Théun Mares was never concerned with catching the eye. Instead, his every movement originated from, and was addressed to, the heart. The result is that Théun’s life carries an influence that is powerful beyond calculation. All that we can say at this point is that the effects will be felt for aeons to come.
Théun Mares’ life ended peacefully in 2011.
If life can be characterised as a gentle, natural process of evolution, then the life of Théun Mares revealed that process. In the world today, though, there is no such gentle, natural process. The problems we face are the result of spurning the process of life, and so the earth and all who inhabit the earth, are dangerously out of balance. But we know all this. The question is, how do we, as individuals, regain our balance? How do we again incorporate into our actions the interrelationship of all of life? How do we implement the principles, within our own lives, that will result in a new world coming into being? One thing we can be sure of, and that is what we have tried so far, is clearly not working.
Throughout his life, Théun always sought that balance. What is it that causes a lack of balance in each of us? What specifically, in our own unique way, has caused us to be so out of harmony with ourselves, with our relationships, with the world around us? From his career as a classical dancer, to his career in education, and then writing books and guiding people, Théun strove to find the balance and poise within himself, and was able to impart this uniquely to others. As Théun said, “What is balance, but a finely-honed application of life’s guiding principles of intelligent co-operation?”
If we can learn what it truly means to co-operate intelligently with all of life, then we can experience harmony, instead of destruction. If we allow life to evolve naturally and gently, then we can also experience regeneration. Such is the way of the warrior – to touch the world lightly – to learn to be fully part of the world, but yet not to despoil her.
Yet, for far too long, our cultures have embodied the corrosive divisiveness that grows out of the extreme separativeness of a purely rationalistic approach to life. So we force our views continually on others and their societies – man vs man, man vs nature. We even force our views onto our own children. The books and courses of Théun Mares show how we can overcome the effects of separativeness within ourselves, and within our lives, and so achieve the balance and harmony we so desire. A balance between spirit and matter, feelings and mind, male and female, our light sides and our dark sides, a balance between all of the seemingly opposing forces that threaten to pull us apart. The end result is that once ALL our aspects have been brought into alignment; have been reconciled, we find that our life is evolving harmoniously and we feel constantly renewed.
Théun always said that he was a nagal in a hurry, as he needed to achieve so much in his lifespan. Consequently, in the many endeavours that Théun initiated, he trained a select group of people, who could be trusted to continue his work in their respective areas of specialisation – the work of bringing the Toltec Legacy, in its different forms, to humanity.
— Charles Mitchley
Autobiography essay
I have, for as long as I can remember, always found my greatest inspiration in nature, and because of this love have found myself ever more absorbed in the behaviour patterns of all forms of life. In this respect I now know that I should look upon myself as having been «lucky», in that I have always found myself surrounded by more knowledge than I have known what to do with.
When I was a child I simply assumed that all people saw what I saw, and thought about things in the same way as I do, but as I became older I started to realise that most people are not close to nature, and neither are they familiar with the causes of behaviour patterns. At first I became distressed to discover that people choose to play what I term «the blame game», rather than trying to assess and evaluate the causes of behaviour. Then, as my own knowledge of behaviour patterns increased, I slowly began to understand that most people think and behave the way they do because of their social conditioning.
Knowing full well that if my fellow men are socially conditioned, then so too must I be, I embarked upon a study of how and when such conditioning takes place. The more I learnt, the more horrified I became to realise that men, women and children are not taught to think and fend for themselves, but are instead moulded into instruments with which to uphold belief systems and social structures which not only disempower the individual, but which also undermine his or her sense of self-worth and self-respect. As a result, I began dedicating my life to finding ways and means in which I could play my part in making man aware of his bondage, and how to escape that slavery by claiming back his power, his self-respect and, above all, his freedom.
Throughout all of this time, I have been more than fortunate in having received profound guidance from the wisest man I have ever known. Although for various political reasons the real identity of this man may not be known publicly, I am completely indebted to his enormous knowledge of human behaviour, and to his unwavering belief in the process of evolution. There is no doubt in my mind, that had I not had this man’s guidance, my own quest for knowledge would have been painstakingly slow and laborious.
It is also thanks to my own teacher’s knowledge and vision that I finally came to the conclusion that it is not enough simply to study and learn. Any knowledge, once gained, has no real value unless it is utilised, and it was in recognition of this fact that I made the decision to start imparting my own knowledge of the tradition to which I am heir; namely, the Toltec teachings, through the medium of teaching and writing.
