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Rating(4 / 5.0, 93 votes)
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93 reviews
July 15,2025
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Nesu tokios literatūros gerbėja, tačiau kas mane pažįsta, žino ir mano nuomonę apie ją. Tik dėl to, kad susidariau tokį skaitymo iššūkį šiems metams, kad jame atsirado ir tokio tipo knyga, šis darbas pakliuvo į mano rankas. Kitaip tariant, praeičiau ir net nežvilgtelėčiau į jos pusę.


Ši knyga yra citatų rinkinys iš jo visų knygų. Skaitant ją, galima pastebėti, kad ji yra gana lengva skaitoma. Buvo keletas minčių, su kuriomis aš sutikau. Šios mintys man atrodė labai aktualios ir svarbios.


Tačiau, nors skaitinėti šią knygą buvo malonu, aš vis dar nesu visiškai įsitikinęs, kad tai yra tokia gera knyga. Galbūt tai yra dėl to, kad mano asmeniniai įvairūs skaitiniai įpročiai ir pageidavimai yra labai skirtingi nuo to, ką ši knyga siūlo.

July 15,2025
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I didn't read these books in the correct order.

It was not until I had read 5 books and "book" 3 was mentioned that I realized there was an order.

Finally, I am now reading in order.

This particular book appears to be simply a summary of all the other Carlos Castaneda books, with the addition of one new aspect taught by his new teacher.

Regardless of the order or the nature of this book, all of these books have great insights and teachings that can be beneficial.

Whether one believes in them or not, there are still valuable takeaways to be had from reading these works.

They offer a unique perspective on various aspects of life and consciousness, and can potentially expand one's understanding and awareness.

So, even though I initially read them out of order, I am now able to appreciate the full scope of Castaneda's ideas and teachings as I read through them in the correct sequence.

July 15,2025
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Personally, I have no concern regarding whether these books are fiction or non-fiction.

To me, they are like good friends. They have accompanied me through various stages of my life, offering different perspectives and enriching my knowledge.

From these books, I have learned some very enjoyable tricks in the choices I make when interacting with my environment.

For example, in fictional stories, I have witnessed how characters handle difficult situations and have learned from their experiences.

In non-fiction books, I have gained practical knowledge and insights into different fields, which have helped me make more informed decisions in my daily life.

Overall, these books have had a profound impact on my personal growth and development, and I will continue to cherish them as my good friends.
July 15,2025
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Talvez um ato de imaginação ativa possa levar-nos a explorar as complexas personalidades criadas por grandes autores. Don Juan é uma das personalidades intrigantes de Carlos. Ele é conhecido por sua reputação como um libertino, sempre em busca de novas aventuras amorosas. Sua figura é repleta de mistério e charmoso, atraindo mulheres de todas as classes sociais. Com suas habilidades de sedução e sua atitude despreocupada, Don Juan parece estar acima das regras sociais e morais. No entanto, por trás dessa fachada exterior, pode haver emoções mais profundas e uma busca por algo mais significativo. Sua história nos permite refletir sobre os temas de amor, desejo, liberdade e consequências. Cada ação de Don Juan nos leva a questionar nossos próprios valores e perspectivas. É uma personagem que continua a fascinar e intrigar os leitores até hoje.

July 15,2025
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This, Castanada’s last book before his departure from this world, is truly a remarkable collection.

It consists of quotes culled from his previous works, along with his own incisive commentary on each book. Through this, he highlights the most poignant lessons he gleaned during his shaman apprenticeship.

The final message he received in his apprenticeship is particularly striking: “At one moment, before you plunge into the abyss, if you have the gall to walk along its edge, if you have the daring not to deviate from it, you will arrive at warrior’s conclusions, an order and stability infinitely more suited to you than the fixations of the shamans of ancient Mexico.”

We are left in a state of speculation as to what those conclusions ultimately were. And perhaps we will never truly know, unless we ourselves find the courage within us to walk along the precipice of the abyss before taking that fateful plunge.

Castanada’s words continue to inspire and challenge us, urging us to embrace the unknown and strive for a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
July 15,2025
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Many years ago, I had the pleasure of reading Castaneda's Don Juan, and it piqued my interest in exploring his later works.

This particular book is a compilation of quotes from his earlier writings, and it contains some truly remarkable ones. In particular, the role that death plays when contemplating life is a profound concept.

Essentially, Castenada's mentor led him on a path that initially involved the use of psychotropic plants but later revealed that drugs were not necessary to understand that time is a useful illusion and detachment is the key to enlightenment. Castenada, writing as an UCLA anthropologist studying Mexican native shamans, captured all of this in his works.

