Becoming a Warrior

[Littlepaw]

In this following text the author of several books about Toltec knowledge is explaining the difference between taking what we like out of the Toltec teachings to enrich our lives and actually becoming a Warrior.  This man always makes so much sense to me when he speaks.
'' An
opportunity has now come about which was never before present. What this opportunity amounts to, is that because the teachings are now being recorded in book form, anyone who wishes to
do so can avail themselves of the teachings.  However, the 
conditions for becoming a warrior are still the same as before, except
that now it is possible to work from
these manuals rather than having to receive
oral instruction from a nagal.

It is truly
wonderful that the teachings are now available to everyone, without
any form of discrimination, but I would be doing the reader an injustice
if I do not point out the pitfall in this new set-up. The
danger in this new set-up is to believe that you can bend the rules to suit your purposes. To indulge in such a belief  is
just a stupid waste of time and energy, for let me once again reiterate that there is
absolutely no way of acquiring the skills,
the abilities  and the power of a warrior without becoming a warrior. To think that it is
possible to add warriorship to your existing life is  exactly the same as thinking
that you can become a world champion in tennis, but without
making tennis your career, your life, your everything. 

Today it is possible for anyone to become a warrior, but only if
the age-old requirements are fulfilled. However, this does not preclude
people from taking out of the teachings only that which they
find to  be useful  and enriching.  There is nothing wrong with
this, in fact, it is to be encouraged, provided it is understood
that if you are not prepared to change, and you only want to
take out of the teachings that which suits you, then you will also
never become a warrior.  This principle
is the same  as for those  people 
who  learn  to  play  tennis, 
not  to  become 
world

champions, 
but just for their own enjoyment and 
enrichment. But just as you
would be a fool to think that you can compete in world championships if you are only an average tennis player, so too would you be a fool to think that you should be
able to do what a warrior does when you are not a warrior. Should you
even be dishonest enough to  claim such status  by calling yourself a warrior a hundred times over, there is no way in which you can fake the
impeccability of the warrior's spirit, nor is there any way in which you can imitate his power. Sooner or later your actions will reveal your
charade.

This then, brings us hard up against
the stalker's rule, for if you as
the reader intend claiming your
power as a warrior, and are not simply wishing
to enrich your present life with the teachings, then  you 
are  going  to 
have  to  learn 
how  to  stalk 
yourself impeccably. In this respect the very first
thing you should do , is to ask yourself:  "Do I really want to  become 
a warrior?  Am I honestly prepared
to undergo a total transformation?"


Quoted from 
THE MISTS OF DRAGON LORE by Theun Mares

[watergaze]

Thnx Littlepaw for writing this here, I did not know Theun Mares wrote stuff like this. This info is very important and I think we all come to it at one point or another. I encountered this realization/information not through book reading, but it does not matter how one gets to it. The thing is that at first what Theun writes here is what everyone (who is not born into something sufficiently different than the majority) does, it is the natural process. As we continue on the path we realize we have been taking just what suited us and that is not the whole. But it is incomprehensible what the whole even is at that point, one just realizes one has been selective and does not even begin to grasp it all yet .

Yes, we do need to make it clear with ourselves what we want, where we are going.

[Littlepaw]

My pleasure Wg,

I think Theun is the the absolute best out there!

Some of Theuns books are here in pdf format if you are interested

http://www.docme.ru/doc/37026/mares--th ... e-warriors Book 1 Return of the Warriors

http://www.slideshare.net/CellaDraganof ... teachings2 Book 2 The Cry of the Eagle

http://www.slideshare.net/CellaDraganof ... dragonlore Book 3 The Mists of Dragon Lore

http://www.slideshare.net/bigspiral/sav ... aDraganoff Book 4 Shadows of WolfFire

[Gonzo]

You might consider some of the information on this link.
http://sustainedreaction.yuku.com/topic ... vAFb1Z0a8Q
My own personal interactions with Mares was with his attorney threatening to sue me if I did not remove a posting on my forum critical of his teachings.  Not exactly the actions of an "enlightened master" or followers who were potentially likewise.

