This is a truly fascinating book that belongs to a series of several works by Carlos Casteneda. It details his training under Don Juan, a Yaqui native American sorcerer.

I had the pleasure of reading it once before, several years ago. However, upon my second reading, I found it to be even more captivating.

Some critics have alleged that Casteneda fabricated the entire account. But even if that were the case, it would still be an incredibly remarkable story.

This book delves into Carlos' mastery of lucid dreaming and the exploration of other worlds that can be accessed through the power of dreams. It offers a unique perspective on the mysteries of the subconscious mind and the potential for expanded consciousness.

The vivid descriptions and engaging narrative make it a must-read for anyone interested in the realms of spirituality, psychology, and the unknown.

Whether you believe in the authenticity of Casteneda's experiences or not, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression and spark your imagination.

It seems almost fictional, but the art of dreaming is indeed real. Carlos embarks on a journey into a world that would turn his world upside down. He has mind-blowing experiences as he passes through the so-called "gates of dreaming." The number 7 appears to be significant for the gates of dreaming. There are 7 archangels, 7 heavens, 7 senses, 7 major chords, 7 primary colors, and so on. Carlos enters the REAL realms of objectified experience where other entities exist. I, too, practice the art of dreaming and can vouch for the findings so far at the first gate of dreaming. However, I have crossed the 2nd gate only once. This exploration of the dream world is both fascinating and mysterious, opening up a whole new realm of possibilities and experiences. It makes one wonder what lies beyond the remaining gates and what other secrets the dream world holds.

If this is a work of fiction, as many of the critics claim (and I believe they are probably right, although it could have been partially based on, or inspired by, real people and events), I would say Castaneda has one hell of a spectacular imagination.

Throughout the book, I was constantly reminded of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass. However, in this case, Alice is a hot-tempered adult male anthropologist.

The chapter in which he meets the Death Defier is absolutely thrilling to the end. It keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, wondering what will happen next.

The description of the encounter is vivid and detailed, making it easy for the reader to picture the scene in their mind.

Castañeda's writing style is engaging and captivating, drawing the reader into the story and making them feel as if they are a part of it.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about adventure, magic, and the unknown.

This was a re-read for me.

Upon re-reading, I still find it truly fascinating. The concepts and ideas presented within the text have a certain allure that keeps drawing me in.

However, I also cannot help but notice that Castenada comes across as a rather whiney hot mess. His constant complaining and lack of a more positive attitude can be quite off-putting at times.

Despite this flaw, the overall content of the work manages to hold my interest. It makes me wonder if perhaps his rather difficult personality is a reflection of the intense experiences he claims to have had.

Nevertheless, it does detract from the overall enjoyment of the reading to some extent. I find myself having to look past his whining and focus on the more valuable aspects of the text.

Overall, while I still find the subject matter fascinating, Castenada's character does pose a bit of a challenge in fully embracing the work.

In this volume, Castaneda delves deeper into the teachings of Don Juan, specifically focusing on the art of Dreaming.

Once again, it is useful to suspend disbelief in order to fully enjoy Castaneda's teachings. It is clear that there are now many things that seem inconsistent (for example, how is it possible that he has never talked about these teachings in the other volumes? Why do new adepts suddenly appear whom Don Juan has chosen as Carlos' traveling companions? etc.).

However, the goodness of what the author transmits to us cannot be questioned and remains an important source of knowledge about an unknown way.

Castaneda's exploration of the art of Dreaming offers unique insights and perspectives that can expand our understanding of the human experience.

Although there may be some疑点 and unanswered questions, the value of his teachings lies in the possibility of opening our minds to new ways of perceiving and interacting with the world around us.

By suspending our disbelief and engaging with the text, we can potentially gain a deeper appreciation for the wisdom and knowledge that Castaneda presents.

People keep bugging me to read Casteñada. This particular one seemed interesting, so I decided to pick it up.

Contrary to what other reviewers have said, it's not that hard for me to assume that this is fiction. In fact, it's significantly more difficult for me to imagine that it's real. It feels like a narrative designed to push a philosophical agenda.

The writing is somewhat poor. The characters speak in abnormal ways; their flow and diction seem fake. The plot is inane, and there are places where it is self-contradictory. Also, Don Juan appears to be as lost and confused as the main character for most of the story. True, he sometimes gives off a fake air, but he's actually clueless. I was left with the impression that Don Juan is basically a useful idiot with a pompous demeanor and a strange disdain for the spirits and predecessors of his tradition. He seems like a very bad teacher based on this book.

