The Toltec Secret: Dreaming Practices of the Ancient Mexicans

This book by Sergio Mangana comes from someone who is very much connected to the ethnicity and language of the so-called Toltec Path.. Sergio is clear about the fact that there is a lot of confusion around all things "Mayan" and "Toltec" as the revolutionary information mostly came from the Westerners who interpreted it and wrote books. We need to have an indigenous view in order to deepen and expand our understanding, but it is hard to come by as the native practitioners didn't write things down - it seemed preposterous in light of a strictly pragmatic approach to which this way adheres. However, now that there has been plenty of literature we need to have a view from someone who is connected to the indigenous past, and Sergio is.Practices presented in the book would probably fall within the parameters of the "old" way, and although in my opinion they don't have the high flight of the "new seers" way of Don Juan, they are very valid and as profound as any other ancient tradition that has been passed down to us through the millennia, and with that Sergio is asking you to try them out, under the guidance of a qualified instructor, of course.The outline of the 4 Tetzcatlipoka of the Mexhica tradition, the various stages of dreaming, as well as the different animal attentions that are being trained (jaguar, hummingbird, etc. etc.) is important as we get to see this whole way through the eyes of the people from hence it came. However, there is no need to be overly mysterious - save the time and get to work.Although there is a bit of self-promotion going on in the book, which I guess is typical when you are young and feel that your mission is to "share the tradition with the world" I think Sergio is a knowledgeable man and I am looking forward of hearing more about him in the future. Can definitely recommend this book as a sharply transcribed narrative for the general as well as more specific aspects of knowledge of that which came to be known as the "Toltec Way". Although I personally do not believe in any such thing.

As someone who has studied Mexican history extensively, specifically the 'spiritual violence and resistance' within colonial Mexico, I have always been intrigued by the lost teachings of the ancient world, and those of our ancestors. I came across Sergio Magana's book while trying to find a similar book on curanderismo for my mother. I stumbled upon this one and was fascinated by what it had to offer. Not only did it bring back memories of all that I was taught at the university but it also opened up my perspective in terms of what we deem 'reality' and what appears in our 'dreams'. I have always been fascinated by dreams and have always questioned what they mean, why some of us dream more than others, and in my case, why I dream in perfect clarity some of the same exact things my mother dreams despite being hours away from one another. My sister and little brother also share in those same dreams. It has become a family phenomenon that we have always tried to understand and decipher and after reading Magana's book, "The Toltec Secret" I am more determined than ever to put into practice some, if not all, of those recommendations and teachings he offers for those who are trying to understand their life, their past and their future. I firmly believe Magana offers a clear insight into our ancient past and reaffirms the notion that we all have the power to change the course of our fate; our destiny, if only we knew how to wield our own power and our own strength. My only wish is that Magana write a second book for all of those who want to continue to find answers through their dreams and wish to change the course of their circumstances in life, or correct past wrongs or make better choices. A devout follower of Carlos Castaneda's readings, I find Magana a much more prolific writer who has certainly been able to clearly detail what one must do to understand their dreams and how to utilize them in such a way that give our life much more meaning than we ever thought possible.

I am currently reading Sergio Magana Ocelocoyotl’s book “The Toltec Secret: Dreaming practices of the Ancient Mexican’s”. This is not a book to read quickly, but to savor slowly. In his book, he gives us a map to an expanded state of consciousness not only through lucid dreaming, but several other practices as well.To undertake the practice of lucid dreaming, we need a map and tools to navigate these realms. Through the knowledge handed down from his ancestors he has given us these tools! This knowledge was safeguarded and handed down word of mouth to each worthy student until now. Sergio’s master teachers and his dreams told him that now is the time to share this knowledge with the world. Not just to Mexican’s, but for everyone!If one is sincere and diligent in their efforts, the rewards will be made known. This is not a frivolous undertaking, for how could you do so when nothing short of learning the totality of who we really are, and how to manifest ourselves in the world, is the end result!I have studied several different Shamanic Cosmologies, but never one with a practice that gives such a thoughtful and precise manual for lucid dreaming.I also am impressed with his “Quetzaltzin” or Recapitulation exercises. I have practiced the art of recapitulation through another modality, but his outline of practices seems nothing short of brilliant! Easy enough to do, once you commit yourself to the practice. I sense the power of this ‘act of losing yourself!’I have as yet to finish this book, but it is more a reference manual for a new way of becoming. I like the statement “The world is the way we dream it.” I believe it is time for all of us to enter a new world dream for the whole of humanity!Tamara Kordahl