ugh the process. He also realizes he must not rely on his Catholic fate but on his inner strength, his harmony with nature, and a lifetime of experience to understand. In the future, Antonio will build his own dreams, out of those things that were so much a part of my childhood (261). In the novel, Bless Me, Ultima, Antonio learns about his relationship with his universe. Through the teachings of Ultima, he learns to see with his heart and to appreciate all the magic that nature beholds. The river of life is never ending like the river that binds the llano to Guadalupe. All that Antonio has experienced is symbolized in the river and the life that surrounds it. Ultimately, it is his teacher and friend, Ultima, which teaches Antonio that life is a cycle and that understanding oneself brings peace and harmony. The river also serves to bind the past, present, and future. Antonio learns that his future is tied to his past and that his destiny will be guided by an understanding of his heritage and the magical strength that resides in the human heart (237)....
