I got all the books and I am going to make it my goal/mission this year to dwelve into Castañeda's work(s) and understand it so that I can apply it to my life.
I came across Castañeda's work(s) indirectly from Reality Transurfing by Vadim Zeland. As I was trying to find out how he got his advanced knowledge of reality (in hindsight Reality Transurfing has helped my life for the better so I am thankful to Carlos).
I want to know if there is any specific order of reading the books that any of you recommend from personal opinions and/or if I should skip some books and/or chapters as well.
In hindsight, I have so many questions about Castañeda as this is all honestly confusion and it's extremely challenging for me to understand. I am an Engineer and I am extremely analytical and logic-driven, which is why Reality Transurfing clicked so naturally for me. I have recently discovered that you guys use different terms for the same things I already know (e.g. Lucid Dreaming is double-dreaming, etc.).
But I don't want to come on this subreddit and ask the same question(s) five different ways. Even I would get annoyed with myself doing that.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/castaneda/comments/e4ah20/which_order_should_i_read_the_castaneda_books_in/
https://www.reddit.com/r/castaneda/comments/enudl5/is_there_a_particular_order_to_castanedas_books/
https://www.reddit.com/r/castaneda/comments/islach/i_am_going_to_read_all_of_carlos_books_in_order_i/
Stick to the books in this list. You won't be doing yourself any favors, in the beginning, by even touching other directly related author's books.
https://www.reddit.com/r/castaneda/wiki/booklist
Fuck me! I swear I thought I went over the damn wiki, so as not to ask a question that has been repeated enough times, damn ADHD. Thank you.
My recommendation
Start with Journey to ixtlan
Yes, but that should be book number two. The first one would be teachings of Don Juan.
Journey to ixtlan can be consider book number on even though its book no. 3
Cralos Castaneda after understanding a few more things wrote Journey to ixtlan as book number
thia is my recommendation
Took me a while to equates things to what I knew already. And some things just dont translate. You kind of switch your mind eventually to looking at reality differently.
I seem to remember in one of his books, or maybe one of the womens books, they commented on reading books, and that there is no requirement to read them in any order or even complete them
I would say that you would miss A LOT, and you perception of the teaching would be ,well, hard to understand. It's in a way believing in different religions, but you don't care to take the time and effort to read and understand. And when the time comes for you to experience "strange" things, you will stand naked and VERY afraid.
sure, its not saying you should do that. the problem, if it is a problem, is that for me the castaneda books were so compelling I would read them all the way through without stopping for sleep or food. but if you find some book boring just stop and move on
AGREE🙏
Any other books like CC you would recommend?
Florinda Donner and Taisha Abelar
Read them,,,,of course😊
I had never heard of Castaneda. Someone gave me Eagles Gift out of the blue. I read the entire thing, it made complete and total sense. Neck shivers and a primal cry at the end. Eagles Gift was all I had read and I was like ‘oh, that’s what it is, it had been verbalised on the page, where it had not been verbalised for me before, anywhere else’.
It was my first book too😊. But after that I started with Teaching's of Don Juan, and reading them as they was ment to, from the first to the last, around 5 times. Took notes of Don Juan's teaching, just to make it "more pure" or in a way, more understandable for me. There is a guy who did this EXCELLENT, and I printed out ALL his sites, just to get them gathered. If you wanted to find his site, I'll do that for you all. Maybe someone already knows it and can put the link up here?
I’d love to look over those links if you find them
https://www.prismagems.com/castaneda/donjuanAtoE.html
Enjoy. Here's taken out from all he's books the most of the teachings Don Juan told Carlos. A great work indeed.
Archived:
https://web.archive.org/web/20220507170248/https://www.prismagems.com/castaneda/donjuanAtoE.html
Thanks so much !
I went by the dates they were published and it tells a somewhat sequential story, at least up to when they start doing the compilation books and such. The way I found the next book was usually in the paperback edition released after all the books came out, there would be a list either in the back or the front of the books. Some of the editions seem to have them in 'order' and others just kind of throw them in willy-nilly, so I think it's up to you to choose how you want to discover the material.
That was my initial thought(s), I just didn't know if Carlos pulled a George Lucas with his books.
I think it is a MUST reading it from start, with the his first book, then follow up with the next until the last. It will do something with you, and I think it's the only way. Then you can read "The Sorcerers Crossing by Taisha Abelar" and "The Witches Dream by Donner-Grau Florinda. And maybe read some of Ken Eagle Feather, like The Toltec Path. I haven't read anything from him, still, but I've lost counting on Carlos Castaneda
I can promise you, hopefully, that you're in for a treat, something life changing. But don't give into fear, keep on reading, your body will understand. 😉🙏❤️🤝
That was my original plan to read from start (first publication) to finish (last publication). I just wasn't sure if he was one of those guys who pulled a George Lucas.
Oh'no, far from. This is like a pussle, where his remembering and learning comes to him when he's ready. It's like reading something or listening to a song and its lyrics. Sometimes you don't get it before much later. And often, the understanding is easier than you thought. Especially when it's about a hero, a favorite star, we thin often, no, it can't be that simple, but most part it is. But this isn't simple stuff, it is scary, and you will know, and you also want to read and read.
