The predator from the depths of the cosmos

One of the most chilling quotes in literature comes from Castaneda’s ‘The Active Side of Infinity’. Don Juan declares, “We have a predator that came from the depths of the cosmos and took over the rule of our lives. Human beings are its prisoners. The Predator is our lord and master.”

One of the first authors that truly inspired me was Carlos Castaneda who wrote about his experiences of altered states of consciousness. His mentor, a Mexican sorcerer named Don Juan, was full of insight and wisdom.

Published in 1998 and documenting teachings from the early 1960s, ‘The Active Side of Infinity‘ is regarded as one of Castaneda’s most influential works. Whether Don Juan was describing something tangible or metaphorical, the message seems as valid as ever today. Discussing the predator, he continues, “It has rendered us docile, helpless. If we want to protest, it suppresses our protest. If we want to act independently, it demands that we don’t do so… I have been beating around the bush all this time, insinuating to you that something is holding us prisoner. Indeed we are held prisoner!… This was an energetic fact for the sorcerers of ancient Mexico … They took us over because we are food for them, and they squeeze us mercilessly because we are their sustenance. just as we rear chickens in chicken coops, the predators rear us in human coops, humaneros. Therefore, their food is always available to them.”

How does this relate to simulation theory? The excerpt speaking directly of the predator can be read here. Don Juan states that not only are we food for the predator, but because it is so smart, organized and sophisticated, we have also taken on its mind, “The predators give us their mind, which becomes our mind. The predators’ mind is baroque, contradictory, morose, filled with the fear of being discovered any minute now.”

What does he mean by that? Perhaps what we perceive as reality, ‘maya’ or illusion (the world), is in fact a computer program designed to keep us enslaved while we are being harvested and drained of energy and vitality, similar to the metaphor used in the Matrix film. The predator could otherwise be interpreted as our mundane consciousness, feeding off of low-level vibrations (especially fear) that keep us trapped, exhausted and in physical and (or) mental pain. This dulls our connection to spirit, which is the weapon against the predators.

What is the answer to this? Discipline. There are numerous and great spiritual teachings in Don Juan’s discussions. He describes the predators as inorganic, shadow beings, that are all around us. The system and belief set they have imposed on us are what keeps us bound to them. By living life untethered, the entities eventually begin to flee. They will have no power over you.

Don Juan states, “By playing on our self-reflection, which is the only point of awareness left to us, the predators create flares of awareness that they proceed to consume in a ruthless, predatory fashion… Through the mind, which, after all, is their mind, the predators inject into the lives of human beings whatever is convenient for them. And they ensure, in this manner, a degree of security to act as a buffer against their fear.”

Describing the shadow entity as a jumper (or a flyer), Don Juan states, “Sorcerers say that discipline makes the glowing coat of awareness unpalatable to the flyer. The result is that the predators become bewildered. An inedible glowing coat of awareness is not part of their cognition, I suppose. After being bewildered, they don’t have any recourse other than refraining from continuing their nefarious task.”

He goes on to describe discipline and indifference to the ego as being a way to fend off the parasites, “If the predators don’t eat our glowing coat of awareness for a while, it’ll keep on growing. Simplifying this matter to the extreme, I can say that sorcerers, by means of their discipline, push the predators away long enough to allow their glowing coat of awareness to grow beyond the level of the toes. Once it goes beyond the level of the toes, it grows back to its natural size. The sorcerers of ancient Mexico used to say that the glowing coat of awareness is like a tree. If it is not pruned, it grows to its natural size and volume.”

To sum this up, Don Juan says that we have the potential to be energetic, pure and spiritual beings and are capable of breaking these chains. It starts with a rejection of the ego, living life in a detached but grateful way. This emotional detachment is clearly what repels the predator and allows the individual to reclaim their innate essence and power.