Treat this as fiction and you are okay.

The first four books are fine. They have engaging storylines, well-developed characters, and captivating writing styles. You can easily get lost in the worlds created by the authors.

However, the rest of the books are just so-so. They lack the same level of excitement and innovation. The plots may seem a bit predictable, and the characters might not be as vivid or relatable.

Nevertheless, it's important to remember that everyone has different tastes in reading. What one person may consider average, another might find enjoyable. So, don't be too quick to dismiss the entire collection based on the quality of the later books. You might still discover some hidden gems within them.

Overall, while the first four books are definitely worth checking out, the rest of the series may not be as remarkable. But who knows, maybe with a closer look, you'll find something that surprises and delights you.

This was the very first Carlos Casteneda book that I had the opportunity to read, and that was way back during my university years.

I suspect that my habit of 'better living through chemistry' might have had something to do with it at that time. However, out of all the books I've read, I still found this one to be the most enjoyable. Recently, I made the decision to re-read it to see if it could still hold up.

Let's get this straight... these are works of fiction. Despite Casteneda's protestations, these stories are just that - stories. Nevertheless, they are often fascinating stories all the same. This is the fifth book in the series, following "Tales of Power". Readers who have perused his prior novels will have a certain degree of familiarity with the characters as they were secondary in previous books. However, both Don Juan and Don Genero are now 'gone'.

The Second Ring of Power delves deep into the interactions of the remaining apprentices, namely the author; Dona Soledad; La Gorda; Lidia; Josafina; Rosa; Pablito; Nestor; and Benigio. Each apprentice possesses a somewhat different talent and ability, and they showcase those abilities in frequently remarkable ways.

Perhaps because I have now read most of Casteneda's books, I am less patient with the density of his characters. The reader wishes to reach out and ask him, "Are you dense?!? Wake up; you've been at this for years!" Anyway, it's a fascinating addition to Casteneda's body of work.

4 stars.

A work of psychedelic genius is truly a remarkable creation. It has the power to transport the viewer or listener into a completely different realm of perception. The colors, shapes, and sounds are often so vivid and intense that they seem to break free from the constraints of reality. Psychedelic art and music can have a profound impact on the human mind,激发 creativity and expanding consciousness. It challenges our preconceived notions of what is possible and encourages us to explore the unknown. Whether it's a painting that seems to come alive before our eyes or a piece of music that takes us on a wild journey through sound, a work of psychedelic genius is an experience like no other.

The Second Ring of Power by Carlos Castaneda (1977)

This remarkable work by Carlos Castaneda takes readers on an extraordinary journey.

It delves into the mysterious and often overlooked aspects of human perception and power. Castaneda presents a world where traditional ways of seeing and understanding are challenged.

The concept of the "Second Ring of Power" is introduced, opening up new possibilities for personal growth and transformation.

Readers are invited to explore the hidden realms of consciousness and discover the untapped potential within themselves.

With his unique writing style and profound insights, Castaneda has created a work that continues to captivate and inspire audiences decades after its initial publication.

The Second Ring of Power is not just a book; it is an invitation to embark on a life-changing adventure of self-discovery and exploration.

Whether you are a long-time fan of Castaneda's work or new to his ideas, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.

It challenges us to question our assumptions, expand our consciousness, and embrace the power that lies within each of us.

So, open the pages of The Second Ring of Power and prepare to be amazed.

June 2011

Another box of books has been reopened for cleaning, sorting, and reevaluation. And lo and behold, many of the collected works of Carlos Castaneda are part of the contents.

Many years have passed, but I remember this author and his works vividly. [Now don't get any ideas as to an allusion I may or may not be making.] At some point, I stopped purchasing more in the series and put them away. There's a 'blur' factor as I recall that occurs with these stories of the metaphysical and magical (or majic, depending on your spelling choice) journeys of learning. Thus, I finally put them down after a while.

There's a new series of works by authors/students in the same genre. These are a continuation of the anthropological journey that Castaneda undertook to learn about his heritage and a way of life that existed, if only in a shadow of the original form.

This generic commentary will be applied to all the writings of CC as a review until a rereading decision is made. I don't own all the books by Castaneda, though I've read all his books through the mid-1980s. A couple more I have copies of in this collection, but I bet I never read them.

Each of these books will have this introduction bracketed and italicized when I add a more specific commentary regarding the individual entry.

An early footnote: Much of the fascination with fantastical dragon imagery is rooted in the first two or three of these works. Just thought you should know.

Reread after 30 years.

