What I find most incredible about Castaneda's works is that the feedback from people mainly centers on whether he even existed and if Don Juan is real, etc.

It's like finding a planet of starving people and not only offering them a tomato but also the seeds and teaching them how to grow it.

Then the starving masses examine the tomato as if it were a grenade and wonder, "But is it a fruit or a vegetable?"

And they prefer to starve rather than just eat the thing.

It is truly a puzzlement, as Yul Brynner said.

"So let it be written. So let it be done."

Castaneda's works seem to have opened up a Pandora's box of questions and doubts. Instead of focusing on the potential wisdom and teachings within his writings, people are getting caught up in the debate of his authenticity. It's as if they are so fixated on the external details that they are missing the real nourishment that could be gained.

This situation is both frustrating and fascinating. On one hand, it shows the power of skepticism and the human need for certainty. On the other hand, it makes one wonder if we are sometimes too quick to dismiss something because it doesn't fit neatly into our existing beliefs and paradigms.

Perhaps we should take a step back and look at Castaneda's works with a more open mind. Instead of getting hung up on whether he was a real person or if Don Juan was a fictional character, we could explore the ideas and concepts that he presents. Maybe there is something valuable to be learned from his experiences, even if they are not entirely based in objective reality.

After all, as Yul Brynner's words suggest, sometimes we just need to let things be and see where they lead us.

I clicked to review this book from the choices of writings by Casteneda. However, in truth, I'm "reviewing" all his books, especially the several early ones that I read with great fear and fascination when they first emerged.

I never truly engaged in the debate over whether they were "real" or not. To me, they were real enough. That is, the stories were hair-raising and frightening for what they were - writing crafted to make you question your entire cultural existence.

I recall once when Carlos, the apprentice, noticed a turtle moving across a highway in the Sonora Desert in Mexico, where much of these books are set. He went to pick up the turtle to "save" it. But Don Juan de Matos, his guide and the guide in most of the books, suddenly admonished him: How do you know that that turtle hadn't spent the last hundreds of years of its existence just to reach this exact point in the crossroads, and here you are "saving" it when you really have no idea what you're doing!

Yes, the characters in his books seem to defy and defeat death, are able to mysteriously and in the spirit world "stalk" various enemies. There are truly devilish characters and mind-defying feats of ledgerdomain that make you doubt the very words you're reading. But also, given one's own ignorance, there's every chance that it is your world that is the messed up, mixed up, false one, and this crazy mystical impossible-to-grasp world presented in these books... that is the real one.

These books by Casteneda have had a profound impact on me, making me question not only the nature of reality but also my own beliefs and understanding. They have opened my eyes to a world beyond what I thought was possible, and have left me with a sense of wonder and curiosity.

While some may dismiss these books as mere fiction or the product of an overactive imagination, I believe there is much to be gained from reading them. They offer a unique perspective on the human experience and challenge us to think outside the box.

In conclusion, I highly recommend these books to anyone who is interested in exploring the mysteries of the universe and the human psyche. They may not be for everyone, but for those who are willing to take the plunge, they can be a life-changing experience.

I firmly believed that I had perused all the books that Castaneda penned regarding his adventures with Don Juan. However, it became evident that I was mistaken. This particular book had a distinct feel, almost like a capstone. It presented less of a challenge to me compared to the others. The content it held was not as compelling as that of the previous ones. Nevertheless, it did offer a sense of closure.

There was, though, a very significant part for me. I will also post it as a quote if it isn't already available.

"The great issue with us males is our frailty," he continued. "When our awareness commences to grow, it does so like a column, precisely at the midpoint of our luminous being, rising from the ground upwards. That column must attain a considerable height before we can depend on it. At this stage in your life, as a sorcerer, you effortlessly lose your hold on your newfound awareness. When that occurs, you forget everything you have accomplished and witnessed on the warrior-travelers' path because your consciousness reverts back to the awareness of your daily life. I have elucidated to you that the task of every male sorcerer is to retrieve everything he has done and seen on the warrior-travelers' path while he was on novel levels of awareness. The problem for every male sorcerer is that he easily forgets because his awareness forfeits its new level and plummets to the ground at the slightest provocation."

All the books of Carlos Castaneda hold great significance for me.

He, along with his Don Juan, Vadim Zeland, a writer from Russia and a quantum physicist, and Alexey Bachev, an extraordinary psychologist from Bulgaria and the protagonist of my book "Life Can Be a Miracle", have all had a profound impact on my way of thinking, perceiving, and experiencing reality.

These individuals have opened my eyes to new perspectives and ways of looking at the world. Their teachings and ideas have inspired me to explore my own consciousness and to question the limitations that I had previously placed on myself.

I am extremely grateful to them for showing me the miraculous way of living. Their works have become a source of inspiration and guidance for me, and I continue to draw wisdom from them as I navigate through life.

Oh, boy, was this man an absolute nutcase!

It is truly astonishing and fascinating to observe the enormous footprint he managed to leave in the world.

However, that seems to be the inherent nature of sociopathic and pathological liars.

To think that all of this chaos and drama started simply because of a plagiarized anthropology dissertation is just mind-boggling.

