I have now completed the first four books in the series.

This particular one is by far the best thus far. The second book, "A Separate Reality," boasted some truly incredible imagery within its pages.

The third book, "Journey To Ixtlan," had some of the finest writing up until that point.

This current one combines both of those remarkable qualities in a wonderful way. It has the best plot, with a fantastic section where Don Juan sits Carlito down and expounds on the unity of his teachings for over twenty pages.

He does this because his apprentice is now ready to receive such profound knowledge. He even encourages Carlito to ask any questions he desires and write everything down, which is something Don Juan previously mocked him for, as he was trying to explain alternate realities when some things simply cannot be explained using conventional wisdom.

Moreover, the ending serves as such a great climax to the book. It is truly one that you just don't want to end; it's that captivating.

Now, it's time to move on to "Second Ring Of Power."

Tales of Power is the fourth installment of Castaneda's interactions with don Juan and don Genaro.

Like his other works, it is tough to rate.

As a work of fiction, it rates one star. There is no plot, no real story line, and the characterizations are minimal.

However, as a philosophical system, it rates a little better.

Castaneda describes a number of different mystical philosophies under the guise of the dialectic between him and don Juan.

But he does not describe any of the actual practices that might be effective in leading to a real understanding of what he is trying to convey, other than it is a long road to follow.

This is the main reason this series can be so disappointing in the end.

The ideas are worthwhile and intriguing, but as a practice, they are always shrouded in incompleteness.

That being said, the last forty or so pages of this installment are a fairly comprehensive outline of the sorcerer's explanation.

It is all about how we build our reality with our concepts, how we shape our perceptions, and knowing that, changing them.

This part provides some valuable insights into the nature of our reality and our role in shaping it.

Overall, Tales of Power is a complex and somewhat frustrating work that offers both interesting ideas and a lack of practical guidance.

There are three kinds of bad habits that we abuse when we are faced with unusual situations in life. First, to overlook what is happening or has happened and feel as if nothing has happened. This is the way of the fanatic. Second, to accept everything as it is presented to us and feel that we know what is going on. This is the way of the believer. Third, to torture ourselves because we cannot overlook a fact or because we cannot fully accept it. This is the way of the madman. And your way? There is a fourth, the right one, the way of the fighter. The fighter acts as if nothing has ever happened, because he believes in nothing, and yet he accepts everything as it is presented to him. He never feels that he knows, nor as if nothing has ever happened. He acts as if he is in control of himself, even if his legs are shaking. In this way, if you act, you will shake off the torturous thoughts.

With the actions of the worthy opponent, the learner is either crushed or changed radically.

Usually, when you think and act like an immortal being who has all the time at his disposal, you are not flawless. In these hours, you should look closely, and then you would realize that this feeling of temporal ease is stupidity. No one survives on this earth!

"You see, then, that without the recognition of the presence of death within us, there is no power, nor mystery."

"This is the easy way out," he said. "The way of the straggler. You confront the world with the feeling that everything is heavy for you. You do not live like a fighter."

The teachings of Don Juan have been a source of great help in my life for the past 2 - 3 years. As I reached the fourth book, I had the impression that I might not gain any more truly valuable knowledge. However, how wrong I was!

This book has truly blown my mind wide open and challenges my very reason to prove its worth and significance. Although the core philosophy within this book is something that has endured through the ages and can be seen across various ancient civilizations, the analogies presented by Don Juan/Castaneda are extremely psychedelic and thought-provoking.

Whether it is considered fiction or not, Carlitos has indeed bestowed upon us some really invaluable lessons for life. These lessons have the potential to transform our perspectives and help us navigate the complex journey of existence with greater wisdom and understanding. They encourage us to question our assumptions, expand our consciousness, and embrace the mysteries and wonders of the world around us.

Without a doubt, the last of the four books, "Relatos de Poder" (Stories of Power), was not behind the rest. Personally, it occupies the top positions along with volume 1, "Las Enseñanzas de Don Juan" (The Teachings of Don Juan).

The compilation of his 14-year training with Don Juan is very interesting. Moreover, this last volume places the greatest emphasis on how to act as a warrior of knowledge.

Carlos Castaneda's works have always been a source of inspiration and fascination for many readers. His descriptions of the spiritual and physical journey of the apprentice are vivid and engaging. In "Relatos de Poder", we see the evolution of the protagonist as he learns to navigate the complex world of shamanism and develop his own inner power.

The book offers valuable insights into the nature of reality, the importance of intention, and the power of perception. It challenges us to question our assumptions and expand our consciousness. Whether you are interested in shamanism, spirituality, or personal growth, "Relatos de Poder" is a must-read.

Amazing book!!! This is truly one of the most significant books from Castaneda's world. It offers a unique and profound exploration that takes the reader on an extraordinary journey. The author's writing style is captivating, drawing you in from the very first page and keeping you engaged until the end.

