The term Nagual has several definitions - one who is good in talking, shape
shifter, witch and animal co-essence. Co-essence is the name of a being,
which has its origins in ancient and widely accepted Mesoamerican beliefs
that one part of our soul (or figures baring resemblance to humans i.e.
gods) uncovers itself as a kind of animal, or a remarkable occurrence such
as a loud clap of thunder or a strong gust of wind, of a spiritual nature.
This belief is still current today in a lot of parts of Mesoamerica.
Shape-shifting can be perceived as a change in the physical form or shape of
a person or animal. Sometimes this is referred to as metamorphosis,
morphing, transformation, transmogrification, Therianthropy, mimic or by
other terms.
Witches allegedly have supernatural or magical powers. They are of either
sex and practise witchcraft. Male witches are generally called sorcerer,
wizard, warlock or most commonly magician.
Carlos Castaneda used the term Nagual in his books to depict a person who
has the skills to guide people to new areas of awareness and alternate
realities just as valid as ours. Don Juan Matus, the shaman teacher of
Carlos Castaneda often called himself the Nagual of his apprentices. Don
Juan, describes the Nagual in one of Castaneda's books to "... Turn
everything into what it really is: the abstract, the spirit, the Nagual."
The Nagual is something hard to define or even name. It cant be known
through words alone, it must be experienced to understand the true essence
of what Nagual is.
The Nagual is also a state of awareness, where an alternate dimension of
everyday reality is experienced. Some say Nagual is All That Is, and that it
is concentrated into a shape known as the Tonal. The Nagual and Tonal being
dual expressions of reality and existence, are seen either in the First
Attention, where we experience the Tonal, or the Second Attention where we
experience the Nagual.
Nagual's in Carlos Castaneda's system are a direct line to All That Is, and
pass their knowledge on to their apprentices helping them obtain what some
call 'total freedom'. The apprentices goal is the Second Attention or Nagual
awareness. In some traditions psychoactive plants are used to induce this
state, and other states, of awareness. When able to perceive the Second
Attention, one is regarded as a 'seer'.
Modern beliefs based on Castaneda's work see reality as multi-dimensional.
It can be said that people only see a limited view of the multi dimensional
reality for the duration of any given experience.
