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The Teachings of Don Juan #7
The Fire from Within
Carlos Castaneda takes the reader into the very heart of sorcery, challenging both imagination and reason, shaking the very foundations of our belief in what is "natural" and "logical."
Fire from Within is the author's most brilliant thought-provoking and unusual book, one in which Castaneda, under the tutelage of don Juan and his "disciples," at last constructs, from the teachings of don Juan and his own experiences, a stunning portrait of the "sorcerer's world" that is crystal-clear and dizzying in its implications.
Each of Carlos Castaneda's books is a brilliant and tantalizing burst of illumination into the depths of our deepest mysteries, like a sudden flash of light, like a burst of lightning over the desert at night, which shows us a world that is both alien and totally familiar—the landscape of our dreams.
Fire from Within is the author's most brilliant thought-provoking and unusual book, one in which Castaneda, under the tutelage of don Juan and his "disciples," at last constructs, from the teachings of don Juan and his own experiences, a stunning portrait of the "sorcerer's world" that is crystal-clear and dizzying in its implications.
Each of Carlos Castaneda's books is a brilliant and tantalizing burst of illumination into the depths of our deepest mysteries, like a sudden flash of light, like a burst of lightning over the desert at night, which shows us a world that is both alien and totally familiar—the landscape of our dreams.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
220 people are currently reading
3309 people want to read
About the author
Carlos Castaneda
162 books2,609 followersCarlos Castaneda was an Latin-American author.
Starting with The Teachings of Don Juan in 1968, Castaneda wrote a series of books that describe his training in shamanism, particularly with a group whose lineage descended from the Toltecs.
The books, narrated in the first person, relate his experiences under the tutelage of a man that Castaneda claimed was a Yaqui "Man of Knowledge" named don Juan Matus. His 12 books have sold more than 28 million copies in 17 languages.
Critics have suggested that they are works of fiction; supporters claim the books are either true or at least valuable works of philosophy.
Starting with The Teachings of Don Juan in 1968, Castaneda wrote a series of books that describe his training in shamanism, particularly with a group whose lineage descended from the Toltecs.
The books, narrated in the first person, relate his experiences under the tutelage of a man that Castaneda claimed was a Yaqui "Man of Knowledge" named don Juan Matus. His 12 books have sold more than 28 million copies in 17 languages.
Critics have suggested that they are works of fiction; supporters claim the books are either true or at least valuable works of philosophy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
April 5, 2025
When I read this book around 1994 - a year my adult awareness strengthened and quietly crystallized into stark clarity - I was transfixed by don Juan's exposition of the symbol of the Wall of Fog. I had then momentarily broken through it.
That was the year I was directed by my physician to undertake an impartial evaluation of my lingering depressive mood.
I did.
Released next day (though I would later be asked again to submit to another Transcranial Brain Stimulation) I felt a new life within me. I would spend the next month, first with home rest for my scotomization for four weeks, then another four weeks of half-days in the office.
When at the end of that time I worked full time again, many marvelled at my enhanced vitality and reasoning ability. Call me Rip van Winkle!
That was in part the brain stimulation. But within me it was due to my surpassing of the Wall of Fog of ingenuousness.
We don't often get past that wall, any of us. Something holds each of us back. Me too - last night I was trapped again in that Fog. But this time that Wall was Deadly. I recognized within it the face of the infernal Father of all Lies. No kidding.
I had eaten an early steak dinner, and leaning back in our comfy kitchen chair, had promptly fallen asleep. When I awoke an hour later, I was still entangled in that fell Shadow's Foggy Net of Emanations.
Thank heaven for that steak! For I was then able to summon up reserves of energy from the protein burst to break up the Fog, do the dishes, and clean up outside, for in spite of my mental cobwebs it had been a beautiful day spent outdoors.
The Fire of Attention - from Within. Stark, naked clarity.
Don Juan tells Carlos Castaneda that that Fog is the heart of the evil Eagle who swallows up our tasty memories and stories - so perhaps the new novel, The Memory Police, is right!
Maybe life's a tightrope because, if we fall, that Vulture gobbles us up in a gulp.
And maybe, just maybe, that's the reason why it always takes my septuagenarian self an eternity to piece yesterday's memories back together every morning...
But who really knows?
Well - the SHADOW knows.
Avoid him at your peril, folks:
Don't fall off that high wire.
That was the year I was directed by my physician to undertake an impartial evaluation of my lingering depressive mood.
I did.
Released next day (though I would later be asked again to submit to another Transcranial Brain Stimulation) I felt a new life within me. I would spend the next month, first with home rest for my scotomization for four weeks, then another four weeks of half-days in the office.
When at the end of that time I worked full time again, many marvelled at my enhanced vitality and reasoning ability. Call me Rip van Winkle!
That was in part the brain stimulation. But within me it was due to my surpassing of the Wall of Fog of ingenuousness.
We don't often get past that wall, any of us. Something holds each of us back. Me too - last night I was trapped again in that Fog. But this time that Wall was Deadly. I recognized within it the face of the infernal Father of all Lies. No kidding.
I had eaten an early steak dinner, and leaning back in our comfy kitchen chair, had promptly fallen asleep. When I awoke an hour later, I was still entangled in that fell Shadow's Foggy Net of Emanations.
Thank heaven for that steak! For I was then able to summon up reserves of energy from the protein burst to break up the Fog, do the dishes, and clean up outside, for in spite of my mental cobwebs it had been a beautiful day spent outdoors.
The Fire of Attention - from Within. Stark, naked clarity.
Don Juan tells Carlos Castaneda that that Fog is the heart of the evil Eagle who swallows up our tasty memories and stories - so perhaps the new novel, The Memory Police, is right!
