Anything is one of a million paths. Therefore you must always keep in mind that a path is only a path; if you feel you should not follow it, you must not stay with it under any conditions. To have such clarity you must lead a disciplined life. Only then will you know that any path is only a path and there is no affront to oneself or to others in dropping it if that is what your heart tells you to do. But, your decision to keep on the path or to leave it must be free of fear or ambition.

I warn you. Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many different times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself, and yourself alone, one question. This question is one that only a very old man asks. My benefactor told me about it when I was very young, and my blood was too vigorous for me to understand it. I will tell you what it is: DOES THIS PATH HAVE A HEART?

All paths are the same; they lead nowhere. They are paths going through the bush or into the bush. In my own life, I could say I have traversed long, long paths, but I am not anywhere. My benefactor's question has meaning now. Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn't, it is of no use.

Both paths lead nowhere; but one has a heart and the other one doesn't. One makes for a long journey; as long as you follow it, you are one with it. The other will make you curse your life. One makes you strong, the other weakens you.

The trouble is that nobody asks the question, and when a man finally realizes that he has taken a path without a heart, the path is ready to kill him. At that point, very few men can stop to deliberate, and leave the path.

A path without a heart is never enjoyable. You have to work hard even to make it. On the other hand, a path with heart is easy; it does not make you work at liking it.

For me, there is only the traveling on paths that have heart, on any path that may have heart. There I travel, and the only worthwhile challenge is to traverse its full length.

And there I travel looking, looking breathlessly.

-Don Juan Matus, John Black Crow-from the book "Journey to Ixtlan" by Carlos Casteneda

Mystery Schools:
We have heard the name "The Mystery School" for many years. Some do not know whether this is a real school or an ethereal school. My experience has been that it is both. I have attended one by the name of Astara and have found a kindred spirit within the teaching. Astara for me, came years later than my original introduction to the mysteries. If you have ever wondered about the Mystery Schools please check this one out. It was of service to me.

AstaraA place of Light. A link is provided for your convenience.

I have had many experiences in my life, I am writing a book to share them with you. All of my experiences have brought me to where I am today. I hope in expressing them, I have helped someone along the way...

Om Namah Shivaya

What You Think, That You Become, by
Thomas Ashley-Farrand