Belief in the mastery of the mind was part of his faith in nature.

It had come to him from his mother, who had lived and died in the strength of her creed.
"Think hard, and with faith, if you want anything to come true," she had told him.

And this was also Yellow Bird's creed.

Was it possible she had told him the truth?
Had her mind actually communed with the mind of Nada?
Had she, through the sheer force of her illimitable faith, projected her subconscious self into the future that she might show him the way?
His eyes were staring, his ears unhearing, as he thought of the proof which Yellow Bird had given to him.

A few hours ago she had brought him warning of impending danger.