However, very rarely, we end up stumbling on a piece of writing that touches us to the very core, challenging our perceptions of the world and making us rethink about what is in front of our very eyes. For me, The Teachings of Don Juan by Carlos Castaneda is such a book.
Before discussing the book in itself though, I feel the need to address the criticism aimed at Castaneda, with many claiming that his accounts are nothing but pure fiction.
First off, there is no conclusive evidence that it was all a lie; there are conjectures about and pieces of information from his books which can be developed into the conclusions one wants, but once again, no definitive evidence exists.
Second of all, I believe there is far too much focus on whether or not Castaneda’s accounts took place; the ideas, beliefs and conclusions that can be taken away from them are far more important.
After all, even works of pure fiction can easily hold ideas pertaining to the real world, ideas that make us think about real life.
Finally, I think that the furious knee-jerk rejection some people exhibit upon hearing Castaneda’s name is due to a number of things, but most importantly, the reader’s expectations and the limits of language.
The experiences described in this book are truly otherworldly and pertain very little to the reality you and I have been taught to live in; to describe them as they truly were would be impossible, and their interpretation rests on the individual. One must truly have an open mind to benefit from reading this book.
In any case, The Teachings of Don Juan follows the author, Castaneda, as he undertakes a quest to learn more about the Peyote plant, a highly hallucinogenic cactus. His search begins with his introduction to a Yaqui shaman, Don Juan, who ends up taking Carlos under his wing as his apprentice.
The book presents multiple accounts of events which took place over the course of the many years Don Juan and Castaneda spent together, and most of them either describe concrete experiences or present to us philosophies.
Once again, there is debate over whether or not these things happened, but I would urge readers to focus on the ideas themselves rather the fiction vs. non-fiction debate.
All in all, it would probably take me multiple essays to fully discuss the teachings in the book and my impressions of it, but I will do the best I can with the little space I have. Most of the teachings deal with the subject of one’s reality, manipulating fate, and becoming a “man of knowledge”.
In this first book it feels as if Don Juan is introducing Carlos to his reality, plunging him into it on numerous occasions head-first. The lessons learned here certainly carry a lot of weight, even if the whole thing is fictionalized; if one takes them to heart, it will certainly set him or her on a different path than they are now.
It is very complicated to convey what the book teaches in its entirety, especially seeing as how it is only the first one.
However, to benefit from these teachings, it is of utmost importance that you clear your mind (or at least suspend) of any preconceived notions of what reality is, what is possible and what isn’t; the first step to attaining knowledge is allowing yourself to travel towards it.
 | Carlos Castaneda(December 25, 1925 – April 27, 1998)Personal site Carlos Castaneda was a Peruvian-American anthropologist and author who achieved a cult icon status upon releasing the series of books starting with The Teachings of Don Juan. Though much criticism has been thrown his way in regards to the authenticity of his accounts, the ideas he presented this world with hold spiritual and intellectual weight, regardless of their nature. |
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