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The Teachings of Don Juan #5
Second Ring of Power
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."Back from the abyss, Castaneda encounter his greatest test on the journey towards impeccability and to outwit and overpower the sorcery of Doña Soledad, herself transformed from a defeated and meaningless life to a warrior, a hunter and a "stalker of power." Now the combat will begin. Now the journey will continue. Till the last danger is faced...the final paradox embraced.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1977
117 people are currently reading
2171 people want to read
About the author
Carlos Castaneda
163 books2,617 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 81 reviews
November 4, 2009
I continue to wonder if Castaneda's books are fact or fiction.
June 6, 2013
probably my favourite castanada book.
as a kid, this series of books fell into my hands and i avidly devoured them all, each one taking me more into the magical world of Don Juan and Sorcery..
The first of the series that deals with the female sorcerors of the lineage, and details explicitly some of their rituals and powers, all tied up in a series of inner and outer world adventures that transports my imagination to the frightening and magical rural world of mexico.
reading it now, it still has the power to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up on end, and make some part of me into that teenager dreaming of magic...
as a kid, this series of books fell into my hands and i avidly devoured them all, each one taking me more into the magical world of Don Juan and Sorcery..
The first of the series that deals with the female sorcerors of the lineage, and details explicitly some of their rituals and powers, all tied up in a series of inner and outer world adventures that transports my imagination to the frightening and magical rural world of mexico.
reading it now, it still has the power to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up on end, and make some part of me into that teenager dreaming of magic...
Currently reading
May 7, 2013started reading again, soledads a bitch yo
August 3, 2025
As I have said before, I am very conscious that Carlos Castaneda is at one and the same time a fraud and an authentic guru. Unfortunately, his idea of practicing his sorcery involved surrounding himself with lady followers and wallowing in various forms of self-indulgence. In a word, he seemed to have drained away his impeccability.
His The Second Ring of Power goes into detail on the differences between the tonal and nagual, but concentrates on the latter (the so-called second ring of power). He also discusses his concepts of gazing, the second attention, and stalking.
By this point, Don Juan and Genaro have disappeared from the scene, and we are left with their disciples. One of them, La Gorda, has some final lessons for Carlos from Don Juan. Carlos leaves for a while, but then must rejoin the disciples -- supposedly permanently.
His The Second Ring of Power goes into detail on the differences between the tonal and nagual, but concentrates on the latter (the so-called second ring of power). He also discusses his concepts of gazing, the second attention, and stalking.
By this point, Don Juan and Genaro have disappeared from the scene, and we are left with their disciples. One of them, La Gorda, has some final lessons for Carlos from Don Juan. Carlos leaves for a while, but then must rejoin the disciples -- supposedly permanently.
August 19, 2009
Drawing the threads closer from all the previous books and stepping up into his role as the Nagual, Carlos's outdone himself. I couldn't read this book awhile back, and then the other day I was able to pick it up and start blasting through. Amazing. The rhythm of questioning is more obvious to me now and the pace of questioning skeptic/apprentice/intuitive sorcerer is even clearer. Great read.
June 16, 2012
The fifth book in the series and so far the least satifying. here's why.
A well balanced Castaneda book has the following elements/styles
1) Dialog and teachings about the Sorcerer's belief system (questioning also to refine understadning)
2) Journeys / vision quests Travel to places for the purposes of exercising some of the teachings, preparation for the same
3) Magic - Surreal expierences from other realities that are percieved through discipline or use of Power plants (although that seems to end in book two) often thrilling adventures!
4) Caring (at times geuine warm relationship) between the Sorcerer and the apprentice (Castaneda)
Reasons this book doesn't cut it in the series
1. This book is 85% element/style 1). So it's the 'talkiest' book so far. Lots' of spliting hairs about the belief system very pedantic and at times quite boring
2. The sorcerers (Not Don Juan, but Two male appretices and three female) have feelings of disdain bordering on hatred for one another and Castaneda
3. There's very little magic and wonder (some but very little and not thrilling like Casaneda is at his best).
I'm now in Book 6 "Eagles Gift". I do plan on finishing them all
Up to now, my favorite is "Tales of Power" Just an incredible book it has the best balance of the element I described. Second place for me is "A Separate Reality" book 2
A well balanced Castaneda book has the following elements/styles
1) Dialog and teachings about the Sorcerer's belief system (questioning also to refine understadning)
2) Journeys / vision quests Travel to places for the purposes of exercising some of the teachings, preparation for the same
3) Magic - Surreal expierences from other realities that are percieved through discipline or use of Power plants (although that seems to end in book two) often thrilling adventures!
