VIII. THE POWER OF SILENCE
First English edition, 1987
INTRODUCTION
Castaneda’s eighth book; Don Juan knowledge has taught him that his two parts seem to have been assembled. In this book introduction, Don Juan tells him that he was never learning witchcraft, simply saving energy. And it is precisely the saved energy which allows Castaneda to handle certain energy fields that common men do not use to perceive the everyday world.
The Toltequity, as Don Juan calls it or Toltecáyotl, as it is known by historical sources collected by missionaries in the 16th century, is the art of perceiving what common perception cannot capture. Perceiving ourselves and the world around as energy and seizing the immeasurable opportunity, is the "Toltec art".
Don Juan tells Castaneda that in reality there is no witchcraft to teach. The Toltequity teaching takes the apprentice through ruses to realize that the world is much more of what we commonly perceive; which is formed by an immeasurable number of energy fields and that the human being, in addition to being an energy charge, is an energy producer surrounded by energy. The warrior learns in this path, that there is an internal unknown power and if he develops it, it can be reached.
"The being consciousness mastery, is the mind enigma; the perplexity experienced by witches when fully realizing the amazing mystery and reach of being consciousness and perception.
The stalking art is the heart enigma; the witches bewilderment when discovering two things: one, the world seems unalterable objective and real due to certain peculiarities of our perception; and the other, that if different peculiarities of our perception are used, such a seemingly real and objective unalterable world changes.
The intent mastery is the spirit enigma, the enigma of the abstract.
The instruction provided by don Juan in the stalking art and the intent mastery were based on the instruction to be conscious of being: a cornerstone that consists of the following basic premises:
- The universe is an infinite cluster of energy fields, similar to light filaments that infinitely extend in all directions.
- These energy fields, called the Eagle emanations, radiate from an inconceivable proportions source, metaphorically called the Eagle.
- Human beings are composed of these same filiform energy fields. To witches, human beings appear as giant luminous eggs, which are vessels through which these infinite extent bright filaments pass; light balls the size of a person's body with sideways and upwards extended arms.
- Of the total number of filiform energy fields that pass through these luminous balls, only a small group, inside the luminous shell, is lit by an intense shine point located on the ball surface.
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