Page:Para leer a Carlos Castaneda.djvu/100

 Perception occurs when the small group energy fields, turned on by the shining point, extends its light to glow even outside the ball. As the only perceptible energy fields are those illuminated by the shining point, this point is called the "point where perception fits" or simply "lace point". It is possible to move the lace point from its usual light ball surface position, either inside or to another surface position or to an external location. Given that the lace point shining is sufficient, by itself, to illuminate any energy field which comes into contact, when the point moves to a new position, immediately illuminates different energy fields, thus making them perceptible. The act of perceiving this way is called seeing. The new lace point position allows perception of a completely different world to the everyday world; a world as objective and real as what we normally perceive. Witches enter that other world in order to obtain energy, power, solutions to general or specific problems or to face the unimaginable. The intent is the omnipresent force that makes us perceive. We do not become conscious because we perceive, but we perceive as a result of the Intent pressure and meddling. The witches ultimate goal is reaching a total consciousness state and be able to experience all the perception possibilities that are available to men. This consciousness state also implies an alternative way of dying.

The being consciousness mastery required a practical knowledge level. At that level don Juan taught me procedures to move the lace point. The two large systems devised by ancient witches seers were: reverie, in other words, dreams control and use, and stalking, or behavior control..." C.C.

THE SPIRIT MANIFESTATIONS

I. The First Abstract Center  For don Juan the spirit is the abstract, since to know it words or thoughts are not required; it is something that can only be felt and expressed with acts. Don Juan, during all his teaching, tells "witchcraft" stories over and over. Stories that had to do with seers, warriors, apprentices and even his own personal experience. But all these stories have an —abstract center—, in which the spirit expresses; these are, so to speak, stories where the intent is always present.

These stories must be remembered over and over again until, gradually, the abstract come to us. It would seem that history is discovered or recreated; every time its reviewed we find things that previously were not perceived; we reach its abstract centers.

It can be said that Castaneda's work, especially in the first part, is a set of stories of spirit manifestations that, sometimes seem confusing; in the second part -from "the second ring of power"- begins to assemble knowledge in a more functional manner; in all the above lies the reader challenge. Castaneda is perhaps the first nagual which reproduces knowledge through books; it is, as Don Juan says, a modern nagual. These stories must be reviewed, then analyzed and then think them over, until almost relive them literally.