Own Your Personal Power With 4 Essential Life Lessons From The Toltecs

Emotional well-being · Spiritual Living

Although not much is known about the day-to-day lives of the ancient Toltecs, their spiritual know-how has survived and teaches us to transcend our limiting beliefs and self-sabotaging behaviours so we can be our authentic selves. Here, three modern-day Toltecs share how you can keep the tradition alive and improve your life simultaneously…

Go with the flow of Mother Earth

By observing the fluidity of nature, you can become comfortable with change and stop getting caught up with fixed ideas of how things should be. “The Toltecs lived in perfect balance with the measure and movement of the cosmos. Through this they developed a complete body of knowledge that includes dances based on the mathematics of the Universe,” says Sergio Magaña, author of The Toltec Secret: Dreaming Practices of the Ancient Mexican. Healer HeatherAsh Amara adds: “We live in a very linear world, but our ancestors knew that everything happens in circles: birth, death, rebirth; night and day; expansion and contraction. When we come back into balance with nature, we can honour the light and the dark within us. We cultivate patience as we grow new seeds, and learn to release when things do not come to fruition.”

Don’t accept the status quo

Most of us think having a nine-to-five job, two-point-four children, a flash car on the drive and a holiday once a year is the ultimate goal, but the Toltecs taught that many of the ideals we live by are from external influences. Toltec teacher Allan Hardman says, “We are all dreaming a personal version of reality. Most of us don’t realise that the decisions we make are based on beliefs accepted in childhood. This means our personal power is drained away by fear-based beliefs – referred to as ‘the parasite’. The parasite is the voice inside you that says, ‘You have to look good for other people. There is a limited amount of love available, you need it to live, and you have to follow all of the rules to get your share. The minute you try to write new rules, the parasite is terrified, because in the past, to go against the rules meant rejection.” The goal is to become aware of any negative values in order to overcome them.

You create your reality

“Toltecs practise stalking and dreaming,” says HeatherAsh. “Stalking is about awareness, and learning to track your thoughts, emotions and energy, to see where they are dampening your inner fire. Dreaming is about opening your perceptions beyond what is familiar. By witnessing our choices without judgement, we can begin to question why we are making them – is it to fit in with what’s expected of us? This is where transformation takes place: we let go of behaviours that are no longer serving us and explore new areas in which to place our energy. Ask yourself what new agreements you want to make.” Allan adds: “The Toltec warrior sees his life as a work of art, and himself as the artist. He learns that he is dreaming reality, and he becomes the master of his vision. He knows everything he thinks, every action, every choice, and every word he speaks, are the tools of his art. He begins to keep his heart and mind open with love and acceptance.”

Gratitude will set you free from fear

We all know we can’t take material goods with us when we pass over, so why do we get so stressed about not having enough? And when we are blessed with good fortune, we worry it’s not going to last! The answer? Gratitude.“The Toltecs say ‘the angel of death’ is always with us, walking behind our left shoulder. She loans us everything and takes it back when she is ready,” says Allan. “Many people waste precious personal power (and money!) protecting what they own and then when it goes, they blame themselves for their failure. “As a warrior you should embrace the gifts from the angel of death with gratitude for the loan, rather than the fear of loss. When we are thankful, the angel of death transforms into the angel of life. She becomes a guide to each incredible, amazing, sensual, delightful moment and connects us to the happiness and joy of every precious moment.”

Ancient wisdom

Try these transformational Toltec exercises today

– “One of my favourite practices is called ‘not doing’,” says HeatherAsh. “We are conditioned to take action in order to get a reward. ‘Not doings’ are about learning to do things that have no apparent payoff, which teaches us to be completely present in the moment. One example is to dig a hole… And then fill it back up again!”
– “See what animal appears in your dreams by repeating ‘I am a dream warrior, I lucid dream’ as you fall asleep,” says Sergio. “Snakes and jaguars represent healing, hummingbirds are linked to love and relationships, while crocodiles symbolise abundance.”
– “People who irritate us are called ‘petty tyrants’ according to Toltec wisdom, and these annoyances are actually a reflection of what we dislike about ourselves,” says Allan. “By learning to tolerate the petty tyrant, you can begin to embrace yourself with more love.”

Our experts

SERGIO MAGAÑA is a Toltec master, author and the host of 2012; The Days to Come, a daily radio show that has been on the air in Mexico City for over 12 years. Visit sergiomagana.com

HEATHERASH AMARA is the founder of Toci, The Toltec Center of Creative Intent organisation. She is also an author and holistic healer. Visit toci.org and heatherashamara.com