4) Caring (at times geuine warm relationship) between the Sorcerer and the apprentice (Castaneda)
Reasons this book doesn't cut it in the series
1. This book is 85% element/style 1). So it's the 'talkiest' book so far. Lots' of spliting hairs about the belief system very pedantic and at times quite boring
2. The sorcerers (Not Don Juan, but Two male appretices and three female) have feelings of disdain bordering on hatred for one another and Castaneda
3. There's very little magic and wonder (some but very little and not thrilling like Casaneda is at his best).
I'm now in Book 6 "Eagles Gift". I do plan on finishing them all
Up to now, my favorite is "Tales of Power" Just an incredible book it has the best balance of the element I described. Second place for me is "A Separate Reality" book 2
March 18, 2016
The Warrior's Path: Carlos Castaneda began to write about sorcery and power during graduate school at the University of California. His first book, The Teachings of Don Juan, described his experiences with hallucinogenic power plants and introduced a new shaman to millions of readers.
Over the next decade he produced three more reports, focusing on the nature of power and changes in his own world view. The fourth book, Tales of Power, felt like the last. After all, the student-author completed his initiation and ultimately jumped into an abyss. But Castaneda continued his explorations, in life and in eight more books.
In the next installment, The Second Ring of Power, published in 1977, he becomes a full-fledged sorcerer. To be clear, the "first ring" was Castaneda's specialty when he was first recruited by the Yaqui sorcerer Don Juan in 1960: attention to the body, the realm of reason, that part of a person engaged early in life. Most people believe that it is all there is.
The "second ring" is quite different, however, as Don Juan continually tried to explain during Castaneda's apprenticeship. It is the capacity to place your awareness on the non-ordinary world, that realm of will Yaquis call the Naqual. In the fifth chapter of his epic adventure, Castaneda is no long either an apprentice or a "rational" anthropologist. He is making progress on the path of the warrior.
The book begins with some unfinished business. Castaneda is still unraveling his last meeting with Don Juan, Don Genaro and his fellow apprentices. It ended with his jump off a cliff and seeing his own body disintegrate. He couldn't rationally believe that it happened, so he has returned to central Mexico to resolve his conflicts.
But his greeting by Pablito's mother, Dona Soledad, just raises new issues. How has she become so much younger - and more attractive? Why would she want to kill him? And could Don Juan have planned it?
Fortunately, the old Yaqui's teachings have taken hold and Carlos is able to resist an initial assault. Once he has defeated Dona Soledad in psychic battle, the Sisters show up. They too have been trained by Don Juan, and were told by him to view Carlos as his replacement. They aren't impressed at first.
In The Second Ring, Carlos has his own appointment with power. But Don Juan has provided a worthy partner called La Gorda, another former apprentice, whose training is more complete than his own. Together they become a classic detective team in the phantasmagoric world of the Nagual. Carlos is a bit erratic and impulsive but his power, as La Gorda puts it, is "awesome."
Along the way, they walk successfully with the "allies," who have frightened Carlos in the past. And they enter into pure volition and practice "dreaming," the art of holding images. Don Juan tried for years to teach Carlos the technique, but his "attention of the tonal" -- that's awareness of the common sense world -- was usually in the way. With La Gorda and the Sisters he finally makes the jump, changing levels of attention, actually moving in space through the energy of La Gorda's dreaming.
The emergence of strong women in the sorcerers' world is striking in this book. Apparently, Don Juan trained them at the same time, but the dense notetaker never noticed the changes. In The Second Ring of Power they dominate, showing more stability than the men. And yet, despite Carlos' occasional stupidity, they're willing to follow his lead.
Over the years it has become common to view the personal evolution Castaneda describes in his books with some skepticism. Many consider the stories a fantastical tour-de-force. At the risk of reviving a pointless debate, I'll offer just two thoughts.
First, no matter where Castaneda ended up -- actually promoting Tensegrity, movements that were supposedly passed down to him by 25 generations of Toltec shamans -- his starting point was serious research on the effects of medicinal plants. And second, he didn't abandon ethnographic conventions in his study of the sorcerer's world. Like the other books, The Second Ring of Power eloquently describes the path open to human beings who pioneer in the uncharted world of consciousness. It is inspired reportage by a scholar who has moved from theory to practice in a world of exotic power.
Over the next decade he produced three more reports, focusing on the nature of power and changes in his own world view. The fourth book, Tales of Power, felt like the last. After all, the student-author completed his initiation and ultimately jumped into an abyss. But Castaneda continued his explorations, in life and in eight more books.
In the next installment, The Second Ring of Power, published in 1977, he becomes a full-fledged sorcerer. To be clear, the "first ring" was Castaneda's specialty when he was first recruited by the Yaqui sorcerer Don Juan in 1960: attention to the body, the realm of reason, that part of a person engaged early in life. Most people believe that it is all there is.
