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The Teachings of Don Juan #1

The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge

carlos castaneda

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Thirty years ago the University of California Press published an unusual manuscript by an anthropology student named Carlos Castaneda. The Teachings of Don Juan initiated a generation of seekers dissatisfied with the limitations of the Western worldview. Castaneda's now classic book remains controversial for the alternative way of seeing that it presents and the revolution in cognition it demands.

In a series of fascinating dialogues, Castaneda sets forth his partial initiation with don Juan Matus, a Yaqui Indian shaman from the state of Sonora, Mexico. He describes don Juan's perception and mastery of the "non-ordinary reality" and how peyote along with other plants sacred to the Mexican Indians were used as gateways to the mysteries of "dread," "clarity," and "power." The Teachings of Don Juan is the story of a remarkable journey that has left an indelible impression on the life of more than a million readers around the world.

"For me there is only the traveling on paths that have heart, on any path that may have heart. There I travel, and the only worthwhile challenge is to traverse its full length. And there I travel, looking, looking breathlessly."—Don Juan

"Carlos Castaneda, under the tutelage of don Juan, takes us through the moment of twilight, through the crack in the universe between daylight and dark into a world not merely other than our own, but of an entirely different order of reality."—Walter Goldschmidt, from the Foreword

215 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1,1968
Series
The Teachings of Don Juan

This edition

Format
215 pages, Hardcover
Published
September 8, 1998 by University of California Press
ISBN
9780520217553
ASIN
0520217551
Language
English

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About the author

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carlos castaneda

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Carlos Castaneda was an Latin-American author.
Starting with The Teachings of Don Juan in 1968, Castaneda wrote a series of books that describe his training in shamanism, particularly with a group whose lineage descended from the Toltecs.
The books, narrated in the first person, relate his experiences under the tutelage of a man that Castaneda claimed was a Yaqui "Man of Knowledge" named don Juan Matus. His 12 books have sold more than 28 million copies in 17 languages.
Critics have suggested that they are works of fiction; supporters claim the books are either true or at least valuable works of philosophy.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 99 votes)
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99 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
simonair
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Carlos Castenada was, at best, a fraud and a liar.

His actions and claims were highly suspect and lacked any real substance. He made a name for himself through a series of books that purported to tell of his experiences with shamanism and altered states of consciousness. However, upon closer examination, it became clear that much of what he wrote was fabricated.

To make matters worse, he later founded a cult. This cult was based on his false teachings and attracted many people who were seeking something more in life. The cult had a significant impact on the lives of its members, often causing them to become isolated from their families and friends.

Carlos Castenada's actions were not only unethical but also harmful to those who were influenced by him. His legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of being critical thinkers and not blindly believing everything we read or hear.
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Accomadate
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Every Seeker has, at some point, encountered an unexplainable moment. These are precious opportunities to broaden your perspectives and start believing in something greater than yourself, something that defies explanation by your culture, current beliefs, or family.

Carlos Castaneda's books offer you the chance to uncover another perspective on what reality truly is. For those who identify as Seekers, in search of the meaning of life, this is a fundamental book. It was the first book I read that set me on the path to greater consciousness.

I laughed, I cried, and I delved deeply into the heart of this remarkable mystic, journeying with him into the meaning and purpose of life. I discovered numerous answers to my questions and was profoundly inspired by Carlos Castaneda to continue my exploration even deeper into the mysteries of the human spirit and mind. As a student would express deep love and gratitude to a teacher, I thank him for his contribution to greater consciousness for all of us.

His works have opened up new worlds of understanding and have encouraged countless Seekers to embark on their own spiritual quests. Whether you are just beginning your journey or are a seasoned Seeker, Castaneda's books are sure to offer valuable insights and inspiration.

So, if you are ready to expand your consciousness and explore the mysteries of life, pick up one of Carlos Castaneda's books and prepare to be amazed.
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Titaniumpig
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Spiritual learning and hallucinations in the desert can be an incredibly captivating and enlightening experience.

It offers not only an enjoyable read but also a wealth of interesting and inspiring knowledge. Through this exploration, one can gain numerous insights into self-awareness, personal improvement, and approaching life with a more respectful and open attitude.

As the warrior, we are encouraged to look closely and deliberately at every path. We should try it as many times as necessary and then ask ourselves the crucial question: Does this path have a heart? If it does, it is a good path, leading to a joyful journey and making us strong. If not, it is of no use and may even make us curse our lives and weaken us.

Moreover, we should approach knowledge and life as we would go to war: wide-awake, with fear, with respect, and with absolute assurance. Making any other choice is a mistake that could have serious consequences.

