The Art of Stalking Parallel Perception: The Living Tapestry of Lujan Matus Paperback – January 1, 2005

I wish to begin this review with two qualifying points:1) Thai Jing has already provided a review of this book with an extensive overview of its content. I do not intend to repeat what he has succinctly expressed prior to me writing this review. For this reason, I will take another approach.2) I am, potentially, writing this review primarily for those people already actively exploring the mystery of perception and/or principles and perspectives inherent to the Toltec body of Wisdom. Or, potentially, for those who have a new interest in such.I was delighted to read The Art of Stalking Parallel Perception (Parallel Perception, from this point forward). I bought the book on Amazon.com somewhat spontaneously/intuitively when it popped up whilst searching for something else. So I had very little in the way of expectations when I started to read Lujan's book. Had I had any expectations, they would not have prepared me for what this book elucidates and explores. I had no idea...In my experience, Parallel Perception is a book written to engage the reader on multiple levels. Obviously, as it is a message conveyed in written words, it first engages the reader through the rational/thinking mind, as any book must. Such is the nature of language. Yet it Lujan goes a step further. Parallel Perception speaks from a reality the transcends that of ordinary waking consciousness, and thus communicates from that transcended "place" (if I may refer to it in that way). "Transcendent state" or "space" might also suffice. It is for this reason I feel this book is likely to evoke one of two primary reactions in readers. Either one of awe and immense interest, or one of disdain or at the very least dis-interest or confusion.Someone with their attention heavily invested into the mundane reality of the (under-utilised) five senses will quite possibly have a hard time "getting their head around" the subject matter of Parallel Perception. This book is quite likely one you can skip past, and not read. On the other hand, someone with an active interest in (or at the very least, a Heart which is open to) the unseen mysteries of Life will likely find this book opens their awareness to realms and possibilities that they had not previously considered possible, or at least only vaguely so. Lujan makes a fine job of the rather difficult challenge of bridging multiple planes of reality through the written word. It is my personal sense, however, that he has tackled this challenge in such a way that for some readers a type of "transmission" may be experienced (consciously, or not) through reading this book. It'll depend on your own prior conditioning.Parallel Perception does a satisfactory job of elucidating certain aspects of the irrational, illogical, and metaphysical elements of Life. The author shares his story of how he was initiated into various inner planes of consciousness, introduced to certain beings, intelligences, and forces in these realms (both benign and malevolent), and challenged to awaken to his Dreamer, and claim his personal power. The later part of the book primarily focuses on Lujan's relationship with certain individuals who I gather he relates to as students. Some may say this section of the book comes across as a means to establish himself as a teacher in the reader's mind. That may be true, but I would have to make an assumption to say either way.My comprehension of the English language is well above average, and yet I did find Lujan's choice of language was at times a challenge to grapple with. I can't say if such use of language was altogether necessary, as that would very much depend on the author's intent. I do feel many readers may find the language--which at times might come across as incoherent--too much to wade through without having the distinct feeling they are not really sure what exactly the point of a sentence or paragraph really was. To put this in perspective, it might help to imagine trying to write a coherent and rationally sensible book about all your nocturnal dreams over the course of 10 years. It would be close to impossible, and with that in mind I don't consider this a criticism of Lujan's effort.I am willing to accept, for myself, that the non-linear and irrational nature of the subject matter Lujan has chosen to tackle in this book is such that incoherency is bound to come into the writing. This is not necessarily to its discredit. Rather, I see it as my own challenge to handle that in the best way I can, rather than to discredit Lujan (who I have no relationship with beyond this book). Much in the same way I must handle my own Dreaming, and it's nonlinear, at times incoherent, nature.I could say more, yet I feel only reading the book will do the rest justice.-- In Summary --If you're predominantly "left brained" (rational, logical, etc.), you might find this book a challenge or even a put-off.If you're more "right brain" dominant or developed (creative, non-linear, intuitive, irrational knowing) and if you're open to stretching your own perception and the limits you may have knowingly or (more likely) unknowingly placed (or allowed to be placed) on your faculties of perception, READ THIS BOOK. I am sure you'll appreciate the message it conveys.My last word: I'd say don't read it just once. If you like it, or find it even remotely interesting, read it another time... perhaps a few weeks or months later. I am sure you will find what you derive from this book very much depends on your own perceptual conditioning. The first reading of this book may help loosen that up, and after some times those changes will have settled and integrated. A second (and any subsequent) reading of this book will potentially reveal much that was veiled the first time around.4 Stars from me. Not 5, mostly because I find it lacks a certain element of practical information for the reader. It is in my experience first and foremost, this is a book centred around Lujan and his particularly journey. There is absolutely nothing "wrong" with that, per say. For my liking, however, reading Parallel Perception left something to be desired in terms of knowledge I can directly and immediately apply to my own journey. Having said that, I am about to read his second book which I understand goes into more practical instruction for the reader. That book is called  Awakening the Third Eye: Discovering the True Essence of Recapitulation .*** UPDATE ***As mentioned above, Lujan Matus has also written another book which I have now read, and continue to read and apply. If you decide you like this first one, I recommend the second one. His second book ( Awakening the Third Eye: Discovering the True Essence of Recapitulation  contains practical exercises one can do to start awakening some of the perceptual abilities made apparent by The Art of Stalking Parallel Perception. I would recommend reading TAOSPP first, and his next book second.With heart,- Jonathan Traditional Naturopath, and author of Peace, Power, and Presence: A guide to Self Empowerment, Inner Peace, and Spiritual Enlightenment>> To see more reviews on holistic books, super-foods, nutritional products, and other healthy-living and self-health products, check out my Amazon profile page.