It is truly a remarkable experience to revisit a piece of work after such a long time.

This time around, it feels different.

Perhaps it's because I have gained more life experience and a deeper understanding of the world.

The words seem to jump off the page in a new way, and I notice details that I missed before.

It's as if the author and I are having a new conversation, one that is more meaningful and profound.

I find myself reflecting on how my own perspectives have changed over the years and how this rereading has influenced my thinking.

Overall, it's been a wonderful and eye-opening experience, and I look forward to seeing what other treasures I may discover through future rereadings.

I suddenly had a premonition that Pablito and Nestor were not at home. My certainty was so profound that I stopped the car. I was at the point where the asphalt ended abruptly, and I wanted to decide whether to continue my long and difficult journey that day, as the remaining part of the road was a bad, stony and steep one that led to their house, located in the mountains of Central Mexico.

I lowered the car window. It was cold and the wind was blowing. I got out to stretch. The tension of driving for hours had stiffened my neck and back. I walked to the edge of the paved road. The ground was soft from a morning rain. The rain was still continuing on the southern slopes of the mountains, a short distance from where I was. But right in front of me, to the east and north, the sky was clear. In certain points of the road, the puddles could be seen shining in the distance.

I stood thinking for a while, then I decided to return to the town, because a special sensation told me that I would find don Juan there, in the square. After all, since the beginning of our association, I had always proceeded like this, and I would find him in the square. Usually, if he was not in Sonora, we would go towards Central Mexico and go to the square of that town, and sooner or later, don Juan would appear. I had waited for him for at most two days. I was so used to finding him like this that I was absolutely sure that things would happen as usual.

The Warrior's Path

Carlos Castaneda initiated his exploration into sorcery and power during his graduate studies at the University of California. His debut work, The Teachings of Don Juan, detailed his encounters with hallucinogenic power plants and presented a novel shaman to a vast readership.

Subsequently, over the next ten years, he authored three additional reports, delving into the essence of power and the transformation of his own world view. The fourth book, Tales of Power, seemed to mark the conclusion, as the student-author completed his initiation and even took a leap into an abyss. However, Castaneda's journey of exploration persisted, both in life and through eight more books.

In 1977, with the publication of The Second Ring of Power, he achieved the status of a fully-fledged sorcerer. It's important to note that the "first ring" pertained to Castaneda's initial area of focus when he was first enlisted by the Yaqui sorcerer Don Juan in 1960: an emphasis on the body and the realm of reason, the aspects of a person developed early in life. Most individuals believe that this encompasses all there is.

Conversely, the "second ring" was截然不同, as Don Juan repeatedly endeavored to elucidate during Castaneda's apprenticeship. It represents the ability to direct one's awareness towards the non-ordinary world, the realm of will that the Yaquis refer to as the Naqual. In the fifth chapter of his epic adventure, Castaneda is no longer merely an apprentice or a "rational" anthropologist. He is advancing along the path of the warrior.

The book commences with some unresolved matters. Castaneda is still grappling with his final meeting with Don Juan, Don Genaro, and his fellow apprentices. That encounter concluded with his leap off a cliff and witnessing the disintegration of his own body. Unable to rationally accept what had occurred, he has returned to central Mexico to resolve his inner conflicts.

Nonetheless, his welcome by Pablito's mother, Dona Soledad, only gives rise to new quandaries. How has she become so much younger and more alluring? Why would she desire to kill him? And could Don Juan have orchestrated it?

Thankfully, the teachings of the old Yaqui have taken root, enabling Carlos to withstand an initial attack. Once he has triumphed over Dona Soledad in a psychic battle, the Sisters arrive. They too have been trained by Don Juan and were instructed by him to regard Carlos as his successor. Initially, they are not overly impressed.

In The Second Ring, Carlos has his own encounter with power. But Don Juan has provided a worthy partner in the form of La Gorda, another former apprentice whose training is more comprehensive than his own. Together, they form a classic detective duo in the phantasmagoric world of the Nagual. Carlos is somewhat unpredictable and impulsive, yet his power, as La Gorda describes it, is "awesome."

Along the way, they successfully interact with the "allies," who had previously instilled fear in Carlos. They also enter the realm of pure volition and engage in "dreaming," the art of maintaining mental images. Don Juan had spent years attempting to teach Carlos this technique, but his "attention of the tonal" - that is, awareness of the common sense world - often proved to be an obstacle. With La Gorda and the Sisters, he finally makes the breakthrough, changing levels of attention and even physically moving through space via the energy of La Gorda's dreaming.

