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99 reviews
July 15,2025
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In my teens, I was completely obsessed with Carlos Castaneda's books.

His works seemed to open up a whole new world of mysteries and spiritual exploration for me. I would devour each page, eager to uncover the hidden wisdom and teachings within.

However, as I have grown older and become more rational, my perspective has changed. Now, when I think about reading such books, I am filled with doubts and hesitation.

I wonder if the ideas and concepts presented in Castaneda's works are still relevant and meaningful in my current stage of life.

Perhaps my rational mind has become too dominant, making it difficult for me to approach such books with the same sense of wonder and curiosity that I had in my youth.

Nevertheless, I still have a certain nostalgia for those days when I was completely immersed in the world of Carlos Castaneda's books.
July 15,2025
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I really enjoyed this book.

Once I started reading it, I simply couldn't stop.

I had read the teachings of don juan prior to a separate reality, but I found the latter to be even better.

In a separate reality, Carlos Castaneda shares his experience after he decided to resume his journey to knowledge.

This book delves much deeper into the yaqui way of knowledge and vividly describes various mystic experiences.

It is both entertaining and full of wisdom.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who is exploring alternate sources of knowledge and orthogonal points of view.

The book offers unique insights and perspectives that can expand one's understanding of the world and oneself.

Whether you are interested in spirituality, philosophy, or simply a good read, this book has something to offer.

So, if you are looking for a thought-provoking and engaging book, give "a separate reality" a try.

You won't be disappointed.
July 15,2025
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The term "silly" often implies a lack of common sense or wisdom. It describes someone who acts in a foolish or senseless manner.

Pretentious, on the other hand, refers to a person who tries to appear more important, intelligent, or sophisticated than they actually are. This behavior can be off-putting and may cause others to view them as insincere.

Outdated means something that is no longer in vogue or relevant. It could refer to fashion trends, ideas, or technologies that have been surpassed by newer and better alternatives.

In today's society, being silly, pretentious, or outdated is not necessarily a desirable trait. We strive to be smart, genuine, and up-to-date. However, it's important to note that everyone has their moments of silliness, and it's okay to make mistakes or have outdated beliefs as long as we are willing to learn and grow.

In conclusion, while we may frown upon silliness, pretentiousness, and outdatedness, we should also be understanding and宽容 of others who may exhibit these qualities. After all, we are all human and constantly evolving.
July 15,2025
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This book serves as a continuation of "The Teachings of Don Juan", delving into the subsequent several years of Carlos' apprenticeship.

It is relatively easier to understand compared to the first book, yet it holds no practical value for me. Don Juan is engaged in training Carlos to become a warrior. He imparts wisdom such as, "Once you decided to come to Mexico, you should have put all your petty fears away. You came because you wanted to come. That's the warrior's way. The most effective way to live is as a warrior. Worry and think before you make any decision, but once you make it, be on your way free from worries or thoughts. That's the warrior way."

The concept of controlled folly is also introduced. "Everything I do in regard to myself and my fellow men is folly, because nothing matters. If nothing is important, everything is equal. There's no need to get excited, worried or depressed about anything. Act, but don't get excited about the consequences of those actions. When he fulfills his acts he retreats in peace, and whether his acts were good or bad, or worked or didn't, is in no way part of his concern."

Carlos experiences a range of things - he smokes, has illusions or delusions, encounters strange phenomena, vomits, and yet goes back for more, all while in search of an ally (spirit). At one point, Don Juan even uses his 'will' to prevent Carlos' car from starting.

However, I would never have the slightest interest in undergoing such training.
July 15,2025
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Although I am not completely convinced of the truthfulness of Carlos Castaneda, I find some of his ideas presented in "A Separate Reality: Further Conversations with Don Juan" truly captivating.

Castaneda's exploration of alternate states of consciousness and his encounters with the mysterious Don Juan offer a unique perspective on the nature of reality.

His descriptions of the shamanic practices and the insights gained through them are both fascinating and thought-provoking.

Even if one may question the authenticity of his accounts, there is no denying the power of his words to transport the reader to a different realm of perception.

"A Separate Reality" challenges our preconceived notions and invites us to consider the possibility of a reality beyond our everyday understanding.

It encourages us to open our minds and explore the hidden depths of our own consciousness.

Whether or not we believe in Castaneda's experiences, his work serves as a reminder that there is much more to the world than what meets the eye.
July 15,2025
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The story is very enjoyable and extremely easy to follow, especially when you don't understand something and immediately Don Juan mentions that the problem is that we try to understand everything.

I like these books because they give me a different perspective and because, despite having my own beliefs, several pieces of advice can be highlighted that can help us humans in general. From this particular book, I rescued several phrases that I left recorded in my status updates and that I plan to use in my daily life.

Although they are not books that I am passionate about, I will definitely continue with the Castañeda series. One should always be open to new ideas and knowledge. Besides, I have a great curiosity to know his studies and his progress.

This way, I can continuously expand my understanding and grow as an individual. It's important to explore different literary works and gain insights from them, even if they don't initially seem to be in line with our personal preferences. Who knows what valuable lessons and perspectives we might discover along the way?
July 15,2025
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This is the second Castaneda "Don Juan" book.

I didn't read the first one.

It's rather difficult to precisely explain why I liked this book.

I suppose the character of Don Juan is simply so incredibly cool.

Any story that involves a young and somewhat naïve individual venturing out into the desert and encountering an old hermit who endeavors to teach him how to cease being such a fool is, in essence, a captivating premise.

The setting of the desert adds an air of mystery and isolation, while the interaction between the young idiot and the wise old hermit provides a rich source of learning and transformation.

