Carlos Castaneda

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Journal of Applied Hermeneutics – What is Hermeneutics?

A Journal of Applied Hermeneutics, Ancient Cycle, Authors, Carlos Castaneda / By / 1 minute of reading

In this section, Castaneda introduces the concept of hermeneutics, tracing its evolution from a method for interpreting sacred texts to a broader philosophical discipline concerned with interpreting the world. He then states the purpose of the journal: to apply these principles to the teachings of don Juan Matus, a Yaqui sorcerer. Castaneda’s aim is to focus on the practical application of don Juan’s interpretive framework, hence the name “applied hermeneutics,” which emphasizes a sorcerer’s practicality over abstract philosophical reflection.

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Journal of Applied Hermeneutics – The First Principle of the Warrior’s Way: We Are Perceptors

A Journal of Applied Hermeneutics, Ancient Cycle, Authors, Carlos Castaneda / By / 2 minutes of reading

Here, Castaneda introduces the first premise of the warriors’ way as taught by don Juan Matus: “We Are Perceptors”. He explains that while this seems obvious, it is a profound statement for sorcerers, highlighting that humanity’s basic orientation is perceiving. According to don Juan, humans interpret a minimal influx of energy through a system called the “human form,” creating a world that is mostly interpretation rather than direct perception. The premise is thus a call from sorcerers to return to humanity’s original state of direct perceiving.

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Journal of Applied Hermeneutics – Who are the Chacmools?

A Journal of Applied Hermeneutics, Ancient Cycle, Authors, Carlos Castaneda / By / 2 minutes of reading

In this query section, Castaneda addresses the question about the “chacmools,” a name given to instructors Kylie Lundahl, Reni Murez, and Nyei Murez. He explains the term’s origin, which don Juan Matus associated with warrior guardians protecting sacred sites. Castaneda clarifies that the title is not exclusive; anyone who accepts the responsibility of guarding, including himself and Carol Tiggs, becomes a chacmool. He notes that these three women were the first to bring the magical passes to the public and are now moving to a new phase on the warrior’s path.

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Journal of Applied Hermeneutics – What is Tensegrity?

A Journal of Applied Hermeneutics, Ancient Cycle, Authors, Carlos Castaneda / By / 5 minutes of reading

Castaneda explains Tensegrity’s origins as a modernized version of “magical passes” from don Juan Matus’s lineage. He recounts don Juan’s teachings about ancient sorcerers who could perceive energy directly (‘seeing’), which revealed the human ‘assemblage point’ where perception is assembled. By studying this point’s movement, they developed the ‘art of dreaming’ and the magical passes. Castaneda notes that after learning these passes in secret, he and his fellow disciples decided to make them public as Tensegrity, a name signifying the tension and integrity that are the driving forces of the movements.

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Journal of Applied Hermeneutics – Announcements

A Journal of Applied Hermeneutics, Ancient Cycle, Authors, Carlos Castaneda / By / 2 minutes of reading

This section details Cleargreen’s 1996 event schedule. It announces a San Francisco seminar on “Intentionality” with new instructors called the Pathfinders , and a Los Angeles seminar on “The Female Energy Body” featuring lectures by Castaneda, Carol Tiggs, and others. The release of new Tensegrity videos (“Redistributing Dispersed Energy” and “Twelve Basic Movements”) is also announced , along with the Spanish edition of Castaneda’s book, “The Art of Dreaming”. Subscription and contact details for the journal are provided.

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Journal of Applied Hermeneutics – What is Intentionality?

A Journal of Applied Hermeneutics, Ancient Cycle, Authors, Carlos Castaneda / By / 3 minutes of reading

Castaneda begins with a note on his use of language before exploring “intentionality,” seeking to move beyond standard philosophy. He traces the term from the medieval Scholastics to the 19th-century philosopher Franz Brentano, who defined it as the unique characteristic of mental phenomena to be directed toward an object. Castaneda then connects this to the sorcery concept of “calling intent”. From a sorcerer’s perspective, he explains, intent is not a mental product but a tangible, energetic force that exists outside the physical body and can be engaged with.

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Journal of Applied Hermeneutics – Queries about the Warriors’ Way: When am I going to see? Are you doing something to me?

A Journal of Applied Hermeneutics, Ancient Cycle, Authors, Carlos Castaneda / By / 4 minutes of reading

In this section, Castaneda addresses two common questions. The first concerns when a practitioner will achieve “seeing,” the direct perception of energy. He explains that while practices are important, the crucial element is to “intend” the outcome—the state sorcerers call “stopping the world,” which is achieved by obliterating self-importance. The second question is about fear over strange physical sensations during Tensegrity. Castaneda recounts how don Juan Matus explained such feelings not as external manipulation, but as natural physiological responses or a product of one’s own victim mentality. Don Juan’s advice was to counter fear by being “impeccable”.

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Journal of Applied Hermeneutics – The Second Principle of the Warrior’s Way: We Are What Our Inception Is

A Journal of Applied Hermeneutics, Ancient Cycle, Authors, Carlos Castaneda / By / 8 minutes of reading

Castaneda presents the second premise of the warriors’ way: “We Are What Our Inception Is”. He relays don Juan Matus’s difficult teaching that one’s energetic makeup is profoundly shaped by the conditions of one’s conception. Don Juan used the term “bored fuck” (B.F.) for those conceived without genuine parental excitement, who are consequently energetically weak and needy. Don Juan’s practical advice for a B.F. was to become a “miser of energy” through abstinence from draining behaviors. The ultimate goal, he explained, is to remake oneself by “intending the inconceivable,” using any available emotional or sensational spark as fuel for transformation.

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Journal of Applied Hermeneutics – What are Warrior Guardians?

A Journal of Applied Hermeneutics, Ancient Cycle, Authors, Carlos Castaneda / By / 5 minutes of reading

In this log, Castaneda defines a “warrior guardian” as don Juan Matus’s term for a sorcerer—someone capable of interrupting their normal system of interpretation. He explains that the group known as the Chacmools was dissolved according to the dictates of energy, a force a warrior must obey. A new group selected by energy, the Energy Trackers, has replaced them. Castaneda relays don Juan’s explanation of energy tracking as following the trail of energy’s flow, which is experienced as a physical feeling rather than a visual sight. This new group naturally formed and developed this capacity, allowing energy to reveal itself to them.

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Journal of Applied Hermeneutics – Readers of Infinity

A Journal of Applied Hermeneutics, Ancient Cycle, Authors, Carlos Castaneda / By / 3 minutes of reading

In this author’s note, Castaneda reaffirms the journal’s goal: to disseminate the ideas from don Juan Matus’s cognitive world. He recounts his early, unsuccessful attempts to publish the work, which was rejected for not fitting conventional formats. He then announces a significant change: the journal’s name is changed from “The Warriors’ Way” to “READERS OF INFINITY”. This new title is inspired by don Juan’s concept of “reading infinity,” a state of perception achieved through “inner silence” where a seer can read the infinity that reveals itself on the horizon. The journal is presented as an invitation for everyone to take up this challenge.

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