Castaneda

[BohmaN]

Hey, I'm looking for some Castaneda-books to read, but what I'm wondering is: which one should I read first. Does it matter? If not I'd like to read the one that is least abstract first. Thanks

[The Cusp]

If you have the option, you might as well start with the first one, and read them in order if only for the story element. But other than that, it's not super important to read them in order. Although The Art of Dreaming may seem a little far out if you haven't read the preceding books first Most of the books just repeat the same stuff endlessly, (Inner silence, lose self importance) but you can never have too many reminders for those. It's really the most basic part if you want to experience anything yourself. Keep in mind Castaneda was pretty stubborn, and in the first books, he really has no idea what's going on.

[BohmaN]

I've read Art of Dreaming already and I agree with what you said about it. But I still think it was exciting and good. Please give me a concrete proposal of a book that I could start reading . I'm not sure yet if I wanna read all his books though.

[Man of Shred]

Tales of power is excellent

[Gwendolyn]

Journey to Ixtlan.

[Miskingo]

I have to say start with "Teachings of Don Juan."

[Sivason]

Yes, Teachings of Don Juan. That is the least abstract. It is an easy read with little to confuse. However the charector 'Carlos' does not learn much that you can use until Journey to Ixlan. Read them both.

[kenietz]

the first time i read Castaneda i have read all the books without order cos i was taking them from the town library. But this sort of made me to make some connections alone. Then i have read them again in order and it was like a different story. So much new info. And now when i read him for the 4th time is still a new story. Every time i see something new. Now i read "the fire from within". Cool stuff.

[dodobird]

Should I read Castaneda? The guy is very controversial, and I really hate to read bullshit. I mean, if he just made it all up, what is the value in it? I am not attacking Castaneda or his books. I really want to know what you think so I can decide if I want to read it.

[kenietz]

I suggest you take one or two books by Castaneda and read them. They are short so you wont "waste" too much time. And then you will know what to do with the rest of the books. But my opinion is it is worthy to read.

[Caradon]

Should I read Castaneda? The guy is very controversial, and I really hate to read bullshit. I mean, if he just made it all up, what is the value in it? I am not attacking Castaneda or his books. I really want to know what you think so I can decide if I want to read it. I read the art of dreaming. Though it was entertaining and held my attention. I found his Ideas to be quite Bullshit! I threw the book in the garbage eventually. I don't intend to ever read anything else by him. Sorry if this offends anyone who likes the guy. It was not my intention to offend.

[The Cusp]

Should I read Castaneda? The guy is very controversial, and I really hate to read bullshit. I mean, if he just made it all up, what is the value in it? I am not attacking Castaneda or his books. I really want to know what you think so I can decide if I want to read it. Even if he did make it up, the ideas and concepts themselves still have value. Those books have been invaluable in helping me understand other conepts I've come across later. For instance, it makes a great introduction to Theosophy, which I never would have been able to grasp without reading Castaneda's books first. There's not a single one of his "ideas" that are original by the way, and many religions practice inner silence and losing self importance. If it was made up, then it's even more brilliant for conveying these ideas to the western world in a package they could digest. Like it or not, these books have had a huge impact on the way people think. Anyone else ever find any books of a similar nature that were anywhere near as good? The only one I can think of is The Elegant Universe, which is about Super String theory and stuff, but left an equally strong impact. Makes Castaneda's stuff seem pretty tame by comparison. And a very easy read as well.

[Caradon]

There's not a single one of his "ideas" that are original by the way, and many religions practice inner silence and losing self importance. If it was made up, then it's even more brilliant for conveying these ideas to the western world in a package they could digest. Like it or not, these books have had a huge impact on the way people think. These are not the kind of ideas I was implying cusp. I'm totally into that kind of thing. There were some things in there, that were definitely from him. And I really did not agree with at all. But I don't want to get into a conflict over it with you, Because I like you. and it's really not a big deal.

[polmc]

I don't think he made it up. And for all of those who don't believe in what he says (about dreams for instance), if you just believe dreams are something psychologic related to one's brain, then I think you quite underestimate the power of dreams and what they can really become. For instance, I know of real life people who have had shared dreams (just with this you can refute the scientific vision of LDs), or what can you say of the dreams in which you experience what you'll live next day in real life? You have to understand we can never really acknowledge reality directly and absolutely, so anything we say is kind of a metaphor, as so is the scientific vision, religion myths, or the ancient mexican indian's culture (Castaneda). But of all, Castaneda's vision is the one I've found most valuable and the one which explains the experiences I've had during my life most accurately. So try not to close your mind before actually giving it a try. It's not a matter of believing in it or not, it's not a matter of having faith in some teachings of someone you don't know. IT IS a matter of living those things by yourself, and then deciding which is the explanation you think it fits best.

[1342576]

IT IS a matter of living those things by yourself, and then deciding which is the explanation you think it fits best. You just convinced me to order one of his books.

[Man of Shred]

The best way to go about the books is : suspend your judgement. If you are purely critic.you well never learn any of the valuable lessons woven deeply within his his books. If you are a fanatic, you will be in danger of losing your mind (like i once did). so the best way to go about it is neither believe it nor disbelieve it. Such is the warriors way.

[jamous]

read the first three, they aren't too heavy or far out, just really intriguing AND fun to read. I didn't like the few of the later ones that I read, because it was just way too alien to me. BUT IT IS ESSENTIAL YOU READ THE FIRST 3. They are brilliant pieces of literature, and invaluable in the "new age" field. Keep in mind Castaneda was pretty stubborn, and in the first books, he really has no idea what's going on. well, I sort of think he was basically a brilliant writer well versed in mexican folklore. He just wrote it from the perspective of a naive "westerner" for the effect he had on readers like you. But he did stick to his story for like 30 years and was very deeply involved in that realm in his later books, so who knows? Plus he was totally impeccable in his consistancy of the lessons and knowledge of Don Juan. Compellingly so. So who knows? Ranma, has a good point about that [see last quote] I read the art of dreaming. Though it was entertaining and held my attention. I found his Ideas to be quite Bullshit! I threw the book in the garbage eventually. I don't intend to ever read anything else by him. Sorry if this offends anyone who likes the guy. It was not my intention to offend. definitely don't start with the art of dreaming. But trust me from the bottom of my heart read the first three. They hold layers and layers of practical wisdom. I don't think he made it up. And for all of those who don't believe in what he says (about dreams for instance), if you just believe dreams are something psychologic related to one's brain, then I think you quite underestimate the power of dreams and what they can really become. For instance, I know of real life people who have had shared dreams (just with this you can refute the scientific vision of LDs), or what can you say of the dreams in which you experience what you'll live next day in real life? You have to understand we can never really acknowledge reality directly and absolutely, so anything we say is kind of a metaphor, as so is the scientific vision, religion myths, or the ancient mexican indian's culture (Castaneda). But of all, Castaneda's vision is the one I've found most valuable and the one which explains the experiences I've had during my life most accurately. So try not to close your mind before actually giving it a try. It's not a matter of believing in it or not, it's not a matter of having faith in some teachings of someone you don't know. IT IS a matter of living those things by yourself, and then deciding which is the explanation you think it fits best. Exactly the way I feel, especially the last part. The best way to go about the books is : suspend your judgement. If you are purely critic.you well never learn any of the valuable lessons woven deeply within his his books. If you are a fanatic, you will be in danger of losing your mind (like i once did). so the best way to go about it is neither believe it nor disbelieve it. Such is the warriors way. Caradon: ^^^^

[jamous]

sorry for the quoting field day guys D: I just have some strong opinions about the books, but you guys pretty much said it all already

[jamous]

Topic! Be revived!