Though pricey I sprung for it, it's pretty intense and a slow read [must read slowly]. You should spend a day on each page or paragraph.No specific daily practices are given to reach the state(s) of dream reception the book discloses. But, mention of using/finding one of the many mind silencing methods is encouraged.There was alot of discussion of character assasination [both inner and outer] as well as the hold others and the world may have upon us. [In Chassidism and Alchemy referred to 'subtle poison' i.e gossip, Dion Fortunes "Psychic Self Defense"] You may receive a "feeling" of danger approaching. At times the inner turmoil may manifest. In the 'Kabalah' this is call the Quilphoth or Kliphot, your own projected husk [referred to as the 'cloaked child' by Lujan], in Occultism as the 'Dweller on the Threshold', your dark self you must contend with or starve.[H.P Blavatsky and E. B. Lyttons 'Zanoni' also mentioned by Blavtsky] The 'I-Ching' can be referred to as both Inner and Outer experiences of inter-relations of you subconscious, conscious and super-conscious aspects. The Tarot helps you slowly project small aspects of your self and deal with them. Better to pick off negative aspects one-at-a-time than to fight them as an army. What you can't balance or-reconcile you WILL live or face.The I-Ching [Princeton Univ. Press by Richard Wilhelm / Carl Jung] a Hexagram mentions 'talebearers block unity and reconciliation', this is the 'Shadow(s)' or 'Cloaked Child' Matus refers to. These are 'False voices' not the "voice of silence".Various Hexagrams if read from the point-of-view of inner dialog or psychology is very revealing of the 'selves'.There was an interesting diagram/heiroglyph of "Haunted Awareness" & "Inner Light" If you turn the book upside-down it's the Tree of Life without the top 3 spheres [or a Quilphothic Tree]. The wavy line and the Cloaked or Bouyant Inner Child is the Dweller or Babe of the Abyss.Only very minor complaint is the proof reader/editor should have been more versed in the subject matter, as I found myself putting in commas and semi-colons. If the omission was intended it was unnecessary due to the compact and detailed explanations of 'phenomenas' involved.It's a book, whether you delve into the other 'practices' I have mentioned, is up to the reader of this review. This book can be used as a practice if you 'make haste slowly'.A final note for those of you who have read or are reading this, in the book finding a practice was encouraged [the book relates experiences nto how to get there]. The work of Alice Bailey especially "Glamor: A World Problem' [self & shared -illusion/delusion] is the guidebook of which the challenges and results are expressed on Matus' book.This book will have a profound resonance with your reading of 'Stalking Parallel Perception.

Hier wird einem wirklich etwas geboten. Castaneda Fans und sonstige Toltekenkrieger aufgepasst! Lujan Matus ist in einer "anderen Wirklichkeit" Schüler von Don Juan und Don Lujan, 2 Nahuals, welche allen Castaneda Fans ein Begriff sein sollten. Ich fand das Buch beim ersten Lesen etwas erschlagend. Es ist ein absoluter Tipp für alle welche sich für die Materie interessieren. Nicht überlegen sofort besorgen!Das 3 Buch Shadows in the Twilight räumt mit Castanedas Missverständnisssen auf und ist fast als erstes buch zu empfehlen.