Incredible, masterful.

I read it without expectations, but it would have exceeded them anyway.

Although Castaneda's spiritual path differed from that of other great sages, the wisdom printed here is completely real.

It was really entertaining and the mysteries he revealed are invaluable.

A magnificent ending, both of the saga and of the book itself.

This work takes the reader on a profound journey through the spiritual realm.

The author's unique perspective and vivid descriptions make it a captivating read.

Each page is filled with insights and teachings that can expand one's understanding of life and the unknown.

Whether you are a seeker of spiritual truth or simply enjoy a good story, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.

It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the mysteries of the human experience.

The final chapter ties together all the loose ends and provides a satisfying conclusion that leaves the reader with a sense of wonder and inspiration.

Overall, this is a remarkable piece of literature that will be cherished by readers for years to come.

I have a greater preference for: The Teachings of Don Juan, Journey to Ixtlan, or The Art of Dreaming (or The Inner Fire). However, all of his books are magnificent. Each one offers unique insights and perspectives that can truly expand one's mind and understanding. The Teachings of Don Juan delves deep into the world of shamanism and the ancient wisdom of the Yaqui people. It takes the reader on a spiritual journey filled with profound teachings and life-changing experiences. Journey to Ixtlan continues this exploration, providing further details and adventures that help to bring the teachings to life. And The Art of Dreaming (or The Inner Fire) focuses on the power of dreaming and how it can be used as a tool for personal growth and transformation. These books are not only captivating reads but also have the potential to have a lasting impact on the reader's life.

A lasting impression was left at the end of this one.

I will never again be able to look at the mundane world and my happenings without mentally referencing this book.

This book has truly had a profound impact on my perception. It has opened my eyes to a new way of seeing things, making me realize that there is so much more to life than what meets the eye.

Every time I encounter a situation in the ordinary world, I find myself thinking back to the lessons and ideas presented in this book.

It has become a constant source of inspiration and guidance for me, helping me to navigate through life's challenges with a different perspective.

I am grateful to have come across this book and I know that it will continue to shape my thoughts and actions for a long time to come.

Whoa!

I mean, immortality as described by Tom Robbins is one thing, but when it comes to Carlos Castenda and Don Juan, it's quite another.

It's almost too serious and too possible.

I didn't understand a lot of the teachings here, yet I'm fascinated by the different explanations of our energy and energy fields.

Those Mexican shamans have a view and an understanding that certainly took Carlos over the abyss and back.

It makes me wonder about the mysteries of the universe and our place within it.

Could there really be a way to achieve a form of immortality or at least a deeper connection to something greater?

The ideas presented by Castenda and Don Juan are both captivating and a bit overwhelming.

They challenge our conventional thinking and make us question what we truly know about ourselves and the world around us.

As I continue to explore these concepts, I find myself drawn further into this strange and wonderful realm of shamanism and energy work.

It's a journey that I'm eager to embark on, despite the fact that I know there will be many more questions than answers along the way.

Apparently I have read this book before, but this time, I guess I was ready to *read* it for real.

The previous reading might have been more of a cursory glance, perhaps skimming through the pages without truly delving into the essence. However, this time around, I approached it with a different mindset.

I was determined to soak in every word, to understand the author's intentions, and to explore the depth of the story.

As I opened the book and began to read, I found myself more engaged than ever. The words seemed to come alive on the page, painting vivid pictures in my mind.

I paid attention to the details, the character development, and the plot twists.

This newfound focus allowed me to appreciate the book in a whole new light.

It was as if I was reading it for the first time, despite having read it before.

I was eager to see where the story would lead and how it would impact me.

With each turn of the page, I felt myself becoming more immersed in the world of the book.

This time, I was truly reading it, and it was a wonderful experience.

I loved the ending.

It was truly remarkable and left a lasting impression on me. The way the story was wrapped up was both satisfying and thought-provoking.

The final scenes were filled with emotion and had a certain charm that made it impossible not to be moved.

The characters' arcs were completed in a way that felt natural and fitting, and it was a joy to see how they had grown and changed throughout the narrative.

The ending also had a touch of mystery and ambiguity, which added an extra layer of depth to the overall story.

It made me wonder about what might have happened next and allowed my imagination to run wild.

Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better ending to this wonderful story.

