom. The predatory, fear based stuff just keeps me stuck on the same old merry go round. Okay I will get off my soap box now!
I highly suggest you explore your own beliefs about whether you think this is a predatory universe or a safe and loving one.
With love and aloha,
Susan
Hi Susan,
I know what you mean. I used to be an avid reader of Castaneda’s books, and indeed there is so much wisdom found therein, but the negative side was a little too accentuated. I’ve also seen the dark side of the spirit world, which is very real, but it was ultimately balanced by the positive side. Universal love definitely needs to be highlighted in any spiritual teaching, Castaneda’s books did so only to a small degree, and fear is a destructive element on our paths.
Makram Abu-Shakras last blog post..Precision and Ambiguity – Excerpt from "Tales of Crimson and the Child of Thea"
I agree Makram. I have found that no matter what the question or the issue love is always the answer.