The Reflection of Tescatlipoca: The Smokey Mirror

By Luis Molinar
August 2002

When we use the Toltec practice of the Smokey Mirror, with our self-reflection directed onto someone or something out side of us, our actions and reactions become more than just the endeavor of putting something outside of us. It becomes a mirror in which we can learn more deeply about ourselves. This practice, known by the ancient Toltec as the reflection of Tescatlipoca, the Smokey Mirror, takes us to look at our behaviors, patterns and intent from a deeper place within, remembering that there is nothing outside of self, just our reflection of all that’s unlimited and limited in us.

If you are willing to look at everything inside of you that’s limited and supports your self-image, you can use the reflection of the Smokey Mirror to pierce through the mask that covers the real Self, that real “essential being,” a projection of the Creator in you. Besides creating a deeper awareness and a transformation of your true existence, when stalking your self in ”being” with, at the thinking and action levels, you can see that by applying these two processes in your life, it can also become a major and overall practice in “doing” for your self. The ancient tradition of Tescatlipoca in action, can offer the individual seeking self-truth within, a reflection of his true nature.

If you use this model and practice of acquiring self-truth, and choose to go deeper, you can apply the same concept of the Smokey Mirror to any activity from the simple act of eating a meal, doing your daily practice, to receiving a teaching from each moment in life. This is living one’s teaching moment to moment, in life’s living university.

Using the Smokey Mirror, we can recognize what we each have remaining to look at and clean inside of us. When using our individual stalking process along with the reflection of the Smokey Mirror, it can be an ongoing process of awareness and healing. We are also assessing our individual growth process at each moment of self-observance. We often find ourselves living life out of our routines and habitual behavior that may be difficult to stop at times and understand where we are headed. Therefore, if you live life through the eyes of Tescatlipoca, it can be your guide and best Petty Tyrant in mirroring back to you, your own reflection.

Every relationship with people close to you, from your beloved to the man at the local coffee house who prepares that cup of coffee just the way you like it, can be a reflection of what’s going on in you at that very moment. See how people respond to you and let that be an opportunity to understand something new about yourself. This understanding may give you another occasion to make new changes in you.

Please remember that it’s not about “them.” It’s about what you see in them, that you hold also in yourself that you need to be aware of. Due to the domestication process that initially comes from others through their Smokey Mirror, you may think that it may be easier to judge outside of you, but who are you really judging? When we are in front of a teacher or a place of power and love, this energy sometimes pushes that part of our neurosis and behavior. Then our victim stance in all its heartlessness, is mirrored completely in them and consequently in you.

So with this in mind, I ask you to look at developing a new relationship with yourself that takes into account your purification through your self-examination. Use your own organic method of discovering your truth about who you really are by acknowledging all that you see in others as a mere reflection of your own smoke. Consequently, you can chose to heal and change your self image. This action and understanding may take you to your own Tescatlipoca, that can help guide you through this journey of Self Discovery to your true Self.