About 9 years ago, I embarked on a personally significant journey by delving into all the Castaneda books, purchasing hard copies of each one. The reason was that they presented issues that I regarded as extremely profound and which I had never come across before. I would often read passages aloud to my wife and sometimes engage in discussions about a particular passage. At that time, I didn't bother to make a judgment on whether the books were genuine or not.
When I read this book for the first time, it wasn't a pleasurable experience for me. And even after a second reading, my opinion remained the same. I couldn't quite pinpoint the exact reason why I disliked it the first time, so I simply set it aside and moved on to the next book. Now, upon reading it again, I have to say that this book answered the question of authenticity for me.
Don Juan had always emphasized the significance of being impeccable in one's actions and cautioned against indulgence as it renders one powerless and unable to counter the powerful forces "out there" that can "squash you like a bug." He also made it known that Carlos was a violent person in his thinking and that warriors are not concerned with hurting their fellow man because they pose no threat to someone who can "see" and sense the intentions of others. However, this book is nothing but one big power struggle, with Don Juan being the one who has instructed these other warriors on ways they can eliminate Carlos in order to gain his "luminosity."
No, this book completely contradicts everything Don Juan had ever said about his lineage. Moreover, this book is also quite titillating to an annoying extent, and for me, this is evidence that Castaneda had lost his way after the departure of Genaro and Don Juan, and the direction he was headed in was inspired by other motives. Enough said.
I think the creation of this book has become necessary in order to organize the female sect that Castaneda created. However, the clarity, beauty, and poetry of the first trilogy disappear towards the end. I believe that Castaneda could have taught courses for Vedic women.
Perhaps he could have shared his knowledge and experiences with them, guiding them on a path of self-discovery and spiritual growth. The teachings of the Vedic tradition are rich and profound, and Castaneda's unique perspective might have added another layer of depth and understanding.
By conducting these courses, he could have also contributed to the preservation and传承 of the Vedic culture. It would have been an opportunity for women to come together, learn from one another, and form a community based on shared values and interests.
Overall, I think it would have been a worthwhile endeavor for Castaneda to explore this option and see where it might lead.