[Littlepaw]

Castaneda is discredited and dead but people who read his books find they are valuable,

Have you read Theuns books Gonzo?

[Littlepaw]

Also Gonzo,

Your post makes me angry. How do you feel about that?

[Gonzo]

LP -
I tried to read some of his works and have my own opinion, which is, obviously, not a high one.
That's an odd thing to be angry with a contrary opinion. 
re Castaneda, I've read many pieces on several forums about Carlos, and for the most part, I could care less about him.  He has been described as being a scribe, and I'll go along with that.  Whether don Juan (et al) existed, doesn't matter to me.  The teachings are relevant, in my opinion, whereas the teachings of Mares are not, possibly because don Juan's teachings for the most part coincide with essential Zen, which for me, has been the most profound influence on my life.
G

[Littlepaw]

I do not really know what to do with the statement I tried to read some of his works?

I genuinely have tried to read the Bible but I just could not understand it and would not represent myself as being qualified to say if anything contained is relevant or not.

Theun has written 7 books with detailed explanations covering subjects such Stalking, not-doing, Intent, Recapitulation, Dreaming, Internal Dialogue, the Four Natural enemies, stopping the world,Controlled folly.....the list goes on

I do not understand why you would feel these topics are not relevant here?

[Gonzo]

Those topics are most relevant here.  What is irrelevant, imo, is Mares' interpretation.  All that needed to be known about those topics was presented by don Juan.  Extraneous commentary from Mares or from Lujan or from others claiming to be Naguals in one form or another is irrelevant, imo.
When I say I tried to read some of his books, I meant I tried to read some of his books, and my perception at the time was that there was a personal agenda on his part behind what he was writing.  If someone is dealing with "the information", honestly, there is no self-aggrandizement.

[Littlepaw]

Why do you think Theun Mares  interpretation of the Toltec teachings is irrelevant?

[Gonzo]

Littlepaw wrote:Why do you think Theun Mares  interpretation of the Toltec teachings is irrelevant?They are irrelevant to me.  To me, he is pedantic.  He may be relevant to you, and that's fine.  All I did was try to provide an alternative opinion of him.  I think it's of interest to know who you are dealing with.

[shamanka]

hes dead g..we are now just engaging with his legacy, same as carlos....the only thing living, is the moment, those legacy's are part of the moment,
irrelevant or relevant is subjective perception...the moment and therefore the legacies still exist the energy remains. its what we do with that energy, that has the only hope of 'mattering' in any sense of the word.

[Littlepaw]

Sorry to be pedantic Gonzo but I did not ask why you think Theun Mares is irrelevant to you.

I asked what you think is wrong about his take on the Teachings?

[Gonzo]

Littlepaw wrote:Sorry to be pedantic Gonzo but I did not ask why you think Theun Mares is irrelevant to you.

I asked what you think is wrong about his take on the Teachings?Well, you're not being pedantic, "pedantic" meaning "ostentatious in one's learning". 
I thought I answered your question when I said what he presented was done so for his own self-aggrandizement, not for the sake of promoting what I like to call "The Information".  If you would prefer a critique of some of Mares' writings posted elsewhere, I'd be glad to accommodate you.

[Littlepaw]

Also,

Here are a few Carlos Castaneda quotes which I feel are relevant.

'' I had the feeling that he was teasing me by making up the rules of his strange game as we went along ''

'' My annoyance mushroomed again and I told him what I thought of him. He was not cross or offended at all ''

'' I hated him. I thought he was a contemptuous man ''

'' The moment I was confronted with his odd behavior I began to experience apprehension and I wanted to leave ''

'' I again felt a surge of animosity towards him ''

These are some of Carlos's perceptions of Don Juan. To Carlos, Don Juan was a stupid old Indian who might have been employable for information about plants.

It is clear that YOUR perception of Theun is pedantic and self aggrandized.