Maybe life's a tightrope because, if we fall, that Vulture gobbles us up in a gulp.
And maybe, just maybe, that's the reason why it always takes my septuagenarian self an eternity to piece yesterday's memories back together every morning...
But who really knows?
Well - the SHADOW knows.
Avoid him at your peril, folks:
Don't fall off that high wire.
August 17, 2011
I have been reading the Castaneda books for 40 years. They picture the universe from a different worldview, one now popping up in descriptions from quantum reality. They frame the world not as subject-object but as a world of interconnected, conscious energy. The value of Castaneda in the mix was his ability to frame questions to the man who lived from this worldview and thus reveal it to the reader. These books are read for many reasons, but if you read them long enough, like the quantum physicist, you'll begin to appreciate a whole new description of the nature of reality. The "Fire from Within" is one of my three favorites. Plus they are funny, inspiring and mind-boggling.
July 11, 2012
Quotes on FFW:
"A nagual never lets anyone know that he is in charge. A nagual comes and goes without leaving a trace. That freedom is what makes him a nagual."
"Seeing is a euphemism for moving the assemblage point."
"The conviction that the new seers have is that a life of impeccability by itself leads unavoidably to a sense of sobriety, and this in turn leads to the movement of the assemblage point."
"I have given you a detailed account of the two forces that aid our assemblage points to move: the earth's boost and the rolling force; plus the three techniques worked out by the new seers stalking , intent , and dreaming --and their effects on the movement of the assemblage point."
"Freedom is like a contagious disease. It is transmitted; its carrier is an impeccable nagual. People might not appreciate that, and that's because they don't want to be free. Freedom is frightening. Remember that. But not for us."
"They were not teaching me sorcery, but how to master three aspects of an ancient knowledge they possessed: awareness, stalking, and intent. And they were not sorcerers; they were seers." "warriors of total freedom, ... such masters of awareness, stalking, and intent that they are not caught by death, like the rest of mortal men, but choose the moment and the way of their departure from this world. At that moment they are consumed by a fire from within and vanish from the face of the earth, free, as if they had never existed."
"The new seers burn with the force of alignment, with the force of will , which they have turned into the force of intent through a life of impeccability. Intent is the alignment of all the amber emanations of awareness, so it is correct to say that total freedom means total awareness."
"Freedom is the Eagles's gift to man. Unfortunately, very few men understand that all we need, in order to accept such a magnificent gift, is to have sufficient energy. If that's all we need, then, by all means, we must become misers of energy in order to accept the Eagles's gift ourselves."
"A nagual never lets anyone know that he is in charge. A nagual comes and goes without leaving a trace. That freedom is what makes him a nagual."
"Seeing is a euphemism for moving the assemblage point."
"The conviction that the new seers have is that a life of impeccability by itself leads unavoidably to a sense of sobriety, and this in turn leads to the movement of the assemblage point."
"I have given you a detailed account of the two forces that aid our assemblage points to move: the earth's boost and the rolling force; plus the three techniques worked out by the new seers stalking , intent , and dreaming --and their effects on the movement of the assemblage point."
"Freedom is like a contagious disease. It is transmitted; its carrier is an impeccable nagual. People might not appreciate that, and that's because they don't want to be free. Freedom is frightening. Remember that. But not for us."
"They were not teaching me sorcery, but how to master three aspects of an ancient knowledge they possessed: awareness, stalking, and intent. And they were not sorcerers; they were seers." "warriors of total freedom, ... such masters of awareness, stalking, and intent that they are not caught by death, like the rest of mortal men, but choose the moment and the way of their departure from this world. At that moment they are consumed by a fire from within and vanish from the face of the earth, free, as if they had never existed."
"The new seers burn with the force of alignment, with the force of will , which they have turned into the force of intent through a life of impeccability. Intent is the alignment of all the amber emanations of awareness, so it is correct to say that total freedom means total awareness."
"Freedom is the Eagles's gift to man. Unfortunately, very few men understand that all we need, in order to accept such a magnificent gift, is to have sufficient energy. If that's all we need, then, by all means, we must become misers of energy in order to accept the Eagles's gift ourselves."
December 16, 2011
apart from being an esoteric book and therefore leaving space to ferocious critics, I must say that if this is the case, and therefore, if the author just invented all of this, well, that means this was an amazing story teller and writer..
.... because.... not only you can physically feel this fire within coming out of your body, but also, you will enjoy the way the story is told and the dark and subtle side of this writer.... obviously to enjoy the book fully you must have an interest in esoterism and/or spirituality etc, or you must be someone who understands the techniques used by this writer....
I loved this book and think it can be a book also that helps to take life less seriously and encourage to sit down thinking nothing and doing nothing ... which is a discipline our world is forgetting....
.... because.... not only you can physically feel this fire within coming out of your body, but also, you will enjoy the way the story is told and the dark and subtle side of this writer.... obviously to enjoy the book fully you must have an interest in esoterism and/or spirituality etc, or you must be someone who understands the techniques used by this writer....
I loved this book and think it can be a book also that helps to take life less seriously and encourage to sit down thinking nothing and doing nothing ... which is a discipline our world is forgetting....
April 5, 2015
All Castaneda´s books are brilliant and fascinating reads. However, I felt that this one was even more challenging than many of the others I have tackled.
We learn that “seeing” is a peculiar feeling of knowing something without a shadow of a doubt. The old seers found out that the best way to teach their knowledge was to make their apprentices shift to their left side, to a state of heightened awareness, where real learning takes place.
We meet la Gorda, a woman from Don Juan´s group of warriors, who is Carlos` ”petty tyrant”. This is one who “either holds the power of life and death over warriors or simply annoys them to distraction”.
