The Oracle

[Hawkeye Crow]

Here's another one, Lonewolf, and I will try to arrange the words in a coherent manner.




I often hear talkers, whether Christian, New Age or whatever, especially at this time of year, speaking of God as an active, loving presence. Now, I have been
a seeker in this life, looking to know the truth of these things, and how it works. I found contradiction and, satisfactory answers, in CC's writing on
such issues. I will try to explain:




These are the issues, according to don Juan: one, that the vision most people associate with God, he called the Human Mold (form?), apparently an example of
the expansion that we all can grow to as spiritual beings. He told CC that there is no God, for whatever reason he had; I'm still not sure I would go that
far. Nonetheless, I have come to believe that what we experience a God, that is, Power or Spirit, is more an environmental item, like air or water. It exists,
we can learn to use it, it is part of creation, but is not God. It is nuetral, neither loving or evil, beyond the purpose and use WE give it. This is so
entirely different from conventional thought.




Secondly, is the issue of what some call 'First Cause', the Creator. This is where I find all the problems associated with religion; that which I call
Absolutism. Through the mellenia, prophets claim to know the mind of God, with demands made upon the people. Contrary to this, I find that some Indian (or
Pagan) thought called it The Great Unknown. I find satisfaction in this. That is, give it a rest; I am mortal, and no mortal can ever know infinity, it is don
Juan's Unknowable, and to me, what I can view of our universe confirms infinity, such a broad expanse that even eternal life would not provide enough time
to comprehend it all. In fact, from this perspective there is a sense of scale which implies the meaning of 'Self-Importance', that I am small in the
face of all that immensity, and that is not a complaint, just a statement of how it is.




So, I guess my point is that although the creation has symmmetry, with a sense of artistry, it is impersonal, beyond my place within it. It cannot be swayed by
my pleas, I must be alert to opportunities and the blessings of chance, don Juan called it what? the split-second of chance?




It is typical of myself, and maybe others, that this knowledge continues to unfold; I have some answers but not all understanding as yet.




Back to infinity: certain parts of CC's narrative even caused me to reexamine some scientific assumptions, such as the 'Big Bang'. ( It was called,
A New Syntax) For, if we accept infinity, there can be no beginning, no end; only cycles of ebb and flow, shrinkage and enlargement. It is my feeling that the
Indians perceived this way. They were not Linear, but chose the Circle as their symbol of creation. Their sense of time was also much different from western,
industrial life as we know it. (as an example, I think of the young worker, who yearns for the weekend, the workday a useless drudge. But, as one ages, each
minute, each second is precious, and those teachings of living in the moment-Be Here Now-come into play.)




And death is an adviser to the mortal, reminding him of what he has and what he does not have.




Well, I've run this out. I feel that there is more to it, but it now escapes me. May I simply say that the Castaneda books have brought me a sense of peace
and adventure; a connection to don Juan's 'magical self' beyond all that boring, bland rationality that sees things as only items for human
exploitation, with no life of their own. There is great joy in becoming aware that rocks and trees, birds, coyote, little leaves and all of it, can speak to me
and I to them, and, that by certain activities, I can shift the AP and have an entirely new perception.




What say You?