Even if you have never perused a single book penned by Carlos Castaneda, should you chance upon and read this particular one, you will be forever illuminated regarding shamanism as it is practiced by the Indians in Mexico.

We shall not encounter the likes of Castaneda again, for he is now on The Active Side of Infinity.

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Carlos Castaneda's works have had a profound impact on many. His exploration of shamanism and the spiritual world offers unique insights and perspectives.

This particular book is no exception. It delves deep into the practices and beliefs of the Mexican Indians, providing a fascinating look into their shamanic traditions.

Although Castaneda may no longer be with us, his legacy lives on through his writings.

Reading his books can be a life-changing experience, opening our eyes to new ways of thinking and being.

So, if you have the opportunity, pick up one of his books and embark on a journey of discovery.

This book had an immediate and profound effect on me. After reading about the process of collecting memorable events, the recapitulation, and the part about assessing to whom one is indebted, I woke up one morning with a particular event from high school vividly in my mind. It had taken a whopping 19 years, but I finally understood that what I had initially interpreted in a negative light was actually an act of love that had likely saved me from serious harm. I hadn't been thinking about this event at all; it just emerged out of nowhere. This led me to take the book much more seriously, realizing that perhaps there was significant value in doing the exercises described within its pages. In fact, I think I'm actually going to have to reach out to the individuals involved and express my gratitude to them.

Who is Carlos Castaneda
I was determined not to break the spell and simply experience the book without knowing who this seemingly well-known yet mysterious author was. So, I resisted learning anything more about him until I was approximately three-quarters of the way through, at which point I broke down and looked him up on Wikipedia. I kind of wish I hadn't because I didn't like everything I read there. Eventually, I was able to resolve my concerns by concluding that this guy had clearly had some sort of spiritual experiences, and however he chose to convey them was fine. Maybe don Juan is completely fictional, but it's similar to Socrates in Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives - a blend of fact and fiction used as a means to convey a story or spiritual experiences.

Parallels to teachings of Eckhart Tolle
Even after learning that maybe there was nothing remotely real about don Juan, part of what kept me reading was that it didn't matter because so much of what he was saying was exactly the same as what other teachers express. I liked the fact that he was describing the same concepts in slightly different ways and using slightly different terms. The most immediate parallels I drew were to the teachings of Eckhart Tolle. For example, \\"we are possessors of energy that has awareness that we are the means by which the universe becomes aware of itself.\\" (p. 229 [vaguely a spoiler alert]) Energy body = inner body. Inner silence = presence. I think one could say the flyers' mind = ego (\\"The predators give us their mind, which becomes our mind. The predators' mind is baroque, contradictory, morose, filled with the fear of being discovered any minute now.\\" p. 220) and the flyers = pain body (\\"the predators create flares of awareness that they proceed to consume in a ruthless, predatory fashion. They give us inane problems that force those flares of awareness to rise, and in this manner they keep us alive in order for them to be fed with the energetic flare of our pseudoconcerns.\\" p. 223)

I think the most striking difference between the two teachings, and the part that I found interesting, was the concept of seeing the ego and pain body as coming from entirely outside of ourselves, as predators preying on us. In a way, it makes it easier to be aware of these things as they arise rather than thinking that these patterns are an inherent part of us. Seeing them as something external seems like it can facilitate their recognition and prevent us from feeding them.

How the book came to me
Being of a certain age, I had never heard of Carlos Castaneda or The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge. I was using the wander-through-the-shelves method to find a new book to read and came across some titles by him. I wanted to read more spirituality books by people of color, so this seemed like a good fit. I initially picked up The Active Side of Infinity, and even though I could gather that, as the cover noted, he was known for being the \\"Author of The Teachings of Don Juan,\\" something compelled me to stick with this choice instead of his earlier works.

I definitely had a push/pull relationship with the book. I felt like I had to push myself to read it, but at the same time, I liked it when I did. It was not unlike the relationship he describes with don Juan, I suppose. I actually tried to return the book to the library twice before I finished it. The first time, the automatic book check-in was broken, and the second time it was working but would not accept the book because it was older and did not have the appropriate bar code sticker on it. After that, I was resigned to the fact that I was meant to read this book.

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More Philosophy from Castaneda

Carlos Castaneda's works offer a wealth of profound philosophical insights. His ideas challenge our traditional ways of thinking and open up new perspectives on the nature of reality, consciousness, and the human experience.

One of the central themes in Castaneda's philosophy is the concept of perception. He argues that our perception of the world is not objective but rather shaped by our beliefs, expectations, and cultural conditioning. By becoming aware of these filters, we can begin to see the world in a more authentic and direct way.

Another important aspect of Castaneda's philosophy is the idea of personal power. He believes that each of us has the potential to access and cultivate our own inner power, which can be used to transform our lives and achieve our goals. This power comes from within and is based on our ability to take responsibility for our actions and make choices that are in line with our true selves.

In conclusion, Castaneda's philosophy offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on life. His ideas encourage us to question our assumptions, expand our consciousness, and tap into our inner power. By doing so, we can embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth that has the potential to transform our lives in profound ways.

I am seriously planning to re-read this particular book. I want to find out if it truly holds the same level of magic that I believed it had 10 years ago. On the other hand, there are some other readers who have made rather interesting comments. They claim that this book is nothing more than the product of a stoner's vivid imagination, perhaps influenced by some not-so-good quality weed. It's quite a contrast in opinions. I'm curious to see which side of the argument will hold true for me upon this re-reading. Will I still be captivated by its supposed magic, or will I see it in a completely different light as the result of a stoner's musings? Only time will tell as I embark on this literary journey once again.

