The position that views the world as the center of descriptions is quite natural. Virtually every one of these descriptions inevitably enters into conflict and discovers a compromise in maintaining a certain kind of "blindness" as Canetti - the child, truly, is raised based on the descriptive side of reality provided to him not so much by relatives (which of course include parenting figures) as by people more or less close to him in age. Attempts to shield from the "corrupting" influence of youth only serve to reconfigure the sensitive mind to the tune of the parents' ideas about "corruption", from which, incidentally, the latter are not so far removed as their reaction to the phenomena of generational "immorality" is crude and blatant.

The essence is that the description by Carlos Castaneda of Don Juan's judgments only serves to the detriment of the very foundation of the teaching ("bear service", Bärendienst) - because attempts to avoid "glosses" (as mentioned in the attached abridged interview with the author in 1972) through the recreation of the concept of "liberation" - are no more than the recreation of those "glosses" in their original form, closing the circle of movement of the arrows on the dial; an illusion of movement in accordance with the imposed perception of time is created - that is, the movement of the hour hand, indicating the approach of the daily norm to dusk - the "crack between the worlds". But this "crack" loses its nature with the very emergence of a definition in the consciousness of the individual who has decided to witness its existence - all the more so since the definition comes from a source that has boiled up in the memory due to the complexly defined authority of the opinion. And yes, the interpretation only strengthens the fundamentality of the positioning of the dogma - in essence, if we endow the latter with life (and why not, if there are quite enough examples of communication, of life devoid of?), then we should also speak of its self-sufficiency, and therefore the interpretation is simply necessary for it (including, this indicates the need to renounce "biblical truths" for the penetration of the natural foundations of "morality") as a guarantee of inaccessibility, and as a product of its "creative realization" (since we endow the dogma with life, and every life has a creative beginning - that is, the dogma - we make the corresponding conclusion).

"Don Juan was sitting on a wooden box from under the milk bottles". The milk bottles jingled softly in time with the bells on the door flapping in the wind. I stopped the car almost at the very threshold, opened the door and looked out, studying the deep road dust for the presence of snake skins in it. Over the roofs of the little houses standing a few dozen feet away from Don Juan's dwelling, a dozen large birds were hovering, in which it was difficult to recognize vultures because of the sun blinding the eyes - their reflections could be seen more successfully in the windshield and side windows of the car. I had never had to see such a number of them gathered near a human settlement.

Don Henaro will not find his way in Ixtlan, just as no one will ever write a book that would contain all the knowledge of humanity (let's not talk about technologies including "data" - at least until they invent at least one "innovation of the spirit" that has a purely utilitarian purpose) - Don Henaro did not see (without quotes and capital letters) Ixtlan (he was *there*), so he has no possibility of subjecting it to description (in order to "return" - for an unknown reason, however, Ixtlan is attributed with stagnation - it does not move "together" with Don Henaro), he got rid of the need to perceive phenomena through description (prescription?), to pass a death sentence on the phenomenon ("10 years without the right to correspond"), convincing himself with terminology in order to occupy the corresponding niche in the dictionary of the public's explanatory dictionary (terminology of the independently misinterpreted Other). Don Henaro is that very "best writer" Henry Miller who did not write a single book (..and no, my dear ones, this does not mean at all what you might imagine about yourself ;)).

People, truly, turn into ghosts after the passage of thought-time - we can laugh with them and create the impression of good will in them, we can maintain immobility of the facial muscles when meeting and cause a reaction of pretentious rejection, we can pour out anger on them that has no justifying reproduction (like a magnetic tape) motivation, and become witnesses of their instinctive striving to avoid conflict - in the end, we can allow ourselves to be the subjects of such character experiments - they can laugh with us, they can ignore us, they can attack us with clearly discernible intentions - we are ghosts in the lives of these people to the same extent as they are in ours. But people just as successfully take the form of "living beings", without the introduction of any circumstances - when they are deprived of description, "personal history", which necessarily includes every interaction with the surrounding world in a deliberate act of individual disarray (false nails, eyelashes, beards and manes of greenhouse complexes).

