A Cubic Centimeter of Chance

Not long ago I added a list to my Blog outlining the titles of the books that I am currently reading (or have recently read).  A week ago I added a book to this list called The Craft of the Warrior written by Robert Spencer, this work is a synthesis of several respected authors* on the subject of growing one's awareness to unlock the hidden areas of our potential and the accompanying life of true freedom; this approach to life is collectively known as warriorship.  I am delighted to discover that the book aligns strongly with the teachings on Toltec wisdom.  

The most referenced author is Carlos Castaneda who wrote The Teachings of Don Juan, and other subsequent publications, that describe his mystical learnings from his apprenticeship with a Yaqui Indian sorcerer named Don Juan Matus.  A quote is borrowed from this book at the point where Spencer elucidates in his writing on the subject of living strategically.  He says that a warrior is relentless in her path but not fixed on it.  She remains open to what is known by Don Juan Matus as a 'cubic centimeter of chance'.  According to Don Juan:

"All of us, whether or not we are warriors, have a cubic centimeter of chance that pops out in front of our eyes from time to time.  The difference between an average man and a warrior is that the warrior is aware of this, and one of his tasks is to be alert, deliberately waiting, so that when his cubic centimeter of chance pops out he has the necessary speed, the prowess to pick it up..... A warrior..... is always alert and tight and has the spring, the gumption to grab it"

I read this and immediately thought of my fortuitous encounter with Mervin a while back.  We met for lunch on the day that unbeknownst to me was the final day for the discounted airfare to Australia and New Zealand.  The very next day the airfare jumped a considerable amount and any later I would have perhaps signed an extension on my contract with the current employer hindering any pursuit of New Zealand at this time.  

In further retrospect the cubic centimeter of chance also resembles the nature of my departure from California.  At that time, when a certain news of an impending layoff opened my mind to the possibility of leaving, I detected how events and circumstances factilitating my withdrawal had gathered within a small time frame of opportunity to be seized without delay or face penalties.  As such, I made the choice to seize the cubic centimeter of chance even though I had escaped the layoff.   Logic dictated that I should have stayed until I was laidoff in a later round of corporate downsizing so that I could then reap a severance package but I believe there are times when we are called to trust in the illogical and act as master of our own destiny.  Such is living life creatively instead of as a victim of circumstance.  I gained more personal power from acting in the manner of faith.      

* Dan millman - The Way of the Peaceful Warrior

   G.I Gurdjieff - The Fourth Way

   Chogyam Trungpa - Shambhala - The Sacred Path of the Warrior

   The Foundation for Inner Peace - A Course in Miracles