Also, we are introduced to the concept of the Eagle, and its emanations. Castaneda tells us that there is no world of objects, but “a universe of the Eagle´s emanations. These are fluid, forever in motion, and yet unchanged, eternal”. I can´t say I really understood about the Eagle, but Don Juan terms it as the indescribable force which is the source of all sentient beings. It was called the Eagle because the old seers “saw” it as something that resembled a black-and-white eagle of infinite size. It is the Eagle who bestows awareness, and the reason for the existence of all sentient beings is to enhance awareness. The awareness of sentient beings flies away at the moment of death and floats into the Eagle´s beak to be consumed. This meant that the reason for the existence of sentient beings is to provide food for the Eagle. (This reminds me of Gurdjieff´s assertion that we human beings are food for the Moon.)
Carlos is brought by Don Juan into heightened states of awareness, in which he “sees”. But when he returns to normal awareness, he forgets everything he has experienced and understood.
“Seeing” is not done by the eyes but by alignment. “The alignment of emanations used routinely is the perception of the day-to-day world, but the alignment of emanations that are never used ordinarily is “seeing”. When seers “see”, a voice tells them in their ear what´s what. If the voice is not present, the seer is not “seeing”. Carlos is told that later on everything would become clear to him.
Don Juan instructs Carlos about the first, second and third attention. The first attention in man is “animal awareness”. Everything that one can think about is part of the first attention. It is “the flow of awareness developed to an ´ultra shine´, a flow that covers the known. The second attention, however, is a more complex and specialized state of the flow of awareness, and has to do with the unknown. The third attention is attained when the flow of awareness turns into the fire from within: a glow that kindles all the Eagle´s emanations inside man´s cocoon.
(I did mention that some of the information contained in this book is somewhat challenging.)
There is a chapter about inorganic beings, those beings that are dealt with extensively in Castaneda´s “The art of dreaming”, in my view the most fascinating of his books. Inorganic beings have the emanations of awareness in them and a kind of love man can´t even conceive. In the present book it is described how Carlos gazes into a mirror held under water and sees not only the reflections of Don Juan´s face and his own, but also another head – not a human head or an animal head, but a “shape that had no inner mobility” (whatever that means). At the same time Carlos hears a voice in his ear, and realizes that he is “seeing”. The headlike shape in the mirror was an inorganic being that had come to look at them. The voice in Carlos´ ear said that he was dying, and he would have died, had Don Juan not been there.
The two do another frightening experiment with a mirror, after which Carlos has a severe attack of melancholy.
Organic beings have a different kind of energy, more like an electric current, or heat waves. They are attracted to emotions, particularly “animal fear”.
Don Juan states that there is no God – all there is is the Eagle´s emanations.
“ … human beings are made of the Eagle´s emanations and are in essence bubbles of luminescent energy: each of us is wrapped in a cocoon that encloses a small portion of these emanations.”
There are chapters about the assemblage point, which is a point in our cocoon, the location of which determines what we perceive of as the world. The precise spot of its location is determined by our repetitious acts. The position of the assemblage point thus dictates what our senses perceive.
I won´t go into the further content of the book. As indicated, it is not the easiest book to comprehend, but, like all the author´s works, it is absorbing and well worth reading, and thus I thoroughly recommend that you read it!
We learn that “seeing” is a peculiar feeling of knowing something without a shadow of a doubt. The old seers found out that the best way to teach their knowledge was to make their apprentices shift to their left side, to a state of heightened awareness, where real learning takes place.
We meet la Gorda, a woman from Don Juan´s group of warriors, who is Carlos` ”petty tyrant”. This is one who “either holds the power of life and death over warriors or simply annoys them to distraction”.
Also, we are introduced to the concept of the Eagle, and its emanations. Castaneda tells us that there is no world of objects, but “a universe of the Eagle´s emanations. These are fluid, forever in motion, and yet unchanged, eternal”. I can´t say I really understood about the Eagle, but Don Juan terms it as the indescribable force which is the source of all sentient beings. It was called the Eagle because the old seers “saw” it as something that resembled a black-and-white eagle of infinite size. It is the Eagle who bestows awareness, and the reason for the existence of all sentient beings is to enhance awareness. The awareness of sentient beings flies away at the moment of death and floats into the Eagle´s beak to be consumed. This meant that the reason for the existence of sentient beings is to provide food for the Eagle. (This reminds me of Gurdjieff´s assertion that we human beings are food for the Moon.)
Carlos is brought by Don Juan into heightened states of awareness, in which he “sees”. But when he returns to normal awareness, he forgets everything he has experienced and understood.
“Seeing” is not done by the eyes but by alignment. “The alignment of emanations used routinely is the perception of the day-to-day world, but the alignment of emanations that are never used ordinarily is “seeing”. When seers “see”, a voice tells them in their ear what´s what. If the voice is not present, the seer is not “seeing”. Carlos is told that later on everything would become clear to him.
Don Juan instructs Carlos about the first, second and third attention. The first attention in man is “animal awareness”. Everything that one can think about is part of the first attention. It is “the flow of awareness developed to an ´ultra shine´, a flow that covers the known. The second attention, however, is a more complex and specialized state of the flow of awareness, and has to do with the unknown. The third attention is attained when the flow of awareness turns into the fire from within: a glow that kindles all the Eagle´s emanations inside man´s cocoon.
(I did mention that some of the information contained in this book is somewhat challenging.)