It was a perfect conclusion that tied everything together beautifully and left me with a sense of fulfillment.

I will definitely be thinking about this ending for a long time to come.

One of the more philosophical books in the series,

though by no means the most profound or complex.

It offers some interesting insights and perspectives on various philosophical concepts.

The author presents ideas in a relatively accessible manner, making it suitable for those who are new to the subject or looking for a lighter introduction.

However, it may not satisfy the more advanced readers who are seeking in-depth analysis and exploration.

Nevertheless, it can still serve as a valuable starting point for further study and reflection.

The book covers a range of topics, from ethics and morality to epistemology and metaphysics.

Each chapter delves into a specific area, presenting different viewpoints and arguments.

Overall, it provides a decent overview of some of the fundamental issues in philosophy.

While it may not be a masterpiece, it is certainly worth a read for those interested in the subject.

I first read this book in 2000 when it was just published.

Today, 22 years later, I read it again. I could hardly remember anything. Now I understand why. In this new reading, it seemed to me a simple story, with one or two so-called motivational phrases.

I don't recommend it. It might have been interesting when it first came out, but over the years, perhaps my perspective has changed. The storyline that once might have seemed engaging now appears rather平淡. The so-called motivational phrases don't have the same impact they might have had before. Maybe it's because I've read so many other books and gained more life experiences. Overall, this book didn't live up to my expectations upon this reread.

This is Castaneda's final book.

The writing style is highly eloquent, crafting realities through metaphor in a way that literal non-fiction or poetic fiction can rarely reach.

Here, there is a biting truth and profound insight.

You get the impression that Castaneda's life, aside from his experiences with Don Juan in Mexico, was just as strange, quixotic, and adventurous as anything that occurred with the Yaqui master.

It makes you wonder about the hidden aspects of his life that might have influenced his work and the unique perspectives he presents.

The book seems to offer a window into a world that is both fascinating and mysterious, leaving the reader eager to explore further and discover the deeper meanings within.

Castaneda's ability to create such vivid and engaging realities through his words is truly remarkable and makes this book a must-read for those interested in exploring the boundaries of perception and the unknown.

On one level, this book is an integral part of Carlos Castaneda’s (1925 - 1998) twelve-book series, chronicling his adventures as a sorcerer. It commences with his extensive apprenticeship to don Juan Matus (circa 1892 - 1972, though the very existence of Matus has been questioned by critics). On another level, it serves as a kind of manual on writing memoirs, a genre that has always been popular and is currently in vogue.

The book begins with don Juan instructing Carlos that to become a sorcerer, he must compile an “album” of significant memories. Initially, Carlos presents the story of being jilted at the altar years ago. However, don Juan points out that this story is self-centered, as Carlos neither loved his fiancée nor did she have a lasting impact on him. Thus, this story is rejected. Don Juan explains that the type of story he desires is about something beyond Carlos himself, with Carlos being a participant in the middle. The accepted stories are about other people and some involve journeys. When the other person in the memoir is still alive, don Juan urges Carlos to find that person and thank them, sometimes by giving them a gift.