The "second ring" is quite different, however, as Don Juan continually tried to explain during Castaneda's apprenticeship. It is the capacity to place your awareness on the non-ordinary world, that realm of will Yaquis call the Naqual. In the fifth chapter of his epic adventure, Castaneda is no long either an apprentice or a "rational" anthropologist. He is making progress on the path of the warrior.
The book begins with some unfinished business. Castaneda is still unraveling his last meeting with Don Juan, Don Genaro and his fellow apprentices. It ended with his jump off a cliff and seeing his own body disintegrate. He couldn't rationally believe that it happened, so he has returned to central Mexico to resolve his conflicts.
But his greeting by Pablito's mother, Dona Soledad, just raises new issues. How has she become so much younger - and more attractive? Why would she want to kill him? And could Don Juan have planned it?
Fortunately, the old Yaqui's teachings have taken hold and Carlos is able to resist an initial assault. Once he has defeated Dona Soledad in psychic battle, the Sisters show up. They too have been trained by Don Juan, and were told by him to view Carlos as his replacement. They aren't impressed at first.
In The Second Ring, Carlos has his own appointment with power. But Don Juan has provided a worthy partner called La Gorda, another former apprentice, whose training is more complete than his own. Together they become a classic detective team in the phantasmagoric world of the Nagual. Carlos is a bit erratic and impulsive but his power, as La Gorda puts it, is "awesome."
Along the way, they walk successfully with the "allies," who have frightened Carlos in the past. And they enter into pure volition and practice "dreaming," the art of holding images. Don Juan tried for years to teach Carlos the technique, but his "attention of the tonal" -- that's awareness of the common sense world -- was usually in the way. With La Gorda and the Sisters he finally makes the jump, changing levels of attention, actually moving in space through the energy of La Gorda's dreaming.
The emergence of strong women in the sorcerers' world is striking in this book. Apparently, Don Juan trained them at the same time, but the dense notetaker never noticed the changes. In The Second Ring of Power they dominate, showing more stability than the men. And yet, despite Carlos' occasional stupidity, they're willing to follow his lead.
Over the years it has become common to view the personal evolution Castaneda describes in his books with some skepticism. Many consider the stories a fantastical tour-de-force. At the risk of reviving a pointless debate, I'll offer just two thoughts.
First, no matter where Castaneda ended up -- actually promoting Tensegrity, movements that were supposedly passed down to him by 25 generations of Toltec shamans -- his starting point was serious research on the effects of medicinal plants. And second, he didn't abandon ethnographic conventions in his study of the sorcerer's world. Like the other books, The Second Ring of Power eloquently describes the path open to human beings who pioneer in the uncharted world of consciousness. It is inspired reportage by a scholar who has moved from theory to practice in a world of exotic power.
August 27, 2013
I read this book within two days because i couldn't put it down! In order to understand it, it's a must to read the last previous books or else you will be lost! It gets somewhat complicated, but if you've read the previous books you can comprehend it pretty well, this book also deserves at least two reads because you'll be able to find different answers all the time. Once you begin comprehending you will finally be addicted to the writings of Carlos, his descriptions are so thorough. It paints a most vivid picture of his details. The beginning of Carlos's first battle with Sorcery where he finds in-depth powers he never thought he can achieve.
August 21, 2022
I have for a long time been curious about Peruvian-American author Carlos Castañeda as a result of the polarised reception to his work: People either appreciate him for the philosophical, spiritual and psychological insight in his books or they dislike him for passing off complete fiction as scientific anthropology and becoming a textbook example of a cult leader later in his career – with little middle ground. When I saw this book in a public book exchange cabinet, I knew I had to pick it up.
”The Second Ring of Power” starts after the protagonist's studies under 2 Mexican wizards named Don Juan and Don Gennaro. He goes looking for their other students but only finds one student's mother Dona Soledad. She is also a powerful sorcerer - and quite cranky as well as sexually aggressive towards our hero - making a point of putting him through several dangerous situations designed to neutralise his worst fears and anxieties. He soon encounters Soledad's four daughters, who each represent a different corner of the world and have similar personalities as the winds from each compass direction. So far this reminds me of C. G. Jung's dream analysis case stories where similar character types and narratives make frequent appearances – even more so when the protagonist confronts monstrous beings that turn out to be individual characters' shadow selves. That is a quintessentially Jungian motif, along with Dona Soledad and her daughters representing the dark destructive side of the divine feminine... the neglect of whom Jung viewed as a root cause of the unprecedented spiritual crisis facing the modern Western world.
