This book really blew my mind.

It is extremely interesting.

The story it tells is so captivating that I couldn't put it down once I started reading.

Every page is filled with excitement and unexpected twists.

The characters are well-developed and come to life on the pages.

I found myself completely immersed in their world, sharing their joys and sorrows.

The author's writing style is engaging and easy to follow, making it a pleasure to read.

Whether you are a fan of fiction or non-fiction, this book is definitely worth checking out.

It will take you on a journey that you won't forget.

I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read.

I had no idea what to expect from this book, and in the end, it was much better not to expect anything absolutely amazing at all, because it caught me off guard from its very first lines.

It is as simple as it is complex; so full of teachings as well as attacks on reason, critical thinking, and the ordinary human being.

It is a great work by Castaneda to be read again and again. I will summarize it in the sentence that marked for me the importance of the story: "Who are you and your damn rationality to put chains on thought!"

This book challenges our preconceived notions and forces us to question the way we think and perceive the world. It takes us on a journey that is both thought-provoking and eye-opening.

Castaneda's writing style is engaging and accessible, making it easy for readers to get lost in the story. Whether you are a fan of philosophy, psychology, or simply a good read, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique and inspiring read.

This is a brand new shiny copy that I have, and I bet money that I've never read it.

June 2011

Another box of books has been reopened for cleaning, sorting, and reevaluation. And lo and behold, many of the collected works of Carlos Castaneda are part of the contents.

Many years have passed, but I remember this author and his works vividly. [Now don't get any ideas as to an allusion I may or may not be making.] At some point, I stopped purchasing more in the series and put them away. There's a 'blur' factor as I recall that happens with these stories of the metaphysical and magical journeys of learning (spelling of your choice for majic). Thus, I finally put them down after a time. There's a new series of works by authors/students in the same genre. These are a continuation of the anthropological journey that Castaneda undertook to learn of his heritage and a way of life that existed if only in a shadow of the original form.

This generic commentary is going to be applied to all the writings of CC as a review until a rereading decision is made. I don't own all the books by Castaneda, though I've read all his books through the mid-1980s. A couple more I have copies of in this collection, but I bet I never read them.

Each of these books will have this introduction bracketed and italicized when I add a more specific commentary regarding the individual entry.

An early footnote: Much of the fascination with fantastical dragon imagery is rooted in the first two or three of these works. Just thought you should know.

I have read this book on numerous occasions, and with each reading, my affection for it grows deeper. Castaneda's work is truly a breath of fresh air in the literary world.

The stories and ideas presented in the book are not only captivating but also thought-provoking. They offer a unique perspective on life, consciousness, and the human experience.

Castaneda's writing style is engaging and accessible, making his books suitable for readers of all backgrounds. Whether you are a seasoned spiritual seeker or simply looking for an interesting read, his works are sure to leave a lasting impression.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something different and inspiring. It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the mysteries of life and the human mind.

This book delves into the significance of perception.

It elaborates on how one can control their perception by altering the "assemblage point."

Moreover, it offers valuable lessons in comprehending intent and silent knowledge.

Although these are somewhat abstract notions, I had no difficulty in grasping the concepts, despite reading the book in a disorderly manner.

However, my sole gripe is that the book is rather thin and doesn't give the impression of being comprehensive.

It seems that there could have been more in-depth exploration and expansion of the ideas presented.

Nevertheless, it still provides some interesting and thought-provoking insights into the realm of perception and related topics.

Overall, it is a decent read that can offer some valuable food for thought.

This was my all-time favourite Carlos Castaneda book.

It presents the ideas of Intent and stalking yourself in a very clear and understandable manner.

Intent, as described by Castaneda, is a powerful force that can shape our lives and help us achieve our goals.

Stalking yourself, on the other hand, is about being aware of our own patterns and behaviours, and learning to change them when necessary.

Both of these concepts, I firmly believe, are essential tools for living a meaningful life, regardless of our individual beliefs and life purposes.

They can help us to become more self-aware, more focused, and more in control of our own destinies.

Whether we are seeking spiritual enlightenment, personal growth, or simply a more fulfilling life, the ideas presented in this book can offer valuable insights and guidance.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in exploring the deeper aspects of human consciousness and the potential for personal transformation.

By the time I read this, 20 years had elapsed since reading A Yacqui Way of Knowledge.

I have read every Castaneda book since then. And although each book follows the same man's life, as Carlos progresses, each one reveals more. He integrates more and more of those previous experiences.

A cynic might argue that this is a shrewd strategy to sell books. However, I continue to read Castaneda because I still obtain value from his works.

His writing offers unique perspectives and insights that have the potential to expand one's understanding of the world and oneself.

Perhaps it is the way he describes his encounters with different spiritual teachings and practices that keeps me engaged.

Or maybe it is the sense of mystery and adventure that pervades his stories.

Whatever the reason, I am grateful for the opportunity to have discovered Castaneda's books and to continue exploring the world he has created.

