Freedom is a word that resonates across the globe, a universal aspiration, and an ideal that transcends borders. But what does freedom truly entail? In the United States, we pride ourselves on living in a “free country,” yet the shackles of true freedom often elude us. In this article, we embark on a journey to explore the essence of freedom through the lens of the Toltec philosophy, delving deep into the intricacies of breaking old agreements that bind us.
Everyone Talks About Freedom
Freedom is one of the most commonly discussed ideals across cultures and societies. It’s a concept that has been deeply ingrained in human consciousness. We speak of freedom in countless contexts, whether it’s the freedom to speak our minds, the freedom to choose our leaders, or the freedom to pursue happiness. Across different nations, people rally for the right to live freely, to express themselves, and to make choices without external interference. But as much as freedom is celebrated, the reality of what it truly means is often misunderstood or distorted.
In modern democracies, like the United States, freedom is frequently associated with political rights and liberties. Citizens are promised the ability to live as they choose, free from the control of autocratic regimes or oppressive laws. However, when we take a closer look at this promise, we begin to see that freedom is not simply about the lack of external restrictions. For many, despite the legal and political freedoms they may enjoy, true freedom still feels elusive. Why is that? What does it really mean to be free?
Freedom, at its core, isn’t just about the absence of laws or regulations; it’s about the liberation of the human spirit. It’s the ability to live as our authentic selves, without being confined by societal pressures, past trauma, or ingrained beliefs that hold us back. True freedom transcends the physical world—it’s a state of mind, a freedom of being. It’s the freedom to think and act according to our true desires, without fear of judgment or retribution.
But here’s where the challenge lies: the freedoms we seek aren’t always available to us because they’re often conditioned away from us. True freedom isn’t just an external condition; it is internal. It’s the freedom to express yourself fully, without feeling the weight of expectations, shame, or fear. In many ways, we are conditioned from a very young age to conform to societal expectations, and it is this conditioning that gradually suppresses our authentic selves.
As a result, even in societies that pride themselves on freedom, most people still feel trapped by invisible chains. These chains are not always physical; they are emotional, psychological, and cultural patterns and beliefs instilled in us by our upbringing, education, and media. Therefore, the question is not just about external freedom—it’s about the internal liberation of the self.
In truth, many of us live in a state of self-imposed captivity. We may have the legal freedom to make choices, but we often find ourselves paralyzed by doubt, fear, and the need to conform. We become so accustomed to living according to external standards that we lose sight of what it means to live authentically. True freedom, then, is not just about what we are allowed to do, but what we allow ourselves to be.
Who Stops Us From Being Free?
As much as we might blame external forces for limiting our freedom, the real obstacle to our liberation often lies within. We are quick to point fingers at society, the government, our families, our religious institutions, or our upbringing, as if these forces are the ones preventing us from being free. But when we strip away these external factors, we are left with one undeniable truth: the greatest barrier to our freedom is ourselves.
This is a hard truth to swallow. The limitations we experience in life are not always the result of circumstances or oppressive systems; more often than not, they are the consequences of our own beliefs, fears, and internal programming. These inner barriers can be far more limiting than any external force. They take the shape of self-doubt, shame, guilt, fear of failure, and a relentless inner critic that tells us we are not good enough, not worthy, or not capable of achieving our dreams.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of blaming our circumstances for the way we feel. We point to the government, societal expectations, or personal experiences as the root of our unhappiness and lack of freedom. But when we do this, we relinquish our power. We allow ourselves to remain victims of our circumstances instead of taking control of our own destiny. While external forces may influence us, the ultimate power to change and reclaim our freedom lies within us.
One of the most insidious aspects of this internal captivity is the presence of the Judge and the Victim within our minds. The Judge is an inner voice that constantly criticizes us. It’s the voice that tells us we are not good enough, that we’ll never succeed, or that we are incapable of achieving our goals. The Judge holds us to impossible standards, creating a constant feeling of inadequacy and fear.
The Victim, on the other hand, adopts a passive stance, constantly blaming others for their pain and suffering. It’s the part of us that says, “This is just how life is. I have no control over what happens to me. I’m always the one who suffers.” The Victim is a powerful force because it keeps us stuck in a mindset of powerlessness. We become resigned to our fate, believing that there is nothing we can do to change our circumstances.
