Author: Daria White
Starting January this year, a new film about Carlos Castaneda is running in the Moscow and St. Petersburg theatres. After its successful rotation, his direct apprentices make their way to Moscow for an interactive and practical workshop.
An exclusive interview with Bruce Wagner and Renata Murez up next.
Preface
“And the birds stayed, singing.“
“Your journey to Ixtlan is not real then”, I said. “It is real!” don Genaro interjected. “The travelers are not real.”
He pointed to don Juan with a nod of his head and said emphatically, “This is the only one who is real. The world is real only when I am with this one.”
(Carlos Castaneda, “Journey to Ixtlan”, 1972; Chapter 20: Journey to Ixtlan)
I. The movie: “The Secret of Carlos Castaneda”
Mysterious reminiscent portrait
It was very enlightening to hear people speak who knew Carlos Castaneda personally and spoke to him in the same way they are now seated in front of the camera, answering questions and telling stories about how it was.
II. The workshop: “Practical Dreaming”
Exercise-prompted answers
It was unusual seeing how the books were suddenly turned into a practical guide spread over several days on how to reach one’s dream, with step-by-step turns and directions and a huge amount of Carlos Castaneda’s quotes.
III. The interview: A mysterious warrior and a practical hunter (Exclusive)
Unexpected energy turns
From two of the people in the world who knew Carlos Castaneda better than any others, and who have taken a place on stage presenting his work, it was thrilling to learn about how it felt with him in the scene.
- Introduction: the story
- Announcing interview with Renata Murez
- Announcing interview with Bruce Wagner
I. The movie: “The Secret of Carlos Castaneda”
A. Introduction
“The Secret of Carlos Castaneda” movie screening in Moscow theatres (April 2019)
It was breathtaking to find out about the premiere of the movie in January 2019, and although I was too late, I enjoyed the reviews. Thankfully, the showing was repeated in April, and I also had the “Practical Dreaming” workshop to look forward to in May. Two of the most exciting events in the area of Carlos Castaneda’s work, which I had been reading in original for a long time, were happening in two next months. This was great news for Moscow.
The movie stars interviews with two of Carlos Castaneda’s direct apprentices, Bruce Wagner and Renata (Reni) Murez, as well as other people who knew him personally and can tell stories of their acquaintance. Music and art shown in the background and during changing scenes are best known illustrations (including the ones produced by Vladislav Erko) made for the series of books outlining the scope of Castaneda’s work, from first (“The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge”, released in 1968) to twelfth (“The Active Side of Infinity”, 1999). His works have been published several times in many languages, including Russian and English, and reached bestseller lists in many countries of the world.
The movie (see trailer), which premiered on January 24th, 2019 in Moscow, was later shown at Formula Kino theatres in late April, prior to Bruce and Renata’s arrival to Moscow for the “Practical Dreaming” seminar lasting from Thu, May 2 to Sat, May 4 (with an optional extra day of exercise on Sun, May 5).
In some way, it has formed a framework for the acquaintance with the practical side of Castaneda’s teachings, although there was a lot of general public in the cinemas, not so much familiar with his practices but more with his published works (or else simply attracted by the phenomenon or dragged by their friends).
B. Questions
I directed my questions at the director of the movie, Vladimir Maykov, straight after seeing the film (here’s his invitation to the theatres), and later at Castaneda’s apprentices and instructors of the “Practical Dreaming” workshop.
Notably, Vladimir is also a psychologist and a trainer, while Bruce Wagner, novelist and screenwriter, interviewed Carlos Castaneda multiple times and also directed the early instructional films of “Tensegrity”. Renata Murez is a “Tensegrity” facilitator and instructor, and creative co-director at “Cleargreen” (who first facilitated “Tensegrity” back in 1993).
