Not trying to bring up negative things, but what are your opinions about Carlos in his later years? The accusations that his works were fiction and his cult leader status? (Watched a few documeteries about it)
I like the books and I am interested in the subject matter. I am just curiouse as to what others thought about the events at the end of his life?
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His writings are a beautiful piece of art in the highest form. I am pushing 60 and started reading Castaneda at age 13. To this day, a particular passage will finally sink in, and I realize something new.
I find it best not to be too concerned in how art or sausages are made. Just appreciate what has been piled onto your plate.
I was always intrigued by the "cult" moniker. Instead of gathering followers, like every other cult, Carlos deliberately eschewed them. The behavior of his inner circle seems bizarre, but when you read the books, he discusses this behavior. As to whether or not Don Juan existed, what difference does it make? The only question is if the information works.
I can't remember the name of one of the last books, one that's more a series of excerpts from previous ones than a full book in itself. But in that one if I recall correctly there was something along the lines of humankind being enslaved by some sort of beings, really out of sync with previous books I felt. My conclusion was he may have got caught up in some way himself with inorganic beings and couldn't respond with heart (liver cancer purportedly took him). A counterargument is this may just be how he wished to paint it to the outside world. If he truly had broken through, he had no need or use for our approval or respect.
Edit: It's from The Active Side of Infinity, full excerpt here. "We have a predator that came from the depths of the cosmos and took over the rule of our lives. Human beings are its prisoners."
A wise teacher said, "We are all a blend of light and dark, and that is a beautiful thing." Carlos was a flawed man, yet he created something beautiful. I am reminded of Led Zeppelin, who were famous for their debauchery yet produced what still remains my favorite song, 47 years later. Somehow, they tapped into a transcendent inspiration.
I always found the controversial story of his alleged son claiming Carlos was his biological father and that his father was murdered to be very intriguing.
Castaneda himself said many times that basically you must fake what other people think you are.
The most rational explanation is that he just disappeared and staged his death perfectly, including fooling poor Ms Wallace.