The prominence of strong women in the sorcerers' world is particularly notable in this book. Apparently, Don Juan trained them simultaneously, but the meticulous notetaker had never noticed the changes. In The Second Ring of Power, they dominate, exhibiting greater stability than the men. And yet, despite Carlos' occasional foolishness, they are willing to follow his lead.

Over the years, it has become customary to view the personal evolution that Castaneda describes in his books with a degree of skepticism. Many regard the stories as a fantastical masterpiece. At the risk of reigniting a pointless debate, I will offer just two considerations.

Firstly, regardless of where Castaneda ultimately arrived - actually promoting Tensegrity, movements allegedly passed down to him by 25 generations of Toltec shamans - his starting point was serious research into the effects of medicinal plants. And secondly, he did not abandon ethnographic conventions in his study of the sorcerer's world. Like the other books, The Second Ring of Power eloquently描绘s the path available to human beings who pioneer in the uncharted territory of consciousness. It is inspired reporting by a scholar who has transitioned from theory to practice in a world of exotic power.

I must confess to a profound fascination with at least this novel of the late Carlos Castaneda. The reason for this lies in the intriguing and enigmatic character of Dona Soledad, and her two spiritual daughters Rosa and Lidia, along with the remarkable transformation they all experience due to the teachings of Don Juan.

Dona Soledad, who was once described as a "stupid fat lady" or something similar, undergoes a significant change. She even has the ability to wrestle the unnamed narrator to the ground with a simple roll and trip. Just like the Marvel Comics Blob character, hitting her would be ineffective as it would be like hitting a sack full of Jell-O or porridge.

I have long intended to read the entire book but have never managed to get around to it. I have even ordered a copy from Amazon and, as an artist, I may paint a portrait of Dona Soledad based on the narrator's description in the novel.

It is no coincidence that Castaneda's novel became popular in the 1960s when many people were dissatisfied with conventional forms of seeking spiritual guidance. However, as a practicing Roman Catholic, I am uncomfortable with some aspects of Castaneda's thinking. The question that lingers in my mind is: Where is GOD in all this? The spiritual power possessed by Don Juan, Dona Soledad, and her daughters is never morally or spiritually neutral. It must come from either the Almighty or Satan.

Fiction and faction are two distinct concepts. Fiction refers to stories, novels, or works of literature that are created from the imagination of the author. These works may not be based on real events or people, but they can still engage and entertain the reader.

Fiction allows the author to explore different themes, emotions, and ideas, and to create unique and interesting characters. It can take the form of science fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery, or any other genre.

On the other hand, faction is a term that is sometimes used to describe a work that is a combination of fact and fiction. These works may be based on real events or people, but the author may have added fictional elements to make the story more interesting or engaging.

While faction can be an interesting and creative way to tell a story, it is important to note that it is not the same as pure fiction. Readers should be aware of the difference between the two and approach each type of work with the appropriate expectations.

In conclusion, fiction and faction are both important forms of literature, but they serve different purposes. Fiction allows for complete creative freedom, while faction combines fact and fiction to create a unique and engaging story.

I read this book within two days because I simply couldn't put it down!

In order to truly understand it, it is an absolute must to read the previous books. Otherwise, you will surely be lost in the complex plot.

Yes, it does get somewhat complicated, but if you have read the previous installments, you can comprehend it fairly well. In fact, this book deserves at least two reads as you will be able to discover different answers each time.

Once you start to comprehend, you will finally become addicted to the writings of Carlos. His descriptions are incredibly thorough, painting the most vivid picture of every detail.

The beginning of Carlos's first battle with Sorcery is truly captivating. There, he discovers in-depth powers that he never thought he could achieve, opening up a whole new world of possibilities.

Carlos Castaneda's books hold great significance for me. His works, along with those of Vadim Zeland, a Russian writer and quantum physicist, and Alexey Bachev, an extraordinary psychologist from Bulgaria who is the protagonist of my book "Life Can Be a Miracle," have profoundly influenced my way of thinking, perceiving, and experiencing reality.

These authors have opened my eyes to new perspectives and ways of understanding the world around me. Their ideas have challenged my preconceived notions and encouraged me to explore the deeper mysteries of life.

I am truly grateful to them for showing me the miraculous way of living. Their teachings have inspired me to approach life with a sense of wonder and curiosity, and to embrace the unknown with courage and openness.

Thanks to their influence, I have been able to see the world in a whole new light and to experience the beauty and magic that exists within it.