These two forces—the Judge and the Victim—are like parasites that feed off our fears and insecurities. They distort our perception of reality and keep us trapped in a cycle of self-sabotage. They whisper in our ears that we are unworthy, that our dreams are impossible, and that freedom is just a fantasy. But the truth is, we are the ones who allow these forces to control our lives.
The path to freedom begins with recognizing these internal forces for what they are—false beliefs and limiting patterns that hold us back. Once we are aware of their existence, we can begin to break free from their grip. This requires immense self-awareness, courage, and a willingness to challenge everything we have been taught to believe about ourselves and the world around us.
The real question, then, is not about what stops us from being free, but about how we can reclaim our power. It’s about dismantling the belief systems that no longer serve us and choosing to live from a place of authenticity and self-love. It’s about rejecting the lies of the Judge and the Victim and stepping into a new reality, one where we are free to be who we truly are.
The first step in this journey is awareness. We must be willing to look within and examine the beliefs, fears, and insecurities that have been holding us back. Once we are aware of these internal obstacles, we can begin to dismantle them, one by one. We can choose to let go of old agreements and beliefs that no longer serve us and replace them with new, empowering ones.
Ultimately, freedom is an inside job. It requires that we take responsibility for our own thoughts, emotions, and actions. We cannot control the external world, but we can control how we respond to it. We can choose to break free from the chains of self-doubt and fear and live a life of authenticity and purpose.
The Wildness of Childhood
To truly understand the essence of freedom, we must look back to the purest, most unencumbered phase of our lives: childhood. Children represent the epitome of freedom—freedom to explore, express, and be. A two-year-old is the embodiment of spontaneity and joy. They laugh, cry, play, and interact with the world without any fear of judgment, societal expectations, or constraints. They live in the moment, guided purely by their instincts and desires, without worrying about what others think or what the future holds.
If you watch a young child closely, you’ll notice a remarkable lack of inhibition. When they want to speak, they speak. When they feel happy, they express it through laughter. When they are sad, they cry. Their emotions are raw, unfiltered, and authentic. Children don’t pretend to be something they’re not. If they’re scared, they show it. If they’re excited, they burst with energy. Their experience of the world is entirely in the present, with no thought of the past or future. This is an extraordinary demonstration of freedom, one that we often lose as we age.
A young child does not worry about failure. They try things out without fear of consequences. If they fall while trying to walk or run, they don’t internalize it as a failure; they simply get back up and try again. There’s no shame in their exploration—only curiosity and an innate desire to learn. The world is a playground to them, and their imagination knows no bounds. This untainted sense of freedom is something we can all learn from.
Children are also inherently open to love. They don’t hesitate to express their feelings of affection. If they feel love, they show it, and if they feel fear, they express it, too. They aren’t afraid of loving openly because they haven’t yet been conditioned to hold back, to protect themselves from vulnerability. This is the raw essence of freedom—the ability to feel, express, and experience life without fear of judgment or rejection. The child represents a version of ourselves that is untamed, free, and wholly alive.
This uninhibited expression of the self is something we should all strive to reclaim. It’s a reminder of what it means to be truly free—to express ourselves in every moment, without worrying about societal approval, perfection, or the fear of looking foolish. However, as we grow older, this wildness becomes increasingly suppressed.
So, what happens to this natural freedom? Why do we, as adults, find ourselves so different from the carefree children we once were?
The Transformation to Adulthood: Domestication
The process that leads us away from this natural state of freedom is what we call domestication. From the moment we are born, we begin to be shaped by the world around us. Our parents, teachers, religious leaders, and society as a whole teach us how to think, feel, and behave. We are told what is right and wrong, what is acceptable and what is not. These lessons, whether direct or subtle, begin to shape our beliefs, often without us even realizing it.
This domestication process is not inherently negative. After all, society needs a certain degree of structure and conformity for it to function. However, the problem arises when this conditioning goes too far, when we begin to lose touch with our true selves in favor of living up to external expectations. As children, we are wild and free. But by the time we reach adulthood, much of that wildness has been replaced with a set of rules, limitations, and expectations.
