Apparently, the figure of the author, all of whose works have become world bestsellers, will forever remain a mystery to humanity. Many legends hang around such a name as Carlos Castaneda. Books in the order of writing is the only thing that can bring the reader closer to the ghostly figure of the writer.
Century phenomenon
A philosopher, anthropologist, ethnographer, esotericist, writer, thinker, mystic and poet - all this is one person. In the second half of the twentieth century, the world became acquainted with a dozen works by this mysterious person. The main theme is magic and shamanism. These works have changed the outlook on familiar things.
The author has stirred up the world with the chosen theme. His personality is one of the most mysterious figures of the last century. Today, many are interested in who Carlos Castaneda is. The biography of this person is full of speculation and myths. The exact date of birth is unknown. According to Time magazine, this is December 25, 1925. The genius himself claimed that he was ten years younger. The place of birth remained a mystery. According to various sources, this is either Brazil or Peru. Since the writer led a closed lifestyle and practically did not give an interview, the details of his biography are unknown.
“The less society knows about you, the more freedom there is” - a favorite phrase of a man named Carlos Castaneda. Books in order partially reproduce the picture of the past writer.
Fatal meeting
Researchers believe that the author was born in a poor family. This information is at odds with the version of Time, which claimed that his family was engaged in jewelry. Mother became pregnant at age 15, so her older sister raised her child. The boy was distinguished by activity and wild character. He was later given to a foster family in the United States. After graduating from high school, he studied art. But such a job the young man did not like, and soon the guy changed direction.
Since 1955, he has been interested in journalism, psychology, and literature. Enters the specialty "Anthropology". During the thesis, the student visits Mexico. There, fate brings him to the Yaki. So I met my teacher and spiritual mentor Carlos Castaneda. The Teachings of Don Juan is the author’s first book . In it, the writer tells how he met with the shaman. The magician immediately saw his future student in the student. More and more the guy plunges into the mystical world.
Continuation of the cycle
The first work was published in 1968. The amazing mystical events that the author described turned him into a celebrity. The topics that the writer raised were discussed by various circles of the population. Hundreds of scientists searched for evidence from the texts.
But this was only the beginning of creative activity. The world continued to be amazed at what Castaneda wrote. Don Juan’s Teaching is not the only bestseller. However, he appealed to many people who followed his ideas.
In 1971, a sequel was published, the second book - “Separate Reality”. The author, as in the first part, talks about the effect on the consciousness of psychotropic plants. Mentor expands perception of reality. New characters appear in the story. The protagonist learns more and more secrets. But in the finale, the magician notes that Carlos has not really changed.
Unknown path
Separate Reality continues with The Journey to Ixtlan, published in 1972. The third part of Castaneda’s adventure takes on a new character. He confidently follows the "Path of the Warrior." In the course of events, a man looks differently at the knowledge that he has received. In the fourth book - “Tales of Strength” - don Juan reveals the last secrets of magic. Carlos learns that he can be in two places at the same time, learns to stop thinking and comprehends two opposite sides of man. At the end, the Indian says goodbye to the student and notes that the preparation phase is completed. The hero makes a deadly jump from a cliff.
Readers eagerly awaited each subsequent work of the writer. For a long time, mysticism began to be associated with such a name as Carlos Castaneda. Books in order told the amazing story of a student magician.
New Adventures
Absolutely fresh obstacles awaited the protagonist in the fifth part - “The Second Ring of Strength”. The character is trying to understand everything that happened to him earlier. Events turn out so that he meets with women warriors who also studied with don Juan. A fight ensues. It turned out that her initiator was an Indian teacher. In this way, he helped the student to reveal his strength. As a result, Carlos becomes the strongest among magicians.
Further in the new book - “The Gift of the Eagle” - it is said that a lot of controversy arises in the group led by the hero. A man understands that due to circumstances he cannot continue to stay with them. Together with his girlfriend, a female warrior, he returns to Los Angeles, where the couple practices a return to the past through dreams. In this way they try to understand the teachings of don Juan.
More and more readers are interested in the unusual way of the magician. Opens new horizons for humanity Castaneda. Books in order explain the theory that the author offers.
In the seventh volume - “Fire from the Inside” - the writer shares his knowledge, with the help of which one can highlight something important from any negative situation.
Finale of the way
In the eighth book, entitled “The Power of Silence,” the master opens the main idea of the whole cycle. All that he went through was conceived by the teacher to change his worldview. It turns out that anyone who wishes can possess such power. Further, in the ninth part, “The Art of Dreaming,” the hero learns to travel while the body is sleeping. This practice is carried out in several stages, which a man successfully overcomes.
The tenth volume - “The Active Side of Infinity” - reveals another, human side of Castaneda’s life. The author says that everything can be magical creatures, but predators, “flyers,” interfere with them. In the finale, a genius is looking for options on how to defeat this phenomenon.
In 1998, two final parts came out. The Wheel of Time is the main thing that I learned from teacher Castaneda. Quotes, aphorisms, comments - that is, what was worth paying attention to in the past eight volumes. "Magic passes" - a guide to the exercises that the hero learned in the first stages of training.
It is impossible to determine whether don Juan is a single character or a collective image. And although the author stated that what was described actually happened to him, critics consider the novel to be science fiction, not memoirs.