Arquivos peyote - Nagualismo

Part One: Stopping the World – The Mood of a Warrior

In this segment, Don Juan leads Castaneda to a sacred “place of power” where warriors would “bury themselves” for enlightenment, attempting a similar experience with Castaneda who struggles with self-pity. Don Juan emphasizes that a true warrior cultivates a specific “mood” characterized by a balance of control and abandon, devoid of self-pity, as this is essential for acquiring power. Further instruction is given on advanced “dreaming” techniques. A dramatic encounter with a mountain lion then serves as a practical demonstration of the warrior’s mood, illustrating how Castaneda’s actions, driven by a primal need to survive, exemplified the desired state of control and abandon, regardless of the perceived reality of the animal.

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Part One: Stopping the World – Becoming Accessible to Power

Book excerpts, Carlos Castaneda, Journey to Ixtlan / By Carlos Castaneda

Following a revelatory peyote experience that marks him as “chosen,” Castaneda is guided by Don Juan onto the warrior’s path, where “dreaming” is revealed not as fantasy but a tangible realm for accumulating power and discerning reality. Don Juan instructs Castaneda on the discipline required to “set up dreaming” and become “accessible to power” through conscious engagement. This culminates in a practical, yet unsettling, lesson at a “place of power” where Castaneda confronts a seemingly monstrous, dying creature, ultimately rationalizing it as a burnt branch, prompting Don Juan to explain that Castaneda missed a vital opportunity to “stop the world” by failing to sustain his perception of the power-infused object.

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Part One: Stopping the World – Reaffirmations from the World Around Us

Book excerpts, Carlos Castaneda, Journey to Ixtlan / By Nagualismo

During their initial meetings, Castaneda attempts to interview don Juan Matus, a Yaqui Indian, about hallucinogenic plants. Don Juan, however, subtly challenges Castaneda’s academic approach and preconceived notions, demonstrating his unique wisdom through cryptic remarks and a powerful, unsettling gaze that silences Castaneda. Don Juan uses a parable to illustrate the futility of rigid preparation and repeatedly asserts that “the world” (including nature and inanimate objects) “agrees” with him, implying a deeper, interconnected understanding. He refuses to be recorded or photographed, emphasizing that the crucial element for understanding is “the spirit,” not external tools, and sets the stage for a different kind of learning.

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