Carlos Castaneda & 3 facets of Toltec knowledge

Carlos Castaneda was apprentice to a Mexican Indian 'sorcerer' named don Juan. Under his guidance and also his disciples, Castaneda evolved to heighten his awareness and uncover unlimited courage which led him to accept total freedom. What does this mean?

Specific tutelage led Castaneda to obliterate all rational fears and consciously jump from atop a flat mountain into an abyss. Trust and tremendous discipline led to this incomprehsible act. Perceptual teachings shifted his mental states, perception and focus.

Ten years later, Castenada recollected the process of learning at different levels of awareness. His 'right side' knew don Juan as a sorcerer. Castaneda's 'left side' knew his teacher as Toltec seer and nagual who taught him to bring his mind to focus on anything with uncommon force and clarity. As such heightened awareness isn't susceptible to normal recall, it required staggering effort to recover facets of ancient knowledge:

1)  Mastery of Awareness- the Toltec way reveals each human being has capacity to enlarge the perceptual field. We can evolve to where we can assess not only the external appearances, but also the essence of everything. Discerning energy assemblage points is key. You become minimally conscious of surroundings and shift total focus elsewhere.

2) Mastery of Stalking- the Toltec way explains the act of moving the assemblage point as steadily and as safely as possible. It is the method of imprinting principles at such a deep level of consciousness that human conditioning is bypassed. Natural reactions of refusing and judging suddenly appear offensive to reason.

3) Mastery of Intent- the Toltec way is learning to break the barriers of self-created perception. By intending a new position of assemblage point, and by intending to keep it fixed long enough, you will assemble another world and escape the one you knew. This shapes changes in visibility, physical, mental and other states.

Darren Hayes & 3 reasons for real choices

Darren Hayes (known as solo music artist and in the band Savage Garden) describes his view of success as being able to sleep with a clear conscience. He admits he was initially inspired to pursue a musical career because he was moved by the ambition and accomplishments of stars such as Michael Jackson and Madonna.  As Darren got-to- know himself, he realized he had deeper reasons for his real choices.  Consider these three;

1) Inner integrity. As Darren found the courage to be honest with himself, he sensed a void inside that he was seeking to fill. He also grew to realize life isn't about seeking to feel complete with things outside the self. As he detected inner barriers he had erected, he began to uncover untapped energy, talent, strength and his underlying motivation.

2) Imbalances. As Darren evolved to connect with his authentic self, he realized paying attention to how he felt about what other people did helped him to identify reasons for his own feelings.  As he discerned imbalances between how he felt and how he wished to feel, he connected this to the fact he was leading a different life than the one in his vision.   As he took responsibility for these imbalances, he took responsibility for his life’s direction.  Sensing the process led him to transcend earlier, more superficial motives.

3) Karma. As Darren has faith in karma, he believes past lives influence how events unfold.  He experiences challenges, but decides he will draw from courage and inner drive to solve his perceived problems, rather than blame them on who he might've been.  In his mind, he invites obstacles in hopes he will teach himself to resolve them.  This is an example of how he realizes his own freedom.  He forms his reality and is aware he does it. 

The people who attain

Imam el-Ghazali relates a tradition from the life of Isa, ibn Maryam.

Isa one day saw some people sitting miserably on a wall, by the roadside.

He asked, "What is your affliction?"

They said, "We have become like this through our fear of hell."

He went on his way, and saw a number of people grouped disconsolately in various postures by the wayside.  He said, "What is your affliction?"

They said, "Desire for Paradise has made us like this."

He went on his way until he came to a third group of people.  They looked like people who had endured much, but their faces shone with joy.

Isa asked them, "What made you like this?"

They answered, "The Spirit of Truth.  We have seen Reality, and this has made us oblivious to lesser goals.

Isa said, "These are the people who attain.  On the Day of Accounting, these are they who will be in the Presence of God."

~Taken from Idries Shah, Tales of Dervishes, p. 181

Explore infinity and beyond

To journey into the soul is to discover how truly broad the experience is. Many people wonder if they settle for a limited sense of who they are.  What do you expect? Its common for  life events to diverge from what you had originally planned.  What then?

To explore consciousness is to reflect about the limits of your understanding of yourself and the world around you.  Its brings up issues of courage, of imagination and the moral convictions that you have adopted to define you. Isn't there more? You would think so.

What if those concerns you have highly-valued were illusions? What if the forms of beliefs and limitations you have constructed actually conceal your senses from what realities lie underneath? What if its time to rethink everything you know and who you really are?  

Let's say that Divinity lives in everyday experiences many of us overlook.  We would benefit from re-discovering new kinds of awareness.  What can you learn from your surroundings? Are you listening closely? A sense of the infinite encompasses ordinary experience.  Do you sense we are all connected? How are your senses evolving right now? 

Why am I falling and expanding?

Analysis on dream submitted by Anonymous in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

Dream- It was weird. I was falling into this dark hole and yet, had the sense that I was swelling up like a balloon.  I wasn't sure where I was headed or why.  Was it good for me?

Predominant Emotions- fear, anxiety, doubt, surprise, anticipation, and courage.

Interpretation- The physical interpretation of largeness or swelling up actually reveals an increasing psychic ability and unconscious acknowledgement of this kind of self-growth.  The sensation of falling is a classic physical interpretation of your consciousness returning to your physical body after temporary separation.  You turn away from what you want.  Apply the lessons you have learned to deepen your conscious awareness.

When each of us is awake, we experience similar states of unconscious growth, but the ego often purposely conceals them from conscious experience.  Intuitively, you realize you aren't keeping tabs on everything you learn or the implications on your multi-dimensional existence.  Experience is not always understood in time as humans know it.

You are gradually gaining insight about the answers inside yourself.  This is where you discover real love, unconditional support, strength, and security.  You are also learning that seeking what you think you want from the outside world is part of the process of growing up.  The more you turn inside for what you sense you need, the more happiness and fulfillment you will experience.  When you're ready, rise above the self-created fear.