How does the author define being human in the novel, The Eagle’s Gift?

The totality of human being consists of three uneven divisions. The first is "tonal," consisting of everyday life, which ordinary people largely take for granted. The second, and far larger, is "nagual," available only to sorcerers. In it, sorcerers see luminous cocoons and live in the luminous body. To reach this stage, the sorcerer must make sophisticated use of dreaming and the "rigorous, systematic exertion" of "not-doing."

Don Juan Matus explains these concepts through a three-part, uneven division of the human consciousness. First attention is the smallest, and deals with the everyday world of normal people. Second attention is larger, available only to sorcerers, and normally lying in the background unless brought out by special training or accidental trauma. In it the sorcerer is aware of his or her luminous being. Third attention is immeasurable and undefinable. When one enters it, there is an outburst of energy. It is hard to attain but fruitful.