From Library Journal

This book was completed shortly before the death of anthropologist-shaman Castaneda in April 1998. It serves as the fulfillment of a task given to him by his teacher, the Yaqui Indian sorcerer Don Juan Matus, many years ago. Castaneda was instructed to collect the significant events of his life.

However, this was not simply a collection of major milestones in his physical existence. Instead, it is a selective work that describes the transcendent moments and meaningful insights that changed his life and brought him new understanding. Castaneda is an excellent storyteller. The incidents, both poignant and empowering, form a solid thread through his shamanic development and ultimately his total embrace of the world view of the Yaqui sorcerers.

This basically autobiographical work is more personal than Castaneda's previous books, presenting a human portrait of a remote and mysterious figure. The supernatural occurrences are difficult to explain, yet they help to provide a fascinating look at a complex life. It offers readers a unique opportunity to delve into the inner world of Castaneda and gain a deeper understanding of his spiritual journey and the influence of the Yaqui sorcerers on his life.

This book tells the before and after of Carlos Castaneda, when he met the one who was his life mentor, Mr. Don Juan, a South American sorcerer who gave him the tools to progress in his life.

Carlos Castaneda's encounter with Don Juan was a turning point in his life. Before meeting Don Juan, Castaneda was likely on a different path, perhaps searching for meaning and purpose. But with the guidance of Don Juan, he was introduced to a whole new world of possibilities.

Don Juan, as a sorcerer, had unique knowledge and skills that he passed on to Castaneda. These tools may have included things like meditation, energy work, and a deeper understanding of the natural world. Through his teachings, Don Juan helped Castaneda to expand his consciousness and see the world from a different perspective.

The impact of Don Juan's mentorship on Castaneda's life cannot be overstated. It not only changed the way he saw himself and the world around him, but it also gave him the confidence and ability to pursue his own path and make a difference in the world.

I have read this book four times. Each time I pick it up, I am immediately reminded that I have perused its pages before. This is because as I commence my rereading, I am constantly astonished by the familiar content. You know, I had actually forgotten what it had to say. It's that sense of heightened awareness. Wayne Dyer had a great affection for this book. And I was taken aback because I had always regarded Dyer as a straightforward person. However, you simply cannot be a straightforward individual and love this book. The universe is not straightforward, which perhaps implies predictability. Instead, it is bent, and we have the power to bend it with our intentions, whether consciously or unconsciously.

This book seems to hold a certain allure that keeps drawing me back. It challenges my preconceived notions and makes me think about the world in a different light. The idea that the universe is not as simple as it may seem is both fascinating and a little daunting. But it also gives me a sense of empowerment, knowing that I can have an impact on the course of events through my own thoughts and actions.

I look forward to reading this book many more times in the future and uncovering new insights and perspectives each time. It truly is a remarkable piece of literature that has the ability to change the way one views the world.

1999 Carlos Castaneda - The Active Side of Infinity
This is a work that seems to hold many mysteries. The link provided, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSAiC..., might offer some insights into this particular piece by Carlos Castaneda. The work is labeled as either COMPLETE or INCOMPLETE, and it also has a classification of + POSITIVE + or - NEGATIVE -. The SUMMARY of this work is yet to be fully explored. There are several KEY TIMESTAMPS & NOTES, but they are currently marked with question marks, indicating that there is still much to discover and understand about this work. It appears to be a complex and intriguing piece that invites further study and exploration.

Amazing! This is truly an apt description for one of my favorite books by Castaneda. It is a work that always manages to provoke deep thoughts and leave one's mind completely blown. The pages are filled with captivating stories and profound insights that draw the reader in and keep them engaged from start to finish. Each chapter seems to unfold a new layer of mystery and wisdom, challenging the reader's perception of the world and themselves. The writing style is both engaging and thought-provoking, making it a book that can be read and reread, each time revealing something new. It is no wonder that this book has become a classic in its genre and continues to inspire and amaze readers around the world.

One of the numerous transformative texts hails from the infamous Carlos Castaneda.

His works have had a profound impact on many. I hold this man in the highest regard as a fundamental figure in Mexican American philosophy and mysticism.

Castaneda's ideas and teachings have opened up new realms of thought and exploration for those interested in these fields.

His unique perspective and approach have inspired countless individuals to delve deeper into the mysteries of existence and the human psyche.

Despite the controversy that surrounds his work, there is no denying the influence he has had on the world of philosophy and mysticism.

His texts continue to be studied and debated, and his legacy lives on as a testament to the power of ideas and the human spirit.

Carlos Castaneda will always be remembered as a pioneer in the field of Mexican American philosophy and mysticism, and his work will continue to inspire future generations.

Once the pages were opened, I found myself completely engrossed.

I simply couldn't put the book down until I reached the very end. It served as an excellent recap and refresher of CC's earlier works that I had perused years ago.

Whether Don Juan Matus and his teachings are rooted in fact or pure fiction didn't hold much significance for me.

What truly mattered was that Castaneda's unique take on existentialism and the human experience provided an explanation to numerous of our yearning questions regarding this profound topic.

Moreover, and more importantly, it deeply resonated with my inner need to embark on a journey of self-discovery and strive for a higher spiritual awareness.

I'm not blindly buying into everything he wrote or the claims he made about the events that allegedly happened to him.

However, his books do present a certain perspective that not only begs for further exploration but also serves as a timely reminder for me to return to the "warrior's path."

This path, as he describes it, holds the promise of a more fulfilling and purposeful life, one that is rich with meaning and spiritual growth.