The concepts and ideas presented in this book are not only thought-provoking but also have the potential to change the way you view the world around you. It challenges your preconceived notions and encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and embrace new perspectives.

Highly recommend!!! Whether you are a fan of Castaneda's work or simply looking for a book that will expand your mind and inspire you, this is definitely one that you should not miss. It is a must-read for anyone interested in self-discovery, spirituality, and the exploration of the human experience.

Sometimes I have this strange feeling that the author is playing tricks on me, while at other times I'm not completely sure.

The author leads me along a rather convoluted path, one that seems to be headed towards wisdom and hope.

After much thought, I've come to the conclusion that whether it's factual or fictional doesn't really matter.

What's important is that I try to keep my mind receptive to new thoughts and the countless possibilities that come with them.

Carlos, the author, presents both in a way that makes me question and think.

It's like he's challenging me to look beyond the obvious and discover something deeper within myself and the story he's telling.

This journey of exploration and discovery is both exciting and a bit intimidating, but I'm willing to take it and see where it leads.

Maybe in the end, I'll find the answers I'm looking for or maybe I'll realize that the questions themselves are more important than the answers.

Either way, I'm glad I decided to keep an open mind and follow Carlos on this adventure.

DNF at 30% is a significant milestone in the game development process.

It indicates that the game is progressing well and that a substantial portion of the core features and content has been implemented.

At this stage, developers are likely focused on refining and polishing the existing elements, addressing any bugs or glitches that have been identified, and ensuring that the game runs smoothly.

They may also be working on adding additional features or content to enhance the overall gameplay experience.

The 30% mark is an important checkpoint for the development team, as it allows them to assess the progress of the game and make any necessary adjustments or improvements before moving forward.

With continued hard work and dedication, the team hopes to bring the game to completion and deliver an exciting and engaging experience to players.

Starting from this book, Castaneda changes his narrative modality. His accounts are no longer organized in the form of a diary with precise dates. From here on, a more mature school intervenes. Castaneda is no longer the ex-anthropology student who feeds his readers with his thesis and his diaries. Now he is a mature writer. And perhaps it is also for this reason that "The Island of Tonal" was considered a fake, a hoax. From now on, Castaneda definitely distances himself from the extraordinary dimensions stimulated by psychedelic substances to reach something even more implausible, but without the help of any external stimulus. And the apprenticeship of "Carlito" concludes with a series of revelations with an hermetic (if not science-fiction) flavor that lead to an open ending, which naturally presupposes a fifth book on the way. In reality, there will be another eight.

I am truly so grateful that I didn't have to endure the long wait for publication.

It is such a relief to know that my work can be shared and seen without having to go through the often arduous process of waiting for an indefinite period.

This has given me a sense of immediate satisfaction and has allowed me to move forward with my ideas and creativity more freely.

I can't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation as I think about the potential impact my work might have now that it is out there in the world.

It makes all the effort and hard work I put into it truly worthwhile.

I will continue to strive for excellence and produce more meaningful content, knowing that I have this opportunity to share it without the burden of a long wait for publication.

Trusting oneself for a warrior or a fighter is not the same as trusting oneself for ordinary people. An ordinary person looks for confidence in the eyes of others and also attributes the name to confidence. However, a warrior and a fighter view confidence from their own perspective and attribute the name to humility and modesty. An ordinary person depends on others, but a warrior and a fighter depends only and only on himself.

Moreover, a warrior or a fighter has to face numerous challenges and difficulties in their path. They cannot rely on others to overcome these obstacles. They must have unwavering self-confidence to believe in their abilities and make the right decisions in the most critical moments. This self-confidence is not just a simple belief in oneself but a deep understanding of one's own strengths and weaknesses, as well as the ability to continuously improve and adapt.

In conclusion, while both ordinary people and warriors or fighters need self-confidence, the nature and manifestation of self-confidence are different. For warriors and fighters, self-confidence is an essential quality that enables them to achieve their goals and overcome all difficulties.

This third book in Carlos's work,

was truly the first one that really struck a chord. His initial two books were more focused on analysis rather than story-telling, and they were rather dry.

However, Tales Of Power is quite different. His work delineates experiential realities that require one to live through them, not merely read about them.

There is significant personal power in undertaking such experiences. Through practice, that is when they transform from Tales Of Power to Tales Of Personal Power, which becomes your own personal power.

Such experiences are immensely validating in life. They can have a profound impact on one's perspective and growth. By engaging with these experiential realities, one can discover hidden strengths and capabilities within oneself.

It is not just about reading the words on the page; it is about actively participating in the journey and allowing the lessons to unfold. Tales Of Power has the potential to be a life-changing read for those who are open to embracing its teachings and applying them to their own lives.