I alerted the director to the fact of Bruce and Renata’s oncoming arrival and interrogated him about any photographic material of Carlos Castaneda’s friends and don Juan’s alleged apprentices, Nestor and Pablito, as well as doña Soledad. He claimed to have seen none, for every person he asked about it would turn the conversation to other topics, or else disappear, or else silence it out. The film though does feature photos of the women who used to live with Carlos Castaneda and disappeared after his death. Among public questions to the director were also the one about Castaneda’s death (“Is he really dead?”, which the crew answered with a probablity of an island somewhere where all great folks go to) and his connection to Tibet.
I asked Bruce and Renata about their impressions of the film, and although they could easily recall the footage I was referring to, they did not really make very much of the movie; instead, they both claimed to have liked the director a lot, and his attitude towards Carlos Castaneda, which was why they agreed to participate in it in the first place. They both claimed to have seen it and regarded it as the director’s view of Castaneda’s phenomenon.
It seemed that Bruce had a lot to say about ego (seeing people say “I knew him”, and “Oh no, I knew him better”), and Renata about practical questions of the relationship and the techniques.
C. Impressions: strawberry cake and secret house
It was very enlightening to hear people speak who knew Carlos Castaneda personally and spoke to him in the same way they are now seated in front of the camera, answering questions and telling stories about how it was.
The film, although rich in detail and referrals, lacks visual materials of Carlos Castaneda’s followers (although pictures of the women living with him at his home were shown, but otherwise there was no sight of Pablito or Nestor or doña Soledad).
I very much enjoyed the story of the totem animal (which is documented by Oleg Shmyrin (Don Vertigo) in his post (in Russian) and Bruce Wagner’s story of the strawberry cake:
Story of the strawberry cake (Bruce Wagner)
The first day Bruce met Castaneda he said to have passed a strawberry cake on the table, and out of 10 or 11 people present none would touch it. He later learned that Castaneda was very much alert about what he would eat, or take within his body (I believe that was the term).
(Vladimir Maykov, “The Secret of Carlos Castaneda”, 2018)
There was Reni’s great story of a secret house:
Story of a secret house (Renata Murez)
Once Carlos took her and other girls for a walk through the streets in search of a house of one of his apprentices. They would cross many streets and markets that night, before they saw dimmed lights and hovering silhouette of hers in a window.
Next morning they were running around doing their best trying to find the place, directed by turns, and street names, and notable signs one of them remembered, until finally they’d done it.
(Vladimir Maykov, “The Secret of Carlos Castaneda”, 2018)
The film also features a recording of Castaneda’s voice, and some of his pictures, which are rare to come by.
Things I liked
+ Comprehensive verbal documentation and impressions of contemporary specialists and direct apprentices.
+ Interesting stories and things hidden from public sight.
+ Unusual parallels and views of Carlos Castaneda’s teachings.
+ Extensive work of an artist combining material both rich in detail and amusing (interviews; visual footage, including drawings and photos; a voice recording of Carlos Castaneda).
+ Gathering people together, both new to the topic and old timers.
Things I disliked
— The author tried and gathered an extensive visual material of the drawings for Castaneda’s works, but not all of them were to my liking.
— Few photos of Castaneda’s apprentices (though not for the lack of author’s trying).
Things I liked most
— Stories of the eyewitnesses (including Bruce’s and Reni’s story).
II. The workshop: “Practical Dreaming”
A. Introduction: my search
Introductory session for newcomers with Bruce Wagner and Renata Murez on fist day (Thu, May 2)
I searched the web for any traces of Castaneda’s apprentices arriving to Moscow, and one thing I was able to find was the Renata Murez’ interview in 2017. Then there was a huge gap, and next thing I knew, miraculously it seemed, his direct apprentices were coming here to teach in early 2019. Though postponed from January to May, the session finally took place in the south-east of Moscow in the beginning of May 2019.
It is mouthed that the guides always dream1 the seminars, where and when they take place, and what they should consist of.
The “Practical Dreaming” interactive seminar was a 3-day (with an optional extra day) course of practical exercise alternating with questions and writing tasks, which seem to supplement each other to build a whole working block. It is a whole day experience plus home tasks for working both in first and second attention2, the not-doing3 and addressing the infinity4 in one’s dreams. It encompasses a variety of magical passes and techniques (like the Eagle or anchoring), and helps one make a thorough plan for objectifying one’s dreams by moving through a series of questions. By the end of Day 3 the plan is checked and any questions are answered by the guides and instructors.
