by Kalyn B Raphael: To the Toltecs one of the most important things on a spiritual path– or in life– is perception…
This is because the perception one holds determines everything including our experience.
After all, it isn’t what happens to us as much as it how we see what happens to us.
We Know About This Toltec Wisdom, But We Don’t Always Live It
A pair of identical twins are alike in every way except for the fact that one is always optimistic and one is always pessimistic. Their parents are worried about the pessimist and decide to try to help him see things in a more positive light for their birthdays. So, they give the pessimist roller skates. He unwraps the gift and says “Oh no! I’ll probably fall and brake my arm on these!” Discouraged, but hoping he’ll feel better when he sees his brother’s gift they turn to the optimist. “I can’t believe it!” he yells with enthusiasm, “you got me a horse!” he says upon seeing the horse shit in his box.
Life, in Toltec lore, (Toltec wisdom) is nothing but one perception after another which shapes our experience. Toltecs value having a clear perception more than anything else, knowing that when you perceive clearly you are empowered. You know what is and and can, therefore, change it as needed or as you prefer.
Wisdom – How Do You See It?
Until someone embarks upon the Mastery of Awareness and comes to see how they have learned to misperceive life, knowing that we are in misperceptions is unknown to us. Just as a caged bird who has never known what it means to fly free, we also don’t know that we can be free of our misperceptions or what it is like. It takes dedicated focus and attention upon ourselves and our lives to begin to perceive the cage that binds our perception. It takes poking and prodding, asking ourselves what we believe and why; asking ourselves what we want to believe and who we authentically are before freedom can be ours.
What do you see in yourself? Do you hold beliefs or perceptions about yourself, about how life is meant to be, about others or judgments that keep you in the same patterns of life? Do you have an urging to tap into the something more that beckons you, calling you to live a more connected life? Are you wanting to shift your perception and tap into Toltec Wisdom so that you too see life more clearly so that your life experiences are far more enjoyable?