It's a classic trope that never fails to engage the reader's imagination and draw them into the story.

Perhaps it's the idea of a journey of self-discovery and the potential for personal growth that makes this type of story so appealing.

Whatever the reason, I found myself thoroughly enjoying this second installment of the "Don Juan" series.

July 15,2025
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**Title: The Importance of Recycling**

Recycling is a crucial practice that has a significant impact on our environment and society.

It helps to reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and decrease energy consumption.

By recycling materials such as paper, plastic, metal, and glass, we can prevent them from ending up in landfills or being incinerated, which can cause pollution and release harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Moreover, recycling can also create jobs and boost the economy.

The recycling industry employs millions of people worldwide and generates billions of dollars in revenue each year.

In addition, it can also help to reduce the need for new raw materials, which can be expensive and difficult to obtain.

Therefore, it is essential that we all do our part to recycle as much as possible.

We can start by separating our waste into different bins for recycling, such as paper, plastic, metal, and glass.

We can also encourage our friends, family, and colleagues to recycle and raise awareness about the importance of this practice.

By working together, we can make a positive difference and create a more sustainable future for ourselves and for generations to come.
July 15,2025
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Don Juan's words are truly captivating. After delving into the first three books, I hold the view that - While many may think Don Juan is just a creation of Castaneda's imagination, I believe it's quite the opposite (from a philosophical perspective). Castaneda represents all of us, with his skepticism and clumsiness.

Don Juan, on the other hand, is the real protagonist, and Castaneda serves as a messenger through whom Don Juan awakens a curiosity in all the readers about a distinct reality. This is no accident; it's a purposeful act. There are numerous similarities between Don Juan's teachings and those found in books such as Autobiography of a Yogi or Many Lives Many Masters. He is undoubtedly one of those enlightened masters.

His words and teachings have the power to make us question our own beliefs and perceptions, and to open our eyes to a world beyond what we can see and touch. It's as if he is leading us on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth, challenging us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace the unknown.

Overall, I find Don Juan's story to be both fascinating and thought-provoking, and I can't wait to see what else he has in store for us in the remaining books.
July 15,2025
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At the time I read this, I had enough separate realities to cope with.

It was as if my life was a complex web of different experiences and situations, each demanding my attention and energy.

In this particular text, it would seem that given the alien cultural context, the relationship between the brujo and the supplicant clearly has to be a close one.

The brujo, with his神秘的 powers and knowledge, holds a significant position in that culture.

The supplicant, on the other hand, approaches the brujo with hope and a desire for something, perhaps guidance or a solution to a problem.

I wonder if it worked in this instance?

Did the brujo's connection with the supplicant lead to the desired outcome?

There are so many unknowns in this situation, and it makes me curious to learn more about the dynamics of such relationships in different cultures.

July 15,2025
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Your action, just like the actions of people in general, is a significant manifestation because we have knowledge and opinions, and they are significant.

We learn that we have some opinions about everything, and then we train our eyes to look at things according to what we know about the objects we are looking at. We look at ourselves in such a way that we already know in advance that we are significant. And because of this, we start to feel that we are significant! But when a person starts "looking", he finds that he can no longer have some opinions about the objects he is looking at, and if he cannot have some opinions about what he is looking at, then everything becomes insignificant.

After a person "looks" and learns, everything becomes equal, and what is equal is no longer significant.

"A person who knows that the heart can never be cured from the beginning can only strengthen his will with one thing - the power of his own decisions. He must be the master-patron of his own choices. He must be fully aware that his choice is his responsibility, and after he makes a choice, the time for hesitation and cowardice is over. His decisions are final, simply because the heart does not give when bargaining for something."
July 15,2025
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A Separate Reality: Further Conversation with Don Juan (The Teachings of Don Juan #2), Carlos Castaneda


A Separate Reality, which consists of further conversations with Don Juan Matus between 1960 and 1965, is a remarkable book penned by the anthropologist/author Carlos Castaneda and published in 1971. It delves into the events that unfolded during Castaneda's apprenticeship with a Yaqui Indian Sorcerer.


The first reading date was June 11, 1986. This is the second book in a series of twelve, presented in the order of their original publication date in English, all of which have been translated into Persian as follows:


1. The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge (1968), translated by Hussein Neyr and published by Ferdows in 1986.


2. A Separate Reality: Further Conversation with Don Juan (1971), translated by Ebrahim Makkala and published by Agha in 1985.


3. Journey to Xtlan: Lessons of Don Juan (1972), also known as "Journey to Another World" in Iran.


4. Tales of Power (1974), translated by Mehran Kondori and Masoud Kazemi and published by Ferdows in 1984.


5. The Second Ring of Power (1975), with the first edition translated by Mehran Kondori and Masoud Kazemi in 1985.


6. The Eagle's Gift (1981), translated by Mehran Kondori and Masoud Kazemi in 1986.


7. The Fire from Within (1984), translated by Mehran Kondori and Masoud Kazemi in 1989.


8. The Power of Silence, Further Lessons of don Juan (1988), translated by Mehran Kondori in 1989.


9. The Art of Dreaming (1994), translated by Farzad Hemdani in 1995.


10. Magical Passes: The Practical Wisdom of the Shamans of Ancient Mexico, translated by Mehran Kondori and published by Mita in 1998.


11. The Wheel of Time: The Shamans of Mexico Their Thoughts About Life Death & the Universe (The Teachings of Don Juan #11), translated by Mehdi Kondori and published by Mita in 1998.


12. The Active Side of Infinity (1998), translated by Mehran Kondori in 2000.


The dates of dissemination were 05/03/2021 and 08/01/2022; A. Sharbiani.

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