From some of what I read, the Tolmec shamanism seems similar to Palo from the Congo.
Interesting. This is what it's all about, finding similarities in other tribes around the world, even in religion. It's then you start getting a picture of the truth and the way you have chosen. The most important is that your way has a heart, that you feel comfortable and excited walking it and that it gives you energy, NOT take from you energy. With your intent, you can even find a teacher, or whatever you want, what you truly intent with your heart. But it's also important to save energy, to live an easy life
That will help you to gather energy for understanding, doing things that's nesecery. Sometimes you have to let go of things that empty you from energy,, that's stopping you from doing what's needed. In most cases, you have to leave your family and friends, starting new. And I can promise you, it will be a release. I used so many years acomplising that since I was very attracted to my family, but in the end, we dragged each other down. So, if you feel something is wrong, it usually is.
In all honesty I am assuming since I don't know the exact intricacies of Palo. Just like Tolmec it's passed down from teacher to apprentice and its practices guarded secret.
When I was 8 years old, I was having an asthma attack. The most deadly that I have ever had at the point in my life, and at death's doorsteps. I was with my parents and we were at a friends house. This friend was a well taught and practiced Palero, he had learned & practice under various teachers in various countries across continents (Cuba, Brazil, Congo, etc.).
That Shaman saved my life, I have no idea as I vaguely remember it. All I remember is he gave me chalk and had me draw some diagrams/symbols on the driveway. He drew lines too and then I would follow by drawing opposing ones. Within a minute, my asthma attack subsided.
A palero saved my life at 8 years old, and another Palero (no relation) almost killed me at 24. My old neighbor's friend whom is a Palero put a curse, unbeknowst to me, right before I moved out of state. He did it so that I would be forced to go to his friend's Botanica (which is my old neighbor). For about 1.5 years my life went to shit, I was burden with paranoi, waking up at 1-2am to look out my window thinking someone is coming to kill me, I came really close to suicide, failed my college classes. I would try to lay my head on the pillow to sleep and would hear voices in agony screaming.
It wasn't till I came across a Babalawo (they're African witch doctors originating from Nigeria and not the Congo). Did a divination on me and based on what he said (which he shouldn't know, unless he can actually do divination) I discovered what happened and I got the curse lifted. But the after effects of having my life fucked for 1.5 years was felt for many years after.
I want something, a system or practice that can help me against such shit, should it arise in the future.
Well, it seems to me that your path is already chosen and that hopefully you will find a teacher or in fact, a teacher will find you. The only practice I can allow myself to recommend you, is Mindfulness. Read about it, find books that are truly respected and recommended. Maybe you find a group in your area who teaches or practice Mindfulness 1 or 2 times a week?
It's not only a way to learn focusing and to see all your thoughts come and go. With practice, you can learn to let go of anything. First of all to see you as you are without turning away, but with letting it come and go, then get you focus back on breading or other methods. In a way, it's a way to see your ego, accepting it and let go. As with all magic and spells, you destroy them by knowing their name, its energy, and with that, letting it go. But this is the only advice I can give you, and it is a very good teaching, learning and knowledge to take with you. In one ore another form, all Brujas, Shamans, Sorcerers do practice Mindfulness. And it is very important to clean ourself, forgive ourselves in different ways. Finding a stranger and just talk about all you need to emty yourself, and just go/leave. You doubtly ever see him again anyway.😊 As some of the Christians have their confession cage, you will see when reading Carlos Castaneda, that they also build a small cage for 1 person, you. Where you will re-capitulate your hole history, all the way back as long it goes. But walking long distance is of importance since memories are in your muscles, especially in your legs. Therefore Pilgrimage is such an important act. But that's another story. I hope your intent will lead you to someone who can help you with protecting yourself against spells and such foolish things. I'm pretty sure you will make it and that you will reach pretty far on becoming a man of knowledge. But as you know, you are living with death breathing down your neck all time. And with that in mind, you should be able to push away and leave all that is nonsense.
Oh, and I just been reading about Palo, a religion originated from Cuba, and where contact and controlling spirits is their main power. But as with all religions and Tribe beliefs, there are some few, if today at all in some, exits true men of knowledge, that are true seers and really doesn't care about power. No, they have passed the ego and the hunt and search for power and now walk the way of freedom. There's nothing in the world and beyond that can hurt them or at least scare them. But I never met someone like that, only heard tails. And like that you should see all books and stories, like a tail. Take it with you, but don't get caught up in it. Sometimes you can see and understand the meaning, since you have experienced it yourself. And that's the way to follow, your own experience. But listen and take notice, learn and see.
Palo did not originate in Cuba, per se. It originated in the Congo area of Africa and brought over by slaves. It is also heavily practiced in Mexico, under the name Palo Mayombe and in other parts of Latin America.
Thanks for correcting me. I just took a very short look in Wikipedia.