Some people came from as far as Berlin in Germany or Boston in the US, and south-east of Russia (Rostov, Krasnoyarsk, Novorossiysk), and what I loved the most was their excitement about visiting the event and fulfilling their dreams.
B. Day-by-day breakdown
Peculiar building where the workshop took place, that, as I joked, was fit for shooting horror movies
It was both a theoretical and a practical session with questions and exercise.
The session was mostly conducted by Renata, who had been on stage for many years, with quotes from the books and her own experience including her conversations with Carlos, while Bruce was present in the room (with the help of the interpreter and the facilitators).
Day 1: the dream
Outline of the exercise for the upcoming session on Day 1 (Thu, May 2)
Day 1 concentrated on dreams like inner silence5 or personal freedom, new job or starting a business, or any other dreams the participants could think of both in tonal and nagual6.
It was a short introductory session for newcomers (an interview with both followers) and a brief seminar after a break in the second half of the day.
At the evening workshop, Renata outlined the plan for upcoming session, putting in:
—dreaming1 for Day 1,
—fears7 (as things in the known, things in the past) for Day 2,
— and the unknown8 and magical passes that change the perception9 and move the assemblage point10 for Day 3.
The plan also included looking at the possible obstacles, and exercise with facilitators.
It turned out that the exercise was supposed to be done during the night time as well, in the second attention2.
I found Renata’s explanation about how to write down your dreams when you’re dreaming asleep brilliant and very thorough, with instructions on how not to loose a single bit.
Quote Renata on addressing the infinity4:
If you want a detailed and fine answer, you need to ask a detailed and fine question.
“Rewrite your dream if the infinity told you to do things differently” was repeated several times this evening. Not exactly my vision. Though the infinity might be great, I still believe in writing things from scratch.
Day 2: the pass
Practical exercise shown by facilitators on Day 2 (Fri, May 3)
Day 2 was a full day of exercise and writing.
I was running late and I found everyone lying on the mats. This day’s exercise concentrated on not-doing3 magical passes, and obviously it was a morning full of heavy movements, so by the evening everyone was glad to take more time sitting down and writing.
This time it was the movement towards the dream manifested on Day 1.
During the break I found out that there were people coming from as far as Krasnoyarsk or Novorossiysk in Russia, or USA and Mexico in the whole world. I also learned about several groups and local “celebrities” — public people like Victoria Budur, the visit of Carol Tiggs to Moscow in 2015, and the event in the Elbrus area in 2017.
Most people I met were highly successful with their own companies or in their activities, but had issues they wanted to address. One of the girls, Julia, claimed to have found the answers to her questions like why the pass wasn’t working for her in her dreams, or that she would realize the after-effect of the seminar days or weeks later, when she would be able to certainly tell who would enter the room and what they would say. Many were interested not only in core seminars (the last “Tensegrity” core seminar was lead by Alexander Dergay, who worked as a translator at this meeting), but also in Jim Moris seminars.
I have encountered several groups that mostly post their updates in Whatsapp chats, and joined them. Obviously most of the certified instructors were around me, present at the event as facilitators or guests.
I also found out that they had been doing the passes of not-doing3 for the past three hours.
The task of the not-doing for the pause was of only speaking to people you did not know, and after the break many participants gave their reports and told stories of sitting at tables waiting for others to approach, walking in parks talking to sparrows and crows or registering with useful websites in order not to fail the task of doing something unfamiliar.
Quote Bruce on his not-doing tasks set by Carlos Castaneda:
I had to wear colourful clothes, drive a she-car. He made me walk differently for two weeks. Very humbling, this exercise.
But sometimes it’s subtle like registering for a poetry site or noticing something small.
He also told an old Zen Buddhist story about a master and his student, one of Castaneda’s favourites, which I am going to keep secret.
At their way out everyone was given a huge diagram to fill in.
