A Separate Reality: Further Conversations with Don Juan

A good addition to the first book.

It took me even further into the land of mystery and challenged the way I had always viewed the world.

I was really glad to see Castaneda drop the entire attempt at structural analysis that he attempted in the first book.

I feel that those who try and fit drugs into a framework of structural analysis only end up more confused.

The second book seems to offer a more intuitive and experiential approach to understanding the unknown.

It delves deeper into the mysteries of consciousness and perception, opening up new avenues of thought and exploration.

Castaneda's writing style is engaging and accessible, making it easy for the reader to follow his journey and gain insights into his experiences.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in exploring the boundaries of human perception and consciousness.

The original article seems to be rather short and perhaps lacking in detail. Here is an expanded version:

Five stars won't do. I have a lot more to say. In fact, I'm going to put the rest right here. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐...

You see, five stars is just a starting point. It doesn't fully capture the essence of what I want to express. There's so much more depth and complexity to my thoughts and feelings.

These additional stars represent the extra effort, the additional value, and the unwavering commitment that I bring. It's not just about meeting expectations; it's about exceeding them.

So, don't be satisfied with just five stars. Look beyond and discover the true potential that lies within. Because when it comes to quality and excellence, there's always room for more. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐...

I've learned a great deal about life, specifically ordinary life. Ordinary life is not as glamorous as we might imagine, but it is filled with countless precious moments. It is in the simple acts of waking up in the morning, having a cup of coffee, and going about our daily routines that we truly experience the essence of life.

We often take these ordinary moments for granted, but they are the building blocks of our existence. It is in the midst of the ordinary that we form relationships, learn new things, and grow as individuals. We may not always have grand adventures or achieve great feats, but the small victories and joys in our ordinary lives are what make it all worthwhile.

Moreover, ordinary life teaches us to appreciate the little things. It makes us realize that happiness does not always come from material possessions or external achievements. Sometimes, it is as simple as a smile from a stranger, a beautiful sunset, or a warm embrace from a loved one. These ordinary yet extraordinary moments have the power to brighten our days and give us a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

In conclusion, I have come to understand that ordinary life is not something to be overlooked or dismissed. It is a rich and meaningful tapestry of experiences that shape who we are and what we become. By embracing the ordinary and finding beauty and joy in the simplest of things, we can truly live a fulfilling and satisfying life.

This book ended up on my shelves after my husband and I got together many years ago. It was a book of his that he couldn't remember much about. (I should have known from that that the book would be trouble!)

So, this is basically the book. It goes something like this:

- "Oh Don Juan, tell me things about'seeing'."

- "No, you're not ready. If you don't know what seeing is, you'll never know."

- "Oh, but I'm sorry. I just need to get it down on paper to understand."

- "No, you must understand with your soul and spirit. Here, smoke this 'erb'!"

- "No, I'm scared. I don't like the feeling of being under the influence of a hallucinogen."

- "Just smoke it, dickhead (or sentiments to that effect!)"

- "Oh, I don't know. I feel like I need more time. I don't understand. I don't know. I'm the king of the ditherers! Maybe I'll go visit some other random Don."

- "Do what you want then."

- "Hi, random Don. How are you?"

-(Random Don says nothing but starts to dance in an oddly feminine fashion, writhing his hips and flinging his hands out, spaced out in a Madchester rave type way.)

- "Er, ok. I'll leave now. This is weird. Bye, random Don."

- "Don Juan, random Don acted weird and I don't know what to think. I'm so dithery and daft."

- "How dare you go visit Dancing Don! He could have put a major spell on you and you can't handle the power of the dance. What were you thinking............"

On and on this shit goes for page after page!!!!!!!!!!!! It is utter shite. Give me Terence McKenna any day of the week. Castaneda, have a word with yourself!! Kin' ell!

You can either view Castaneda's work as extremely well-written psychedelic fiction prose, or you can view it as a collection of vital truths that will help you live a better life.

In my opinion, either way you would be right. The fact that it is all most likely completely made up only makes the fiction that much more magical to me, and more true.

Castaneda's writing has a certain allure that blurs the line between reality and imagination. His descriptions are so vivid and engaging that they draw the reader in and make them question what is real and what is not.

The quote, "It was as if the point of departure had always been myself. It was as if Don Juan had never really been there, and when I looked for him he became what he really was; a fleeting image that vanished over a hill," adds to the mystery and enigma of his work. It makes the reader wonder if Castaneda is really writing about his own experiences or if he is creating a fictional world that is more profound and meaningful than reality.

