Page:Para leer a Carlos Castaneda.djvu/53

freedom is. Don Juan says that without such a love to the being (earth) that hosts us, provides food and everything we need, the path solitude becomes desolation. Loving this be splendid and wonderful being that earth is, the warrior can give freedom, joy and abandon to his spirit against any mishap in his task fulfillment.

Don Juan bids farewell to Castaneda before he jumps from a platform of the "great pyramid". Below is a huge and profound void; in the distance, the Ixtlán mountains. Castaneda will test his learning and must have the strength and courage to jump into the abyss knowing that instead of crashing and die, he could expand his cluster and enter the nagual world. Before Castaneda runs and jump into the void, Don Juan tells him that he will return be dust on the road and that maybe someday will again enter his eyes.

"There are many ways to say goodbye —continued—. Perhaps the best is holding a special joy memory...

—You have already learned that a warrior temper is to be humble and efficient —said don Genaro, and his voice made me jump—. You have already learned to act without expecting nor asking anything in return...

—A warrior recognizes his pain but does not surrender to it —said don Juan—. So the feeling of a warrior entering the unknown is not sorrow; on the contrary, he is happy because he feels humble before his fortune, confident of his spirit impeccability, and above all, fully aware of his efficiency. The warrior joy is accepting his fate, and having accurately figured what to expect...

—A warrior life in no way can be cold, lonely and without feelings —he said—, because it is based on affection, his piety, his dedication to whom he loves. And whom, might you ask, is that beloved? I will show right now...

—Genaro’s love is the world —said—. Right now he is embracing this huge land, but being so small, he can only swim in it. But earth knows that Genaro loves her and therefore she looks after him. This is why Genaro life is full to the brim and his status, wherever he is, will always be abundance. Genaro walks the paths of his beloved, and wherever he is, he is complete.

—Don Juan squatted in front of us. Gently caressed the ground.

—This is the warriors predilection —he said—. This land, this world. For a warrior there can be no greater love...

—Only if one loves this land with uncompromising passion can one get rid of sadness —said don Juan—. A warrior is always happy because his love is immutable and his beloved, the land, embraces him and gives him inconceivable things. Sadness belongs only to those who hate the being that hosts them.

—Don Juan again caressed the ground tenderly.

—This beautiful being, fully alive and understands every feeling, gave me affection, cured my pain, and finally, when I finally understood all my love for her, taught me what freedom is...

You have reached the witches explanation, but it does not really matter that you know it. You are lonelier than ever, because without a constant love for the being that hosts you, solitude is desolation.

Only loving this be splendid being may turn the spirit of a warrior free; and freedom is joy, efficiency, and abandon against any destiny onslaught. This is the last lesson. It is always left for the last moment, for the moment of supreme desolation in which a man faces his death and his loneliness. Only then it makes sense..." C.C.