[shamanka]

i find the information of Theun to be complimentary to Carlos, and it is written in a different style which is actually for some people more effective, as for why he wrote the books..who cares if its for the 'information within'?

the way universal energy works is the way it works.no matter how many authors write on the concepts, their placement of attention on certain areas of the teachings and how they can be applied, will be different according to their style and predilections and experiences of the path...one facet of the whole.

just because he wasn't very 'nice' as regards to lawyers in the tonal, doesn't automatically mean that he has not contributed to the whole picture.
cleargreen in my opinion is a farce, but it doesn't stop the magical passes being effective for me.
carlos was a man, it doesnt stop the core teachings having relevance for me as a woman

and of course ones world view and experience tends to colour the text.

[Gonzo]

shamanka wrote:i find the information of Theun to be complimentary to Carlos, and it is written in a different style which is actually for some people more effective, as for why he wrote the books..who cares if its for the 'information within'?

the way universal energy works is the way it works.no matter how many authors write on the concepts, their placement of attention on certain areas of the teachings and how they can be applied, will be different according to their style and predilections and experiences of the path...one facet of the whole.

just because he wasn't very 'nice' as regards to lawyers in the tonal, doesn't automatically mean that he has not contributed to the whole picture.
cleargreen in my opinion is a farce, but it doesn't stop the magical passes being effective for me.
carlos was a man, it doesnt stop the core teachings having relevance for me as a woman

and of course ones world view and experience tends to colour the text.Well, and good...as I said to LP...if what Mares wrote is relevant to you, that's all that matters.  Personally, re authors, especially the "guru" variety, I prefer to obtain others opinions, good and bad.  Some folk thought Osho was an ****...initially, I agreed.  I came to see him as quite profound.

[Littlepaw]

Hello everyone,

I was sitting in a cafe this morning, updating my CV. Across from me were a man and his wife and their two young boys. I thought it was strange that they ordered large cappuccinos for the two young boys yet undeterred the young brothers seems determined to enjoy themselves. i noticed the father seemed preoccupied and almost monotonously gave periodic commands to his children, don't do that, sit down, basically behave. I caught the young fathers mood and then suddenly began to see him in a new light. They laughed together at morning coffee antics and I wrote in my book

Today I remembered how to love,

Listening to a familiar song or an unfamiliar one, both good.
Sharing the trials and Joy of others these people who are around us
but are part of our personal world

then I draw an Alien,

[Littlepaw]

I am guilty of assuming things about people, not listening and not seeing the value in another s point of view but I am getting better, so of course I want to preach to you all about your behavior : )
I think all our behavior here is up for discussion and all our behavior is self evident if we are able to stand back a little bit away from it. 

preachy point number 1
Sometimes I feel people post reply's to make each other look good and to say that the other persons points are valid, kind of like you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. Ego stroking.
preachy point number 2
Quite often I feel that peeps are talking about things way above their pay grade : ) I often see terminology life shifts of awareness and moving the assemblage point talked about as if these topics are easy to understand!   

There is a difference between having a thought about something and having any real practical knowledge based on experience.  Just because we can think about shifting the assemblage point does not mean that we know how to.  This goes for other bold claims that are made, there is nothing gained in pretending we know know more than we do or in fooling our selves in to thinking that we understand.
What is the shame in presenting ourselves as we are as human beings?

I am guilty of misrepresenting myself and it comes down to simply being un- impeccable.  Being impeccable is to act according to best of all the knowledge you have available right now.  The reason why this is even important is because knowledge is not a constant,  knowledge comes and goes and we should also what little knowledge we may have in those times when we feel dumb because that is where power is hiding!

I know how un impeccable I am I want to be better but I want to challenge some folks here to be also because I believe that you can do better and I can do better!!! : )

Kabla

[NagualHuman]

Thanks alot for this post Littlepaw, I am glad I came across it.

If I maybe a little preachy too...

You dont like having backs scratched or was it about that yours was not scratched ?

I feel those topics are really easy to understand, working with conscioussness is like moving appless from crate to crate
All one have to do is not be shy, trust himself and do everything that comes from the heart, its really that simple, its just about
loosing the great value for which we take that items of inventory and putting them into connection with something else.
The thing is how much dumb and willing to believe to such a non - sense like possibility of traveling across the all ten realms,
beign in double and all that HIGH Stuff we are able to take as it is, if the path of warrior does not lead him there, or yet
he himself has something "simple" yet important to understand.

