07-19-2007, 12:00 AM
The goal of your opponent doens't have to be anything more than his or her will to test your strength.
S/he may want to do that just because s/he wanted it, or because s/he was ordered to do it.
Just to see what you are capable of and if you can stand your ground.
Let's say: you have been trained as a SEAL or SAS. Now I, your sergeant, want to know how much you have learned, how good you are. I will give someone the order to track you down and capture you. I spread a rumour that someone is out to get you, but i tell no one - except the one I ordered to do it - that it is just a test. I will make it look so real, that you really feel someone is after you.
Now it's up to you: if you fail the test - you get caught by this person I ordered to get you - then either you should be trained more, or I ask you to leave for you will never learn it proper and will never be successful as a SEAL or SAS.
This was more or less what Juan did with Castaneda.
But there also people out there who want to challenge you out of their own will, not because they are ordered to do so. Then it is like you suggested: they will have the same goal, and want to be better than you, beat you. Let's say you are both runners for an athletics championship. You both have the same goal: win the championship. Not only your technique and strength will be tested, but also your willpower. You will never know how well you perform if you would never be tested or challenged.
S/he may want to do that just because s/he wanted it, or because s/he was ordered to do it.
Just to see what you are capable of and if you can stand your ground.
Let's say: you have been trained as a SEAL or SAS. Now I, your sergeant, want to know how much you have learned, how good you are. I will give someone the order to track you down and capture you. I spread a rumour that someone is out to get you, but i tell no one - except the one I ordered to do it - that it is just a test. I will make it look so real, that you really feel someone is after you.
Now it's up to you: if you fail the test - you get caught by this person I ordered to get you - then either you should be trained more, or I ask you to leave for you will never learn it proper and will never be successful as a SEAL or SAS.
This was more or less what Juan did with Castaneda.
But there also people out there who want to challenge you out of their own will, not because they are ordered to do so. Then it is like you suggested: they will have the same goal, and want to be better than you, beat you. Let's say you are both runners for an athletics championship. You both have the same goal: win the championship. Not only your technique and strength will be tested, but also your willpower. You will never know how well you perform if you would never be tested or challenged.