Customer Reviews

A Separate Reality: Further Conversations with Don Juan

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This book is the sequel to the first book "The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge" and is just as meaningful and profound. The idea of spirituality under the Yaqui Indian paradigm, like other esoteric perceptions, conveys a non-ordinary reality where rationalizations and human explanations act as superficiality.

"Once a man learns how to "see" he finds himself alone in the world with nothing but folly." p. 81 Anotherwards, all the world is a stage and everything we do are roles we act. We don't leave the world as a hermit because we don't willfully abandon ourselves, but instead we recognize the superficial roles we are required to play as human beings and in turn, rest in our silent self, the silent observer who "sees" this world as a series of necessary folly and superficiality and learns to to limit mental chatter, thinking and rationalizing and to start listening.

This book reminds me of Timothy Leary's explanation of reimprinting. Each time one "trips," he takes a trip beyond static reality to the dynamic flow and each time he returns he takes an additional snapshot and reimprints as a baby does when born. Each imprint is added to the previous imprints, as well as reinterpreting former imprints. And so, when Don Juan uses the power of suggestions with Carlos Castaneda and consensus is agreed, the dynamic affect under hallucinogens conform to such ideas which are compounded during the reimprinting stages back to normal reality. And so, peyote consists of an entity called Mescalito and magic mushroom smoke produces encounters with allies.

In turn, as with many Eastern mediators, the awareness grows of the silent observer self beyond the superficial ego self we are required to live through as human beings. We see the folly of human existence and become detached while simultaneously maintaining our lives active in this world, not in inertia, but with the paradox of "seeing" our real silent witness selves and using our superficial roles with more artistic and less attachment.

One learns to act like a warrior by acting, not by talking." p 144 "If a man sees he doesn't have to live like a warrior, or like anything else, for he can see things as they really are and direct his life accordingly." p 149 "Seeing dispelled the illusion of victory, or defeat, or suffering." p. 138 "Nothing of what I had done in my lie was really worthy of that last ultimate emphasis so I had nothing to think about. That was an exquisite realization." p. 243"Worry and think before you make a decision, but once you make it, be on your way free from worries or thoughts . . that's the warrior way." p. 47 Don Juan teaches learning how not to think, silencing the mind and learning to listen.

I also enjoyed how Don Juan considered much of the Tibetan Book of The Dead as "crap." And yet, one can say the same thing about his Yaqui Indian Sorcerer interpretation of non-ordinary reality. Yet both paradigms, Tibetan and Yaqui acknowledge the silent observer, the mental chatter, and the need to listen without fear in reality of clarity beyond mental conceptions.

I read this book a month ago never having read Castaneda in my 44 years. I have practiced aikido for fifteen years and zazen for four and find that this is a precious introduction to the spiritual way. The way of the spirit inseparable from the body. Whether or not the events are fiction is of the utmost unimportance. Don Juan's words are profound and true to us and to our daily lives. Castaneda's denseness is a delight and it is only his inborn talent and perseverance that enable him to overcome his academic reserve.

One of Carlos Castenada's best writings. An absolute classic. Reading this book is like participating in Castenada's experiences first hand. His descriptive writing and narration couldn't have been better. If you're looking for a universally philosophical book, this is a must. Castaneda dives in and out of Don Juan's teachings, giving the audience a taste of Yaqui tradition and knowledge. It's a definite eye opener for those who are able to piece Don Juan's "thematic puzzles" together. But, some may have trouble comprehending what may seem like B.S. throughout the story. There may also be some confusion in pieces of the book if you haven't read the prerequisite (Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge). Don't hesitate to check this book out. It's incredibly powerful.

Castaneda's books are pure poetry. As with any experience not our own, I would encourage the reader to enter and explore the tale as one would slip slowly into a deep pool. Wonder at the possibilities that it contains, even if you are, like me, confined to the limits of "ordinary reality."

No book on true spirituality is a how-to manual. Only by slipping into the cool silence of Castaneda's story can one hope to touch the wisdom which flows through it. For those out there looking for confirmation, this book is worth reading. For those bent on analyzing and questioning, learn to accept your own perpetual state of disbelief.

I admire Carlos Castaneda for his courage, perseverance and devotion to attain deep spiritual wisdom and knowledge. He deserves a generous "thank you" for traveling deep into the Mexican wilderness to bring us a documented account of the secret spiritual tradition of the Yaqui Indian that produces men of intense spirit, profound character and impressive psychological powers. Castaneda, who throughout the book seems to be very earthly and rational, makes a tremendous effort to explore a realm of existence that goes well beyond his comfort zone. I have not read its precursor The Teachings of Don Juan... but I was still able to understand and enjoy this sequel.