Maybe the problem why you cant see that potential at people is because you are not trying to see it at yourself.

Why are you missrepresenting yourself ?

Understanding that the interpretation of ourselves and the world is made on all fronts of all we see or feel and even think...
allows us to fully understand in which matter and in which manner we projecting our reality toward the world,
why you are clinging to a decision that some experience is high off grade ?
Had someone hurted you and made you feel unworthy this experience, life or the myth you can simply dream ?

Sometimes we are beign someone else, than we truly want...
For that one has to become someone completely different, there are many ways how to do that written everywhere...

I too feel sometimes like people here on the forum are just constantly babbling idiots about the highest truths and metaphysical whoknows what or totaly dumb or boring ****, but sometimes it feels like there is maybe happening something much bigger, something "off the scale", who are we... to decide ?

Every one of you people does so much practical sorcery in your lives, but to me it seems like you are hiding all it all, I wonder why ?
when someone posts a practical exercise, no one says anything about that, I do not know if I have to feel like you people are overlooking it, not needing it, not believing it or just having enough of that own.

I try to act impeccable and I believe that every sorcerer if set his intent fully on the task is able to create a whole teachings with practises like don juan's, lujan's, theun's etc.
All you need is bit of believe, little of fantasy and one thought, to set the fire

Littlepaw if you are interested in actual practises and understanding to knowledge, what about writting questions, I would love to see people questioning until finding the final truth, yet I see noone do that... Its nothing simpler than that, all one has to do is get your ego little down and just try to listen and speak with heart, maybe we can find in all that confusion some truth and comfort not for the reason and mind, but for our heart, at the end we all have same hearts

[NagualHuman]

Littlepaw wrote:Hello everyone,

I was sitting in a cafe this morning, updating my CV. Across from me were a man and his wife and their two young boys. I thought it was strange that they ordered large cappuccinos for the two young boys yet undeterred the young brothers seems determined to enjoy themselves. i noticed the father seemed preoccupied and almost monotonously gave periodic commands to his children, don't do that, sit down, basically behave. I caught the young fathers mood and then suddenly began to see him in a new light. They laughed together at morning coffee antics and I wrote in my book

Today I remembered how to love,
Listening to a familiar song or an unfamiliar one, both good.
Sharing the trials and Joy of others these people who are around us
but are part of our personal world

then I draw an Alien,
 
 
Its wonderful experience, it really made me warmth,
sometimes the deepest knowledge comes like a fragrance of blossoming flowers on the warmth breeze of early spring
but I cant quite understand meaning of the alien and sharing the joy with other peoples,
Can you please elucidate that ?

[Julio Juliopolis]

Littlepaw
I am guilty of assuming things about people, not listening and not seeing the value in another s point of view but I am getting better, so of course I want to preach to you all about your behavior : )
I know of no method by which one can think or believe anything without making any assumptions. That's with either the tonal or the dreaming mind. Being aware of the assumptions our beliefs require is a good thing, it helps us to drop those beliefs when the assumptions supporting them lose their apparent truthiness. Furthermore, in my case I tend to like constructive criticism. I've learned a lot from it in my life.
I think all our behavior here is up for discussion and all our behavior is self evident if we are able to stand back a little bit away from it. 


preachy point number 1
Sometimes I feel people post reply's to make each other look good and to say that the other persons points are valid, kind of like you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. Ego stroking.
Great observation! If I might add to it, I think there are lots of other relationship motivations behind a lot of the posting that goes on here. How I feel about someone and the relationship I want to have with them is definitely a factor in my posts. I imagine most everyone else does likewise, (and if they don't, they've coincidentally put on an amazing show of doing likewise), whether here or at any other forum. Its not much different to how I relate to people outside of the internet. If I'm really angry with someone I won't laugh much at their jokes or compliment their good ideas unless I'm trying to change that relationship, (unless its really funny or a mind blowing idea). Further if I have just complimented someone several times on ideas they've had and they then scoff at and belittle one I present I won't feel good about that. It would feel like they've failed to meet a certain unspoken obligation of behavior. So, expecting that, I would naturally feel some inclination to return the favor if someone were scratching my back in a post as you've put it.