Day 3: the interview
Final lines on Day 3 (Sat, May 4)
Day 3 was about finalizing the process, and evaluating the results.
Last day I found the groups sitting in circles and talking while some of them clapped and stood up at times, shouting phrases they had learned before, obviously anchoring their progress. It was likely that those conversations would last, for they were applauding each other vigorously and seemed genuinely happy with their developments.
The progress and result of the past three days was beginning to show on their faces — for being in the atmosphere of the like-minded people and sharing with each other had obviuosly helped a lot. The results of their endeavour were manifesting with people showing each other the lists and pictures and progress they’d made.
It was mostly the atmosphere of the like-minded people and the knowledge of the subject that felt most inspiring. People seemed genuinely happy.
Then I saw my chance and started writing up questions for a very unexpected interview with Bruce Wagner and Renata Murez, that is announced later in this article.
Interview
It was my heart’s intent to take an interview, as I often do at the most interesting events I visit, and seeing people queue to talk to Bruce and Renata I lined up, too.
Later I found out that they were sharing their plans with others in a group to check whether they found them consistent, and those who had chosen doubtful solutions, or else the group had a lot of questions to them, they were sent out by their group to talk to the instructors.
Nevertheless, I was welcomed by both of them, and further you’ll see the result of their answers to my questions.
Final stories
I also learned later that the participants had studied a new pass, Eagle flying or hovering, as one of them referred to it, and afterwards started exchanging information and presenting their plans to each other in what seemed like 8 to 12 small groups. The overall number of participants must have reached 100 or 150, although it obviuosly rose somewhat on Saturday (as a peak day) towards Friday, and remained relatively the same on Sunday.
Later that day people shared their stories while asking public questions from Bruce and Renata, who were finally both back at stage. (I recall this as a first appearance of Bruce on stage overall, while Renata would only speak with facilitators showing the exercise). There were stories of false modesty, avenge and revenge, and hiding from wife at work.
Bruce gave a great advice from his experience of toreadoring the ego-minded people: “step aside and hold the cloth, get out of the way”. Carlos would use a war metaphor, “loose our best generals in petty struggles”.
“Tensegrity” in Russia
Then, the authentic “Tensegrity” in Russia administered by Alice Amber and her colleague, was presented, for, as Renata stated, it was difficult to get the material across the ocean, and so the “Tensegrity” with Russian mood and flavour was introduced.
Their first local event coming August (August 13—14) is to take place in a mountainous area of Armenia, with the topic of Personal power: Inner compass of making decisions. It encompasses what stands behind our many decisions, in a country of stones. There was a special offer for seminar attendees only: the ones with preliminary registration received a signed CC copy by both of the instructors.
The core of Carlos Castaneda is to be announced later.
Day 4: an extra day
Lunch on Day 4 (Sun, May 5) (photo by Natalia, one of the participants)
The fourth day was an extra day for rehearsing and enhancing the experience.
Although I was not present, I was sent photos from the event.
C. Groups and chats
Many doors and gates of the building
It is an exhaustive and time-consuming process trying to find information about Carlos Castaneda’s practicing groups in Moscow, so after a thorough research I thought I’d write some. Most helpful was my visit to the “Practical Dreaming” workshop in Moscow, where I met most of the trainers, facilitators or guests.
The updates usually are sent via Whatsapp chats of which I now count 3. There are 4 major groups that have come into my focus.
I have encountered several groups that mostly post their updates in Whatsapp chats at the workshop. I have counted three so far: the “Evolution” group, the “Ixtlan” group and the “Tensegrity Moscow”.
The webistes mentioned in connection to the activities were castaneda.ru, tensegrity.info, and castaneda.ru.
1. Evolution
Location: Moscow.
Contacts: Artem Rudenko, Elena Filya.
Website: http://tensegrity-evolution.ru.
Practices
Meetings: Sundays at 11:00; with other events.
Areas: recapitulation, dreaming1, witness, energy, magical passes, and others.
Venue: Neskuchny Garden.