There is a chapter about inorganic beings, those beings that are dealt with extensively in Castaneda´s “The art of dreaming”, in my view the most fascinating of his books. Inorganic beings have the emanations of awareness in them and a kind of love man can´t even conceive. In the present book it is described how Carlos gazes into a mirror held under water and sees not only the reflections of Don Juan´s face and his own, but also another head – not a human head or an animal head, but a “shape that had no inner mobility” (whatever that means). At the same time Carlos hears a voice in his ear, and realizes that he is “seeing”. The headlike shape in the mirror was an inorganic being that had come to look at them. The voice in Carlos´ ear said that he was dying, and he would have died, had Don Juan not been there.
The two do another frightening experiment with a mirror, after which Carlos has a severe attack of melancholy.
Organic beings have a different kind of energy, more like an electric current, or heat waves. They are attracted to emotions, particularly “animal fear”.
Don Juan states that there is no God – all there is is the Eagle´s emanations.
“ … human beings are made of the Eagle´s emanations and are in essence bubbles of luminescent energy: each of us is wrapped in a cocoon that encloses a small portion of these emanations.”
There are chapters about the assemblage point, which is a point in our cocoon, the location of which determines what we perceive of as the world. The precise spot of its location is determined by our repetitious acts. The position of the assemblage point thus dictates what our senses perceive.
I won´t go into the further content of the book. As indicated, it is not the easiest book to comprehend, but, like all the author´s works, it is absorbing and well worth reading, and thus I thoroughly recommend that you read it!
November 5, 2013
All books of Carlos Castaneda are very important to me. He (and his Don Juan), Vadim Zeland - writer from Russia, quantum physicist and Alexey Bachev - an unusual psychologist from Bulgaria, protagonist of my book Life Can Be a Miracle have shaped my way of thinking, perceiving, experiencing the reality. Very grateful for showing me the miraculous way of living!!!!
November 4, 2021
En este séptimo libro, Castaneda aborda las claves de la percepción entendida desde el paradigma Tolteca, en él describe las tres facetas del camino del Guerrero que debe desarrollar la maestría de estar Consciente de Ser, un paso que implica descubrir los mecanismos de la mente dual. La segunda escala es la maestría del Acecho, que requiere profundizar los automatismos en nuestra naturaleza humano-animal y unificarse en el corazón. El tercer nivel; está compuesto por la maestría del Intento que nos permite atravesar las falsas identificaciones y acceder a una dimensión espiritual… nuestro Fuego Interior que nos conecta con las ¨emanaciones del Águila¨. Un relato que pareciera una novela más de misterio, pero es mucho más que eso… Personalmente creo que es uno de los mejores libros del autor.
September 15, 2007
I am going to give the same review to all the Carlos Castaneda books I read in that series, simply because they are all outstanding. I was lucky to come across Castaneda very early on my magickal path. My spells and rituals have always relied on the power of intent, and I have found no better education on how to focus your intent than in this series of books. Back then (1994) they were classifed as nonfiction. Lately, they say they are fiction. All I know is much of what is in these books works. And having been a Wiccan Faery Witch now for 13 years I know much of what is real to us is fiction to those not walking a magickal path. These are life-changing books you will never forget, and their teachings still influence my life today. Can't get any better than that!
October 12, 2011
I've read too many Castaneda books to review each individually, other than to say "I'm sorry I found this so compelling." I have to admit, I was conned.
Also of note is that outside of all the magical ubermensch stuff, the recurring themes are sterility, futility, failure, and undeserved survival through dumb luck.
I've met more than a few people who count Carlos Casteneda and Ayn Rand among their favorite authors. At first I couldn't reconcile the two. One writes that there is no objective reality, only perceptions. The other is the grand dame of Objectivism. But as I look back on it the link is clear. Both Casteneda and Rand, he with his concept of stalking and she with her praise of selfishness, give their readers unlimited license to abuse and abandon the weak.
Anyone with at least a passing interest in Castaneda's legacy should read this disillusioning Salon article.
Also of note is that outside of all the magical ubermensch stuff, the recurring themes are sterility, futility, failure, and undeserved survival through dumb luck.
I've met more than a few people who count Carlos Casteneda and Ayn Rand among their favorite authors. At first I couldn't reconcile the two. One writes that there is no objective reality, only perceptions. The other is the grand dame of Objectivism. But as I look back on it the link is clear. Both Casteneda and Rand, he with his concept of stalking and she with her praise of selfishness, give their readers unlimited license to abuse and abandon the weak.
Anyone with at least a passing interest in Castaneda's legacy should read this disillusioning Salon article.
June 14, 2013
I found this book in a discard box at the library and kept it for years. Suddenly I had the intuitive drive to read it. I found that the book was addressing many of my thoughts as they had synthisized through the years. Wow! Although it has a questionable literary history, I am writing about the content of the book itself and the alchemical truths it explores by recounting Castenada's journey into the unknown guided by don Juan and his fellow Toltec mystics. Anyone interested in Gnostic philosophy, magic, and the nature of reality will find a treasure trove of stuff to ponder. Inspiring, liberating and fascinating, I can say this book, if truly studied will mark you. I also appreciated reading it on the level of how the distruction of self-importance is one of the first steps toward spiritual liberation (and, I think, a happy life!).
March 12, 2016
"Fire from Within" contains some of the most fleshed-out thoughts on the magical worldview found in Castaneda's books. Perhaps it is simply that I am now more accustomed to his writing and have grown more sympathetic overtime, but I also found this to be the funniest of Castaneda's books so far.
The text concerns a dialogue between Carlos and don Juan about the differences between the old seers and the new seers. The teaching are centered around three central concepts: stalking, awareness, and intent. While a straightforward explanation eludes both the text and the reader of any of the concepts, stalking can best be said to represent the interactions between the nagual and others, awareness encompasses don Juan's discourses on dreaming and seeing, while intent is best understood as the magical Will treated at length in the creme of Western Esotericism. Interjected throughout the dialogues there are some truly fantastic encounters between the apprentice, his sorcerous teachers, and various allies.