Furthermore, I think this kind of stuff goes on so much that for many people it becomes subconscious and they are unaware that they do it. I've been largely unconscious of some of these kinds of hidden motivations in my own behavior in the past and have only recently started giving the topic a serious look.

preachy point number 2
Quite often I feel that peeps are talking about things way above their pay grade : ) I often see terminology life shifts of awareness and moving the assemblage point talked about as if these topics are easy to understand!  

There is a difference between having a thought about something and having any real practical knowledge based on experience.  Just because we can think about shifting the assemblage point does not mean that we know how to.  This goes for other bold claims that are made, there is nothing gained in pretending we know know more than we do or in fooling our selves in to thinking that we understand.
That might be harder to avoid than you're suggesting here. For example if you were to take up the study of chess you'd probably soon be talking about things like the English Opening, the Queen's Gambit declined, the differences in philisophical approaches between the classical and hypermodern schools, and perhaps even how a famous article writ by Bobby Fischer once all but proved the King's Gambit to be a poor opening choice. Of course at a beginning level it could easily be said that you couldn't possibly understand any of that except at a very shallow level; and that one must be at least an International Master, if not a Grandmaster of chess in order to really know enough to talk about such things. Yet in order to learn the game, I think you would have to talk about those things. I'm not sure why, but maybe its as simple as Don Juan once said "As knowledge increases definitions change." (quote is from memory and may not be exact).
What is the shame in presenting ourselves as we are as human beings?
Again, that sounds easier said than done. In order to present ourselves as we are we have to first know who we are, and that's no trivial task.
I am guilty of misrepresenting myself and it comes down to simply being un- impeccable.  Being impeccable is to act according to best of all the knowledge you have available right now.  The reason why this is even important is because knowledge is not a constant,  knowledge comes and goes and we should also what little knowledge we may have in those times when we feel dumb because that is where power is hiding!


I know how un impeccable I am I want to be better but I want to challenge some folks here to be also because I believe that you can do better and I can do better!!! : )


Kabla 
Lots of great ideas for discussion in this little post. I'm glad I found it and was able to add to it. I trust you'll be dropping by one of my posts in the near future to shine some adoration on it as well? (Just kidding )

[Littlepaw]

That's cool man thanks for saying so. I like discussions but maybe do not have enough power to talk about anything powerful : ))))))))OOOO

[Littlepaw]

I was thinking about the saying In the land of the blind the
one eyed man is king and began to wonder if I really understand this metaphor
the way it was intended and indeed if this really is a metaphor?   If
this phrase is in fact a metaphor then it is not to be taken literally, those
are the rules, but while considering this I noticed I have always taken only
the first half of the phrase as metaphor and the second half as a factual
statement.  I have always understood the first half to mean a land of
spiritually blind people not a land of actual blind people.  The second
part however I have always understood to refer to a man who actually has one
eye presiding over a kingdom of literal blind people.  I see now that all
along I have been using the first half of the phrase as a metaphor and the
second part as a statement about how good it would be to have one eye supposing
everyone else is literally blind.  The value of one eye in a place where
others are blind is indeed note worthy but the fact that I personally consider
having one eye not quite as bad as not being able to see at all is really
neither here nor there in terms of the metaphor.  Focusing on the factual
side of  the text  abandons the rules of the metaphor altogether and
makes the first half literal also, having one eye in a land of literally blind
people is not at all relevant to the condition of spiritual blindness!

I have always assumed that when I read a text and understand it in a certain
way then the way I have understood it is what the text actually means and why
wouldn't it?  we all live in the same world and the number three is the
number three however you look at it or choose to describe it.  Perhaps it
is because spiritual or abstract concepts cannot be written down which is why
we need to use a metaphor in the first place!   How much of what I believe
myself to have understood may in fact mean something else altogether?  Are
my understandings rather than illuminating keeping me from the truth of what I
was trying to understand?

So I wonder what is the metaphor to be had in the second half of the saying?   What does the one eyed man mean?

[Littlepaw]

Answers on a post card please : )