Duration: unknown.
Price: unknown.
2. Ixtlan
Location: Moscow.
Contacts: Oleg Shmyrin (Don Vertigo).
Website: http://cy39331.tmweb.ru.
Practices
Meetings: Sundays 18:00 to 20:00, also every Thursday at 19:00; with other events.
Areas: dreaming1, energy, magical passes (Thursdays), and other skills.
Venue: Krasnye Vorota, Turgenevskaya/Chistyye Prudy metro station; retreats into Moscow area.
Duration: 1—2 hours.
Price: 500—800 Roubles.
3. Tensegrity Moscow
Location: Moscow.
Contacts: Eugeny, Sergey, Elizaveta.
Website: https://tensegrity-msk.ru.
Practices
Meetings: Thursdays 20:00 to 22:00; Saturdays 19:00 to 22:00 (with English club at 17:00).
Areas: magical passes, witness, and others.
Venue: Ulitsa 1905 Goda metro station; Tretyakovskaya metro station.
Duration: 2—3 hours.
Price: 300 Roubles.
4. Constellation
Location: Saint Petersburg.
Contacts: Dmitry Erashov, Irina Silkina.
Website: http://magicalpasses.ru.
Practices
Meetings: various; mostly multiple day events; some events are scheduled on certain days (e.g., Wednesdays) and repeat weekly.
Areas: intent, personal power, recapitulation, dreaming1, witness, energy, magical passes, and others.
Venue: Chkalovskaya/Gorkovskaya/Petrogradksaya metro station, also online classses. Online classes available for Moscow visitors.
Duration: various.
Price: free—22 000 Roubles.
D. Impressions
Signposts at the walls for participants to follow in the old Soviet building where the workshop took place
This was my first time at an event like this, and I searched the web and asked the organizers about what it would be like, a yoga practice, or a workout, or a workshop sitting around the table (also for practical issues like choosing what to wear), and though the facilitators have proved to be very helpful, I only felt the atmosphere after visiting it. I would describe it to someone unfamiliar with this phenomenon as a series of movements facilitating certain events or things, a mixture of Q&A while working with the energy and one’s purposes and tasks. In its level of activity it can be compared to martial arts or yoga (and the analogy is also mentioned in the movie, with a high emphasis on the fact that Carlos Castaneda allegedly used modified martial arts moves for his health improvement).
It was unusual seeing how the books were suddenly turned into a practical guide spread over several days on how to reach one’s dream, with step-by-step turns and directions and a huge amount of Carlos Castaneda’s quotes.
On the plus side, a very convincing performance and highly rich in detail. On the other hand, not very much to my liking a large part of the questions, and the obvious manifestation of the modern psychology. More to my liking would have been be something in the kind of coaching principles that face more the opportunities rather than the past, the positive rather than the negative.
I sincerely disliked all parts and questions strongly reminiscent of a group psychology session (past- and family-related). Some smelled to me very much like dream stealth (“Does any part of your dream belong to someone else?”, «your dreams in hands of others”, etc.). Others parts seemed helpful, like preparations for enlivening one’s dreams (from questions about fulfilling plans to time travel, also well known in coaching).
From my point of view, a person’s dreams are there to be his guiding light in his achievements, which makes several points highly unacceptable for me.
Several of the statements I found questionable, although most likely in line and consistent with the original works.
Quote Renata:
Carlos Castaneda started by doing things “for himself” in the beginning. He was so devoid and empty of anything personal by the end of his life. Infinity devoured him. Emptiness devoured him.
Most myths and fairy tales I know only end very badly should the lead character end up devoured by someone or something; if we are talking about the main character they mostly don’t end at this point, but continue with a happy reappearance.
Things I liked
+ Speaking from the personal experience about the relationship with Castaneda and his approach.
+ A very personal view of the teachings.
+ Great seeing like-minded people.
+ An event bringing together folks from all areas connected to Castaneda, interested in energy flows, and working on self-perfection.
+ Specific and tailored advice on both practical questions and energy issues.