Near the end the title of the book is finally explained: The first ring of power is human attention on the tonal, i. e. the world as filtered through culturally specific social consensus reality and the limitations of the human sensory system; 2nd ring is human attention on the nagual, the totality of the world outside consensus and the realm which accomplished wizards live in all the time - hence why they appear to normal people as flickering in and out of existence. Which includes giving up your human bodily form... trippy stuff indeed.
The Jungian parallels make me wonder how much ”traditional Mexican shamanism” there is in here, especially when I also recognise the "protagonist encounters eccentric characters putting him through increasingly disturbing yet whimsical challenges" narrative structure from Lewis Carroll's ”Alice in Wonderland” books. Notice how many occultists (starting with Aleister Crowley) interpret the Alice novels as a metaphor for the Kabbalistic initiation process on the basis of Wonderland's inhabitants corresponding to the Sephiroth on the Tree of Life. A tradition of Jewish mysticism strongly inspired by Greco-Roman philosophy strikes me as far from a lineage of Mexican shamanism going all the way back to the Toltecs, which is how Castañeda presents his system. That said, indigenous Mesoamerican religion is a topic I at best have a beginner level understanding of so I guess I should read more up on that before forming an opinion.
Taken as literature, I really enjoyed ”The Second Ring of Power”. The main characters are all interesting to read about, the imagery and the narrative show a great sense of imagination on the author's part, the desert landscapes of Mexico are vividly and picturesquely described, the challenges which the protagonist go through closely match many of the same psychological anxieties I struggle with. The result is a reading experience resonating deeply with me. In particular the revelation that each of the protagonist's teachers has failed on their quest in some aspect or another, as well as the fact that almost every time he thinks he has mastered the path of the sorcerer he learns that he has profoundly misunderstood some basic aspect of the spiritual journey – until he faces the final revelation about the Second Ring. A philosophical point which I still grapple with and consider the consequences of while I am writing this. I've instantly become interested in the author's other books, probably some things that went over my head as a result of not having read the first 4 books yet I was surprised by how much I understood on an intuitive basis.
”The Second Ring of Power” starts after the protagonist's studies under 2 Mexican wizards named Don Juan and Don Gennaro. He goes looking for their other students but only finds one student's mother Dona Soledad. She is also a powerful sorcerer - and quite cranky as well as sexually aggressive towards our hero - making a point of putting him through several dangerous situations designed to neutralise his worst fears and anxieties. He soon encounters Soledad's four daughters, who each represent a different corner of the world and have similar personalities as the winds from each compass direction. So far this reminds me of C. G. Jung's dream analysis case stories where similar character types and narratives make frequent appearances – even more so when the protagonist confronts monstrous beings that turn out to be individual characters' shadow selves. That is a quintessentially Jungian motif, along with Dona Soledad and her daughters representing the dark destructive side of the divine feminine... the neglect of whom Jung viewed as a root cause of the unprecedented spiritual crisis facing the modern Western world.
Near the end the title of the book is finally explained: The first ring of power is human attention on the tonal, i. e. the world as filtered through culturally specific social consensus reality and the limitations of the human sensory system; 2nd ring is human attention on the nagual, the totality of the world outside consensus and the realm which accomplished wizards live in all the time - hence why they appear to normal people as flickering in and out of existence. Which includes giving up your human bodily form... trippy stuff indeed.
The Jungian parallels make me wonder how much ”traditional Mexican shamanism” there is in here, especially when I also recognise the "protagonist encounters eccentric characters putting him through increasingly disturbing yet whimsical challenges" narrative structure from Lewis Carroll's ”Alice in Wonderland” books. Notice how many occultists (starting with Aleister Crowley) interpret the Alice novels as a metaphor for the Kabbalistic initiation process on the basis of Wonderland's inhabitants corresponding to the Sephiroth on the Tree of Life. A tradition of Jewish mysticism strongly inspired by Greco-Roman philosophy strikes me as far from a lineage of Mexican shamanism going all the way back to the Toltecs, which is how Castañeda presents his system. That said, indigenous Mesoamerican religion is a topic I at best have a beginner level understanding of so I guess I should read more up on that before forming an opinion.
Taken as literature, I really enjoyed ”The Second Ring of Power”. The main characters are all interesting to read about, the imagery and the narrative show a great sense of imagination on the author's part, the desert landscapes of Mexico are vividly and picturesquely described, the challenges which the protagonist go through closely match many of the same psychological anxieties I struggle with. The result is a reading experience resonating deeply with me. In particular the revelation that each of the protagonist's teachers has failed on their quest in some aspect or another, as well as the fact that almost every time he thinks he has mastered the path of the sorcerer he learns that he has profoundly misunderstood some basic aspect of the spiritual journey – until he faces the final revelation about the Second Ring. A philosophical point which I still grapple with and consider the consequences of while I am writing this. I've instantly become interested in the author's other books, probably some things that went over my head as a result of not having read the first 4 books yet I was surprised by how much I understood on an intuitive basis.