This is the first installment in a series of books penned by Castaneda. It was after he came to the realization that his previous focus on psychotropic drugs was a misleading and "erroneous" approach to communicating the lessons he had learned during his apprenticeship with don Juan.

I embarked on reading this book with minimal expectations. However, as I delved deeper, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself completely engrossed. I felt a profound connection and absorbed don Juan's teachings with great intensity. Moreover, I couldn't help but burst out laughing at various points throughout the book. For me, this is always a positive indication.

There are numerous spiritual guidebooks that simply don't resonate with me. "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle is a recent instance. It seems to me that all the concepts in that book have been expressed countless times before, albeit in a more individualized, artistic, and passionate language. In contrast, don Juan manages to encapsulate the entire essence of Tolle's book in just two sentences: ". . . . because the only thing that is real is the being in you that is going to die. To arrive at that being is the not-doing of the self."

The issue with books like Tolle's is that they expect you to feel a certain way without actually triggering that feeling within you. This is precisely where "Journey to Ixtlan" excels. It has the power to evoke emotions and insights within the reader.

This book has truly transformed my life, and I eagerly anticipate reading the subsequent volumes in the series. :)

I read this book in the 1970s and have recently re-read it.

Carlos Castaneda (1925-1998) authored a series of twelve books centered around Mexican sorcery. These books have remained highly controversial as some believe Castaneda fabricated the entire narrative. However, he insisted that it was a true account of his experiences first as an apprentice and later as a sorcerer.

“Journey to Ixtlan” is the third book in the series, following “The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge” and “A Separate Reality: Further Conversations with Don Juan.” The first book details Castaneda’s attempt in the early 1960s to study the Native American use of psychotropic plants, collaborating with don Juan Matus (1892?-1972?). The premise of “Journey” is that by the early ’70s, Castaneda realized he had omitted a significant amount of what don Juan taught him in the earlier books, thus he aimed to set the record straight.

In his introduction, Castaneda claims he never stated that Juan Matus’ system of magic was tied to the traditions of the Yaqui tribe. It turns out to be a shared system that transcends tribal affiliation. Castaneda’s critics had pointed out that don Juan’s teachings did not align with what is commonly known about Yaqui tribal tradition. Castaneda’s rejoinder, however, ignores the fact that he did subtitle his first book “A Yaqui Way of Knowledge,” implicitly suggesting that don Juan’s teachings belonged to this tribe. In my humble opinion, Castaneda should have admitted that when he published his first book in 1968, he made an honest albeit embarrassing mistake in attributing don Juan’s teachings to Yaqui tradition.

A common practice among anthropologists is to select an informant from the community under study to help explain the customs and structure of the society from within. As “Journey” shows, don Juan was an uncooperative informant, refusing to answer basic questions that could have cleared up the misunderstandings that plagued Castaneda’s scholarship. Don Juan and Carlos (Castaneda is typically referred to by his first name when he becomes a character in his own books) are comically at odds from the start. While the anthropologist is trying to recruit don Juan as his informant, the sorcerer is attempting to recruit Carlos as his apprentice.

In hindsight, Carlos should have recognized that he was being recruited. He feels that don Juan is pressuring him to change his lifestyle, and there is no other reason for it except that it is a necessary condition for their association and, moreover, it is somehow for Carlos’ own good.

In Don Juan’s world, people must defend themselves not only from familiar physical dangers such as natural disasters, accidents, dangerous animals, and bad people but also from dangerous spirits and other unseen, malevolent forces. It turns out that there are no safe spaces in eternity (or “infinity” as Castaneda and don Juan call it). Interestingly, don Juan tames and uses “allies” or spirits similar to the ancient Greek and Persian magicians I have read about. Rituals and spells are means to gain control over spirits, which are then used to enhance the magician’s power.

