My Ethics

Raymundo Santillan Ft. Pierce, Fl. Assignment #10 June 26, 2011

My Ethics

There is no all in compassing religion that I can specifically say I get my ethics from. I have learned to take bits and pieces of what works for me from my surroundings and try to utilize them in a positive manner. In my youth I was brought up in the Catholic faith but was never devout by any means. I have travelled to many places and have met many people, so I have a pretty good understanding of what this earth has to offer. With each new adventure I learn new and positive ways to deal with life while I am here, I have also learned what I do not want to become. I have learned that in order to better understand the present and the future we must look to the past. Thankfully I have Mesoamerican roots and culture in my blood that dates back thousands of years.

I am an American citizen of Mexica descent. The Mexicas, also called Aztecs, were people who founded Tenochtitlan which is modern day Mexico City. I have learned from the Aztec religion but I still go further back in time for older wisdom to the Toltec people’s teachings. Toltec knowledge arises from the same essential unity of truth as all the sacred esoteric traditions found around the world. Though it is not a religion, it honors all spiritual masters who have taught on the earth. While it does embrace spirit, it is most accurately described as a way of life, distinguished by the ready accessibility of happiness and love. – Don Miguel Ruiz [The Four Agreements, a Toltec wisdom book].

In my studies I have also found a common denominator within many cultures, and that is the tribal or village Shaman. Shaman is a Tungus word from Central Asia referring to a person who uses a state of spiritual excitement to enter the normally imperceptible realities of the spirit world to get help for him- or herself or others. – Tom Cowan [Shamanism as a spiritual practice for daily life]. Since I do not have a tribe that relies on me for assistance, I seek guidance for myself as a shamanic practitioner. Core shamanism as a spiritual practice does not require any specific religious beliefs, but it invariably encourages practitioners to discover animism: the ancient world view of our ancestors that all created things – humans, animals, plants, landscapes, elements, and seasons- have an intelligent, communicative life force or spirit. – Tom Cowan [Shamanism as a spiritual practice for daily life]

As I grow into my own as a man I can say without a doubt that I have strong positive ethical values. I have been called lucky by the people who know me and for a long time I thought I was, but the deeper I go within myself I know that luck has nothing to do with it. When I reflect back to when I was a child, I can remember having earthly knowledge and guidance but I did not make the connection until adulthood. I am excited for what the future holds and will accept my responsibilities with an open mind and an open heart. I am confident that whatever comes my way the world will present the answers, they may not be the answers I want to hear but answers none the less.

I am happy to have found a way of life versus a specific religion because I have never been comfortable with religion as an institution. Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn't anyone who doesn't appreciate kindness and compassion. - His Holiness the Dali Lama [http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/d/dalai_lama_2.html]. My recent ethical studies have only reinforced what I already knew. I must now act with the knowledge gained or the learning will be in vain. I feel that no matter what Supreme Being judges my soul when I depart this realm, they will find an intelligent communicative life force.