Do not read this book.

It may seem like a simple statement, but there are reasons behind it. This book might contain content that is not suitable for your current state of mind or interests. It could be too complex, too boring, or perhaps it presents ideas that you are not ready to explore.

By choosing not to read this book, you are saving your time and energy for something that might be more beneficial or enjoyable. There are countless other books out there waiting to be discovered, ones that will capture your imagination, expand your knowledge, and bring you joy.

So, when you come across a book that has a label like "Do not read this book," it's worth considering why. Maybe it's a sign that there is something better out there for you. Trust your instincts and move on to the next literary adventure.

An exciting escape towards a new way of observing the world, far from prejudices and conventional standards.

It is a magical adventure that, beyond its mysticism, borders on the Stoic philosophy of living with serenity and firmness and observing the mysteries of the world with the wonder of a child's eyes.

This journey takes us to a realm where we can break free from the constraints of the ordinary and explore the extraordinary. We are invited to see things from a different perspective, to question the status quo, and to embrace the unknown with open hearts and minds.

As we embark on this adventure, we discover that there is so much more to the world than what meets the eye. We learn to appreciate the beauty in the simplest of things, to find joy in the midst of chaos, and to find strength in our vulnerability.

This new way of observing the world is not only a source of inspiration and enlightenment but also a path to personal growth and transformation. It allows us to connect with our inner selves, to tap into our intuition, and to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

Many readers of Carlos Castaneda tend to stop reading after "A Yaqui Way of Knowledge", while some others read on to "A Separate Reality". As I have mentioned before, Castaneda later admits that his obsessive fixation on the non-ordinary reality produced by hallucinogenic plants was the wrong area to focus on. In "Journey to Ixtlan", he recapitulates on many of the previously discarded notes.

In this wonderful story, Carlos not only introduces but also elucidates on many concepts that Don Juan had introduced since their initial encounter, such as not-doing, stopping the world, living as a warrior, and dreaming.

What surprises me the most is that skeptics, and I was once one of them, fixate on the impossibility of the story without even attempting any of the prescribed techniques. I remember when I was a child, at my grandparents' house, I would spend hours lying on the couch staring at the popcorn ceiling. After a while, the ceiling seemed to invert, and the stucco pieces appeared as holes rather than protuberances. At that moment, all my regular thoughts gradually subsided until there were none at all. That was my experience of not-doing, and I think we often forget such incidents. Moreover, we obsess over the information that we only use about 10% of our brains and wonder what we could achieve if we focus all of ourselves on just one thought. Well, that's what stopping the world means - shutting off our constant description of the world as repeated by those around us for a long enough time to focus on nothing or just one thing.

Yes, I believe the teachings are real, but no, I don't think they apply to each and every one of us specifically. We are all so different and unique that nothing is truly the same for any of us. If you haven't read any of these books, you might want to consider doing so. If you have read them and think they are fake, you might want to consider quieting your mind tonight when you lie down in bed and try to find your hands in your dreams. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you can accomplish.

Here's another one of those little exchanges that I find extremely pleasing:

"What's the use of having beautifully polished crystals if you never find the spirit giver of power?" he said. "On the other hand, if you don't have the crystals but do find the spirit, you may put anything in his way to be touched. You could put your dicks in the way if you can't find anything else."

The whole story is filled with power, emotion, revelations, and is lightly touched with such grace and humor that it is a joy to read over and over again. I also like Juan's counterpart, Genaro. His antics and personality are so similar to mine that I can't help but love the character. In later books, Juan describes that there are only so many kinds of men, and Genaro is a man of action. This may not mean much to those who haven't read any of the books or those who only give the stories a cursory read, but I promise you that if you find your path with heart, you will clearly see that it doesn't matter how much of the story is real - the people's names, the area in question (both of which Carlos admits were made up to follow Juan's instructions). The point is that many of us are simply dormant. You can continue doing everything you do. Maybe you're happy, maybe you're not, but why not try something new and see if the universe can't show you something unknown?

This is an amazing book and part of an amazing series. Believe it or not, either way, it is a fantastic read.