Chapter 4: The Descent of the Spirit (The Somersault of Thought) Summary and Analysis

Don Juan and Carlos return to don Juan's house. They begin to discuss intent, but Carlos cannot recall intent as he wishes he could, which upsets him. Don Juan encourages him to calm down and accept that he will come back to these memories only over the years. They discuss stalking as a way to handle Carlos's frustration at being unable to recall and experience his connection with intent. This requires stalking, which is a secretive, furtive, deceptive behavior designed to deliver a jolt. When you stalk yourself, you jolt yourself. The best way to stalk oneself is to die, and so the idea of death is crucial to the life of a sorcerer. Don Juan argues that death is not an enemy...