In don Juan’s universe, one does not achieve immortality by leading a good life but by leading an “impeccable” one, seeking knowledge and power while setting aside all considerations that are extraneous to that goal. Although there does seem to be some form of karmic justice: it is better to be good than evil (for example, the sorcerer is said to be harmed by his own hatreds), but being careless with the supernatural is worse than being a bad person.

“Journey” is about the preparations for leaving behind the mundane world. To expose oneself to supernatural power, which can be both invigorating and terrifying, the would-be sorcerer must learn to focus only on what matters, face the reality of one's mortality, and take responsibility for one's own actions. Each chapter introduces a different aspect of this task. In practicing these disciplines, the line between the social, natural, and supernatural blurs; the sorcerer must be as inaccessible to people who would drain his vitality as to supernatural forces that would do the same or worse.

Along the way, don Juan demonstrates great flexibility in his teaching methods. When teaching Carlos about plants proves ineffective, don Juan instead teaches him about hunting animals, to which the apprentice proves to be better suited. Don Juan is a master hunter, stalking prey with detailed knowledge of their habits, constructing traps from sticks and stones he finds in the semi-arid plains and mountains, and cleaning and cooking what he catches. He is able to live off the land with an ease that would envy any graduate of survival training. He offers nuggets of wisdom such as that the hunter must have fewer bad habits than the prey; when animals elude otherwise powerful predators, it is often because the prey are less predictable than the predators.

The concept of “seeing” in the special sense in which a “man of knowledge” like don Juan “sees” was introduced in “A Separate Reality” where don Juan taught Carlos that “seeing” is more than just looking. In order “to see,” one must "not-do" or “stop the world,” that is, end the routine mental habits of perception instilled in us since childhood. This is Carlos’ quest in this book as his incredulity is gradually eroded by experiences with the supernatural. In one sequence, he spends a night surrounded by fog, rain, thunder, and lightning, plus the utter blackness between lightning bolts. In the morning, he awakens to find himself in a forest that is completely different from the place where he fell asleep. Did don Juan carry him there? Was the dried meat he was eating the day before laced with a drug that made him imagine the place where he thought he fell asleep the previous night? Or did something truly magical occur?

Later in the book, don Juan turns Carlos over to don Genaro Flores, who was introduced in “A Separate Reality.” Don Genaro helps Carlos begin to let go of his doubts. A distinction is made between Carlos’ body, which becomes wiser under don Genaro’s manipulation, and his mind, which is still doubtful. When Carlos’ body is thus prepared, don Juan orders him to go into the hills and not return until his mind catches up with his body. Bravely, Carlos goes, despite having no idea what he must do. On his second day in the wilderness, he has three strange experiences: 1) he communicates telepathically with a friendly coyote; 2) he sees a phantom man out of the corner of his eye; and 3) he has a vision of the landscape covered with glowing lines.

Don Juan later tells him that the coyote is now Carlos’ special companion, adding that it is unfortunate because coyotes are tricksters and liars. Otherwise, Carlos is told that he did very well. His vision of the glowing filaments was a kind of "seeing." The “man” that he almost saw was an ally or spirit. The next step in Carlos’ apprenticeship will be to confront the ally and acquire power from him. At the end of the book, Carlos must decide for himself whether he is ready or not to attempt this. Before he decides, don Genaro tells him a story about the first time he overpowered an ally. Afterward, Genaro felt filled with magical power, but the price he paid was never being able to find his way back to the town of Ixtlan, and that is the meaning of the title of this book. As Thomas Wolf might say, once you have changed, you can’t go home again.

Not what I was expecting.

At first glance, it seemed like it would be a straightforward experience. However, as things unfolded, it became clear that this was far from what I had anticipated.

The events that followed were a complete surprise, taking me on a journey that I had not foreseen. I found myself in situations that I had never imagined, facing challenges that I was not prepared for.

Despite the initial disappointment, I soon realized that this unexpected turn of events was actually an opportunity for growth and learning. It forced me to step out of my comfort zone and adapt to new circumstances.