However, halfway through this book, I came across a salon.com story about Castenada and the foundation he created, which seemed to be in a vein similar to scientology.

While the quotes in this book are valuable, I find the use of drugs and intermediaries between a seeker and God to be both outdated and abnormal. Since this work does not incorporate new thoughts, I found it interesting only from a historical perspective.

What would truly be fascinating is a biography that delves into the author's life, the 70s, and his philosophy and business. Such a biography could provide a more comprehensive understanding of Castenada and his impact on the literary and spiritual worlds.
July 15,2025
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This book is basically a compilation of quotations from Castaneda's previous works.


It is an excellent choice for those who like to pick it up and open it to a random page.


Although it is beneficial to have read the original books from which the quotations are derived, I believe that the thoughts expressed are so universal and presented in such basic language that they can offer a great deal to someone who is not familiar with his work.


The quotations cover a wide range of topics and can provide inspiration, food for thought, and new perspectives.


Whether you are a long-time fan of Castaneda or just discovering his ideas, this collection is well worth exploring.


It allows you to dip into his profound wisdom and insights without having to commit to reading the entire series of books.


Overall, it is a valuable addition to any bookshelf and a great way to gain a quick introduction to Castaneda's unique way of thinking.


July 15,2025
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While these Shamanic quotes offered a relatively quick read, I couldn't help but notice that they were firmly rooted in a gendered perspective. This aspect, unfortunately, left me with a sense of alienation.

Upon closer examination, the quotes appeared to be a compilation of what seemed like a laundry list of 'shoulds'. There was an underlying tone that felt prescriptive rather than liberating.

Moreover, another element that stood out was the presence of a fear of death. This fear, while perhaps a common human emotion, was presented in a way that didn't sit well with me.

Taking all these factors into account, I have to say that I cannot recommend these Shamanic quotes. They failed to resonate with me on multiple levels, leaving me with a less than favorable impression.
July 15,2025
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I don't really know how to express my feelings towards this book.

On one hand, I do have respect for ancient and alternative ways of thinking. It's interesting to explore different perspectives that have endured through the ages.

However, on the other hand, there are so many much better writings out there on stoicism, psychoanalysis, and inner dialogues. These other works present their ideas in a more straightforward and meaningful way, without all the excessive and often empty dramatic euphemisms and the woo pseudo spiritual science that this book seems to rely on.

I find that a lot of what is being said in this book is just hot air. There are so many words that, when you really think about them and turn them over a few times, seem to have no real substance or meaning.

Of course, we are all aware that we are going to die some day. Most people do live in a state of denial to some extent, but this isn't exactly a revolutionary or special revelation.

And yes, we all have an inner dialogue. It can be beneficial to quiet it, but this book doesn't really offer any practical means to do so. There are various forms of meditation that are widely covered in other books, but unfortunately, not in this one.

I also can't stand the overly dramatic tone of the entire thing. References to warrior spirits and such just make me roll my eyes. The author, who I initially thought was just an intrepid anthropologist interested in ancient wisdom, turned out to already be of a special religious variety, prone to ungrounded reasoning. This, unfortunately, has made me have little faith in his ability to offer rational speculations on the topic.

Overall, I was quite disappointed with this book and don't think it offers much of value.
July 15,2025
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This is an extremely great and insightful book that is specifically designed for those who are on the warrior path

July 15,2025
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The author takes the crucial elements from his earlier books and repackages them.

This process allows for a new presentation of familiar ideas, perhaps with a fresh perspective or in a more accessible format.

By doing so, the author aims to reach a wider audience or offer a new take on the subject matter for those who have already read his previous works.

It could involve reorganizing the content, adding new examples or illustrations, or simply presenting the information in a more engaging way.

Repackaging the essential points gives the author an opportunity to breathe new life into his ideas and make them relevant to a new generation of readers or those who may have missed the original books.

It also shows the author's ability to adapt and evolve his work, keeping it fresh and interesting in a constantly changing literary landscape.
July 15,2025
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Hmmm

I do like it, but it also felt very instagram-ish. It's as if the whole thing was carefully curated for the sake of looking good on the popular social media platform. The aesthetics were on point, with a certain charm and allure that could easily catch the eye of any Instagram user. However, there was also a sense of artificiality to it. It made me wonder if what I was seeing was the true essence of the thing or just a polished facade put up for show. While I appreciate the effort that went into creating this instagram-ish look, I also couldn't help but feel a bit skeptical. Maybe it's because in the world of Instagram, everything is often made to seem perfect and flawless, and this had that same kind of vibe.

Overall, it was an interesting experience, but it left me with mixed feelings.
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