Castaneda was a graduate student who specialized in Anthropology. He was engaged in writing his thesis, which focused on Mexican Shaman and their utilization of regional plants and herbs to bring about psychotropic effects with the intention of curing people of diverse illnesses. At the beginning, Castaneda adopted a scientist's perspective and was a skeptic. However, what happened to him later left him completely astonished and this experience then transformed into his lifelong pursuits.

If you have the plan to read these books, it is advisable to commence with "The Yaqui Way of Life", which is the first book. Be ready to be deeply immersed in Don Juan's teachings. You will find yourself captivated by the unique and profound wisdom that he imparts. The books offer a fascinating exploration into a world that is both mysterious and enlightening.

This was the only book after the first four by Castaneda that truly appealed to me. The concepts presented in it are dense and interrelated, woven into metaphors that demand RAM hungry thinking to try and comprehend. This drives home the point that dedicated practice, to the extent of a lifestyle change, is the least effort required to even begin to expect benefits from these teachings.

Back to dedicated practice as the only way to growth... I found the writings of Lujan Matus - especially "Whisperings of the Dragon; Shamanic techniques to awaken your Primal Power" and "Shadows in the Twilight: Conversations with a Shaman" - extremely useful. They take what were Castaneda's interpretations of these teachings and make them into a practicable path. If you did or thought you should have gained value from Castaneda's works - or even those of subsequent Toltec authors - these works provide the framework and practices needed. They offer a more hands-on approach, guiding the reader on how to apply the teachings in real life. This makes them a valuable addition to anyone's exploration of these spiritual and shamanic concepts.

Overall, while Castaneda's books introduced many to these ideas, Lujan Matus' works build upon them and make them more accessible and applicable. They are a must-read for those interested in taking their understanding and practice to the next level.

It was extremely outstanding and helpful. How much I needed it! Maybe understanding some parts of the book was very difficult, but I understood most of it, and thank God I feel my view has changed! In the way that was necessary and deeply needed to change.

I can't say anything about the lessons of the book and my personal insights because surely everyone has their own specific insights and only they should reach the correct conclusion.

There is a deep gratitude within me that I hope will raise my own energy level and that of the world in a positive direction.

Did you manage to discover your own unique place within your egg? I highly doubt it.

However, this work commences to complete the essential task that Castaneda embarked upon. Don Juan was well aware that as his particular mode of immersion into that 'other' reality, his sorcery, was gradually fading away.

Perhaps it was sufficient to summon Castaneda to himself in order to vividly preserve his method and wisdom through his role as a sort of amanuensis who would be taken through the process.

This way, the knowledge and practices could be passed on and kept alive for future generations to explore and understand.

The connection between Don Juan and Castaneda seems to be a crucial one in this regard, as it holds the potential to safeguard and perpetuate a significant aspect of their shared experience and understanding of the mysterious and often overlooked aspects of reality.

Human potential is limitless; death exists because we have had the "intention" of it since the moment of birth. The intention of dying can be postponed if we force the pivot to change its place.

Page 64



"Bringing back the beloved in 24 hours..."

Although this claim is made in the virtual space of Julian, but our great-grandmothers also have similar memories in their hearts from stories of fate and the like. To the extent that they even believe in the illogical results of Act and the actions of a sorcerer, they take oaths and look at the eyes of the interlocutor to see if he accepts or not?!
What you understand from the result of the above claim of Titer is the simplest descriptive example for'sorcery' and sorcerers. This very concept, in the present book and of course in the form of the narrative of the dialogues of 'Master Sorcerer - Apprentice Sorcerer' (in the north and south of music), reveals the hidden meanings of sorcery and magic. Sorcery is sorcery and there is no Iran and Mexico, so this narrative story of 'teaching the concepts of sorcery in the field' will be acceptable in any era and climate, provided it is presented to the patient and thirsty seeker.

It is said that the works of Castaneda in the early 1970s, in the dormitories of universities and the sidewalks of the Tehran Revolution, were something like the "nation of love", in the sense that from the enthusiastic child to the toothless and bearded old man, they have been seekers and desirers.

The translation of 'the dignity of silence' is not bad, but its accuracy, since the basic meaning of the book (sorcery and sorcerers) has found a good place in the category of 'classical literature', so finding simple, easy-to-understand expressions for the words related to the subject, 'Rostami' wants the world of champions of the art of translation, and on the other hand, Yali is in the circle of vocabulary in Sistan.

I don't know out of kindness to let you know that there is no picture or interview of 'Mehran Khandani' - the translator of the book - in the Persian web space, as if he was a shooting star in that era and with his two-volume work named 'Castaneda' and to his own satisfaction, he shone in the publishing market and then, he is lost in imaginary memories.
I dare to say that this book should be read twenty times and then give it a'star rating', but for the time being, within the scope of understanding, a simple translation and my difficult approval of its tone, I am content with two stars.