h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am in the process of finishing reading the final book of Carlos Castaneda's collection (is it 9 or 10 books, I forget - anyway I'm reading 'Art of Dreaming' and his last one 'Active Side of Infinity'). When I first started on the collection, CC was still alive and I new nothing about the authenticity of the books, apart from a recurrent quote on the back covers stating Castaneda’s books to be remarkable works of art.

There is a (intentional) perceptual fog surrounding CC - there are many confusions and inconsistencies surround CC and his work. His teacher or teaching situations that he came to call Don Juan centred on sorcery and not shamanism as is implied today.

I would not dissuade anybody seeking 'a path' from reading Carlos Castaneda’s books anymore than I would dissuade someone learning Psychology from reading Freud or Yeung; these people have broken new ground in a profound manner - and their failings are remembered only by the pessimistic. As for putting Carlos Castaneda’s books to bed and quietly forgetting about them, I think you would have equal success with Freud and Yeung.

I wouldn't even dissuade someone from learning the physical exercises called 'Magical Passes' devised only a few years ago by CC and his colleagues. I would say that the magical passes have a strong element of martial arts in them - and they would complement a martial arts regime. I would tend to dissuade people for paying large sums of money to be taught theses exercises ~ Tai-Chi, Chi-Gong and Yoga for example have an established tradition and, if you look carefully, you can be taught by people who are expert and have been practising since childhood.

I think Carlos Castaneda's works have benefited me greatly, I accepted what CC was writing about, and regardless of origin I found I have benefited greatly from reading his books.

The important thing with Carlos Castaneda’s books is that you must separate the wheat from the chaff - I suppose Don Juan would say:

'Read the books as a warrior'
'Read the books impeccably'
'Read the words as if they were the last words you were going to read'

Depending on which book you read.

He certainly wouldn't have said something like

'Warm you cockles on that me, hearty'

Or even

'Remember you're a womble'

No, no he wouldn't; that's just getting silly now, isn't it....