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The Teachings of Don Juan #11

The Wheel of Time: The Shamans of Mexico Their Thoughts About Life Death & the Universe

carlos castaneda

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World-renowned bestselling author Carlos Castaneda's Selection of his wrtings on the shamans of ancient Mexico.

Originally drawn to Yaqui Indian spiritual leader don Juan Matus for his knowledge of mind-altering plants, bestselling author Carlos Castaneda soon immersed himself in the sorcerer’s magical world entirely. Ten years after his first encounter with the shaman, Castaneda examines his field notes and comes to understand what don Juan knew all along—that these plants are merely a means to understanding the alternative realities that one cannot fully embrace on one’s own. In Journey to Ixtlan, Carlos Castaneda introduces readers to this new approach for the first time and explores, as he comes to experience it himself, his own final voyage into the teachings of don Juan, sharing with us what it is like to truly “stop the world” and perceive reality on his own terms.

304 pages, paper

First published June 1,1998
Series
The Teachings of Don Juan

This edition

Format
304 pages, paper
Published
January 1, 2001 by Washington Square Press
ISBN
9780743412803
ASIN
074341280X
Language
English

More editions

About the author

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carlos castaneda

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Carlos Castaneda was an Latin-American author.
Starting with The Teachings of Don Juan in 1968, Castaneda wrote a series of books that describe his training in shamanism, particularly with a group whose lineage descended from the Toltecs.
The books, narrated in the first person, relate his experiences under the tutelage of a man that Castaneda claimed was a Yaqui "Man of Knowledge" named don Juan Matus. His 12 books have sold more than 28 million copies in 17 languages.
Critics have suggested that they are works of fiction; supporters claim the books are either true or at least valuable works of philosophy.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 93 votes)
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93 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
TheScarletCutter
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This book is truly a remarkable collection of quotes from Don Juan.

These quotes have been carefully culled from Carlos Castaneda's first eight books.

It contains some extremely powerful and thought-provoking stuff that makes it well worth having in your possession.

However, it's important to note that the quotes gain much more profound meaning when placed within the context of the stories from which they originated.

If you find yourself enjoying this book, it is highly recommended that you read "The Teachings of Don Juan" and work backward from there.

This way, you can fully understand the significance and depth of each quote and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the teachings and wisdom of Don Juan.

So, don't just stop at the quotes in this book. Venture further and explore the rich and fascinating world of Carlos Castaneda's works.

You'll be amazed at what you discover.
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Amaterasu_Saito
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A brilliant selection of quotations from Castañeda's previous eight books which outline the key concepts of a shaman's path.

These quotations offer a profound insight into the world of shamanism as explored by Castañeda. They touch upon various aspects such as the connection with nature, the power of perception, and the journey of self-discovery.

Readers can gain a better understanding of how shamans view the world and interact with it. The quotes also shed light on the challenges and rewards that come with following a shaman's path.

Whether you are already interested in shamanism or simply curious about this unique way of life, these quotations are sure to engage and inspire you.

They serve as a reminder that there is much more to the world than what meets the eye and that by opening our minds and hearts, we can embark on a journey of transformation and enlightenment.
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Souling_Reaper
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I have rather mixed feelings regarding this collection of Castaneda quotes.

On one hand, I truly love the format in which this book is presented and the valuable knowledge that it contains. The quotes themselves offer profound insights and can be quite thought-provoking.

However, on the other hand, I can't help but think that the context which was provided in the original books from where these quotes were copied is sorely missed here. Without that context, some of the quotes may lose a certain degree of their intended meaning or significance.

It would have been beneficial if the compiler had included at least a brief explanation or background for each quote to help the reader better understand its original context and how it fits into the overall body of work.

Despite this shortcoming, the collection still has its merits and can be a useful resource for those interested in Castaneda's ideas and teachings.
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RunawayPanda
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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**Original Article**: This is an excellent article. It provides valuable information and insights. The writing is clear and engaging. It is a great read for anyone interested in the topic.

**Expanded Article**: This is truly an excellent article.

It offers a wealth of valuable information and profound insights that are both enlightening and thought-provoking.

The writing style is clear, concise, and highly engaging, making it a pleasure to read.