It is a relly fantastic book. It gives you the oppotunity to see the world around you in a different poin of view, and I'm glad that he wanted to share his experience no matter what anybody said to him about his unusual apprenticeship. It is very rare that an ordinary person could met such a man with fine experiences of life and be able to have him within forever no matter of death or destinity, and therefore I admire him, and all of us who didn't had the opportunity as he did will learn and enjoy by all of his books. Sincerly, Yamithliz Rivas San Juan, P.R.

Unless you are a die hard christian who could not ever consider any other possibilities for life except the one in the Bible then this is for you. I loved it you will too.

This is my second review of Carlos's books. With my other review of `The teachings of Don Juan' I look directly at the whole question of wether Carlos was a fraud and thus should his books be classified as fiction. There is a question in my mind regarding connecting with the force that controls the entire universe i.e. "intent" and with the different channels (dimensions of reality) that are available to us that Carlos mentions.

The 5th dimension - astral world?: I highly loved reading and recommend all the books of Robert Monroe. Robert's books deal with astral projection. I mention Robert Monroe's books in that the works of Carlos Castaneda have for me that similar feeling as Robert Monroe's books. I'm thinking either Carlos's works are a fabrication or else this is a collection of experiences of an physica/astral nature connected with sorcery? The definition of sorcery here as stated by Don Juan. (Since writing the above many months ago, I have met one individual that states that he met Carlos in the Astral world and I talked to another individual who knew another person that said they met and was helped by Don Juan (?); The plot thickens.)

This second book is fascinating. Essentially it deals with Don Juan trying to teach Carlos to `see' (to see the `"non-ordinary reality"). Don Juan gives Carlos the specific exercises to be able to `see'. From memory, these exercises deal with phase shifting both eyes and seeing the non-ordinary reality in the gaps. I'd be interested in knowing if any of Carlos's disciples (or anyone else for that matter) has had results with this or any other of Carlos Castaneda's practices? Don Juan also goes into becoming a warrior. A man of Knowledge lives by acting and not thinking about acting. He lives by his heart and lives with the realization of his immanent imposing death.

In one sense I don't mind reading Carlos's books. For me the spiritual world is a given. Reading Carlos's books in a way seems to open the mind to the potential of the non-ordinary reality. I really believe that this can help in one's spiritual processes.

The beginning of this book gives us the interaction with Don Juan, Carlos Castaneda and friends of Don Juan. Here we discover these locals unbelieving as to the ways of the shaman and the ways of a `man of knowledge'. Interesting in that this is what you would perhaps expect in this so called modern age. Fascinating to find a review for Carlos's books from a reviewer that states that he is a Yaqui Indian. This reviewer states that Carlos's books are true to the Yaqui way of life. Interesting in that the movie `Carlos Castaneda and The Shaman: Tales from the Jungle' has an anthropologist saying that the Yaqui Indians do not agree with the Yaqui way of life in the Carlos Castaneda books. I notice that there are other books available regarding the Yaqui way of life. Potentially, these books are a source of information to settle the question. I also enjoyed the interaction with Don Genaro in this book, a friend of Don Juan and another `man of knowledge'. On the surface a cruel toying of magic feats towards Carlos, but on another level, what better method to shock the senses as to the potential of a `non-ordinary' or `separate' reality'?

All in all an enjoyable book to read. A work of fiction? Perhaps. At present I'm reading the 3rd of Carlos's books `Journey to Ixtlan'. I can see one of the reasons why people re-read Carlos's books; hard to remember specific details in each of the books. Perhaps the mere reading of Carlos's books facilitates the unfolding of mind as to a truer reality; Also, imagination a higher form of thought than the intellect. Don't believe me? Consider Albert Einstein.

For those with the ability to see beyond what is normal, these books open a vary interesting door. I say good work Carlos, a collection well worth owning.

Not my favorite of his books but still worth reading it. Mentions many of the discussed topics to follow as Castaneda takes you further on the journey of self-discovery. It opens up a new field as he reaches out with this book. Strays away further from the beaten path of hallucinigens and all and starts to elucidate on the subject matter on hand - sorcery. Be careful, not for the faint of heart.