The nagual Julian becomes a focal point for don Juan and Genaro to explain the differences between the old seers and the new as well as provide background for their current form(s) of sorcery. This provides a strong thematic continuance and logical exposition on the difference between types of what was called "power" in the earlier books.
Another important concept is the assemblage point within a WoMan's cocoon (astral body) and how mastery of this concept can effect the relations between the seer and other organic/inorganic beings as well as the Earth itself. Perhaps most importantly we are treated to more teachings towards stopping the inner dialogue.
Fantastic, meditative and rich I would say this has been and will be a valuable book in my life.
The text concerns a dialogue between Carlos and don Juan about the differences between the old seers and the new seers. The teaching are centered around three central concepts: stalking, awareness, and intent. While a straightforward explanation eludes both the text and the reader of any of the concepts, stalking can best be said to represent the interactions between the nagual and others, awareness encompasses don Juan's discourses on dreaming and seeing, while intent is best understood as the magical Will treated at length in the creme of Western Esotericism. Interjected throughout the dialogues there are some truly fantastic encounters between the apprentice, his sorcerous teachers, and various allies.
The nagual Julian becomes a focal point for don Juan and Genaro to explain the differences between the old seers and the new as well as provide background for their current form(s) of sorcery. This provides a strong thematic continuance and logical exposition on the difference between types of what was called "power" in the earlier books.
Another important concept is the assemblage point within a WoMan's cocoon (astral body) and how mastery of this concept can effect the relations between the seer and other organic/inorganic beings as well as the Earth itself. Perhaps most importantly we are treated to more teachings towards stopping the inner dialogue.
Fantastic, meditative and rich I would say this has been and will be a valuable book in my life.
June 18, 2011
June 2011
Another box of books has been reopened for cleaning, sorting, and reevaluation and lo and behold, many of the collected works of Carlos Castaneda are part of the contents.
Many years have gone but I remember this author and his works vividly. [Now don't get any ideas as to an allusion I may or may not be making] At some point I stopped purchasing more in the series and put them away. There's a 'blur' factor as I recall that happens with these stories of the metaphysical and magical journeys of learning (spelling of your choice for majic). Thus I finally put them down after a time. There's a new series of works by authors/students in the same genre. These are a continuation of the anthropological journey that Castaneda undertook to learn of his heritage and a way of life that existed if only in a shadow of the original form.
This generic commentary is going to be applied to all the writings of CC as a review until a rereading decision is made. I don't own all the books by Castaneda though I've read all his books through the mid 1980's. A couple more I have copies of in this collection but I bet I never read them.
Each of these books will have this introduction bracketed and italicized when I add a more specific commentary regarding the individual entry.
An early footnote. Much of the fascination with fantastical dragon imagery is rooted in the first two or three of these works. Just thought you should know.
Another box of books has been reopened for cleaning, sorting, and reevaluation and lo and behold, many of the collected works of Carlos Castaneda are part of the contents.
Many years have gone but I remember this author and his works vividly. [Now don't get any ideas as to an allusion I may or may not be making] At some point I stopped purchasing more in the series and put them away. There's a 'blur' factor as I recall that happens with these stories of the metaphysical and magical journeys of learning (spelling of your choice for majic). Thus I finally put them down after a time. There's a new series of works by authors/students in the same genre. These are a continuation of the anthropological journey that Castaneda undertook to learn of his heritage and a way of life that existed if only in a shadow of the original form.
This generic commentary is going to be applied to all the writings of CC as a review until a rereading decision is made. I don't own all the books by Castaneda though I've read all his books through the mid 1980's. A couple more I have copies of in this collection but I bet I never read them.
Each of these books will have this introduction bracketed and italicized when I add a more specific commentary regarding the individual entry.
An early footnote. Much of the fascination with fantastical dragon imagery is rooted in the first two or three of these works. Just thought you should know.
February 1, 2012
I wanted to like this book, but it didn't hold my attention. The writing is bad in places, and the overall story isn't very interesting. Mostly he just walks around talking to a spiritual mentor who claims all kinds of unverifiable things about ancient 'seers'. The book has a few interesting ideas that dwell squarely in the realm of fiction, but it's touted as nonfiction. So don't jump off cliffs thinking you can recreate the world before you hit the ground and survive.
December 25, 2013
In one sentence:
This book is a definitive guide to mushroom trippin'.
Esoteric, spiritual book, so this is definitively not for everyone. It is kinda dark and creepy, and if you are trying to understand it too much you will simply fall asleep. But this book is just something else, and it is refreshing if you read in between science books. I can very much recommend it, but this is one of the books you are going to love or hate.
This book is a definitive guide to mushroom trippin'.
Esoteric, spiritual book, so this is definitively not for everyone. It is kinda dark and creepy, and if you are trying to understand it too much you will simply fall asleep. But this book is just something else, and it is refreshing if you read in between science books. I can very much recommend it, but this is one of the books you are going to love or hate.
August 15, 2010
The reality we experience is a thin fragile veneer concealing a vast, fathomless universe of quixotic sensations and incomprehensible wonders. Even if everything in this series of books is total crap, the mysterious, primal human instincts they exploit are so fascinating.
October 21, 2015
cada vez hay mas respuestas pero genera mas preguntas
December 25, 2018
No matter how you interpret Castaneda's claims, there are some very valuable, wise quotes in there that if received by a more general approach, can infuse the reader with very important advice to lead a great, addiction-free, ego-free, genuine life.
Keep your reading approach open to symbolism, metaphors and make sure to stop and think about connections that go beyond the strict limits of linear understanding. This way, "The Fire from Within" can be one of the most important books you'll ever read.