Crazy doesn't even begin to describe it!

In conclusion, I am just extremely glad to finally be done with this god-awful series of books.

It has been a long and arduous journey, but now that it's over, I can breathe a sigh of relief.

I can only hope that others will be more discerning when it comes to such works and not be misled by the falsehoods and deceptions within.

Overall, it has been a valuable learning experience, but one that I would not care to repeat anytime soon.

This is Casteneda's last and best book.

It holds a special place in the literary world. The author has poured his heart and soul into this work, presenting a captivating story that engages the readers from the very beginning.

The book is filled with vivid descriptions and well-developed characters that come to life on the pages. Each chapter unfolds a new layer of the plot, keeping the readers on the edge of their seats.

The themes explored in this book are deep and thought-provoking, making it not just an entertaining read but also a source of inspiration.

Whether you are a fan of Casteneda's previous works or new to his writing, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression. It is a must-read for anyone who appreciates great literature.

It did present some interesting alternative thoughts.

However, I continuously had the feeling that they weren't completely developed.

Moreover, the writing style bothered me "no end".

If the author were to use that expression one more time, I seriously thought I would put the book down.

I suppose my rating might seem a bit harsh.

But I also simply found myself in a state where I felt like he was exaggerating everything too much.

It's as if he was trying to make a mountain out of a molehill with every little point he was trying to convey.

This constant overemphasis made it difficult for me to fully engage with the content and appreciate the potential value that the interesting thoughts might have held.

Perhaps with a more refined and less repetitive writing style, the book could have had a greater impact on me.

It facinates me to an unknown end how the Shaman are able to understand so much about our universe without ever taking a physics class.

Their profound insights seem to transcend the boundaries of traditional knowledge. It's truly remarkable.

The values and experiences shared in this book are incredibly powerful. They have the potential to lead one to rediscover God and take a whole new perspective on what is going on around us.

It's as if through these teachings, we can gain a deeper understanding of the mysteries of life and the universe.

The Shaman's wisdom offers a unique lens through which we can view the world and find meaning and purpose in our existence.

This book serves as a guide, inviting us to explore these ancient teachings and apply them to our modern lives.

It challenges us to look beyond the surface and discover the hidden truths that lie beneath.

Overall, it's a captivating and thought-provoking read that has the power to transform our perception of the world and our place in it.

Another "no review" review. You can read all the ones others have written.

My takes:

The anecdotes and recapitulations that Carlos included were truly engaging and humorous. It seems almost improbable that they really happened. For instance, could a 9-year-old really beat every adult at pool? However, I found it easier to believe that he could get from one place to another without knowing how, simply because I've had a similar experience myself.

The writing in this book was superb. The choice of lessons shared was impeccable. Renaming various steps in a sorcerer's training was an interesting touch and added a more modern narrative for us in the 21st century.

I'm still having some trouble understanding how all these travels were possible for a poor fellow, and also the timeline of his apprenticeship. If he began in the 1950s, he would have been in his 40s and still a student? But no matter, all the books are highly entertaining. You can get from them whatever you need. Whether it's inspiration, entertainment, or a new perspective, these books have something to offer.

Outrageously extraordinary!

This is the kind of description that truly befits a remarkable event or phenomenon.

When something is outrageously extraordinary, it goes beyond the ordinary and enters a realm of the truly remarkable.

It catches our attention and leaves us in awe.

Such things can be found in various aspects of life, whether it's a breathtaking natural wonder, a revolutionary scientific discovery, or an outstanding artistic performance.

They have the power to inspire us, to make us dream big, and to show us the limitless possibilities that exist in the world.

The outrageously extraordinary challenges our perception of what is possible and encourages us to step out of our comfort zones and explore new frontiers.

It is these moments that make life truly exciting and memorable.

So, keep your eyes open for the outrageously extraordinary and be prepared to be amazed!

Since I had read others from this author, this one felt a little of the same same.

It seemed to follow a somewhat similar pattern, lacking that distinctiveness that would truly make it stand out. However, the concept of the warrior mentality presented in the book did manage to keep me going.

It had a certain allure that made the reading experience enjoyable enough. There was something about the idea of approaching life with a warrior's mindset that held my interest.

Yet, it's not so overly insightful that I would recommend it wholeheartedly or feel the urge to return to it. It didn't offer any truly revolutionary or profound ideas that would have a lasting impact on my thinking.

Overall, while it had its moments of entertainment, it didn't quite reach the level of excellence that would make it a must-read or a book that I would remember fondly in the long run.

Whoever penned this book did not author the previous ones. The tone, style, structure, and language of ASoF are entirely distinct from the 'corpus Castaneda' (Teachings to AoD) that I have perused at least half a dozen times since 1970. Additionally, there is nothing novel in ASoF, no advancement either in terms of technique, philosophy, history, or spirituality. The book is notable only for its disjointed banality.

So, who wrote what? Evidently, there are two authors here. Did someone else compose the main works to which Castaneda attached his name (with the author's consent) and then, in a frenzy, attempt to write his own material (ASoF)? Or did someone else write ASoF? My hunch is the latter, although the former cannot be discounted. Whichever it may be, ASoF should be regarded with skepticism.