March 6, 2011
Enter Dona Soledad, La Gorda, Josefina, Lidia and Rosa. This is the first time that the 'sisters' and Pablito's mother have featured heavily in the series. Having been mentored by Don Juan and Genaro, they, along with Pablito, Nestor and Benigno (The Genaros) are all now ready to take things to an all new level with Carlos.
Having had time to think about his teachings from Don Juan and read his copious amount of notes taken during his time with Don Juan, Carlos is now ready to take a leap of faith, not just into the abyss from the mountain top, but also with his own mind, his view of the world and the thought processes he uses to try and make sense of everything that happens to others and himself.
Meeting Dona Soledad for the second time, he is taken aback by her appearance and the look in her eyes; she has used the powers of sorcery and the directions of the wind to transform herself. I would love right now to share with you the transformation, but for the sake of those who have not read the book, all I will say is, once we see the way others see us, and use the power of nature to heal us, amazing things can happen! Not to mention that if this book was more mainstream, the current programmes of weight watchers and slimmers world would certainly have a run for their money (from the more open minded ones amongst us that is!)
This is the thing with Carlos' books, you HAVE to be open minded, you have to be willing to empty your mind of the things you already know to be true. This is why Carlos has had so many problems understanding the world of sorcery. He just couldn't let go of the barriers he had formed in his mind, as we all do, to things we cannot comprehend. We have to let go of our fears, our prejudices, our opinions and once we let go and come from nothing, anything is possible.
In this book we learn about the 'direction' he faces and the impact that has on his life and his future; the winds and how they control the sense of being. We revisit luminosity and being whole, impeccability as a person and as a warrior. We learn more about the night Carlos, Pablito, Benigno and Nestor all jumped into the abyss from the top of the mountain, the effects it had on them and their journey into the deeper world sorcery.
With an introduction on how each of the sisters, Dona Soledad and Genaros met Don Juan and Genaro, the way they were enticed into the world of sorcery, it is easier to picture them, making them more involved, whereas before, they were just names. This book brings together so many of the elements touched upon before and makes understanding the process more believable. La Gorda's explanations of the Don Juan's teachings, not only helps Carlos understand things in a clearer way, which in turn also helps the reader understand the teachings better; this is obviously the intention of the book and an important part of the journey for Carlos. Having had so many things become clearer, it helps Carlos make a choice about whether he is going to continue down the path of a warrior, an impeccable warrior or turn his back on this life for good.
The experiences he has with the females in the group throughout this book, especially the final one, would make most run away screaming, so I find it impressive that Carlos decided to stay. But will he stay and complete his journey? Will he 'complete' himself? I don't know, but I cannot wait to read the next 'chapter' in this remarkable journey to find out!
Having had time to think about his teachings from Don Juan and read his copious amount of notes taken during his time with Don Juan, Carlos is now ready to take a leap of faith, not just into the abyss from the mountain top, but also with his own mind, his view of the world and the thought processes he uses to try and make sense of everything that happens to others and himself.
Meeting Dona Soledad for the second time, he is taken aback by her appearance and the look in her eyes; she has used the powers of sorcery and the directions of the wind to transform herself. I would love right now to share with you the transformation, but for the sake of those who have not read the book, all I will say is, once we see the way others see us, and use the power of nature to heal us, amazing things can happen! Not to mention that if this book was more mainstream, the current programmes of weight watchers and slimmers world would certainly have a run for their money (from the more open minded ones amongst us that is!)
This is the thing with Carlos' books, you HAVE to be open minded, you have to be willing to empty your mind of the things you already know to be true. This is why Carlos has had so many problems understanding the world of sorcery. He just couldn't let go of the barriers he had formed in his mind, as we all do, to things we cannot comprehend. We have to let go of our fears, our prejudices, our opinions and once we let go and come from nothing, anything is possible.
In this book we learn about the 'direction' he faces and the impact that has on his life and his future; the winds and how they control the sense of being. We revisit luminosity and being whole, impeccability as a person and as a warrior. We learn more about the night Carlos, Pablito, Benigno and Nestor all jumped into the abyss from the top of the mountain, the effects it had on them and their journey into the deeper world sorcery.
