Nagual state of awareness (Amerindian)

Nagual appears within the context of Central Amerindian tradition as relating to a variety of experiences linking to a reality beyond ordinary senses. As such it is often related to use of sacred drugs. In a more concrete sense, it signifies the indescribable, the unforeseeable, the unexpected which often evokes fear, astonishment or grotesque feelings of humour or craziness when experienced. Originating from Amerindian experience, Nagual is generally associated with aspects of the other world, e.g. the spirit of the peyote-plant in peyote-sessions. C Castaneda uses the term to designate the true character of the world, of which we ordinarily only perceive a limited section (the island of Tonal) corresponding to the nature of our comprehension. If the latter shrinks through shock, or on purpose (dreaming, not-doing, sacred drugs) the vastness of existence may open up.

This is the state of consciousness in which all internal dialogue has ceased, that in which true "seeing" takes place. Thus, to really "see" a man (as opposed to looking at him), one views him (in as far as tonal language can describe the viewing) as luminous fibres forming a luminous egg - a parallel that also occurs in some Tibetan Buddhist writing.

In Amerindian terms, if the brave becomes a warrior, and lives like a warrior, then tonal and nagual can be unified. This is a life in which whatever the task may be it is done in the best possible way, not clinging and with the highest excellence.