So, let us embrace the warrior spirit and embark on this journey of self-discovery and growth, following the paths that have a heart and leading us to a more fulfilling life.
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luqspy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The author firmly states that this is a 100% genuine story. Based on this BBC documentary, he is depicted as a con artist, a charlatan, and a cult leader.

I have perused all of his books and had a great affection for them. Additionally, I have examined the documentary with a critical eye. However, the evidence presented is simply overwhelming.

So, in the final analysis, I am just furious for having been deceived by his lies. Despite this, it must be admitted that he is an extremely proficient liar.

The link provided, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FrB5..., offers further insights into this complex and rather disturbing situation.

It serves as a reminder that we should always approach such claims and individuals with a healthy dose of skepticism and critical thinking.
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bthnclk
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Somewhat interesting indeed. The East contends that true enlightenment can be achieved without the aid of drugs, solely through the means of meditation and introspection. Anyhow, here are the "4 Natural Enemies of the Man of Knowledge":


1. Fear: "One should overcome it by not fleeing. Be completely afraid, yet do not halt. Once a man has triumphed over fear, he is liberated from it for the remainder of his life. Once he masters fear, he attains clarity. Then he becomes aware of his desires and knows how to fulfill them."


2. Clarity: "The drawback of clarity is that it blinds by compelling a man to never question himself. His wish becomes his rule. One should utilize clarity only for the purpose of seeing."


3. Power: "It can transform you into a cold and unpredictable individual. Such a person has no self-control and cannot determine when or where to apply his power."


4. Old age: This enemy is yet to be further elaborated upon. It is likely that as a man ages, his physical and mental faculties may decline, presenting challenges to his pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment.

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Murthag04
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Carlos Castenada was a prominent figure in the counter-culture revolution of the 1960s and 70s.

He dedicated the early part of his life to anthropology and ethnography, but from the start, he seemed to shroud himself in mystery.

He often misled people about his age and place of birth, adding to the air of enigma surrounding him.

After attending UCLA and earning his B.A., he entered a graduate program in anthropology.

To obtain his Ph.D., he conducted field work in the deserts between Mexico and the United States, where he claimed to have become the apprentice of Don Juan Matus, a brujo or sorcerer.

Don Juan was said to be a nagual, with the ability to change into an animal and practice harmful magic.

The use of hallucinogens, which were abundant in the desert, was a crucial part of Castenada's shamanic training.

However, the authenticity of Castenada's training and experiences has been a subject of ongoing dispute.

Despite the controversy, his first book, "The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge," was widely successful and made him a household name.

The book was even accepted as his doctoral thesis by UCLA, awarding him a Ph.D.

Over the next two decades, Castenada wrote a series of follow-up books about his experiences with Don Juan.

He relished the mystery and controversy surrounding his work, but by the 1990s, his fame began to wane.

Critical examinations of his books suggested that they could be fictional, based on previously published papers.

Castenada's attempts to defend himself by holding expensive seminars and teaching mysterious exercises only added to the speculation.

Eventually, he became a pop culture prop, and the mystery that once surrounded him faded away.

Nevertheless, his artistic achievement remains, as the first three novels in his series are considered classics in their own right.

Castenada passed away in 1998, leaving behind a body of work that continues to be read and debated to this day.

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Drendude
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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For once, I find myself in complete agreement with Don Juan and his rather unorthodox suggestion of using this book as toilet paper.

The fact that Castaneda's psychedelic ramblings and lunacy continue to sell and have not faded out of either fashion or print in the four odd decades since its initial publication truly leaves me utterly bewildered. It speaks volumes about the sorry state of affairs that our world is currently in.

And whoever had the bright idea of classifying this opus of pure lunacy as "nonfiction" really deserves to be shot in the face. Multiple times. It is an absolute travesty that such a work could be mislabeled in this way, leading people to believe that it contains some semblance of truth or reality.

It is high time that we recognize the true nature of Castaneda's writings and stop giving them any more credibility than they deserve.
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AbhiCh123
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Surely, if I were about twenty years younger, this book would have suited me much better, and I'm certain that I would have found many more paragraphs worthy of pausing and reading again.

For example, this one:

"No! I'm never angry at anybody! No human being can do anything important enough for that. You get angry at people when you feel that their acts are important. I don't feel that way any longer."

The last third is a contradictory structural analysis that kills all the charm of reading and the magic of the entire described experience, so I decided to completely ignore that part, not only in reading but also in evaluation.

A bit of nostalgia also prevailed.

Accordingly, 4 stars.
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