With an introduction on how each of the sisters, Dona Soledad and Genaros met Don Juan and Genaro, the way they were enticed into the world of sorcery, it is easier to picture them, making them more involved, whereas before, they were just names. This book brings together so many of the elements touched upon before and makes understanding the process more believable. La Gorda's explanations of the Don Juan's teachings, not only helps Carlos understand things in a clearer way, which in turn also helps the reader understand the teachings better; this is obviously the intention of the book and an important part of the journey for Carlos. Having had so many things become clearer, it helps Carlos make a choice about whether he is going to continue down the path of a warrior, an impeccable warrior or turn his back on this life for good.
The experiences he has with the females in the group throughout this book, especially the final one, would make most run away screaming, so I find it impressive that Carlos decided to stay. But will he stay and complete his journey? Will he 'complete' himself? I don't know, but I cannot wait to read the next 'chapter' in this remarkable journey to find out!
September 4, 2023
This was the 1st Carlos Casteneda book I read, and that was way back in my university years. I suspect my habit of ‘better living through chemistry’ may have had something to do with it at the time, but of all the books, I still enjoyed this one the most. Recently, I decided to re-read it to see if it held up.
Let’s get this out of the way... these are works of fiction. Despite Casteneda’s protestations, these stories are just that... stories. Regardless, they are frequently fascinating stories just the same. This is the 5th book in the series, after “Tales of Power”. Readers of his prior novels will be sort of familiar with the characters as they were ancillary in previous books. However, both Don Juan and Don Genero are now ‘gone’.
The Second Ring of Power delves into the interactions of the remaining apprentices, namely the author; Dona Soledad; La Gorda; Lidia; Josafina; Rosa; Pablito; Nestor; & Benigio. Each apprentice has something of a different talent and ability and they demonstrate those abilities in frequently remarkable fashion.
Perhaps because I have now read most of Casteneda’s books, I am less patient with his character’s density. The reader wishes to reach out to him and ask him, “Are you thick?!? Wake up; you’ve been at this for years!” Anyway, a fascinating addition to Casteneda’s oeuvre.
4 stars
Let’s get this out of the way... these are works of fiction. Despite Casteneda’s protestations, these stories are just that... stories. Regardless, they are frequently fascinating stories just the same. This is the 5th book in the series, after “Tales of Power”. Readers of his prior novels will be sort of familiar with the characters as they were ancillary in previous books. However, both Don Juan and Don Genero are now ‘gone’.
The Second Ring of Power delves into the interactions of the remaining apprentices, namely the author; Dona Soledad; La Gorda; Lidia; Josafina; Rosa; Pablito; Nestor; & Benigio. Each apprentice has something of a different talent and ability and they demonstrate those abilities in frequently remarkable fashion.
Perhaps because I have now read most of Casteneda’s books, I am less patient with his character’s density. The reader wishes to reach out to him and ask him, “Are you thick?!? Wake up; you’ve been at this for years!” Anyway, a fascinating addition to Casteneda’s oeuvre.
4 stars
May 24, 2015
Unfinished. This is book 5 in a series. Had I been given the first in the series, my opinion may have been different. Carlos, (now deceased) should have been courteous enough to label his books instead of call his 5th book "The Second Ring of Power." I could have adapted to reading the second in a series or have gone to a used book store and bought book one, but I'm not going back FOUR books to read this one.
Also, his character's narration seemed a little silly for me. I don't know, maybe it is just me---but when I was single, and a woman (older, yet attractive) showed me her breasts and told me to come to her bed, I wouldn't have run away thinking she was a witch. I'd have said, "Oh, look, it is my lucky day." I'd have hit that, no doubt. Then, when he finally settles down a little bit (page 40?), while she is still half dressed, he wants to talk about how nice the stone tiles are in her bedroom.
Seriously? SERIOUSLY?
Also, his character's narration seemed a little silly for me. I don't know, maybe it is just me---but when I was single, and a woman (older, yet attractive) showed me her breasts and told me to come to her bed, I wouldn't have run away thinking she was a witch. I'd have said, "Oh, look, it is my lucky day." I'd have hit that, no doubt. Then, when he finally settles down a little bit (page 40?), while she is still half dressed, he wants to talk about how nice the stone tiles are in her bedroom.
Seriously? SERIOUSLY?
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!
September 21, 2007
I started reading the Carlos Casteneda books when I was a young teenager. I read them all except for this last one and finally 30 years later finished it and it almost seems appropriate to have waited and to fully comprehend Casteneda's journey through other worlds that exist simultaneously as we exist. As a youngster this book opened all doors to possibility above and beyond our everyday lives.
April 10, 2008
Not my favorite of his. Carlos goes back to Mexico a while after his apprenticeship ends and finds that Don Juan left behind other apprentices that he apparently knows nothing about.
His interactions with his cohorts always annoy me. Still entertaining and worth the read, although it shakes up the whole 'world vision' he'd created in his previous books.