+ A huge amount of Carlos Castaneda’s quotes.
+ A gathering like no other with unusual exercise, great mood, and positive energy.
+ A lot of meetings and introduction into a huge another world.
Things I disliked
— Some points and questions are unacceptable for me.
— The action, though the timetable seems quite packed, does not take too long (with several 2-hour breaks and a lot of repetition).
— Exercise mostly with facilitators (though understandable, it is regrettable that the amount of time spent with people other than Castaneda’s direct followers is larger).
— Fairly high prices of the event.
Things I liked most
—The excitement of the people about visiting the event and fulfilling their dreams, their happiness and laughter and sincerity.
E. Calendar of events
People in the room during “Practical Dreaming” workshop (photo one of the participants)
Upcoming “Tensegrity” events
— Calendar of events at “Tensegrity” website: https://castaneda.com/experiences/
Premier events
— The Many Faces of Confidence (Nice, France) (July 20—22, 2019): https://castaneda.com/many-faces-of-confidence/
— Machu Picchu: Experience an Inca Doorway into the Unknowable (Peru) (October 26 — November 4, 2019): https://castaneda.com/machu-picchu/
Foundational workshop
— Core Castaneda: Overcoming the 4 Enemies of a Person of Knowledge at different locations in the world (Lyon, France; St. Petersburg, Russia; Moscow, Russia; Mexico City, Mexico; Los Angeles, California, US; Munich, Germany) https://castaneda.com/core-castaneda/ at different locations
“Tensegrity” in Russia
— Personal power: Inner Compass of Making Decisions (Armenia) (July 20—22, 2019): https://castaneda-russia.mykajabi.com
Past events
Interactive experiences
— Transforming Dreams Into Reality (Berlin, Germany) (October 26—28, 2018): https://castaneda.com/transforming-dreams-into-reality/
— Practical Dreaming (Moscow, Russia) (May 2—5, 2019): https://castaneda.com/practical-dreaming/
Other memorable events
— Open the Gates of Dreaming (Elbrus, Russia) (May 28 – June 1, 2017): https://cleargreen.mykajabi.com/store/GJQciZwg
III. The interview: A mysterious warrior and a practical hunter (Exclusive)
- Introduction: the story
- Announcing interview with Renata Murez
- Announcing interview with Bruce Wagner
A. Introduction: the story
A map hanging in the building where the “Practical Dreaming” workshop took place
The “Practical Dreaming” workshop in Moscow lasted 3 days (with a 4th optional extra day), and almost a 100 people learned how to get closer to their dreams and wishes. This was my first time at an event like this, and I was impressed in many ways.
It was unusual seeing how the books were suddenly turned into a practical guide spread over several days on how to reach one’s dream, with step-by-step turns and directions and a huge amount of Carlos Castaneda’s quotes. I was wondering about how this was done, and what stood behind the scenes for those who took direct participation in the making of events and arranging the finer details. More and more, in me the desire grew to ask the burning questions, until I positively felt like taking an interview. Although extremely unexpected for both of us, the questioner and the answerers, it was highly interesting learning about the “inner kitchen” of “Tensegrity” (such is the casual Russian expression for “internal affairs of an organization”).
From two of the people in the world who knew Carlos Castaneda better than any others, and who have taken a place on stage presenting his work, it was thrilling to learn about how it felt with him in the scene.
Both interviews will soon appear on the website.
B. Announcing interview with Renata Murez
Photo with Reni (photo by Natalia, one of the participants; left to right: Julia, Reni, Natalia)
Renata Murez was the one who surprised me the most with her composure, determination, and relaxed positivity. The one person she seemed who would easily tackle any practical situation with an upbeat solution, and keep smiling as she goes.
Notably, everyone she talks to, during the personal sessions, or when answering questions, she hugs after the conversation in a very friendly way, and I have heard the girls among the practitioners referring to her in the most admired and fascinated manner. For them, Reni obviously seems like a perfect woman figure, well known for her collectedness and being both an ear to listen to and a shoulder to cry on (and a mouth to speak great advise at times of loss).
