A Castanedian Comment on
The Celestine Prophesy Insights
| This is my personal comment to the Insights from The Celestine Prophesy from a castanedian perspective. I like some of the ideas proposed very much, but I feel that, all in all, it's a bit thin, incomplete and too simplified. However, Redfields description of the individuals struggle for energy is the best one around. |
| 1. | The awareness begins with
a feeling of restlessness - an inner urging to find more meaning in life.
As we respond to this inner prompting we begin to notice the "chance coincidences"
- strange synchronistic events in our life. We begin to realize that some
underlying process is operating our life.
This is nothing specific for the 'Insights'. Every practitioner of some mystical system have had this feeling, and I think most people in general have had it. It is nothing odd, it's just the Spirit, or Tao, that one catches a glimpse of. We may also see that some 'underlying process' is operating in the world, at least the part we are in direct contact with. The word 'synchronistic' comes from CG
Jung, and means 'unexplainable coincident'.
|
|
| 2. | We take a look at the evolution of
consciousness (thought) of humankind, and we begin to see everything in
a larger prospective. We become conscious of our preoccupation with the
material world and begin to seek a deeper meaning and purpose to our lives.
We actually have no real clue to what the evolution of human consciousness means in reality. From what is found we can see that immensly intelligent (or "highly developed") stuff were written 5000 years ago, but stupid things are still written to this day. Besides, Redfields notion of 'historical perspective' is very limited to the western history, and does not take into account, for instance, chinese, african or the american indians history or evolution. It is the 'destiny' of some people (perhaps
within a certain spectre of psychological profiles, or perhaps because
of certain experiences) to notice this preoccupation with the material
fixation, and to seek 'a deeper meaning'. I cannot see that this have changed
in any way through history.
|
|
| 3. | We begin to see our connectedness.
We become aware of the subtle energy that infuses all things and the relationship
we have with that energy. By consciously becoming co-creatures and choosing
what we think we can have a positive effect on our world.
The first two sentences are true. The last sentence 'By conciously becoming...':
A castanedian may wonder why the co-creature may whish to influence her/his/its
environment.
|
|
| 4. | We unconsciously compete for energy
from other people and this competition underlies all conflicts. As we begin
to become aware of these power struggles, we learn that there is, in Reality,
no lack of energy - there is another Greater Source of endless energy.
True.
|
|
| 5. | The key to overcoming conflict is tapping
into the Greater Source through the mystical experience. In this experience
we sense our connectedness and oneness with everything. This experience
is available to everyone, as we allow ourselves to be filled with a sense
of love.
A castanedian would definitely use a different
terminology. The definition of 'mystical experience' is a bit vague, and
the experience in itself does in no way guarantee ones energy supply.
|
|
| 6. | Childhood traumas block our ability
to fully experience the mystical. All of us carry wounding and false messages
from our past. As we get in touch with our own personal control issues
we can begin healing the blocks of our past and transcending them.
Not only childhood traumas block, but the
blocking is an ongoing process from the environment and from society. Castaneda
says that it is our fellow humans who are the black magicians, who stops
us from seeking freedom. We have been taught, from childhood, a certain
description of the world, and this description is the farthest thing away
from any 'mystical experience'.
|
|
| 7. | Once cleared of our past traumas, we
can build energy through contemplation and meditation. As we focus on our
basic life question, we receive the guidance we need through intuition,
dreams, and synchronistic connections that guide us in the direction of
our own evolution and transformation.
Hmm, might be what is called 'clearing
the link to the Spirit' in castanedian terminology. The riddle is how to
read signs, affirmations and omens.
|
|
| 8. | Evolution can't be done alone, so practice
uplifting those who cross your path. We are here to support and teach each
other. Release addictive relationships, and integrate and embrace all parts
of yourself, so that you become a whole person.
Evolution can be done alone. History is full of solitary practitioners... It is not for the individual to try and
influence others, if by evolution is meant the evolution of the world (or
the western world). A castanedian practitioner treads only lightly on the
world, and leaves little traces.
|
|
| 9. | Our purpose here is to evolve consciously.
As our planet evolves through greater technology we are freed up to spend
more time to evolve spiritually. As we spend more time connecting with
our Higher Source we experience a higher vibratory energy which nurtures
ourselves, each other, and our planet. We eventually connect with God's
energy in such a way that we become beings of light and the kingdom of
heaven is manifested here on earth.
A bit too religious for the common castanedian ;-) Wonder what the often starving people in the 'less developed' parts of our world feels about the above definition of "our planet"? They are certainly not part of those who will have "more time" to "connect". What is "God's energy"? What is "kingdom of heaven"? Again we have the idea of spiritual evolution, of which is there are absolutely no signs at all, not today and not in the past, not even if we look only at the 'evolution' of the west alone. Besides, what is our purpose here may be subject to further discussion, especially from non mystics... I feel that this is a belief which will sort under "easy ego promoting idea". The castanedian practitioner would say that our purpose here is to be born, to live by the death of others, and to die and become food for someone else. This can be proven empirically, it is the condition of everything which is alive. No exceptions known, it is one of the most constant things known in the universe. Thus every living thing is equal. The castanedian may even say that all things are equal, living or dead, which is something also heard from other mystic traditions. The castanedian will add to this purpose,
that he/she will seek freedom, that this is his or her choice.
|
-oo-