This is probably my favourite Castaneda book.

As a kid, this series of books came into my possession, and I eagerly devoured them all. Each one delved me deeper into the magical world of Don Juan and Sorcery.

The first in the series focuses on the female sorcerors of the lineage and explicitly details some of their rituals and powers. It is all intertwined with a series of inner and outer world adventures that transport my imagination to the frightening and magical rural world of Mexico.

Even now, when I read it, it still has the power to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and to transform some part of me back into that teenager who dreamed of magic. It is truly a captivating and enchanting read that has left a lasting impression on me.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the world of sorcery and the exploration of the human psyche. It is a literary masterpiece that will take you on a journey you will never forget.

Recently, I started reading again. It's a wonderful feeling to immerse myself in the world of words and stories. However, there's this one character in the book named Soledad. Oh my goodness, Soledad is such a bitch, yo! She always seems to be causing trouble and making life difficult for the other characters. It's quite frustrating to read about her actions sometimes. But at the same time, her presence adds an interesting layer to the plot. It makes me wonder what kind of person she really is deep down inside. Maybe there's more to her than meets the eye. I'm eager to keep reading and find out.

Fascinating.

This word holds a certain charm that immediately grabs our attention. It has the power to make us curious and eager to explore further.

When we encounter something fascinating, it has the ability to captivate our minds and hold our focus. It could be a beautiful piece of art, a mysterious scientific discovery, or an engaging story.

The concept of fascinating is subjective, as what one person finds fascinating may not have the same effect on another. However, there are certain elements that often contribute to making something fascinating. These can include uniqueness, complexity, and a sense of wonder.

Fascinating things have the potential to inspire us, expand our knowledge, and bring joy to our lives. They can open our eyes to new perspectives and possibilities.

In conclusion, the word fascinating represents the allure and appeal of those things that have the ability to engage and entrance us. It is a quality that makes life more interesting and worth exploring.

However, if it is in a certain place and it moves from one illusion to another, perhaps until infinity. This journey through illusions can be a complex and mysterious one. It might lead to unexpected discoveries or陷入更深的迷茫之中. The concept of moving from one illusion to another implies a continuous cycle of perception and deception. We might think we are seeing the truth, but in reality, it could just be another layer of illusion.

This idea challenges our understanding of reality and forces us to question what we truly know. It makes us wonder if there is an ultimate truth that lies beyond all the illusions. Maybe we are constantly chasing after something that is just out of our reach.

Whether this journey through illusions leads to enlightenment or further confusion, it is an interesting and thought-provoking concept. It makes us realize that our perception of the world is not as straightforward as we might think.

I have long been intrigued by Peruvian-American author Carlos Castañeda due to the highly polarised response to his work.

Some people hold him in high regard for the profound philosophical, spiritual, and psychological insights in his books. Others, however, despise him for presenting complete fiction as scientific anthropology and later becoming a textbook example of a cult leader, with very little middle ground.

When I chanced upon this book in a public book exchange cabinet, I knew I had to pick it up.

“The Second Ring of Power” commences after the protagonist's studies under two Mexican wizards, Don Juan and Don Gennaro. He embarks on a search for their other students but only manages to find the mother of one student, Dona Soledad. She is not only a powerful sorcerer but also quite cranky and sexually aggressive towards our hero.

She subjects him to several perilous situations designed to neutralize his worst fears and anxieties. Soon, he encounters Soledad's four daughters, each representing a different corner of the world and having personalities similar to the winds from each compass direction.

This so far reminds me of C. G. Jung's dream analysis case stories, where similar character types and narratives frequently appear.

Even more so when the protagonist confronts monstrous beings that turn out to be the shadow selves of individual characters. This is a quintessentially Jungian motif, along with Dona Soledad and her daughters representing the dark, destructive side of the divine feminine.

Near the end, the title of the book is finally elucidated. The first ring of power is human attention on the tonal, that is, the world as filtered through culturally specific social consensus reality and the limitations of the human sensory system.

The second ring is human attention on the nagual, the totality of the world outside consensus and the realm in which accomplished wizards constantly reside, which is why they seem to normal people to flicker in and out of existence, including giving up one's human bodily form.

The Jungian parallels make me question how much “traditional Mexican shamanism” is actually present here. Especially when I also recognize the narrative structure of “the protagonist encounters eccentric characters putting him through increasingly disturbing yet whimsical challenges” from Lewis Carroll's “Alice in Wonderland” books.

Notice how many occultists, starting with Aleister Crowley, interpret the Alice novels as a metaphor for the Kabbalistic initiation process based on Wonderland's inhabitants corresponding to the Sephiroth on the Tree of Life.

A tradition of Jewish mysticism strongly influenced by Greco-Roman philosophy seems far removed from a lineage of Mexican shamanism dating back to the Toltecs, as Castañeda presents his system.

That being said, indigenous Mesoamerican religion is a topic about which I have at best a beginner's understanding. So, I suppose I should read more about it before forming an opinion.

Taken as literature, I truly relished “The Second Ring of Power”. The main characters are all fascinating to read about. The imagery and the narrative display a great deal of imagination on the author's part.

The desert landscapes of Mexico are vividly and picturesquely described. The challenges that the protagonist endures closely mirror many of the same psychological anxieties that I grapple with.

The result is a reading experience that deeply resonates with me. In particular, the revelation that each of the protagonist's teachers has failed in some aspect of their quest, as well as the fact that almost every time he thinks he has mastered the path of the sorcerer, he discovers that he has profoundly misunderstood some basic aspect of the spiritual journey until he faces the final revelation about the Second Ring.

This is a philosophical point that I still struggle with and consider the consequences of while writing this. I have instantly become interested in the author's other books.

Probably there are some things that went over my head due to not having read the first four books yet, but I was surprised by how much I understood on an intuitive basis.

Don Juan and Don Genaro's apprentice sorcerers have had a plethora of past and present experiences that are vividly described. These descriptions are so detailed and engaging that they have the power to inspire some truly interesting dreams. As I was flipping through the pages of my old hard copy, I could feel it falling apart. The wear and tear on the book was evident, yet it still held the allure of the captivating stories within.

However, I don't think I'll need to wade through it again. The memories of those experiences and the dreams they sparked are firmly etched in my mind. The adventures of the apprentice sorcerers, their encounters with the unknown, and their growth and learning have left a lasting impression.

While the physical book may be deteriorating, the essence of the story lives on within me. It serves as a reminder of the power of imagination and the ability of words to transport us to different worlds.

Castaneda's work is truly remarkable. His unique approach to exploring the human experience and the mysteries of the universe has captivated readers for decades.

His books are filled with vivid descriptions and profound insights that take the reader on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening.

Whether it's his exploration of shamanism, his teachings on awareness and perception, or his stories of personal transformation, Castaneda's work offers something for everyone.

More Castaneda is not bad at all. In fact, it's a welcome addition to the literary canon. His ideas continue to inspire and challenge us, and his writing style is engaging and accessible.

For those who are new to Castaneda's work, it's an opportunity to discover a new world of ideas and possibilities. And for those who are already familiar with his books, it's a chance to revisit old favorites and gain new perspectives.

In conclusion, Castaneda's work is a valuable contribution to the field of literature and a source of inspiration for generations to come. More Castaneda is definitely not bad.