This transformation is often subtle. It starts with small things—a parent telling a child to sit still, to stop asking too many questions, to follow the rules. It continues as we enter school, where we are taught to conform, to listen to authority, and to work within a structured system. As we grow older, society continues to shape us through media, culture, and the voices of those around us, reinforcing the idea that we must live up to certain standards to be accepted, loved, and valued.
One of the most powerful forces in this domestication process is the emergence of the Judge and the Victim within our minds. The Judge is the internal critic that scrutinizes every action, every word, every thought. It tells us we are not good enough, that we must always do more, be better, and strive for perfection. The Victim, on the other hand, adopts a mindset of powerlessness, constantly blaming external circumstances for their struggles and failures. Together, the Judge and the Victim create a toxic environment in our minds, one where freedom is constantly suppressed by self-doubt, fear, and shame.
The Judge is the voice that says, “You can’t do that; you’re not good enough,” while the Victim replies, “It’s not your fault; the world is against you.” These voices keep us trapped in a cycle of self-rejection and limitation. We become so absorbed in these internal dialogues that we lose sight of the freedom we once had as children. We stop trusting ourselves, stop following our instincts, and start living according to the expectations of others.
One of the most damaging aspects of this domestication is the way it shifts our focus from internal validation to external approval. As children, we are naturally driven by our internal desires, guided by curiosity and a sense of wonder. But as we grow older, we begin to seek approval from others—parents, teachers, friends, colleagues, and society. This shift takes us further away from our authentic selves, as we start to measure our worth by external standards rather than by our own internal compass.
The process of domestication also involves the formation of beliefs—beliefs about who we are, what we deserve, and how we should live. These beliefs often come from the people around us, from the media we consume, and from the institutions we are a part of. They are absorbed into our subconscious and become the lenses through which we view the world. But many of these beliefs are limiting, rooted in fear and scarcity, rather than abundance and possibility. They keep us trapped in a mindset that tells us we are not enough, that we cannot have what we truly want, and that we must follow a prescribed path to be accepted.
As we internalize these beliefs, we begin to lose touch with our true nature—the wild, free self that is unafraid to explore, to dream, and to be. We stop living authentically and start living according to a set of expectations that were never our own. We become domesticated by the world around us, trapped in a cycle of external validation and self-limiting beliefs.
But the good news is that this domestication is not permanent. The path to freedom is about recognizing this conditioning and choosing to break free from it. It requires a conscious effort to reclaim our authentic selves, to challenge the beliefs that no longer serve us, and to trust ourselves once again. It’s about rediscovering that wild, free, and joyful part of ourselves that still exists deep inside.
The journey back to freedom starts with awareness. It’s about recognizing the ways in which we have been domesticated and choosing to step outside of those constraints. It’s about shedding the layers of fear, self-doubt, and societal expectations that have kept us from living fully and embracing the wildness of our true nature. The process of reclaiming freedom is gradual, but with each step, we move closer to the authentic self that has always been waiting to emerge.
The Inner Child: Returning to Our True Nature
The concept of the “inner child” represents a deeply personal connection to the purest, most authentic version of ourselves. This child within us is untainted by the rules, judgments, and constraints of adulthood. It is the part of us that once lived with unrestrained joy, spontaneity, and love. Over time, however, as we become socialized into the roles and expectations of adulthood, we bury this inner child beneath layers of conditioning, fears, and responsibilities.
Reconnecting with the inner child is about returning to a state of authenticity. This inner child is the true essence of who we are, free from the inhibitions that arise from societal pressures or the internalized judgments of the Judge and the Victim. It is the part of us that is not afraid to express our emotions, desires, and creativity without concern for how others might perceive us. It is the raw, untamed energy that is eager to explore, create, and experience life fully.
The moments when we reconnect with our inner child are often the moments when we are most alive. They are the times when we are deeply engaged in activities that bring us joy, whether it’s playing an instrument, painting, writing, dancing, or even just laughing with friends. These activities allow us to transcend the constraints of adult life and temporarily return to a state of freedom. In these moments, we are reminded of the joy that comes with being ourselves, of the joy that comes with living without judgment.
But as we grow older, the responsibilities of life begin to weigh us down. The constant demands of work, relationships, and societal expectations often drown out the voice of our inner child. The Judge whispers, “You have responsibilities, you need to act like an adult, you don’t have time to play.” The Victim complains, “Life is hard; you don’t have time to have fun when you’re dealing with all these challenges.” As a result, we begin to suppress the part of ourselves that is capable of experiencing joy and wonder.