Whether you are a novice or an expert in the topic, this article has something to offer.

It presents the ideas in a logical and organized manner, allowing the reader to easily follow and understand the concepts.

Overall, it is a great read that is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who takes the time to explore its contents.

Highly recommended!
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Lil_Criapr
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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What I got wasn't what I expected at all.

It seemed more like a jumble of random thoughts that didn't really have a clear connection to the topic of time.

There was no coherent flow or logical progression in the ideas presented.

It was as if the author was just jotting down whatever came to mind without much thought or organization.

This lack of focus made it difficult for me to understand the intended message or gain any real insights about time.

I was hoping for a more in-depth exploration of the concept, perhaps with some interesting examples or perspectives.

But instead, I was left with this disjointed collection of thoughts that left me feeling rather disappointed.

Maybe with some further refinement and a stronger central theme, this could have been a more engaging and meaningful piece about time.
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CamTheThief
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I had this book lying around for quite some time.

Finally, one day, I decided to pick it up and give it a try. As I started reading, I soon realized that it was like the eleventh book of a series.

From what I could gather, it seemed to be a review of all the previous books in the series.

To be honest, half of the content I didn't quite understand. It was a bit too complex for my liking.

However, the rest of it seemed really profound and thought-provoking.

Despite the parts that I struggled with, I still liked the book enough to make a decision.

I have decided to go back and read all of Castaneda's works from the very beginning.

I'm excited to see how the story unfolds and how each book builds upon the previous ones.

I'm hoping that by starting from the beginning, I'll be able to better understand the concepts and ideas presented in this particular book.

Overall, it was a good read and I'm looking forward to delving deeper into Castaneda's world.
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hitekuroshite
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is a summary of phrases and quotes from Carlos Castaneda's previous books, as well as his "formation" as a shaman.

It is an interesting review for those who have read them and a good spoiler for those who haven't.

Carlos Castaneda's works offer a unique perspective on the spiritual and magical world. His descriptions of his experiences with shamans and his own journey of self-discovery are both captivating and thought-provoking.

In this summary, we can find some of the most important ideas and concepts that he presents in his books.

For example, he emphasizes the importance of perception and how our ordinary way of seeing the world limits our understanding of reality.

He also talks about the power of intention and how it can be used to achieve our goals and transform our lives.

Overall, this summary provides a useful overview of Carlos Castaneda's work and is a great introduction for those who are interested in exploring the world of shamanism and spiritual growth.
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the_terrible
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A very quick read. Pleasant for getting introduced to the cosmology of the shamans of "ancient Mexico". Now, I would like to know how, despite the many years, the changes in language and culture, and the advance of modernity, the traditions and knowledge that shaman Don Juan Matus taught to Carlos Castañeda remained alive. Are these ancient ways of life compatible with modern and Western philosophies? What place could shamanism occupy today, in a culture that seems to rediscover the interest in altered states of consciousness, spirituality, and introspection?

The "warrior's path" described in the book seems to lead us to the center of ourselves, while making us adaptable, light, sharp, and detached. Inspiring! I recommend it to the reader who seeks a fresh perspective and who does not seek to scrutinize the contents too much as if they were a scientific work.

I was very interested that at the beginning it talks a lot about a "different cognitive system". That the shaman could see the intention of the world and influence it. Great emphasis on the impeccability of the spirit, on innocence; that in each of our actions our last battle on earth is set free. The warrior certainly knows that nothing he does matters, and that every path leads nowhere. For the same reason, he acts as if each action were the most important. He does not waste his time nor does he seek to waste that of others. He is punctual, cheerful, expressive, and paradoxical.

The metaphysical concepts that were not so clear to me were: what is this wheel of time and the grooves in which people get stuck? Those that, for the warrior and the shaman, are fully visible?

The allies, to which it briefly refers, seem to very directly refer to hallucinogenic plants and others.

I love the idea that the shaman sees with his whole body. And that he is spontaneous, that he has no routines and does not make many plans. It is a perspective that, in my opinion, is not superfluous to qualify: many times when we plan, what we propose to do is rather a judgment, a whip that tells us to do what "we should want to do". On the other hand, when we do what we desire, spontaneously we often fall into a kind of routine. An unintended habit around which our actions are organized.
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