Page:Para leer a Carlos Castaneda.djvu/27

 THE LAST BATTLE ON EARTH

An apprentice who has entered the complex knowledge path is aware that he can die at any time. He uses all his capabilities in each act he performs; he is not thinking "win or lose"; uses all his knowledge; evaluates, takes a decision and acts; he "let go" without fear nor ambition. The warrior tries polishing his spirit, and the impeccability of his actions, thoughts and feelings is evident. Each act is his "last battle" on Earth, therefore he is little concerned with the result; what matters is perfecting his impeccability to polish his spirit. A warrior intensely lives every act, aware that it may very well be his last. The warrior puts into practice all his knowledge and lets the power flow.

The warrior trusts in the power of his decisions, he assumes them and acts with the full knowledge that he has no time or space for doubt, remorse or ambition. Unlike the warrior, common men believe to have all the time and this alleged continuity makes him shy, because he doubts and repents or thinks that he will have time to try again, or "fix it".

The common people go from act to act without thinking or fighting. The warrior on the other hand knows he has no time and therefore does not hang to anything and makes each act as if it was the last thing he will do on Earth.

—You always feel obliged to explain your actions, as if you were the only man who makes mistakes on Earth —he said—. It is your old sense of importance. You have too much; you also have too much personal history. But on the other hand, you do not make yourself responsible for your actions; you do not use your death as a counselor and, above all, you're too accessible. In other words, your life is still the same mess as when I met you... —Just like that. The change that I am talking about never happens gradually; happens suddenly... There are some people who are very careful about the nature of their acts. Their happiness is to act with full knowledge that they have no time; thus, their actions have a peculiar power; their actions have a sense of... —It will take you years to be convinced, and then years to act accordingly. I hope you have the time. C.C. BECOMING ACCESSIBLE TO POWER

A warrior is an impeccable Hunter searching for power. Therefore he is not a braggart nor exhibitionist, has no time to lose, to deceive himself, or to doubt or make mistakes. What he does, because death is hunting him, is all the work and effort that was required to perfect his life and turn it ordered, sober and disciplined.

A warrior systematically tries to place himself within reach of the power, but with great prudence and care. The warrior style is a controlled burst and a controlled quietness.

''"You must understand that a warrior is no fool." A warrior is an immaculate hunter'' hunting for power; he is not drunk or crazy, and has no time or mood for bragging, lying to himself, nor to make mistakes in the game. The stakes are too high. He places his hard and orderly life on the table, that took him so long to perfect. He is not going to waste all that over a stupid miscalculation error, or by taking something as what it is not." C.C.