I am already given to the power that rules my fate. And I cling to nothing, so I will have nothing to defend. I have no thoughts, so I will see. I fear nothing, so I will remember myself. Detached and at ease, I will dart past the eagle to be free. ~ The Eagle’s Gift

This quote spun through my mind all night. It has been one of my favorite quotes for many years. My thoughts, last night, encompassed the meaning of karma, the beliefs surrounding it, its effects and the illusion of it.

The Buddhists say that everything is an illusion. If this is so then karma must be an illusion as well. For most Americans, karma functions like fate, i.e. bad karma/good karma and is far too often associated with punishment/reward. In the true Buddhist sense, however, the word karma is more aligned with the sorcerers meaning of the word intent. The basic meaning of karma is action and the best definition for intent is the movable force.

The goal of every Toltec warrior is to achieve ultimate freedom. To be able to walk through life free from attachments, perceptions, delusions and illusions as well as the opportunity to walk the fine line of being in the world but not of it.

To maintain a western belief of karmic retribution would place unwarranted limitations upon a warrior of freedom. Freedom would become elusive as a warrior maintains the belief that they have to be karmically indebted for a deed or misdeed. To maintain this perceptual basis and to believe that punishments or the fruits of karma will carry into the next lifetime ultimately burden a warrior and weighs him down.

I am already given to the power that rules my fate. Don’t worry, be happy! Be an impeccable warrior; don’t lose energy to the illusion.

I cling to nothing, so I have nothing to defend. Fluidity! Life is a journey, not a mystery to be solved. To defend is to act from a point of self-importance that can throw one completely off-center and create anger and ill-will.

I have no thoughts, so I will see. The power of silence! Dismiss the thoughts as they arise and celebrate your ability to be in your power and as one with the universe, the indescribable force.

I fear nothing so I will remember myself. Reclaim your personal power. Stand firm in your center, your cosmic center of your life force essence and maintain that connection.

Detached and at ease, I will dart past the eagle to be free. Cling to nothing. Recapitulate, erase personal history, maintain integrity, be impeccable and don’t buy into “illusory constructs”.

Accept your fate in humbleness. The course of a warrior’s destiny is unalterable. The challenge is how far he can go within those rigid bounds, how impeccable he can be within those rigid bounds. If there are obstacles in his path, the warrior strives impeccably to overcome them. If he finds unbearable hardship and pain on his path, he weeps, but all his tears put together could not move the line of his destiny the breadth of one hair. Fulfill your fate as a warrior not as a petty person. ~ The Eagle’s Gift

In summary I find that our entire existence remains in question and can only say “Question the Answers!”