I question his characterization of Castaneda as brilliant and charismatic. I knew someone who knew Castaneda personally and described him as quiet, private, kind of stiff, and suit and tie straight.
Interesting article covers a lot of ground and yes if ultimately if not connected to real indigenous people than should be re-categorized as fiction yet still somehow at the same time inspired people to question the consensus of what is reality which inspired many a people's personal quest for meaning and didn't require anybody to join or pledge themselves to so ultimately had some good effects besides the negatives you point out.
I read these and I also sold them as a book distributor but I never thought for one millisecond that they were real and I didn't realize that anybody else did either
Wow. I had no idea. I loved these books as a young person seeking knowledge of the world. It’s crazy to find this out now. I always wondered what happened to him.
My grandfather was one of those academics who pulled away from Carlos. They were good friends, but Grandpa knew Carlos had merely written novels—little to no research. Grandpa was the leading academic authority on Mexico, and he knew the Yaqui Indians well. That’s how he knew Carlos was making shit up. He knew Don Juan did not exist among the Yaqui.
I was one of those who had Castaneda's book in my college dorm room. I had no idea of these later developments. What terrifies me is what is coming out from the erudite quantum theoretical field based on their findings: space/time is no longer considered fundamental; quantum theory itself is being considered outmoded; there is no irreducible reality beyond consciousness. Fine, for those of us who are not caught by hucksters and conmen into positing that "they" know how to change/channel reality to your choosing. I sadly believe there will be a looming pandemic of cults.
I question his characterization of Castaneda as brilliant and charismatic. I knew someone who knew Castaneda personally and described him as quiet, private, kind of stiff, and suit and tie straight.
Interesting article covers a lot of ground and yes if ultimately if not connected to real indigenous people than should be re-categorized as fiction yet still somehow at the same time inspired people to question the consensus of what is reality which inspired many a people's personal quest for meaning and didn't require anybody to join or pledge themselves to so ultimately had some good effects besides the negatives you point out.
I read these and I also sold them as a book distributor but I never thought for one millisecond that they were real and I didn't realize that anybody else did either
Wow. I had no idea. I loved these books as a young person seeking knowledge of the world. It’s crazy to find this out now. I always wondered what happened to him.
My grandfather was one of those academics who pulled away from Carlos. They were good friends, but Grandpa knew Carlos had merely written novels—little to no research. Grandpa was the leading academic authority on Mexico, and he knew the Yaqui Indians well. That’s how he knew Carlos was making shit up. He knew Don Juan did not exist among the Yaqui.
Amazing I didn’t know until now
I was one of those who had Castaneda's book in my college dorm room. I had no idea of these later developments. What terrifies me is what is coming out from the erudite quantum theoretical field based on their findings: space/time is no longer considered fundamental; quantum theory itself is being considered outmoded; there is no irreducible reality beyond consciousness. Fine, for those of us who are not caught by hucksters and conmen into positing that "they" know how to change/channel reality to your choosing. I sadly believe there will be a looming pandemic of cults.