05-26-2012, 12:00 AM
If you take away all the "magic" in Castaneda's works, all the Tales of Power, all the "other realms", all the nagualian stunts, what you are left with is the mundane essence of the writings which, imo, regardless, is quite valid. If nothing else, Castaneda did a service by suggesting actions and goals that really are relevant. The thing is, in order to sell the mundane, it must be cloaked, or presented in some unique and attractive way. In that regard, I think he was a success, whether the whole thing was made up or not.
His writings remind me of the last line of Shel Silverstein's fine poem, "The Quest for the Perfect High" - "...It's always easier to sell 'em some **** than it is to tell them the truth."
His writings remind me of the last line of Shel Silverstein's fine poem, "The Quest for the Perfect High" - "...It's always easier to sell 'em some **** than it is to tell them the truth."