The process of returning to our true nature requires us to break free from these pressures. It involves creating space in our lives for the things that make us feel alive—those moments of pure, unfiltered expression. It’s about reclaiming the freedom to play, to explore, and to be vulnerable in the way that children do.
To reconnect with the inner child, we must let go of the fear of judgment. This means stepping away from the need for external validation and choosing instead to listen to our own desires and instincts. We must allow ourselves to make mistakes, to be imperfect, and to embrace the childlike wonder that we once had.
Rediscovering the inner child is not about abandoning our adult responsibilities. Rather, it is about integrating that sense of freedom and authenticity into our daily lives. It’s about remembering that life is not just about fulfilling duties, but also about experiencing joy, connection, and self-expression. The more we nurture our inner child, the more we align with our true selves, and the more we unlock the freedom to live authentically.
The Domesticated Society
In every society, there is a dominant culture that shapes the way people think, behave, and live. From the moment we are born, we are immersed in this culture, which gradually molds our beliefs, values, and behaviors. This process is known as domestication, and it plays a significant role in shaping our lives and identities. Domestication begins in the home, with our families, and continues through education, religion, and the media.
As we grow, the messages we receive from these influences begin to take root in our minds. We are told what is “acceptable” behavior, what is “normal,” and what is “right.” We learn that there are certain ways to act, speak, and think in order to fit in and be accepted. Over time, we internalize these external expectations, and they become our reality. We begin to suppress parts of ourselves that don’t conform to the rules of the society around us, and we start to live in accordance with the values and beliefs that have been imposed on us.
This domestication process is not inherently malicious; it is simply a way for society to maintain order and function. However, the consequences of this conditioning can be profound. As we are shaped by society’s expectations, we begin to lose touch with our authentic selves—the wild, free part of us that existed before the world told us who we should be. Instead of living according to our own desires and instincts, we begin to live according to the rules of others.
One of the most damaging aspects of this domestication is the development of the Judge and the Victim within our minds. The Judge is the internalized voice of societal norms, constantly telling us that we must meet certain standards to be worthy of love, respect, or success. It is the voice that criticizes our every move, telling us we are not good enough, not smart enough, or not deserving enough. The Victim, on the other hand, is the part of us that internalizes feelings of powerlessness and helplessness. It is the voice that blames external circumstances for our suffering, making us feel as though we are victims of life’s injustices.
Together, the Judge and the Victim create a toxic inner environment that stifles our personal freedom. They keep us trapped in a cycle of self-doubt, shame, and fear, preventing us from living authentically and fully. We begin to measure our worth by external standards, constantly seeking validation from others rather than from within. We suppress our true desires and feelings, afraid of being judged or rejected. This is the essence of domestication: the process of becoming a version of ourselves that fits into the societal mold, rather than embracing our true, wild nature.
The most difficult part of this domestication is that it often goes unnoticed. Most people are so deeply immersed in the societal narrative that they don’t even realize they are not living authentically. They believe that the way they think, feel, and behave is the only way to live, because they have been conditioned to think so. This creates a world where conformity reigns and individuality is often suppressed.
But the good news is that the process of breaking free from this domestication is possible. The first step is awareness. We must become conscious of the ways in which we have been domesticated, both by our upbringing and by society. This means examining the beliefs and patterns that govern our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Once we become aware of these influences, we can begin to challenge them.
The process of breaking free requires courage and self-compassion. It means allowing ourselves to question the beliefs we’ve held for years, to step outside of the roles we’ve been assigned, and to begin living according to our own truth. This is not an easy task, as it often requires letting go of the need for approval from others and embracing the uncertainty that comes with authenticity. But the reward is worth it: a life that is true to who we really are.
To begin reclaiming our freedom, we must start by looking inward and identifying the beliefs and behaviors that are limiting us. We must ask ourselves: What do we truly want? What do we desire to express? What parts of ourselves have we suppressed in order to fit into the mold? The answers to these questions will guide us on the path to personal liberation. By embracing our true selves, we can break free from the constraints of domestication and live a life of authenticity, creativity, and freedom.