Regardless of whether Castaneda's work is fact or fiction, it has had a significant impact on many people's lives. It has inspired them to look deeper within themselves, to question their beliefs and values, and to seek a more fulfilling and meaningful existence.

In conclusion, Castaneda's work is a unique and fascinating exploration of the human psyche and the nature of reality. Whether you view it as fiction or truth, it is sure to leave a lasting impression on you.

Don Juan's proficiency in the English language is truly astonishing.

His command over the language is so remarkable that it leaves one in awe.

Whether it's in speaking, writing, or understanding, he demonstrates an almost superhuman level of skill.

His vocabulary is vast and diverse, allowing him to express himself with precision and eloquence.

His grammar and syntax are impeccable, making his communication clear and error-free.

Don Juan's ability to master the English language is a testament to his intelligence, dedication, and hard work.

It is no wonder that he is highly regarded and respected by those who know him for his linguistic prowess.

His language skills open up a world of opportunities for him, enabling him to communicate effectively with people from all over the world and to access a wealth of knowledge and information.

Don Juan's mastery of the English language is truly a remarkable achievement.

There was absolutely nothing that appealed to me in this book.

The characters seemed flat and uninteresting, lacking any depth or complexity. The writing style was also not to my taste; it felt rather dull and unengaging.

Even though the subject matter, indigenous rituals and beliefs, is something that I am very passionate about, the book failed to capture my attention.

I initially thought about switching from listening to reading, hoping that it might enhance my experience. However, as I delved deeper into the story, I found myself growing increasingly disenchanted with the main character.

I just couldn't seem to connect with him or understand his motives. In the end, I had to admit that I simply didn't like the book and would have to be the dissenting opinion.

It's a shame because the topic had so much potential, but unfortunately, the execution fell short for me.

Esse segundo livro da coletânea dos Ensinamentos de Dom Juan apresenta uma abordagem completamente diferente. Já não se concentra mais apenas no caráter acadêmico ou no entendimento racional dos pressupostos expostos pelo "brujo" e anotados pelo aprendiz. Em vez disso, entra em uma jornada mais complexa, incompreensível e perigosa.

Nessa segunda etapa de aprendizados, após o retorno de Castaneda aos ensinamentos de Dom Juan, a capacidade de "ver" se destaca como primordial. Isso não se refere apenas a enxergar, olhar ou compreender no sentido convencional, mas a algo mais inexplicável que abrange todos os sentidos do ser humano. Além disso, Dom Juan esclarece que para se tornar um homem de conhecimento, é necessário primeiro viver como um guerreiro. Sem as capacidades de um guerreiro, nunca se estará seguro contra as intempéries da vida e de tudo o mais.

Um ponto que era citado de forma sutil no primeiro livro agora é apontado como um dos pilares da segunda etapa de ensinamentos: o poder da vontade. O grande poder de um guerreiro provém de sua vontade, que está localizada dentro do ser humano, logo abaixo do abdome. Eu acredito que minhas explicações não conseguem expor completamente as verdadeiras reflexões de Dom Juan. Algumas citações podem ajudar a esclarecer alguns pontos:

"Um homem desprendido que sabe que não tem possibilidade de evitar sua morte, só tem uma coisa em que se apoiar: o poder de suas decisões. Ele tem de ser, por assim dizer, o senhor de suas opções. Deve compreender plenamente que sua opção é sua responsabilidade, e uma vez feita, não há mais tempo para remorsos ou recriminações. Suas decisões são finais simplesmente porque sua morte não lhe permite tempo para se agarrar a nada."

"-Há anos eu lhe disse que, em sua vida diária, o guerreiro escolhe seguir o caminho com coração. É a escolha constante do caminho com coração que torna o guerreiro diferente dos homens comuns. Ele sabe que um caminho tem coração quando é um com ele, quando sente muita paz e prazer percorrendo sua extensão. As coisas que o guerreiro escolhe para fazer seus escudos são os itens do caminho com o coração."

"— Aprendemos a pensar sobre tudo — disse ele — e depois exercitamos nossos olhos para olharem como pensamos a respeito das coisas que olhamos. Olhamos para nós mesmos já pensando que somos importantes. E, por isso, temos de sentir-nos importantes! Mas quando o homem aprende a ver, entende que não pode mais pensar a respeito das coisas que ele olha, e se não pode mais pensar sobre as coisas que olha, tudo fica sem importância."