Keep your reading approach open to symbolism, metaphors and make sure to stop and think about connections that go beyond the strict limits of linear understanding. This way, "The Fire from Within" can be one of the most important books you'll ever read.
August 17, 2023
After the 6th book of the Don Juan series, this book, the seventh, was a pleasant surprise. To summarise: in book 1 (Lessons of Don Juan) to 4 (Tales of Power) Castaneda tells about his training by Don Juan between 1961 and 1972 or 1973, up to the point where Castaneda jumps into an abyss, and Don Juan leaves this world. Book 4 is one of the best, in that it offers great storytelling but also very neatly summarizes the teachings and puts them together.
Book 5 has a totally different, much more sinister feel than the previous books. It tells about the time after Don Juan has left the earth: Casteneda meets a group of young sorcerers, becomes their new leader, and together they start remembering that they have a huge shared past that they didn't recall at first. The teachings of Don Juan continue, but are now voiced by La Gorda, to whom Don Juan apparently left an infinite amount of detailed instructions. Book 6, the Eagle's Gift, expands on this. It turns out that all that was said in book 1 to 4 about the years 1960-1973, were only half of what actually happened. Book 1 to 4 cover only what was taught in "right side awareness". From there on, the books are about what was taught in "left side awareness". Castaneda starts remembering all the other teachings he received, and the numerous people involved in it. There's a lot of sexuality and violence. In the meanwhile, books 5 and 6 introduce a lot of new concepts: stalking, dreaming, gazing, loosing the human from, the double or the other, not doing, etc. Most of these words are written in italics in the book, to signify that they have different meanings than in daily usage. It's a rather messy mix-up of characters and relationships and ideas, that often feels totally random to me.
But Book 7, the Fire from Within, is very different. For one thing, instead of the story being centered on characters and their relationships, it's basically one huge recollection of a long series of lectures by Don Juan. It's a lot like book 4 in that it offers a clear theoretical framework and summarizes all the teachings and techniques that were discussed in book 5 and 6. Stalking, dreaming and intending are pinpointed as the three techniques that warriors or seeers use. The central concept in this book is the "assemblage point", which is something like the bright shiny focus point of awareness on the "luminous egg" of energy that every person is supposed to be. The whole book is about how you can learn to move that assemblage point, and by doing that assemble and access other worlds, create a dreaming body or double, come into contact with other kinds of beings (such as the ally's), and - in the end - realize the totality of oneself. A lot of concepts and events from the previous books come back here, and are put into the new framework. It feels very nice and orderly. For example, we learn that there are 48 bands of emanations from the Eagle, from which all possible worlds can be constructed. 1 of these bands contains all the organic living creatures on earth, including people. There are also 7 inorganic bands with life forms we can see only when we become "seeers" and learn to shift our assemblage point at will. Etc.
It's pretty interesting and I like the constructional clarity of it all. If you don't take the "luminous eggs" literally, the idea of a center of consciousness that assembles its own world from a bundle of Gods (the Eagle's) emanations, still rings true. It matches the teachings of Buddhism, where consciousness is what creates the world. The theoretical framework also gives an interesting explanation for mystical experiences and why people who have a vision of God, often see *him* as a person.
The need to loose self-importance reflects an insight that can be found in every religion, especially in monastic orders. But also in the Buddhistic idea of non-self.
What's unique to the religious system of Castaneda, is the importance of stalking, which is a very unsympathetic concept to me: it's basically manipulation by acting and pretense. But it's given a higher meaning here, as being a major technique to shift the assemblage point and an important tool for teaching. It's the only idea that really doesn't fit into the precepts of Buddhism - which strictly forbid lying.
For some reason, the idea of "impeccability" really landed with me, while I was reading this, I find it kind of motivating.
In literary terms this book is no match for some of the best books of the series, but as a textbook it's pretty cool and it helps to sieve out and clarify the useful concepts of the previous books.
Clearly, it's also an important step towards what came later: the Tensegrity system of magical passes, which is supposed to be a direct, physical technique to manipulate energy within the "luminous egg" and work with the assemblage point.
Book 5 has a totally different, much more sinister feel than the previous books. It tells about the time after Don Juan has left the earth: Casteneda meets a group of young sorcerers, becomes their new leader, and together they start remembering that they have a huge shared past that they didn't recall at first. The teachings of Don Juan continue, but are now voiced by La Gorda, to whom Don Juan apparently left an infinite amount of detailed instructions. Book 6, the Eagle's Gift, expands on this. It turns out that all that was said in book 1 to 4 about the years 1960-1973, were only half of what actually happened. Book 1 to 4 cover only what was taught in "right side awareness". From there on, the books are about what was taught in "left side awareness". Castaneda starts remembering all the other teachings he received, and the numerous people involved in it. There's a lot of sexuality and violence. In the meanwhile, books 5 and 6 introduce a lot of new concepts: stalking, dreaming, gazing, loosing the human from, the double or the other, not doing, etc. Most of these words are written in italics in the book, to signify that they have different meanings than in daily usage. It's a rather messy mix-up of characters and relationships and ideas, that often feels totally random to me.
But Book 7, the Fire from Within, is very different. For one thing, instead of the story being centered on characters and their relationships, it's basically one huge recollection of a long series of lectures by Don Juan. It's a lot like book 4 in that it offers a clear theoretical framework and summarizes all the teachings and techniques that were discussed in book 5 and 6. Stalking, dreaming and intending are pinpointed as the three techniques that warriors or seeers use. The central concept in this book is the "assemblage point", which is something like the bright shiny focus point of awareness on the "luminous egg" of energy that every person is supposed to be. The whole book is about how you can learn to move that assemblage point, and by doing that assemble and access other worlds, create a dreaming body or double, come into contact with other kinds of beings (such as the ally's), and - in the end - realize the totality of oneself. A lot of concepts and events from the previous books come back here, and are put into the new framework. It feels very nice and orderly. For example, we learn that there are 48 bands of emanations from the Eagle, from which all possible worlds can be constructed. 1 of these bands contains all the organic living creatures on earth, including people. There are also 7 inorganic bands with life forms we can see only when we become "seeers" and learn to shift our assemblage point at will. Etc.
