His presence is gentle, and his smile is heartfelt and genuine. He loves to laugh, and when he listens to you, it is with presence and intention. If you were to pass him on the street, you probably wouldn’t notice him, as he strolls along with his cup of coffee, finding himself at home, wherever he may be.

Koyote the Blind may not be what you’d expect when meeting an exiled Salvadorian Nahual (or shaman, as they are more commonly known here in the U.S.). Of course, is a shaman ever what you’d expect? As a sacred storyteller, or Hablador, Koyote follows his calling through the art of storytelling.

Koyote is the resident artist for the Tequihua Foundation in Riverside, whose mission is to promote the Toltec arts, and on Thursday nights he presents to the community what is known simply as “The Telling.”

Now the foundation states that The Telling is a rare, 10th century Toltec art, and was preserved throughout Latin America by the drifters who told crazy stories to children.

And as I first experienced The Telling, I remembered being a kid, and sitting around a campfire, and listening to the stories. I was transported, and when it was over I felt as if I had literally been dropped back to my seat at the campfire. That’s how I felt being present at The Telling; like I was taken to another realm, then dropped back into my chair after it was over. It seems to me that Koyote is shifting the space (if you’ve ever done a walking meditation and found that suddenly you felt like you were in a different world, then you know what I’m talking about), to allow those present to access a different part of themselves that is open and ready grow from the experience.

The Telling takes place in the sanctuary of the Tequihua offices; a smallish sized room with a stage; the elements are represented, incense fills the air, and you feel the magic around you. The atmosphere is peaceful and respectful (sort of like church – so you wouldn’t want to munch on popcorn). It tends to get a bit warm, so even in cold weather, dress in layers and bring a bottle of water (also available for $1 at the event).

When I’ve watched The Telling in their sanctuary, it’s much easier for me to get into that space of presence and attention than when I watch it streamed over the internet. Of course, when I watch from home, I’ve got kids asking me questions, and my husband trying to talk to me through the whole thing. So I’ll usually re-watch it after it’s been archived when I can have some quiet time to view. So, for me anyway, it’s an exercise in presence.

The performance itself tends to run 35 to 60 minutes, and is streamed live on Justin.tv/koyote93. The performance is free, though donations are gratefully accepted.

As any bard knows, the art of storytelling is about engaging and connecting with your audience on more than just a mundane level. Anyone can tell stories. But the storyteller moves the listener to a different realm.

The Toltecs believe that to be a Toltec is to be an artist of the soul. When you do what you are called to do, from your heart, anything you do is then your art. Storytelling is the chosen art of Koyote the Blind. Chosen by whom, I’m not sure, but I do know that my experiences with The Telling have affected me on a spiritual and physical level. I have new understandings, have released energy blocks, I have a new ability to be present like I haven’t been present before, and of course more questions than I started with.

Koyote the Blind has taken The Telling on the road, and has appeared around the U.S., Mexico and Brazil. Come see him at the Plum House in Riverside on Saturday, June 26, where there will be drawings for both those present and the online viewers, for a $100 gift certificate for any of the classes or workshops given by Koyote at the Tequihua Foundation (including the Aka Dua workshops and transmissions), the book “Teachings of a Toltec Survivor” and the Aka Dua Energy practical manual. For more information on this event, visit the Tequihua Foundation.