well, so far the oldest continuous known ‘belief-system’ remains that of really ancient Southwest Native Americans—-and a very close parallel to Buddhism—-what’s ‘ancient’? as usual opinions differ (gotta keep those grants)—-petroglyph data becomes certain at no less than 10K years—-BP (before the present)—-but some academics feel 50K years more accurate—-long time. it spread throughout North and South America—-even to Huron tribes, etc., in the Canadas—- as with ‘Eastern’ ‘systems’ the same problem arose—-‘if ‘The Great Spirit’—-‘God’—-‘what before?’—-apparently they decided, in a universe of ‘words’, they had to call the great ‘no-thing-as-we-may-know’ something—-‘Nagual’ was their term—-Castaneda cashed in on it, and look at the net—-plenty ‘hoaksters’ are doing fine—- ‘the simple folk’ consider it as a form of ‘witchcraft’—-not a bit—-for instance to many Mexicans it may mean a protective wild-animal’s ‘soul’—-others think the Nagual is a form a human ‘takes-on’, as in the film, ‘The Emerald Forest’, set in the Amazon—-neat film, supposedly based on fact—-most fear it—- it’s a very clever ‘system’ at dealing with the ‘unwordable’—-as it provides incorporation into ‘the objective’ universe—-and may be used to ‘do work’—-if you learn how—-i believe in Jesus, but as most—-an average Christian, Muslim, Sunni, Pentacostal (ouch they are wild), whatever, have used prayer, meditation, etc.—-and seen results—-but sporadic—-‘Nagualism’ has no barriers, and as Buddhism says God is ‘part & parcel of This ‘place’—-but the ultimate ‘entirety’, to a Nagualist is Not incomprehensible—-it may be accessed for ‘Power’—-and unlike God, may be witnessed, used, at will—-kinda like study, practice for years, and Act, reward always follows—-not ‘maybe’. i didn’t believe it—-until i acted, 40 years+ ago—-went ‘hunting-for-power’—-picked a ‘primitive’ Cal state park—-please understand i had ‘intent’—-Nagualism contends ‘intent’ closes a door—-‘belief not required’—-i asked for help—-we went from the smogged LA Valley to the wonderous clean mountains, only weeks later—-in 6 months i had founded my 1st biz—-my innovations persist—-over time, i have seen this deal—- unlike Buddhist, this older bunch sees the universe as a ‘set-point’, and, as many, a bit tyrannical, in an infinite set, gonna get some—-so much of its focus is also on ‘defense’. the idea there is a “You”—-beyond words—-and you’re in ‘deep-do’, as this place, as some, has ‘dazzled you’ to your totality—-you may regain it—-use it—- Bingo!!!!!!!!!!on ‘the faith chip’—-had one—-see very old people happy—-they still have theirs, and no idea of life with its lack—-