At least one of the stories is about women that Carlos had cared for but hurt. Once, he had two girlfriends simultaneously, and a male friend advised him to play with their affections, which led to a disastrous outcome. Carlos had to leave. Years later, following don Juan’s instructions, he visits the women and offers each any gift she wants. Don Juan advises that the gifts should leave Carlos penniless, and they do. The first woman asks for a fur coat, and the second requests a station wagon. The important thing is that both women agree to forgive him. According to don Juan, the gifts abolish Castaneda’s obligations to these women.
Most of the memoirs deal with people from Carlos’ boyhood who are no longer alive. Among them are a brave boy who accompanied Carlos through caves under a mountain, his father, a grandfather, a grandmother, his grandfather’s worst enemy who became his friend, his grandmother’s adopted son who could be described as a magnificent failure, and the man who introduced him to don Juan but whom he ignored when the man most needed his friendship. Carlos not only tells their stories but also posthumously thanks them, especially at the end of his apprenticeship when he is about to bid farewell to don Juan and become a sorcerer in his own right.
Interwoven with these stories is Carlos’ exposure to don Juan’s most advanced teachings. Once, don Juan revealed that the shack in the desert where Carlos always met him was not his main residence but a place chosen due to Carlos’ spiritual poverty. In this book, don Juan finally allows Carlos to visit his real house, which is surrounded by trees in a mountainous region. Carlos receives revelations about procedures and events from earlier books in the series. For instance, when don Juan or don Genaro slap Carlos on the back, they are not joking but manipulating the energy field around him to shift his consciousness and enable him to perceive the lesson at hand. Carlos also explores the special art of “dreaming” and learns to manipulate his own perception. In one chapter, he and don Juan agree to meet in a particular Mexican town, but Carlos falls asleep. The next thing he knows, he is meeting with don Juan in that very town. He is also introduced to the most paranoid-sounding part of don Juan’s worldview: the flyers. These are shadow entities that feed off the aura of every human and do much of our thinking for us, convincing us to ignore anything that casts doubt on consensual reality, similar to “The Matrix” without the technology and humanoid enforcers. Carlos must battle the flyers by reclaiming his autonomy.
Readers of Castaneda’s earlier book, “Tales of Power,” will be familiar with this book’s penultimate chapter, in which Carlos and two fellow apprentices say goodbye to don Juan and don Genaro and then leap from a precipice as their final initiation. I am struck by the utterly anti-Christian (or perhaps non-Christian or counter-Christian?) messages here. For example, like Jesus at the Last Supper, don Juan says he is leaving this earth, but while Jesus urges his disciples to remember him and avows that he will remember them, don Juan tells Carlos not to think of him anymore, and don Juan declares that he will no longer think of Carlos. This seems to be because they are both about to change profoundly and will no longer be the same beings.
In books subsequent to “Tales of Power,” Carlos and the other two apprentices reappear as sorcerers, none the worse for their plunge over the cliff, but without any explanation of how they survived. In this book, the final chapter offers a somewhat inconclusive “sorcerer’s explanation,” which explains so little that it becomes clear why Castaneda has not discussed it before. He himself does not understand what happened. It is only possible for him to accept that it must have happened and that he is still alive, albeit much changed. This leap of faith – rather than the leap off the cliff itself – seems to be the more crucial step in becoming a full-fledged sorcerer.

It is important to note that while Castaneda’s work has been widely read and influential, it has also been the subject of much controversy and criticism. Some have questioned the authenticity of his accounts, while others have debated the meaning and significance of his teachings. Nevertheless, his books continue to be a source of inspiration and discussion for many readers around the world.

Whether one believes in the reality of Castaneda’s experiences or not, there is no denying the power and creativity of his writing. His descriptions of the spiritual and magical world are vivid and engaging, and his exploration of themes such as consciousness, perception, and the nature of reality are thought-provoking.

In conclusion, this book is a complex and multi-faceted work that offers both entertainment and enlightenment. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the occult, spiritualism, or the exploration of the human mind and spirit.

It is truly very interesting. However, this might necessitate a second reading. The first time through, one may be simply captivated by the initial impressions and the overall tone. But upon a second reading, a deeper understanding can be achieved. Details that might have been overlooked the first time around can come to light. The subtleties of the language, the nuances in the argument, and the hidden meanings can all be explored more thoroughly. A second reading allows for a more comprehensive analysis and a greater appreciation of the work. It gives the reader the opportunity to engage with the text on a more profound level and to discover new insights that were not immediately obvious. So, although the first reading may have been enjoyable, a second reading is often essential to fully grasp the essence of the piece.

This is my first encounter with Carlos Castaneda's work.

At times, I was truly amazed by the profound insights and ideas presented, which seemed to offer a unique perspective on life and the universe.

However, there were also moments when I felt the writing bordered on the infantile, perhaps due to the use of some rather simplistic or far-fetched concepts.

Nevertheless, despite these mixed feelings, I ultimately came away from the reading feeling very glad that I had taken the time to explore Castaneda's world.

The character of Don Juan, whether real or fictitious, was truly captivating. He exemplified a believable being with his own set of probable and fresh ideas about life and the universe.

His teachings and experiences provided a fascinating glimpse into a different way of thinking and being, one that challenged my own preconceived notions and expanded my understanding of the world around me.

In conclusion, while my first reading of Carlos Castaneda was not without its flaws, it was still a worthwhile and enriching experience that I would recommend to others.