Journey to Ixtlan by Carlos Castaneda

Why I read it

I read Journey to Ixtlan because I was interested in learning more about the teachings of Don Juan Matus, a Yaqui shaman. I had heard that Castaneda's books were controversial, but I was also intrigued by the stories he told.

Summary

Journey to Ixtlan is the third book in Castaneda's series of books about his apprenticeship to Don Juan. In this book, Castaneda recounts his experiences learning about the nature of reality, power, and the warrior's path.

The book is divided into three parts. In the first part, Castaneda describes his initial meeting with Don Juan and his introduction to the world of sorcery. In the second part, he recounts his experiences learning about the power of the mind and the importance of letting go of our attachments to the material world. In the third part, he discusses the warrior's path and the need to live in the present moment.

My favorite quotes:

The world is not what it seems.

The only way to learn is to let go of our beliefs.

The warrior is always ready to die.

The present moment is all we have.

The only way to live is to live in the present moment.

Rating:

I would give Journey to Ixtlan a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. It is a challenging book, but it is also a rewarding one. Castaneda's writing is clear and engaging, and his insights are profound.

Would I recommend it?

Yes, I would recommend Journey to Ixtlan to anyone who is interested in learning more about the nature of reality, power, and the warrior's path. It is a thought-provoking book that can help you to grow as a person.

Here are some additional thoughts on the book:

1. I found Castaneda's descriptions of his experiences to be very vivid and engaging. He did a good job of conveying the sense of wonder and mystery that he felt as he learned from Don Juan.
2. I was particularly interested in Castaneda's discussion of the power of the mind. He argued that we can create our own reality through our thoughts and beliefs. This was a challenging concept for me to grasp, but it is one that I have been thinking about a lot since I read the book.
3. I also found Castaneda's discussion of the warrior's path to be very inspiring. The warrior is someone who is always willing to face challenges and who is not afraid to die. This is a quality that I admire, and I think it is something that we can all strive for.

Overall, I found Journey to Ixtlan to be a very thought-provoking and rewarding book. It is a book that I will be thinking about for a long time to come.