The journey of reclaiming freedom is not about rejecting society or abandoning our responsibilities. It’s about finding balance—living in the world, but not being of the world. It’s about understanding that true freedom comes from within, and that by reconnecting with our authentic selves, we can live more fully, more joyfully, and more freely. The more we embrace our wild, true nature, the more we align with the freedom that is our birthright.
Awareness: The First Step to Liberation
Awareness is the cornerstone of the journey to personal freedom. Without it, we are like ships drifting aimlessly on the sea, at the mercy of the currents, tossed about by our emotions, beliefs, and past experiences. Awareness is the beacon that illuminates the path toward liberation, allowing us to see the invisible forces that have been controlling our lives, often without our conscious knowledge.
The first step toward reclaiming our freedom is recognizing that we are not as free as we think we are. This realization can be unsettling, even painful, because it requires us to confront the uncomfortable truth that our lives are being governed by a set of beliefs, fears, and patterns that we did not choose. These beliefs have been implanted in us from a young age, often by well-meaning parents, teachers, and society. They shape how we think about ourselves, the world, and our place in it.
At the core of this awareness is the understanding that we are not our thoughts, emotions, or beliefs. We are the observers of these things, the ones who can choose how to react to them. This is the foundation of true freedom—the ability to step back and witness our thoughts without being controlled by them. It is the realization that the internal narrative that often drives us is not necessarily the truth. These stories, often rooted in fear, scarcity, or past trauma, may not reflect who we truly are or what we are truly capable of.
To cultivate awareness, we must develop the ability to pause and observe our thoughts and emotions without judgment. This is where mindfulness comes in. Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment, aware of what is happening inside and around us. It allows us to step out of the automatic patterns of thinking and reacting that keep us stuck. By practicing mindfulness, we begin to see the ways in which our minds have been conditioned, how our beliefs have been shaped, and how we have internalized the judgments of the Judge and the Victim.
Awareness also involves recognizing the ways in which we are still living in the past. Many of us carry old wounds, unresolved trauma, and outdated beliefs that continue to influence our present lives. These old agreements and belief systems continue to shape our reality, limiting our potential and preventing us from fully embracing who we are. But when we bring awareness to these patterns, we can begin to unravel them. We can see how the past no longer serves us and how we can let go of these old agreements that no longer align with who we want to become.
The practice of awareness also means confronting the discomfort of our emotions. We are often taught to suppress or deny certain emotions, especially those that are deemed “negative,” like anger, fear, or sadness. However, emotions are an integral part of the human experience, and they provide valuable insight into our inner world. By becoming aware of our emotions, we can begin to understand their origins and their messages. Instead of allowing them to control us, we can learn to work with them and use them as a source of power.
Awareness is the foundation of self-empowerment. Once we understand the forces that have been controlling us, we can begin to take back control. We can challenge the beliefs and thought patterns that have limited us and choose to rewrite our own narrative. Awareness allows us to see that we are not prisoners of our circumstances—we are the creators of our own lives. The first step to liberation, then, is simply to wake up, to become aware of the chains that have bound us, and to acknowledge that we have the power to break free.
Mastery of the Dream
In Toltec wisdom, life is often described as a “dream.” It’s an ongoing story that we create and participate in, with each individual shaping their own narrative through thoughts, beliefs, and actions. The challenge is to understand that our personal dream is not just a passive experience—it’s something we actively shape and can change at any moment. Mastering the dream means taking responsibility for the reality we are creating, acknowledging that we are the dreamers, not the dream.
Mastery of the dream begins with the recognition that our lives are often shaped by unconscious agreements and beliefs that we’ve made throughout our lives. These beliefs, handed down from our families, cultures, and societies, form the foundation of the “dream” we live. However, many of these agreements are not based on truth—they are distorted reflections of the world around us. We are often unaware of how these beliefs shape our reality and how they limit our potential.
The first step in mastering the dream is to become aware of these agreements. These beliefs often manifest as internal rules about how we should behave, what we deserve, and how we must live to be “good enough.” These rules are the product of societal conditioning, and they often serve to reinforce the Judge and Victim within us. The Judge tells us that we are not enough, and the Victim convinces us that we have no control over our lives. Together, they create a narrative of powerlessness and limitation.