Read
June 19, 2011Personally I have no concern with whether these books are fiction or non-fiction, I found them to be good friends. Some very enjoyable tricks learned in the choices I makes when interacting with my environment.
July 28, 2019
i wanted to see what all the fuss was about...
... i still dont get what all the fuss is about!
damn you hippies, everything i read from the recomendations of your kind just doesnt click with me
i ll go watch altered stated again, any day, than reading more castaneda!
... i still dont get what all the fuss is about!
damn you hippies, everything i read from the recomendations of your kind just doesnt click with me
i ll go watch altered stated again, any day, than reading more castaneda!
August 15, 2008
SUCKS!
September 22, 2008
This one is pretty stupid but clarifies some earlier things.
February 12, 2010
Such a great book to read in these times. We do forget that spirituality does not mean there is a god.
April 22, 2010
کارلوس کاستاندا در زمانیکه سخت محتاج راهنما بودیم ؛ دستمان را گرفت....
June 22, 2017
Ох, моля ви се...
May 2, 2024
It is curious that there are so few reviews of this book given the number of reads. It is also curious that this is still classified as a non-fiction work. This second time through for me warrants a change in perspective looking at some of the implications of the "magical" happenings. In the first four books it is apparent that to be an impeccable warrior Castaneda needs to give up his attachment to his former life. Given that this is his fifth book out of 12, he obviously never makes it because he never gave up publishing his series of books over the course of decades.
There is a big change in the presentation of living as an 'impeccable warrior' in this book. It seemed an admirable pursuit gathering personal power, which involves acquiring knowledge, and living a life of non-attachment. Now it is all about acquiring raw power, often at the expense of other individuals to the point of committing murder (or attempted murder in this case). Dona Soledad has grown younger in appearance by decades. At the instruction of Don Juan, and years in the making, she tries to seduce Carlos to kill him and take his power (so do the little sisters in another attempted murder). Failing that, she will have to battle and kill her son Pablito (since he is a sorcerer too) to take back the luminosity she relinquished to him at birth. Becoming a parent makes you "incomplete" and you must be 'complete' to enter the other world. If you are a parent, you have to learn to no longer love your children, then snatch the edge back from them leaving them as the ones who are incomplete. Everyone out for themselves. Barring that, you can kill a fellow sorcerer and steal their power. Why is it this way? Who knows? La Gorda explains she didn't make the rules. Warriors have no compassion for anyone. Compassion is for chumps. The writing is more sexist than I remember. A 'complete' woman, is described as: "She is unreliable, moody, nervous, but also capable of great changes. Women like that can pick themselves up and go anywhere. They'll do nothing there, but that's because they had nothing going to begin with." Being complete, every childless woman is unreliable, moody and nervous. Wow. And once you have children? "Empty people, on the other hand, can't jump like that anymore, but they're more reliable. The Nagual said that empty people are like worms that look around before moving a bit and then they back up and then they move a little bit more again." Also of interest about women is the doorway to the other world for them is when the menstruate, but then that is because they become something else. "They (women) have their own abyss. Women menstruate. The Nagual told me that that was the door for them. During their period they become something else. ... When a woman menstruates she cannot focus her attention. That's the crack the Nagual told me about."
The story is fascinating, but now being a warrior is much less of a worthy goal than it appears, pointing towards losing your compassion, no longer loving your children and to be willing to kill with your sorcery. It is all wonderfully absurd.
There is a big change in the presentation of living as an 'impeccable warrior' in this book. It seemed an admirable pursuit gathering personal power, which involves acquiring knowledge, and living a life of non-attachment. Now it is all about acquiring raw power, often at the expense of other individuals to the point of committing murder (or attempted murder in this case). Dona Soledad has grown younger in appearance by decades. At the instruction of Don Juan, and years in the making, she tries to seduce Carlos to kill him and take his power (so do the little sisters in another attempted murder). Failing that, she will have to battle and kill her son Pablito (since he is a sorcerer too) to take back the luminosity she relinquished to him at birth. Becoming a parent makes you "incomplete" and you must be 'complete' to enter the other world. If you are a parent, you have to learn to no longer love your children, then snatch the edge back from them leaving them as the ones who are incomplete. Everyone out for themselves. Barring that, you can kill a fellow sorcerer and steal their power. Why is it this way? Who knows? La Gorda explains she didn't make the rules. Warriors have no compassion for anyone. Compassion is for chumps. The writing is more sexist than I remember. A 'complete' woman, is described as: "She is unreliable, moody, nervous, but also capable of great changes. Women like that can pick themselves up and go anywhere. They'll do nothing there, but that's because they had nothing going to begin with." Being complete, every childless woman is unreliable, moody and nervous. Wow. And once you have children? "Empty people, on the other hand, can't jump like that anymore, but they're more reliable. The Nagual said that empty people are like worms that look around before moving a bit and then they back up and then they move a little bit more again." Also of interest about women is the doorway to the other world for them is when the menstruate, but then that is because they become something else. "They (women) have their own abyss. Women menstruate. The Nagual told me that that was the door for them. During their period they become something else. ... When a woman menstruates she cannot focus her attention. That's the crack the Nagual told me about."
