Eleven Chances To Unravel The Mysteries of Life

The Carlos Castenada reading list...

I read the first book of this series in the early seventies, when it first came out. And I was hooked. I have read them all as soon as they were released, up until Magical Passes. Most I have read at least three times over the course of the intervening years. Journey to Ixtlan, Tales of Power, and Power of Silence I re-read once a year. And, every time I learn something new...

Describing these books is difficult. They are unlike any other books I have read. Reading Castenada is like learning by reading how he learned by doing, if that makes any sense.

They are a continuing story of the lessons of Don Juan Mateus, as written by his protege Carlos. Don Juan is/was a man of knowledge, or sorcerer... But this is not about 'sorcery' - it's about how to live your life as a warrior... How to be impeccable. How to see. How to dream. How to stop the internal dialog...

Castenada's books were my first introduction (way back in the 70's no less) to how important controlling your internal dialog is to creating your life as you want it to be. Living as a warrior - imparted by Don Juan to Carlos, and shared with the rest of us.

Lessons of ancient wisdom, brilliantly described in poignant detail by one who learned them firsthand. I can't recommend them highly enough...

	The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge Carlos Castenada was an anthropology graduate student when he meets Don Juan as part of the research for his thesis. This is the start of Castenada's path on the road to knowledge.
	A Separate Reality: Furthur Conversations With Don Juan The continuation of Carlos' apprenticeship under Don Juan. Lessons on how to live like a warrior.
	Journey To Ixtlan Lessons to increase personal power - like erasing personal history, losing self-importance... This one is probably my favorite... But, whatever you do, read these books in order - you'll get so much more out of them that way.
	Tales of Power This is the last in what I consider the 'first' set of the series. It starts with Don Juan in a suit, and it ends with Carlos being set 'on his own' in his quest for knowledge and power. It is the last time Don Juan and Don Genaro are with him. Probably the most poignant.
	The Second Ring of Power Carlos, without Don Juan and Don Genaro, struggling to put the pieces of what he's learned together.
	The Eagle's Gift At our births, we are given a spark of awareness, that is reclaimed at the end of our lives. I will dart past the eagle to be free...
	Fire From Within How to master three aspects of Don Juan's ancient knowledge: awareness, stalking, and intent. The role of our perceptions and culture in creating what we call reality.
	The Power of Silence: Furthur Lessons of Don Juan Castaneda, realizing the importance of inner silence, recounts mesmerizing stories of Don Juan's lessons. This book brings together for the first time the teachings for both the 'right' and 'left' sides.
	The Art of Dreaming Learn how to gain control over your dreams, aka lucid dreaming. I've spent years looking for my hands...
	Magical Passes: The Practical Wisdom of the Shamans of Ancient Mexico Don Juan's teaching of the physical movements practiced by the sorcerers to promote energy and well-being. A detailed step-by-step description and photographs of these magical movements.
	The Active Side of Infinity The recapitulation of Castenada's life and lessons, written just before he died and released shortly thereafter.