Jose AIID LENA STEVENS 59whomever or whatever they are looking for. Recall the story
of Max, the wayward monkey. He was discovered via his
spirit self, not through his physical form.
Shamans have learned simple techniques to mask their
spirit bodies or temporarily render them undetectable.
Under extreme duress, many people instinctively use sha-
manic methods to avoid detection and are successful at it.
For example, you can remain undetected in potentially life-
threatening situations. We know of one Vietnam veteran
who was caught in a village overrun by the Vietcong during
the war. He was in a hut with no place to hide except for
behind an old water jug that didn't adequately conceal him.
Although the Vietcong searched the hut, he remained unde-
tected. His desire to remain hidden was so great that he in-
advertently activated his shamanic ability to be concealed.
A personal example happened to Jose on an excursion a
few years ago:
"I was hiking in the isolated northern California coastal
mountains one day and strayed off the trail to take a closer
look at a magnificent stand of redwood trees.
"Suddenly, I came upon a clearing where a considerable
number of harvestable marijuana plants were growing. It was
obviously someone's private commercial garden. I realized
the danger to me represented by the illegal status of the
plants. If I were discovered by the grower, I could be shot
and possibly killed; if I were discovered here by the law, I
would be arrested. Almost immediately I heard voices com-
ing closer through the woods. There was no place to hide or
run, so I stood perfectly still and made myself transparent.
Four large men emerged from the woods, talking among
themselves about recent busts and the need to harvest the
plants soon. They passed within ten feet of me, yet incredibly
they did not see me even though I wore an orange parka and
was standing in broad daylight. With a quiet but enormous
sigh of relief, I crept away when the men had passed out of
sight."
Exercise #7: Becoming Transparent
Here is one simple shamanic method for becoming unde-
tectable or transparent. It works when you need it, because
your strong intention is behind it.
Begin by relaxing and closing your eyes. Without effort,
imagine yourself becoming transparent, like glass or mist.
Notice that when others look in your direction, they see right
through you. You are not available for them to notice you.