This is a very cool conversation gentleman. It’s remarkable how you had experience with all of these paths. I’ve studied the African systems as well and they too hold many similarities to Castaneda, although they don’t tend to be as scientific from what I’ve seen. No doubt, very powerful though…
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There's also a way that goes with recapitulasion and cleaning/knowing yourself, that is of most importancy, stalking yourself. Like stalking an animal as a hunter, you will know its habits, where it goes, how it acts and everything about it. To know yourself, you have to stalk yourself. But I'm not sure if it's a good idea starting without a teacher? Stalking is very powerful, but needed such as dreaming and controlling it, but that's also another story. 😊
reading without exercise will not produce a lot of magic tbh
and other "toltec" writings will just get in the way
my advice is to read a book, and start immediately. either from forum advice or take a book practice and do it for months
you are not trying to learn anything while reading, else world would be full of sorcerers
you are trying to lean in to the intention behind the knowledge, and the way to do it is to shut off your internal dialogue, reclaim your lost energy and move that Assemblage Point (read in the wiki if you don't know what it is)
In your words, how would you best define intention ? Cause it sounds to me like he is meaning consciousness.
check out gamer section in wiki, you will find alternate description
But I'm looking forward for you to start reading Carlos Castaneda. 😊
And you should continue on without reading Ken's books. And even knowing that telling someone not to read something, will possibly prompt them to read it just because, I'll still recommend to give his books a hard pass. His will NOT help you learn actual sorcery.
But if that isn't of interest to you, then go ahead.
So I did a search on the forum for Adderall and nothing came up. I am currently prescribed Adderall for my insane ADHD. Is there any input/advice on whether silence is possible regardless of psyco-medications, being taken/prescribed?
We don't know enough, because we haven't had a large enough mass of people working on silence (instead of debating who is the bigger warrior) over the past 25 years.
The efforts of those in this sub are pioneering, on multiple levels. So you should consider yourself one of those pioneers...and set your mood accordingly.
I feel honored, seriously.
I tried an Eaglefeather book years ago when I’d already burned through all Castaneda’s books (that were available at that point) and the witch’s books as well. I just had to have more, you know? Unfortunately I couldn’t finish it. It felt dead after the Castaneda books. No magic. Only mind. Never went back to that (Eaglefeather). Yesterday I came across a book from this guy, Robert ‘Abelar’? I read a little and it was sort of fun but idk, he’s no Carlos Castaneda, that’s for sure, although I get the persistent idea that he’s copying his style and characters. It’s rather annoying. Do we know who this guy is?
Looks like he’s already listed in the me too nagual’s section:
https://www.reddit.com/r/castaneda/wiki/additional_resources/biblio/me_too_naguals
Oh. Thank you! He was a new one to me. I’ve stumbled over many of the others y’all have listed. How cheeky to steal the Abelar name. I guess he might as well though, since he’s trying to steal Carlos’ style while he’s at it. Unfortunately for him, the books were dreamt, and that cannot be copied.
You have so much right. It's NOT recommended to READ his books. His NOT on the same level. I SEE that now after reading one of his books. I am NOT a teacher, amd i went out of my line, my true way.Thankyou 🙏
Published date, and then go back and read them again. The one that I enjoyed most was Journey To Ixtlan.
I originally read Casteneda many years ago for the psychotropic plant references, but Journey To Ixtlan is much more about the spiritual teaching, and far more important imo
You're saying you're an engineer, so you must have a very rational, mechanical way of thinking about reality. You're gonna have to leave it at the doors of you really wanna delve deep.
But it could be difficult because the chatter box explaining the reality as made of atoms and fields is very noisy and self-asserting. You may need to negotiate with it, so it can let you go for a minute to go explore other reality dimensions.
Castaneda essentially relies on an idealist (as opposed to materialist) view of reality, so it might make sense to check out idealism just to quell your rational mind's objections to potentially wasting a ton of your time on a "non-productive" activity (like darkroom gazing).
I had good experience with books by Bernardo Kastrup, at least as so far as to legitimize rationally the pursuit of results as described here. Getting over the idea that it's "only imagination" or "just in your head" could be a major barrier for someone with a "rational" mindset.
To be able to consider that current scientific paradigm is ultimately ignorant about the nature of reality, that idealist viewpoint is legitimate and may constitute a more accurate view of reality is liberating, scary, and also puts the onus of personal responsibility on you to seek answers about reality. It makes you into a real scientist, a true skeptic and a pioneer explorer of the unknown.
Your mind is an instrument and techniques described here are a technology to allow you to traverse and experiment with the fabric of mental reality. And when I say "mental reality", I don't mean to say "your mental reality". I'm saying that the reality is mental, and the way to interact with it directly is through mentation.
There was a quote somewhere in Castaneda that tonal (normal thinking) needs to be reinforced with reasons, while nagual (altered states) need to be reinforced with actions. So practice silence/darkroom to achieve interesting experiences and have a good narrative for your daily mind to legitimize the time spent seeking those experiences.
from the start
then read them again
then you can start reading ones writing by his group of whiches Carol, and the other which I forget her name
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