Once we become aware of these limiting beliefs, we can begin to challenge them. This is where the power of choice comes in. We have the ability to rewrite the story of our lives, to change the agreements we have made with ourselves. We can choose to let go of the beliefs that have been holding us back and replace them with new, empowering beliefs that align with our true desires and values.
Mastery of the dream also requires us to take full responsibility for the life we are creating. This means acknowledging that, while we may not have control over everything that happens to us, we do have control over how we respond. We are not victims of circumstance; we are creators of our own reality. By accepting responsibility for our thoughts, emotions, and actions, we begin to reclaim the power that has always been ours.
One of the most important aspects of mastering the dream is understanding the power of intent. Intent is the driving force behind the choices we make and the actions we take. It is the energy that fuels our dreams and directs our path. When we align our intent with our highest good, we begin to create a reality that is in harmony with who we truly are. Intent is not just about setting goals—it’s about consciously choosing the direction of our lives and acting in accordance with that choice.
The Mastery of the Dream also involves becoming a “dream master”—someone who consciously creates their life, rather than passively accepting the narrative that has been imposed upon them. Dream masters are fully aware of the power of their thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. They understand that the world they see is a reflection of their internal state. By mastering their own internal world, they are able to shape their external reality.
Mastery of the Dream is not about controlling every aspect of life—it’s about recognizing that we have the power to choose how we experience the world. It’s about reclaiming the creative force that is within us, understanding that we are the authors of our own stories. With this awareness, we can begin to transform our lives and create the reality we desire. The key to mastering the dream is to be fully awake, to take responsibility for our choices, and to align our intent with the life we want to live.
By becoming a dream master, we can break free from the false narratives and limiting beliefs that have been holding us back. We can create a life that is authentic, fulfilling, and true to who we really are. This is the essence of personal freedom—living consciously, with purpose and intention, and creating a reality that reflects our deepest desires.
The Discipline of the Warrior: Controlling Your Behavior
The discipline of the warrior is central to the path of self-liberation. A warrior, in this sense, is not a person who wields weapons or fights external enemies but someone who faces their own internal battles with courage, self-awareness, and control. To be a warrior is to take responsibility for our actions, thoughts, and emotions, and to exercise discipline in our lives to stay true to our highest self. It is about not allowing ourselves to be at the mercy of our impulses, emotions, or circumstances.
In the modern world, we are often controlled by our emotions, especially negative ones like anger, fear, frustration, and sadness. These emotions, while natural, can sometimes overwhelm us and cause us to react impulsively. The challenge is not to suppress these emotions but to learn how to manage them, to ensure that they do not dictate our behavior or our life choices. The warrior’s discipline lies in being able to pause before reacting, to consider the consequences of our actions, and to choose the most aligned and thoughtful response.
One of the greatest forms of personal freedom comes from being able to control our reactions. Imagine waking up feeling good, full of energy and optimism, only for a small interaction—such as an argument with a partner or a challenging situation at work—to drain your energy and throw off your day. When we react emotionally without control, we end up giving away our power. In such moments, the emotional intensity of the situation overrides our logical thinking, and we may say or do things that we later regret.
This is where the warrior’s discipline comes in. The warrior knows that emotions are like the wind—they are powerful and inevitable, but they don’t have to dictate the course of our actions. Instead of reacting impulsively, the warrior takes a step back and reflects. They ask themselves: “What is the most constructive way to handle this situation?” The warrior refrains from immediate emotional reactions and instead acts from a place of wisdom, patience, and self-control.
Being a spiritual warrior is about mastering yourself in the face of adversity. It’s easy to be “nice” or calm when things are going smoothly, but true discipline is tested when life gets difficult. The warrior understands that challenges, conflicts, and discomfort are a natural part of life, and they don’t let these situations dictate their emotional state or behavior. Instead of becoming victims of their circumstances, they learn to rise above them, seeing each challenge as an opportunity to grow stronger.
This control is not about suppressing or ignoring emotions; it is about not allowing emotions to control us. A warrior knows that feelings are important—they are indicators of how we experience the world—but they don’t let those feelings override their integrity, goals, or peace of mind. The ability to remain centered, even in chaos, is the hallmark of a true warrior. The more we practice this discipline, the more we develop emotional resilience and the ability to handle whatever life throws at us with composure and grace.