It's pretty interesting and I like the constructional clarity of it all. If you don't take the "luminous eggs" literally, the idea of a center of consciousness that assembles its own world from a bundle of Gods (the Eagle's) emanations, still rings true. It matches the teachings of Buddhism, where consciousness is what creates the world. The theoretical framework also gives an interesting explanation for mystical experiences and why people who have a vision of God, often see *him* as a person.
The need to loose self-importance reflects an insight that can be found in every religion, especially in monastic orders. But also in the Buddhistic idea of non-self.
What's unique to the religious system of Castaneda, is the importance of stalking, which is a very unsympathetic concept to me: it's basically manipulation by acting and pretense. But it's given a higher meaning here, as being a major technique to shift the assemblage point and an important tool for teaching. It's the only idea that really doesn't fit into the precepts of Buddhism - which strictly forbid lying.
For some reason, the idea of "impeccability" really landed with me, while I was reading this, I find it kind of motivating.
In literary terms this book is no match for some of the best books of the series, but as a textbook it's pretty cool and it helps to sieve out and clarify the useful concepts of the previous books.
Clearly, it's also an important step towards what came later: the Tensegrity system of magical passes, which is supposed to be a direct, physical technique to manipulate energy within the "luminous egg" and work with the assemblage point.
March 24, 2008
About a fifth of the way through the book I was not very happy with it, and started thinking about not finishing it. But somehow I didn't put it down, and not too long afterwards it started to improve.
My frustration was that it sounded a bit like an encyclopedia (or wikipedia entry), the transitions between scenes are almost non-existent, and mostly the author keeps a steady stream of information flowing, there's not a lot of action. If this is fiction then the author certainly did his homework, drawing up probably over a dozen different spiritual traditions... I find it hard to believe any of this actually happened, and I do compliment the author on their creativity and imagination.
Also, there's nothing anyone can take away from the book to advance themselves, if they were so inclined... they need a shaman who can hit them on the back to shift their awareness etc. On their own they can do nothing. So I guess they'd have to go hang out in Mexico hoping to meet a shaman? Not to bloody likely!
My frustration was that it sounded a bit like an encyclopedia (or wikipedia entry), the transitions between scenes are almost non-existent, and mostly the author keeps a steady stream of information flowing, there's not a lot of action. If this is fiction then the author certainly did his homework, drawing up probably over a dozen different spiritual traditions... I find it hard to believe any of this actually happened, and I do compliment the author on their creativity and imagination.
Also, there's nothing anyone can take away from the book to advance themselves, if they were so inclined... they need a shaman who can hit them on the back to shift their awareness etc. On their own they can do nothing. So I guess they'd have to go hang out in Mexico hoping to meet a shaman? Not to bloody likely!
December 9, 2008
As with most Carlos Castaneda books, I find them a little confusing yet very enticing. This being the second time I have read this book, I was able to piece it together a little better.
What I found interesting about the topics and explanations by the nagual, Don Juan, were how they coincide with the information presented in the movie, "The Secret" and other books pertaining to the power of manifestation. Some of the descriptions in this book relating to will and intent are fascinating if you are into that kind of thing.
My favorite quote from the book that I have been continually reflecting upon since I read it goes like this.
"Warriors prepare themselves to be aware, and full awareness comes to them only when there is no more self-importance left in them. Only when they are nothing do they become everything."
What I found interesting about the topics and explanations by the nagual, Don Juan, were how they coincide with the information presented in the movie, "The Secret" and other books pertaining to the power of manifestation. Some of the descriptions in this book relating to will and intent are fascinating if you are into that kind of thing.
My favorite quote from the book that I have been continually reflecting upon since I read it goes like this.
"Warriors prepare themselves to be aware, and full awareness comes to them only when there is no more self-importance left in them. Only when they are nothing do they become everything."
April 6, 2014
This is one of a series of books relating to a sorcerer teaching the wisdom he has learned himself.. I read this book some twenty (20) years ago, so this review is based on faulty memories and a gleaning of the first chapter or so. Mr. Castaneda is an Anthropology student studying sorcerers in Mexico. Don Juan is one of these.
Señor Juan has gathered or acquired a half dozen followers and students. Mr. Castaneda appears to be under a post-hypnotic suggestion such that he does not remember meeting or doing anything with these other students, in fact he describes could be considered schizophrenic hallucinations. Who, in their right mind, would walk off the edge of a cliff? I will have to reread this book to give anymore thoughts about it, but it must be just filled with how Mr. Castaneda grew in knowledge and experience to be comfortable walking off a cliff.
September 6, 2008
Like all of Castaneda books The Fire from Within doesn't cover too much new stuff from his previous works. However, the new stuff is always very interesting. As a shaman/medicine man in training I've always read Castaneda's books from a critical point of view. I realize that the truth gets bent here and there in his books but I continue to read them for the great nuggets of truth, inspiration, and insight that are sprinkled through out them. Perhaps, Castaneda is offering a theory in this book for spontaneous combustion!?! Regardless, it is apparent to me that Castaneda's books intermingle with black magic here and there and it is necessary to ground yourself before reading them. The dark forces are just as powerful teachers as the light forces making it a good read.