In the end, although it was not what I was expecting, it turned out to be a valuable and memorable experience.

My Favourite Castaneda Book, featuring Don Juan and Don Genaro.

This book is truly remarkable. Whether you choose to believe the stories it presents or simply appreciate it as 'a Romance with Ideas', the ethos and feel it relays offer one of the seminal expressions of the human plight. It shows the courage, discipline, and sheer will required to rise above the limitations imposed on us.

A reader who cannot draw inspiration from this work would probably never get it from a book. They may prefer to hide in the very make-believe world that this tale seeks to point a way out of.

This book would go well with several others to provide a scope for the Toltec Wisdom. For example, 'A Separate Reality' by Carlos Castaneda, 'Tales of Power' by Carlos Castaneda, 'The Sorcerer's Crossing: A Woman's Journey' by Taisha Abelar, 'Whisperings of the Dragon; Shamanic techniques to awaken your Primal Power' by Lujan Matus, and 'Cry of the Eagle' by Théun Mares. These books together offer a rich exploration of the Toltec teachings and shamanic techniques.

SPOILERS!!

This was my very first encounter with a Castaneda book. Regrettably, for all the Castaneda fans out there, I have to say that I found it to be an extremely tedious, repetitive, predictable, and downright boring read. I myself have had experiences with altered consciousness through LSD and Psilocybin inebriation, so I had thought that I would be able to closely relate to the content. And in a way, I did. Don't get me wrong, there are indeed some great thoughts sprinkled throughout this book. However, there aren't many of them. The story is overly spread out and told at a painfully slow pace. Mostly, it's just don Juan being rude one moment, then smiling the next; acting stupid and then suddenly being super-intelligent, literally reading Carlos's thoughts. His character constantly switches between these extremes. Meanwhile, Carlos is presented as an intellectual whose beliefs are constantly and very easily attacked and destroyed by don Juan. Don Juan treats Carlos as if he were dealing with an 8-year-old, and Carlos is completely oblivious and defenceless against it. And that, in essence, is the whole book. You keep waiting for the book to pick up the pace and become more engaging, but it simply doesn't. The lessons that don Juan teaches Carlos in this book are rather obvious. Of course, there are some hidden gems here and there, but they are scarce and not really that powerful.

Also, the punctuation in this book is way off, which can become a little irritating.

Nevertheless, I would still suggest giving this book a go. But if you don't like it within the first one-third of the book, then it might be best to just put it away.

This is a truly fascinating material. It offers a wealth of interesting information and ideas that make it a decent read indeed.

As you peruse through the pages, you'll find yourself drawn in by the engaging content. The author has done a great job of presenting the subject matter in an accessible and understandable way.

Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge on a particular topic or simply seeking an enjoyable read, this material has something to offer. It's not overly complex, yet it manages to provide enough depth to keep you interested from start to finish.

So, if you're in the mood for a good read that will both educate and entertain you, give this fascinating material a try. You won't be disappointed. =)

It is precisely books such as this that I truly relish uncovering. I'm uncertain as to why I postponed reading Castaneda's works for such a lengthy period. Maybe I simply wasn't in a state of mind or at a stage in my life where I could fully appreciate them. Who can really say? This is the third book in the series, yet if you desire to know the truth, it is the first book that ought to be read. The previous two volumes were more preoccupied with hallucinogenic plants and his encounters with them, which he believed was the appropriate path for him to pen about. However, when he came to realize all the genuine information that he had disregarded, which were the fundamental teachings of Don Juan, he then wrote this book. In this volume, you will gain an understanding of what it is like to be a sorcerer, a hunter, and a warrior. It presents the basic teachings on how to perceive the world. Obviously, you don't learn everything, but it is sufficient to stimulate your interest and provide you with a reason to seek out more.

Journey to Ixtlan by Carlos Castaneda is regarded as one of The Fifty Spiritual Classics, listed in a book by Tom Butler -Bowden and reviewed on my blog.

