And finally, Glenn Wallis offers sixteen propositions as a map to find our way through the texts. These cluster into six groups that are fascinating in their intent.
The teachings begin by asking you to recognize and explore where you are (Habitat).
You are introduced to ideas and perspectives that have a disorienting effect (Dis-orientation).
You are introduced to ideas and perspectives that point you in a different direction (Re-orientation).
You are shown a plan for a new habitat (Map).
You are given the details of that end (Destination).
You set out on the open journey (Going).
Looking them over, I can see that I don’t tend to get further than the second group. Of course, every journey begins with hours of obsessively cleaning house (habitat? – likely not), and organizing the unorganizable. Some call it procrastination; I call it letting the Muse emerge. Then I’m likely stuck in a dis-orientated pose for years and years. The primary question of the last three days has been “Am I willing to change?” Or more poignantly, “Am I willing to give up my treasured stances to dukkha on the chance – a Chance! – that it might lead me in a different direction?”
Wallis calls de-orientation a “bewitchment” against knowing reality, “knowing for yourself.” I like this. I like Magic in general; it takes the responsibility off my shoulders. But I’m guessing that a true application of the teachings isn’t going to let me wave any more wands.
108zenbooks 
I’m pretty bewildered by this. (So what’s new?)
I woulda thought that Dis-orientation would be the antidote to the bewitchment of Habitat, with its familiar grooves and patterns.
Or maybe I’m bewitched!
I have a simple mind so when I read these I think that all of us who have embarked on some path of training do all of these at times, perhaps moving back and forth between them. When you try and bring the Dharma into your life it seems to me you are reorienting yourself. The teachings are the plan for the new habitat. The details could be as simple as the 8 fold path??
Of course I get disoriented all the time and either forget to use the Dharma or use it in inappropriate ways, or don’t quite get the meanings or how it relates to a situation. And then there’s the whole issue of being caught in “selfing” which is in my face right now.
Great map. It gets problematic when I hold it upside down, inside out, it’s too dark to read…..
It could work that way too. I took “deorientation” as a form of clinging to the familiar and not seeing what is changing. So, I guess, at one level being de-oriented to our natural grooves can be a good thing but it can also be a way of not seeing what else is arising if we get focused on “re-orienting” to the familiar. Not right about any of this as I am not in my natural habitat at the moment!
But just spin around a few times. It will all go away!
Well I could bring my “mystic’s star gazing map” if that would help 🙂 LOL Bring your wand anyway, you just never know what magic is afoot on this wonderful journey. Lately I have been seeing that it’s the *willingness* to take the journey – however it is presented to us – which usually isn’t the way we *think* it should be – duh. And as you said in a previous post – the willingness to be open to the questions – to the unknown. Flashlight anyone?