In my own quest for knowledge, I have learned that an openness of heart, and an inclusive attitude towards all of life, are the only two requirements needed for the traveller upon the Path of Freedom, as expressed through the Toltec teachings. Consequently what started off for me as a private journey of self-discovery within that adventure known as life, has become a lifetime’s commitment to the freedom and well-being of all of my fellow creatures, human and otherwise – a commitment and journey which nonetheless still remain the greatest adventure I have ever experienced. Throughout this adventure I have learned that, at the end of the day, there is only one life, of which all of us, including our fellow creatures, are but units playing our part in the formation of that glorious tapestry known as destiny. In this respect, I too am playing my part as I continue to teach and write, imparting the Toltec legacy.
Working with Théun Mares
by Elizabeth Schnugh
When I think of Théun Mares I am always reminded of what Kahlil Gibran said “On Teaching”:
“No man can reveal to you aught but that which already lies half asleep in the dawning of your knowledge. The teacher who walks in the shadow of the temple, among his followers, gives not of his wisdom but rather of his faith and his lovingness. If he is indeed wise he does not bid you enter the house of his wisdom, but leads you to the threshold of your own mind.”
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
When I met Théun Mares and the Toltec teachings for the first time, I had been in the business world for over 26 years. But having reached yet another pinnacle of my business career, I still did not have the answers as to WHY I was in the business world. In spite of my obvious success, I was still feeling empty. I kept asking myself, “”Why?” Can I really continue for any longer along this path – becoming increasingly more despondent by the day, and feeling like my self-respect is being drained from me – or is there another way to do this thing called living life?”
The minute I decided at some level that I had to do things differently, the opportunities swam my way to help me look at my life as it actually was.
So I took an enormous leap of faith and resigned from the corporate world. I moved town and house. Then I booked an overseas trip. Within hours of returning from overseas I was asked by a friend to meet a man called Théun Mares. And in the space of days I found myself working very closely with Théun to bring something called the Toltec Teachings to humanity!
I soon discovered that Toltecs maintain that true personal growth requires action. Because we are all meant to participate fully in life, the Toltec principles have to be LIVED.
I learned that true personal growth can only come from experience – MY life experience. And through my new-found ability to make my life work for me in practical terms, I was able to discover, for the first time, true purpose and meaning in my everyday life.
In all the many years that I worked alongside Théun his belief in me as a human being never waivered. He did everything in his power to support me to find the “threshold of my own mind” and heart.
This unwaivering belief Théun shared with all those who came to work with him. Through his daily examples I discovered the power of what Toltecs term “unconditional love in action.” Théun always gave of himself unstintingly – with a completely open hand and heart – and his unfailing generosity was a fine example to witness.
In this respect, Théun was sometimes generous to a fault; many times I witnessed his generosity being thrown back in his face. Yet, somehow he always found the courage to face another day, and to keep pouring his love out to the very people who had turned their backs on him – an action that always left me standing in awe.
Théun’s firm belief was that the world did not need even more fighting and violence to meet the fighting that is everywhere. Instead, it is only through love for each other that we can bring about a change in this increasingly troubled world of ours.
In everything, Théun led by example. When I asked Théun why it is the love of true friendship that will turn the world around, he replied:
“Friendship is an act of the heart and, as such, it can never be bought, forced or won through manipulation. Friendship can only ever come from the heart; and in the final analysis the only COST of friendship is the UNWAVERING WILLINGNESS to BE that friend! Nothing else is required; not clever words, not clever jokes, and not clever games.
Most people dream about relationships made in heaven! LOL! But I can tell you from experience that the ones made in heaven NEVER last, because they never GO ANYWHERE!
I mean, what GROWTH, what LEARNING is there to be found in two little angels living in paradise and holding each other’s hands ever so lovingly? No! By far the MOST rewarding relationships are those that were forged in hell and which cause us to fight, fight, FIGHT, not ONLY for survival, but also for the relationship!
I guess it has something to do with our HU-MAN condition! When I have had to FIGHT for something, no matter whether it is a career, a job, a house, a relationship, a FRIENDSHIP, it MEANS more to me than anything that has just been plopped into my lap! Why should this be so? Simply because when I finally have reached whatever I fought for I KNOW that I have EARNED it and that I DESERVE it!
And when I don’t get what I fought for I walk away KNOWING that it was NOT MEANT for me, but my heart still sings, for I KNOW that I gave the battle my ALL!
“Friendship is a relationship, and believe me, by FAR the most DIFFICULT of all relationships to build, for it does not have the convenient support mechanisms inherent within say, a marriage, or a business relationship, or even the relationship between a parent and child! This is precisely why most so-called friends tend to be nothing more than partners in crime!”
“True friendship is RARE.”
It has been an honour and a huge priviledge to have borne witness to the many lives that were and have been touched by Théun as he approached his life in this way: The teacher who walks in the shadow of the temple, among his followers, gives not of his wisdom but rather of his faith and his lovingness.”
— Elizabeth Schnugh