The story is fascinating, but now being a warrior is much less of a worthy goal than it appears, pointing towards losing your compassion, no longer loving your children and to be willing to kill with your sorcery. It is all wonderfully absurd.
May 12, 2022
Entire summary of the book:
Unattractive Woman says something incomprehensible.
Carlos says, "I don't understand."
"That's because you're so stupid!" she replied, and laughed.
Repeat for 350 pages.
Unattractive Woman says something incomprehensible.
Carlos says, "I don't understand."
"That's because you're so stupid!" she replied, and laughed.
Repeat for 350 pages.
March 26, 2020
About 9 years ago I began a personally meaningful journey through all the Castaneda books (buying hard copies of every book) because they raised issues that I thought were quite profound and had never encountered before. I used to read passages out loud to my wife and would at times talk about a particular passage. At the time, I didn't care to make a judgement on whether or not the books were genuine or not.
When I read this book the first time, I didn't find it a pleasurable experience, and after a second reading, I still don't. I couldn't quite put my finger on why I disliked it the first time, I simply set it aside and went on to the next book. Reading again, now, I would have to say, this is the book that answered for me, the question of authenticity for me.
Don Juan had always stressed the importance of being impeccable in your actions and warned of indulgence because it makes you powerless and unable to counter the powerful forces "out there", that can "squash you like a bug". He also, let it be known that Carlos was a violent person in his thinking and that warriors are not concerned in hurting their fellow man, because they are not a threat for someone who can "see" and sense the intentions of others. This book on the other hand nothing but one big power struggle and has Don Juan as the one who has instructed these other warriors on ways they can take Carlos out in order to gain his "luminosity".
No, this book flies in the face of everything Don Juan had ever said about his lineage. This book is also quite titillating to an annoying degree, and this for me is proof that Castaneda had lost his way after the departure of Genaro and don Juan and the direction he was headed in was inspired by other motives...enough said.
When I read this book the first time, I didn't find it a pleasurable experience, and after a second reading, I still don't. I couldn't quite put my finger on why I disliked it the first time, I simply set it aside and went on to the next book. Reading again, now, I would have to say, this is the book that answered for me, the question of authenticity for me.
Don Juan had always stressed the importance of being impeccable in your actions and warned of indulgence because it makes you powerless and unable to counter the powerful forces "out there", that can "squash you like a bug". He also, let it be known that Carlos was a violent person in his thinking and that warriors are not concerned in hurting their fellow man, because they are not a threat for someone who can "see" and sense the intentions of others. This book on the other hand nothing but one big power struggle and has Don Juan as the one who has instructed these other warriors on ways they can take Carlos out in order to gain his "luminosity".
No, this book flies in the face of everything Don Juan had ever said about his lineage. This book is also quite titillating to an annoying degree, and this for me is proof that Castaneda had lost his way after the departure of Genaro and don Juan and the direction he was headed in was inspired by other motives...enough said.
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.
July 15, 2011
Castaneda was a graduate student studying Anthropology and was doing his thesis on Mexican Shaman and their use of regional plants and herbs to induce psychotropic effects in an attempt to cure people of various illnesses. Castaneda starts off with a scientist view, as a skeptic and later is blown away by what happens to him, which then becomes his life long pursuits. If you plan on reading these books, start with the Yaqui Way of Life, which is the first book and be prepared to be engrossed in Don Juan's teachings.
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!!!!
April 9, 2016
Se puso buena la cosa. Una vez que empecé, no pude soltar el libro. Tiene muy buen ritmo, profundiza en los personajes y aporta muchas imágenes interesantes. Es el mejor logrado de los 5 que he leido, justo antes de Relatos de Poder. Me entusiasma que la calidad de la escritura de Castaneda va subiendo con cada tomo. Ojalá así sigan creciendo los demás libros.
December 22, 2016
If it has one star I liked it a lot
If it has two stars I liked it a lot and would recommend it
If it has three stars I really really liked it a lot
If it has four stars I insist you read it
If it has five stars it was life changing
If it has two stars I liked it a lot and would recommend it
If it has three stars I really really liked it a lot
If it has four stars I insist you read it
If it has five stars it was life changing
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