The Toltec Empire predated the Aztec Empire in Mesoamerica, the Toltecs were said to have invented the arts and sciences adopted by the Aztecs. They were also known for their fierce and devout warriors. The Toltec warriors endured an interesting initiation to become a warrior, the initiate was sent into the jungle to live for a year during which they were asked to recapitulate their lives. That is to examine their lives in reverse chronology, present to past. Were they honorable, what could they have done better? If a questionable event was recalled, they were to visualize the event attaching forgiveness and acceptance, and then release it. This practice was a reconciliation of the past, a mental and emotional cleansing of self. After a year if they emerged from the jungle, they were accepted into the warrior clan.
This fascinating story is made even more so by the fact that this took place between the 10th and 12th centuries. Yet, it is not so different from the practice used by Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and other twelve step organizations. To create change, one must go within.
The Toltec Warriors reconciled with introspection to become pure at heart. Alcoholics and addicts recover using a similar practice of personal inventory and then making amends to those they may have harmed to overcome their addiction. While these are two extremes of the spectrum it is evident that a practice of introspection can lead to profound change.
You may be asking how this applies to our everyday lives. We as individuals are a composite of our thoughts and actions. A friend of mine has a philosophy that our thoughts create our beliefs, our beliefs create behaviors, and our behaviors create our habits. I am inclined to accept this premise.
Thoughts > Beliefs > Behaviors > Habits
What do you do if you identify a trait or a habit that you do not like about yourself? It is quite simple, a practice introspection. Like the Toltec warriors a period of reflection and reconciliation can lead to changes in your perspective and how you perceive your world.
This practice can start with a simple daily mental inventory prior to bedtime. It takes just a few minutes to reflect on your day. Are there areas that you could have reacted differently or been more supportive? Were your actions driven by emotion? As you develop this practice you will start to see patterns in how you interact with friends, family, business associates and the world.
Beyond a daily inventory is the act of journaling. This practice can be as simple as a few lines of what you wish to accomplish for the day or how you feel or a more prolonged contemplation of an event that happened. What happened, how you felt, what would have happened if you reacted differently. Testing the different scenarios that would best serve you.
Developing these practices allows us to take responsibility for our own lives and evolution. Life is a journey not a destination. I share this with you having experienced my own addictions. It was through introspection and the guidance of others that I was able to overcome and recover.
In all my years if I have learned anything it is that we all face challenges at some time or another. It is not a question of if but when it will happen. Developing these tools help us process this crazy thing called life.
