Page:Para leer a Carlos Castaneda.djvu/108

 physical appearance to look like another person or transform into an animal, is not part of the basic order of our own image. When the Toltec warrior alters or interrupts this basic order, the world of reason collapses.

Human beings are infinitely more complex and mysterious —as well as the world around us— than the most elaborate conceivably fantasy. The problem of being rational faces many disadvantages; in principle because modern man does not use his rationality in all its dimensions; suffice to see the chaotic contemporary world in which we live, far from rational. And, on the other hand, our reason is very limited facing the immeasurable mystery of life and the world. Human beings should be more humble with their reason and use it more effectively. Reason is very fragile and limited. Don Juan argues that reason is a varnish, a very thin gold plating on men, if slightly scratched, a witch will be found.

“—As I have already told you —don Juan continued—, witchcraft is a return trip. We return to the spirit, victorious, after having fallen to hell. And we bring trophies from hell. The simple understanding is one of those trophies.

I told him that this series of actions seemed very easy and simple, in words, but that, when tried to make effect it, one found it was the antithesis of ease and simplicity.

—The difficulty in carrying out this simple series —said— is that almost no one is willing to accept that we need very little to perform it. We have been prepared to await instructions, lessons, guides, teachers. And when we are told that we do not need anyone, we do not believe. We get nervous, then suspicious and finally angry and disillusioned. If we need help it is not question of methods, but a matter of emphasis. If someone emphasizes that we need to reduce our personal importance, that help is real.

"The witches say we should not need anyone to convince us that the world is infinitely more complex than our most amazing fantasies. Then why are we so petty that we always ask that someone guide us, if we can do ourselves? What a question, eh?..." C.C.   

THE THIRD POINT

For men, a rational human being, it is impossible to accept that is an energy charge and not a solid body; also, that he may be a "luminous egg" and there is an invisible point where external and internal emanations align, and that this produces the world perception. Even when somehow this is accepted, could not believe that it was not in the brain.

Rational human beings, perceive the world through ideas and therefore act their thoughts and does not live their acts. People are bound in their ideas and the self-image which creates itself and the world; locked this way guarantees their state of ignorance by being deprived of the development of all its potential.

People believe that witchcraft is a question of incantations and sorcery and not the freedom to perceive, in addition to the reason world, an immense field of perceptions that fall within the human possibilities spectrum.

The inflexible intent is a determination, a purpose resolve clearly defined that cannot be cancelled by desires or interests conflict. This force generates the "intent" when it keeps the lace point in an unusual place. The unyielding intent creates new lace point positions, which in turn generates more inflexible intent.