Overall, I was moderately entertained (about on the level of a Puppetmaster movie: a rather unenthusiastic "eh"). I also came across the idea of the assemblage point, which seems like an interesting concept. However, it's hard to say whether it's a main subject of these books, as it is mostly obfuscated or spoken of as if you already fully understand the concept. Nevertheless, the basic idea is fascinating. (I looked into it, and it's poorly written about throughout his works.)

Carlos Castaneda has a truly unique approach.

He has the ability to gradually draw you into his captivating stories, making you question and second-guess your perception of both waking life and the collective subconscious.

The book is filled with various techniques that are designed to enhance the lucid dreaming experience.

I must admit that I found this book to be both fascinating and informative.

At times, it even had a certain element of fright that added to its allure.

However, there is a downside. The book is unfortunately very repetitive.

The constant repetition of certain ideas and concepts ended up being quite annoying and detracted from the overall enjoyment of the reading experience.

Despite this flaw, I still believe that there is value to be found in Carlos Castaneda's work, especially for those interested in the mysteries of the mind and the world of lucid dreaming.

Considering this book was written 50 years ago, the concept of actively and intently dreaming remains truly fascinating. I was initially intrigued and completely engrossed as I combed through this book. However, I do feel that perhaps the meaning and translation might have been lost to a small extent. This is understandable, given that Castoneda was attempting to explain something that doesn't precisely have a corresponding language. The world of dreaming was presenting challenges to him, along with the rituals he was practicing with Don Juan Matus. Additionally, what the plants were teaching could also have been a significant focus. Nevertheless, he was ahead of his time. I couldn't quite fathom what his objective was regarding dreaming or whether he achieved it. It seems as if he sacrificed love. He had an insatiable curiosity. I view Castoneda's work as crucial because it inspired others to delve even deeper into the exploration of consciousness.

Overall, I can clearly see that love is what every dreamer is seeking. If we were constantly dreaming in a space filled with love, how wonderful and enjoyable that would be. And perhaps a daydream can also become a real dream.

Is it all lies?

Does it really matter?

After all, it lived in your head, didn't it?

Maybe those thoughts, those ideas, seemed so real to you at one point.

They might have influenced your actions, your decisions, and even your emotions.

But now, as you look back, you start to question their authenticity.

Were they just figments of your imagination, or was there some truth to them?

It's a mystery that perhaps only you can solve.

Maybe it doesn't matter if they were lies or not.

What matters is how they made you feel and what you learned from them.

Maybe they were a lesson in disguise, teaching you something about yourself or the world around you.

So, instead of dwelling on whether it was all lies or not, focus on the present and move forward.

Let go of the past and embrace the future with an open heart and mind.

I couldn't seem to finish the task at hand. It felt like I was going in circles, doing the same thing over and over again.

It got really repetitive and tedious after a while. The monotony was starting to wear me down, and I found myself losing focus and motivation.

I tried to push through, but it was difficult. Every time I thought I was making progress, I would realize that I was still in the same place.

I began to wonder if there was a better way to approach the task, or if I was simply not cut out for it.

Despite my frustrations, I knew that I had to keep going. I took a deep breath, gathered my resolve, and continued on.

Maybe with a bit more effort and perseverance, I would be able to break free from this cycle of repetition and tedium and finally achieve my goal.

This was an absolutely mind-blowing book. It took me on a journey that I never expected.

The author's vivid descriptions and unique perspective truly opened my eyes to a whole new world.

However, my only complaint is that I would have liked a little more direct instruction in how to accomplish the type of dreaming that Carlos Castaneda achieves.

While the book was full of fascinating stories and insights, I found myself sometimes wishing for more practical guidance.

Perhaps this is intentional, as the author may want the reader to explore and discover on their own.

Nevertheless, it would have been nice to have a few more specific techniques or exercises to try.

Overall, though, this book was an amazing read and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in exploring the realm of the mind and consciousness.

Sem palavras. It is simply one of the most fabulous things I have ever read. Completely transcendental. If I could, I would give 6 stars. It is a "must read" for any serious occultist or spiritual seeker.

The author's romanticized writing greatly enhances the reading experience. The content is profoundly interesting from beginning to end.

Every page is filled with captivating ideas and insights that draw the reader in and keep them engaged. The book explores themes of the occult and spirituality in a way that is both accessible and thought-provoking.

Whether you are a seasoned occultist or just starting to explore the spiritual realm, this book is sure to offer something of value. It is a truly remarkable work that I highly recommend.