C. Announcing interview with Bruce Wagner
Reni and Bruce on stage with the interpreter (photo by one of the participants; left to right: Renata Murez, Alexander Dergay, Bruce Wagner)
A figure hiding behind the scenes and rarely seen on stage, Bruce Wagner is nevertheless not less interesting, but rather more surrounded with secrets and mystery, or so it seems. The girls, I haven’t heard talk about him or refer to him in any way, and although he seems very closed, this adds weight to the few words and judgements that he utters.
Bruce has stories of times back when Castaneda was around him that are more spiritual rather than practical, and in a way, he is a walker in the sand of footsteps next to Carlos Castaneda’s, and don Juan’s, who he slightly reminds me of (if it wasn’t for the obvious inconsistency of appearances). Always using only a few words and showing only what he wants to show, according to the description of a warrior, are the top points for this impression.
Remarks:
“Tensegrity” signposts at the “Practical Dreaming” workshop (photo by one of the participants)
1 dreaming:
“I’ve never told you about dreaming, because until now I was only concerned with teaching you how to be a hunter,” he said. “A hunter is not concerned with the manipulation of power, therefore his dreams are only dreams. They might be poignant but they are not dreaming.”
“A warrior, on the other hand, seeks power, and one of the avenues to power is dreaming. You may say that the difference between a hunter and a warrior is that a warrior is on his way to power, while a hunter knows nothing or very little about it.”
(Carlos Castaneda, “Journey to Ixtlan”, 1972; Chapter 10: Becoming Accessible to Power)
2 second attention:
“He said that because you were empty he had to gather your second attention, your attention of the nagual, in a way different than ours. We gathered that attention through dreaming and you did it with his power plants.”
(Carlos Castaneda, “The Second Ring of Power”, 1974; Chapter 6: The Second Attention)
3 not-doing:
“You see, dreaming is the not-doing of dreams, and as you progress in your not-doing you will also progress in dreaming.”
(Carlos Castaneda, “Journey to Ixtlan”, 1972; Chapter 15: Not-Doing)
4 infinity:
“With the perspective time gives, I now realize that the most fitting statement don Juan made about dreaming was to call it the “gateway to infinity.”
(Carlos Castaneda, “The Art of Dreaming”, 1993; Author’s note)
5 inner silence:
“Don Juan restated, as if on second thought, that one of the most mysterious aspects of the seers’ knowledge is the incredible effects of inner silence. He said that once inner silence is attained, the bonds that tie the assemblage point to the particular spot where it is placed begin to break and the assemblage point is free to move.”
(Carlos Castaneda, “The Fire from Within”, 1984; Chapter 8: The Position of the Assemblage Point)
6 tonal and nagual:
“We can say that the tonal is like the top of this table. An island. And on this island we have everything. This island is, in fact, the world.” (…) “The nagual is the part of us for which there is no description — no words, no names, no feelings, no knowledge.”
(Carlos Castaneda, “Tales of Power”, 1974; Part 2: The Tonal and the Nagual, Chapter 5: The Island of the Tonal)
7 fear:
“Fear is the first natural enemy a man must overcome on his path to knowledge.”
(Carlos Castaneda, “The Teachings of Don Juan”, 1968; Chapter 2)
8 the unknown:
“And you will be endowed forever with the capacity to see the unknown.”
(Carlos Castaneda, “The Teachings of Don Juan”, 1968; Chapter 5)
9 perception:
“I played for a moment with the perception of depth by moving my head from one side to the other, focusing each eye in turn on the pole and then on the background.”
(Carlos Castaneda, “The Teachings of Don Juan”, 1968; Chapter 7)
10 move the assemblage point:
“The new seers say that realization is the technique,” he said. “They say that, first of all, one must become aware that the world we perceive is the result of our assemblage points’ being located on a specific spot on the cocoon. Once that is understood, the assemblage point can move almost at will, as a consequence of new habits.”
(Carlos Castaneda, “The Fire from Within”, 1984; Chapter 7: The Assemblage Point)