Customer Reviews

Creative Victory: Reflections on the Process of Power from the Collected Works of Carlos Castaneda

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I want to offer a quick defense of this book--of course it's not Castenada or Don Juan, but it doesn't propose to be. The author does exactly as the title suggests.

Now, being a person who has read the other books, studied many different traditions of "power", I think I am not alone in saying that I have found myself to be entirely alone on my path. There simply is no language--especially that of another person--to describe power; nor would I think to say what is and is NOT "Toltec Knowledge"--ya'll are quite funny, actually! As if you know! That isn't to say that the words to talk about our experiences should not be attempted--they absolutely must! Therein lies a paradox and the answer to power. The more I watch the mystery, the more I wish to give myself to it.

Therein, I felt this book was very worth my while. I would even like to thank the author for his own perseverance to the path, for given his clear style, I think it is obvious he's been tumbled by it enough times to have made a sense of it that doesn't claim to be an ANSWER. That's profound, and there are too few who have the courage to follow suit. Thank you!

Nitram

Since 1974 I've been (re)reading Castaneda. There's real stuff in there - stuff that, though hard to pull out, is there and available. I've been compelled to return to Cataneda's ( and the witches) works and Theun Mares' works and also the book by Tomas "Creative Victory". Miguel Ruiz has some good things to say for the novice who likes it warm and fuzzy. Victor Sanchez's latest on recapitulation I recommend because he states the truth in that I need to get off my [butt] and DO it! Eagle-Feather and Tunneshende I've never gone back to reread. Don't forget, if you want freedom you got to put the books down and act.

Creative Victory is more than inspirational, for those willing to sit with it -- it is a clear presentation of the essence of the Toltec tradtion, stripped of specialized knowledge, fearful and fascinated stories, and self importance. Tomas' language is different from "official" toltec lingo; it is an authentic outflowing of silent wisdom into words. Many of us who come to this work get hooked by the things we think this path will give us, instead of surrendering completely; this book is a precise guide to the precipice of surrender.

I purchased this book some time ago and had actually forgotten that it was in my library. But I am very glad that it found me! Although absent are the wonderful, mesmerizing, joyful and sometimes terrifying stories of don Juan and don Genaro from the Castaneda books --it is still a wonderful and informative read. Ruthless (absence of any self-pity for man) in its delivery, I would recommend it only to seasoned readers of Carlos Castaneda. And I would HIGHLY recommend it to any students of nagualsim, who have experienced personal second attention events. Thank you, don Tomas!

This is a great little book. I don't want to get involved in any debate about how closely it aligns with Castaneda, but it seems an excellent framework. As someone mentioned earlier, there are very few cogent manifestos for creating a life of intention. Clearly expressed, straightforward, simple.

Only second to the writings of Carlos Castaneda himself in terms of clarity and power. Perhaps most useful in demonstrating that the Toltec dialogue is not simply an idea, but a praxis to be embraced and used, and the possibility of following a path with heart. Inspiring.

I'm finding it hard to figure the best way to open this review. Tomas is one of the most, if not the most, impeccable warrior of the Toltec Path I have had the pleasure to read from in a long while.

Not much is known about this man, excepting what the publishers have cared to share, his other work, The Promise of Power: Reflections on the Toltec Warriors' Dialogue from the Collected Works of Carlos Castaneda, is a substantial bibliographic reference to the work of Castaneda, truly remarkable is an understatement because only somebody who immersed deeply within the work of Castaneda, so as to realize that Castaneda was but a vehicle to a purpose, could come up with such a thing.

Now here comes this book, Creative Victory, which an entirely different matter, this book here is indeed only for the learned in the Toltec ways. As you read it, it will go directly to your left side awareness, there is little here, if anything at all, that you will be able to digest using your right side awareness. Therefore it stands to reason that most people will prefer something more "clear", or more organized, and will wander elsewhere looking for more "accurate, informative, and useful sources of Toltec knowledge". Which is normal by the way, I want to empathize this again:

-->This book is not for everyone, this book is not for newcomers to the Toltec ways, you will barely find something here that you will be able to waste your life away rationalizing upon.<--

Ultimately, As I write this review, trying my best to pay a dim homage to a man who indeed is second only to Castaneda, I've come to realize that what is hard is not to speak about this book, what's hard is to find "justiceable" words to define what Tomas stands for. Together with his true to the path anonymity, comes this, quoting directly from the book:

"As with The Promise of Power, I intend for this work to stand as a payment to what the Toltecs call "the account of the spirit of man"

There you have it, it does not gets much more impeccable than this, instead of looking to fill his pockets, funding forprofit organizations, claiming the legacy of mankind for himself, coming with schemes to claim superiority over others, in other words, instead of looking spending his creative power to devise clever ways to fill his own bank account, he is looking to make a "payment" to The Spirit

I could name more than one author out there, writing about the Toltec path, preaching to be impeccable warriors, they all could learn a thing or two from this man, yet, naming them in this review would be a vastly unjustifiable act towards an impeccable warrior of the toltec path.

This is the work of a truly impeccable warrior of the Toltec path.

Need I say more?

For long time readers of Carlos Castaneda, it is no wonder how much mystery is involved in trying to understand something that the author claims cannot be understood. On the same note, as humans we cannot prevent ourselves from trying to comprehend the knowledge at hand, no matter how abstract it may seem. "Creative Victory" is a kind of book that flows and flows, and leaves very little trace but a deep furrow. The words of Tomas are a gentle yet powerful reminder to us, that the path of knowledge, surpisingly IS actually a path, but it is not in and of intself an ambition-driven affair, the drive comes from a desire for well-being and realization which are ever more distant for those of us who spend each moment in unrestful pondering (not you and me right?). Tomas urges us to consider that it is the "rest" that is crucial to the "warrior's" foundation on which he or she builds their beautiful Toltec dwelling of what he calls "power".
Craving power in the Toltec meaning of the word, is a desire that cannot be quenched by anything fake, but i also come to realize (little by little) that what the new seers call "power" has to do not only with seeing, which in itself is not the end, but only the understanding of energy and its works. How one uses that understanding remains largely a question of the warrior's personality, and is one of the hinges on which that unspeakable machine of freedom is rotating. The word "discipline" comes to mind, but there is even a better word coming from the Toltecs, and it is "impeccability". One can never go wrong measuring their spiritual topogaphy against impeccability.
Actually, someone as indulgent and undisciplined as me shouldn't even be allowed to write a review on such a book, but then who am I to judge my own impeccability or a lack of it, right?

This is a terrific book for anyone steeped in Toltec knowledge and practice. It would probabaly be incomprehensible to a neophyte. It is not the place to start. In fact it is so advanced that it is probably only for folks that don't need it. That's the paradox. But that's not to say that the folks who don't need it won't like it. It's wonderful to get somebody's take on Toltec knowledge who really understands it and can present it from a different angle, one that is both illuminating and entertaining.
I didn't learn anything I didn't know, but I did see it in a new light and from a new angle, and had a terrific time doing that.

there is a paradox here....to follow, or not to follow? to read, or to be still? maybe there was something here in its beginnings, but now the whispers in this book have merely joined the great roar of all the other religions, paths, doorways. there is nothing here, now it has been written, because now it can only be heard, and followed. Que pena.