This discipline also extends to our behaviors and habits. To be a warrior is to choose our actions carefully, understanding that every action has a consequence. We do not act impulsively or without thought. The warrior exercises patience, self-restraint, and wisdom, choosing actions that align with their higher purpose rather than fleeting desires or emotional impulses. Through this, the warrior maintains control over their own life, living in alignment with their authentic values and intentions.
Ultimately, the discipline of the warrior is about mastering ourselves so that we can live intentionally and authentically. We are not simply victims of our emotions, impulses, or circumstances; we are the masters of our lives. Through self-control, awareness, and intentional action, we can become the warriors of our own personal journeys, living with clarity, purpose, and inner strength.
The Initiation of the Dead: Embracing the Angel of Death
One of the most profound lessons in Toltec wisdom—and in many spiritual traditions—is the concept of death, not as an end, but as a teacher. The “Initiation of the Dead” is an essential part of the Toltec path, symbolizing the death of the old self and the rebirth of the true self. To embrace the Angel of Death is to understand that death is not something to fear, but a natural part of life’s cycle—a force that brings us back to the present moment and forces us to let go of the past.
The metaphor of the Angel of Death represents the inevitability of life’s impermanence. Death is not just the end of physical life—it is a symbol of the moments in our lives when old beliefs, habits, and identities must die in order for something new to be born. The initiation of the dead requires us to face our fears, let go of attachments, and surrender to the impermanence of existence. It teaches us to live fully, without regret, by reminding us that everything we hold dear is transient.
In everyday life, we often find ourselves holding onto the past—whether it’s past grievances, old identities, or former versions of ourselves. These attachments weigh us down and prevent us from fully embracing the present. But the Angel of Death teaches us to release these attachments, to understand that they are no longer serving us. We must accept that we cannot carry the weight of the past with us if we are to move forward into a new chapter of life. This is the essence of transformation: the willingness to allow the old self to die so that the new self can emerge.
Facing the Angel of Death symbolically is not about physical death, but rather a metaphorical death of our limiting beliefs, fears, and attachments. It is an invitation to die to the past—to let go of old stories, wounds, and patterns that no longer define us. It is a challenge to confront our deepest fears, to look at the ways in which we cling to old identities that hold us back, and to release them. This “death” is not something to mourn, but something to celebrate, for it is the precursor to a new beginning.
In practical terms, the Initiation of the Dead can be seen in the moments when we face our deepest fears—whether it’s the fear of failure, the fear of being vulnerable, or the fear of stepping into the unknown. When we confront these fears head-on and refuse to let them control us, we symbolically embrace the Angel of Death. We shed the layers of self-doubt, old narratives, and fears, and we emerge as a new, more empowered version of ourselves.
This initiation requires great courage. It asks us to face the uncertainty of life and the inevitability of change, without clinging to the comfort of the known. To embrace the Angel of Death is to surrender to the flow of life, to trust that everything is unfolding as it should, and to accept that the end of one phase is simply the beginning of another. It is a liberation from the grip of the past and a bold step into the future.
Through the Initiation of the Dead, we are not only confronted with the concept of our mortality but also with the deeper understanding that we have the power to transcend the fear and attachments that bind us. The “death” of the old self is an opportunity for rebirth, a chance to step into a new chapter of our lives where we are free to live authentically, without the baggage of old beliefs or fears holding us back.
This initiation also calls us to live fully, embracing every moment with awareness, gratitude, and love. Once we accept that we do not know how much time we have, we begin to appreciate the preciousness of the present. We no longer waste time on trivial matters or hold grudges; instead, we focus on what truly matters—living our lives in alignment with our deepest values and desires.
Ultimately, the Initiation of the Dead teaches us that life is fleeting, but that death, when embraced, offers us the freedom to live fully in the present moment. Through this acceptance, we are able to shed our old selves, transcend fear, and emerge as a more empowered, authentic version of who we are meant to be.
Conclusion
The Toltec path to freedom is a journey of self-discovery and transformation. It is a path that requires awareness, discipline, and courage. By breaking the old agreements that have shaped our lives, we reclaim our power and become the masters of our own dreams. Through the mastery of awareness, transformation, and intent, we can transcend the limitations of domestication and live a life that is wild, free, and authentic. The key to freedom lies within us—we only need the courage to break free from the parasite that controls our minds and embrace the true essence of who we are.