Carlos Castaneda

santacruzchick

I don't remember... but may have asked this a long while back. Is anyone here interested in or have any strong opinions of Castaneda's books on the teachings of Don Juan Matus? I've always been deeply drawn to these books, even as a young child (my father, not a JW, introduced me to them and that type of "thinking" at an early age; though I often felt guilty reading them and thinking about the existence of the world in that manner since my mother raised me as a JW.)

Now that I'm free from that guilt, I want to explore esoteric systems and the metaphysical more avidly. Even if his books are fiction, I still feel that the very core of their 'teachings' are real, since lately I feel I've physically, mentally and 'spiritually' been experiencing that kind of world or reality. Is anyone with me here, or do I just sound crazy?

Here's a site that summarizes Castaneda's books, http://www.prismagems.com/castaneda/

crownboy

*in California surfer voice*

Whoa, way deep man.

TheItalian

It seems something happening to me too. Since my Enlightenment about the "Truth", I've been absorbed into many of the esoterical themes now "allowed" and have skimmed many authors, Castaneda being one of them. But now I want to deepen some of his writings. It's definitively funny to see how similar things come to happen when the same demistifying processes take place inside (almost very) different people. And I usually imagine all (former christian) women becoming raging pagan Witches...

doofdaddy

I'm a Jung man myself.

He goes much deeper than the warrior path.

Answered my questions

Andy

Confession

I'm surprised I haven't heard of Castaneda. But from the cursory glances I gave to the material you linked us to, I'm a bit intrigued. I'll check this out more. Then I'll let you know what I think.

JamesThomas

Hello Chick.

It's been thirty years since I read any of Castaneda. I remember being intrigued, but also frustrated from what I felt was a too complex rendering of guidance for my simple mind.

You may find interesting Eckhart Tolle's book: The Power of Now. In a very clear and simple way he helps direct our attention into the present moment, that a vaster Reality be realized; which is what Castaneda's books were about as well.

Good luck to you; and no you do not sound crazy.

j

daystar

I have not read any of this work. However, I have not heard much positive about it.