Encounters With The Nagual: Part 2 - Chapter 22. Teaching the Art of Stalking.

Encounters With The Nagual © 2004 by Armando Torres:

Part 2 - Chapter 22. Teaching the Art of Stalking.

Little by little, Carlos' stories had their effect on me.

One day I sat down to seriously consider the amount of effort I invested in sustaining my self-importance.

I did not examine my self-importance in its usual coarse, and common forms like self-sufficiency, or whining for attention.

I reviewed my self-importance in the more subtle aspects linked to fundamental ideas that I had about the world.

However, these reflections did not bring me any certainty.

On the contrary, I began to notice how the enormity of the ideological framework in which I lived, and which I had always taken for granted, trembled.

When I told Carlos this, he saw it as something quite natural.

He said, "You are learning how to stalk yourself. It is what you might have done ever since you learned to use your reason."

I already had read about the art of stalking. Stalking is a hunting strategy which consists of using your prey's own habits and routines to catch it.

We can apply this strategy to our ordinary life; for example, to our business.

But we can also project stalking strategies against our internal demons, like doubt, laziness, and self-indulgence.

Carlos and I had some free time before his lecture, so I took advantage of that opportunity to ask him to tell me more about stalking.

To my complete astonishment, he told me that he could not do it as long as I was not committed to the teachings to the point of death.

I asked him, "Why?"

Carlos replied, "Because you would wind up turning against me.

"Learning about dreaming does not offend you. The worst you can do is not believe that such a thing is possible.

"On the other hand, stalking the way sorcerers practice it is very offensive to reason. Many warriors avoid speaking about it, because they do not have the stomach for it.

"In the initial phase, the apprentice is under a crossfire and is very frustrated, and is not able to let go of ego.

"Like a coin, stalking has two faces.

"On the one hand, it is the easiest thing in the world.

"On the other hand, it is a very difficult technique; and not because it is complex, but because it deals with aspects of oneself that people usually do not want to deal with.

"Dreaming moves you deeply, but bounces you like a rubber ball.

"Stalking induces minuscule, but very solid movements of the assemblage point, but you can immediately return to what you first were.

"So when you look around, you can see everything the same way as you always did, and so you might continue to use your everyday approach to things.

"If, however, in that stalking situation you were forced to make some change by your instructor, I will bet you anything that you would leave offended, or wounded in your pride. You would quit the teaching."

I asked Carlos how, then, sorcerers taught this art.

He answered that, traditionally, it is left until the end, and it is taught in a state of heightened awareness.

Carlos explained, "Stalking is not something that is openly talked about. You must read between the lines.

"The stalking part of my knowledge belonged to the teachings for my left side. Therefore, it took me many years to even remember what stalking is all about; and it took me many more years before I could consciously practice stalking.

"On the level where you are now, the only thing that allows you to handle stalking is to approach it with dreaming methods.

"If at any point you should feel that I am touching on topics that are too personal, or you have an attack of suspicion, then look at your hands, or use any other reminder you have chosen.

"Dreaming attention will help you break your fixation."