It offers good advice and the possibility of transcendence, perhaps attaining a Higher state of consciousness or even The Highest State of Consciousness, which is what we need if it leads to Nirvana as defined. However, many readers, like myself, find it difficult to engage.

The character of Wizard Don Juan seemed irritating, aggressive, and insulting, showing that it can be hard to understand a Yaqui shaman or similar sorcerer. But Don Juan knows what he is doing; he needs to have control and the apprentice must push away distractions.

In the classic of psychology The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz, we learn about the two types of humans, the Satisfizer and the Maximizer. We should aim to be the former as they are happy with the very good, while the latter moan and seek perfection.

This Journey to Ixtlan may build character, as per the saying from The Talmud about the importance of thoughts, words, acts, habits, and character. Aristotle also said that we are what we regularly do and excellence is a habit.

There are conditions for Flow and a Higher State of Consciousness, such as being in control (though the use of drugs like mushrooms makes me wonder), having clear goals, receiving constant and instant feedback, and time changing.

For this reader, The Journey to Ixtlan alternates between feeling boring and implying burnout. It's not inaccessible like Kant or Hegel, but I couldn't reach the required level of empathy and curiosity.

Wisdom is made up of love of learning, creativity, curiosity, judgment, and open mindedness, as per Martin Seligman. He also offers PERMA as the secret of happiness.

I end with a question and invitation. Maybe you have an idea on how we could make more than a million dollars with this unique technique. I also mention my work for AT&T and my role in the Revolution that killed Ceausescu.

Finally, I share some favorite quotes from To The Hermitage and other works.

These books are truly remarkable.

They vividly illustrate the power of character development as a pedagogical means to make the often complex and abstract field of metaphysics more accessible and engaging.

The character of Don Juan is highly captivating, and the ideas scattered throughout the books are equally enticing.

Whether Don Juan was a real person or not becomes almost immaterial.

This is especially considering the central theme of questioning reality and the "phantoms" that inhabit it.

Moreover, these books are not centered around peyote or other drugs.

One of the most innovative aspects of Castenada's work is his ability to detect "non-ordinary reality" or hints of it in the seemingly ordinary and overlooked details of daily life.

For example, the colored spots one sees when closing their eyes.

The drug aspect, to me, appears to be merely a device to give his descriptions more credibility for the reader until they reach a point where they can consider that altered states might indeed be attainable, or even inevitable, when completely sober.

Overall, these books offer a unique and thought-provoking exploration of metaphysics and the nature of reality.

Why did I read all 3? I don't know. Maybe it was a desire for closure. I felt a certain compulsion to see how each story ended, to tie up those loose ends. It could also be that I was simply curious, eager to explore the different worlds and characters that each of the 3 had to offer. Or perhaps it was a combination of both. As I delved deeper into each one, I found myself getting more and more invested, unable to put it down until I had reached the final page. Whether it was the anticipation of a satisfying conclusion or the allure of the unknown, something kept pulling me forward. In the end, I'm not sure if I achieved closure, but I do know that reading all 3 was an experience that I won't soon forget.

I was always, and I still am, considering science as my principal reference to understand the world around us.

However, I can say that there are dark corners in it that remain inaccessible. It was from this that I met with Carlos, Don Juan, and his infinity rules of wisdom.

Carlos is the man who wants to know but may not trust that old knowledge. From asking about peyote, he found himself in a totally different way. He is always trying, like me, to capture the logic behind the secrets of that Indian old man.

Don Juan, the wise one, laughs at Carlos's questions but also convinces him with his deep words and simple philosophy. And of course, there are the rules that everyone can use in his life if he understands the meaning.

I gave this book three stars, but I'll add the fourth for the rules of Don Juan and how those simple acts can give you such positive energy. (I still clench my fingers and wait for signs from everywhere, lol.) Thanks to my friend Asma for the suggestion.

"The world is a mystery, you must look after everything here, and everything will in turn look after you."