September 11, 2016
I found this book to be more trippy than his other books. Funny, since, according to the book, Carlos is not taking any druggs this time, like in the first three books. The reason that it is so trippy is probaby the long explanations on how Don Juan sees the world. Most of them are quite abstract, and thus pretty hard to follow. It was pretty annoying, and I put the book aside a lot.
I liked the story's about Don Juans past, and the encounter with the old seers. Exciting, mysterious, utterly weird situations are defenitely one of the things that attract me to Castaneda's books.
I like the books with Don Juan and Don Genaro in them more than the ones with the bunch of other seers that Carlos was left with after Don Juan and Don Genaro left.
I liked the story's about Don Juans past, and the encounter with the old seers. Exciting, mysterious, utterly weird situations are defenitely one of the things that attract me to Castaneda's books.
I like the books with Don Juan and Don Genaro in them more than the ones with the bunch of other seers that Carlos was left with after Don Juan and Don Genaro left.
October 11, 2016
Only a bell and a bird break the silence…
It seems that the two talk with the setting sun.
Golden colored silence, the afternoon is made of
crystals.
A roving purity sways the cool trees,
and beyond all that,
a transparent river dreams that trampling over
pearls
It breaks loose
And flows into infinity.
If you put a Juan Ramon Jimenez poem in a allegorical novel, you know it's going to be good. Best Castaneda book if the message is what you're searching for. You have to be skepctical, but the content is packed in this version. Journey to Ixtlan & The Fire From Within are very similar. Both have amazing resources and concepts for alternative patterns of thinking
It seems that the two talk with the setting sun.
Golden colored silence, the afternoon is made of
crystals.
A roving purity sways the cool trees,
and beyond all that,
a transparent river dreams that trampling over
pearls
It breaks loose
And flows into infinity.
If you put a Juan Ramon Jimenez poem in a allegorical novel, you know it's going to be good. Best Castaneda book if the message is what you're searching for. You have to be skepctical, but the content is packed in this version. Journey to Ixtlan & The Fire From Within are very similar. Both have amazing resources and concepts for alternative patterns of thinking
June 23, 2009
Is that subliminal messages are very deep. I'll tell you why, I was reading this book when I was pregnant with my first son, who I was all ready to name, Tyler Alexander Gregory, I thought, hmm, nice ring, well rounded name, so that was that. I read this book, while debating a baby name, and was not even thinking about the characters in this book, and when "alexander" was born he did not feel or look like an Alexander, and somewhere in both of us we agreed on Julian. It was so perfect. Years later I returned to this book, and the main characters name was Julian. This author is too deep to sleep on.
January 1, 2010
Many years after having read this book I should learn what was the reason of my thought that Carlos Castaneda seemed to have a memory even about the things he wrote and published. It was like reading repetitions of this what he had already written in other books before:
The true writer of this material, living in Puebla, had tried, after Carlos Castaneda did not return to him the large manuscript, to recover the material in re-writing it from memory. Carlos Castaneda got also in a strange way hold of that material.
You want to read more about it, read the book
Cuando sea grande by Manuel Arenaza Madera
The true writer of this material, living in Puebla, had tried, after Carlos Castaneda did not return to him the large manuscript, to recover the material in re-writing it from memory. Carlos Castaneda got also in a strange way hold of that material.
You want to read more about it, read the book
Cuando sea grande by Manuel Arenaza Madera
September 19, 2017
"The Fire from Within" was an easy read compared to another Castaneda book I read years ago, "Magical Passes". One key message I enjoyed was about getting past our obsession with ourselves simply for how much of our energy is freed to do other things,
There were a number of incredible stories in "The Fire from Within" that highlight the difference between how I was taught Reiki and how I teach Reiki. I wonder if all teachings can claim these big differences or if they are specific to the naguals.
All in all, this was a good read for anyone who enjoys reading about different ways to work energy.
There were a number of incredible stories in "The Fire from Within" that highlight the difference between how I was taught Reiki and how I teach Reiki. I wonder if all teachings can claim these big differences or if they are specific to the naguals.
All in all, this was a good read for anyone who enjoys reading about different ways to work energy.
September 26, 2007
it took a while to finish this book, especially in comparison to the ones that came before in this series. but the several months of hiatus were worthwhile. at about half-point when i paused i was almost certain i wouldn't be starting again. but i did and it did not take long to make it through the rest of the book. i do not necessarily take castaneda literally, but what he offers is certainly a way of talking about things which resonates with the way which things might be. there is absolute power and value in that.
March 27, 2016
According to Carlos Castaneda's bad-cop/good-cop gurus Don Juan and Don Genaro, the universe is a big cosmic joke to which the only proper response is forced laughter. That's a far cry from Beckett's tragicomic POV which at least elicits a genuine case of the giggles. Because of that "The Fire From Within" isn't a book I'd recommend when trying to make existential sense of it all. Emanations. Fibers. Stalkers. The mumbo jumbo never really comes together although there's a persuasive argument for celibacy and sobriety here if you want to go there.
February 15, 2016
Bel libro, però .. poteva essere scritto in un volume molto più piccolo. Troppe forzature inutili per farlo sembrare come un racconto con citazione di descrizioni vaghe.
Ha scritto troppo sui sintomi e niente sui metodi, troppo su terminologia e nulla riguardante il raggiungimento della cosiddetta consapevolezza
ciononostante, un libro da leggere prendendo in considerazione tutta la serie dello scrittore
Insegnamenti di Don Juan e la realtà separata
Ha scritto troppo sui sintomi e niente sui metodi, troppo su terminologia e nulla riguardante il raggiungimento della cosiddetta consapevolezza
ciononostante, un libro da leggere prendendo in considerazione tutta la serie dello scrittore
Insegnamenti di Don Juan e la realtà separata
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