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Post by Bodhitree on Jul 15, 2017 19:21:26 GMT
In the interest of putting up a different kind of mythology I thought Carlos Castaneda might be worth talking about. I ran across his books in the 1980's when he was quite popular and I thought he was fascinating. In his books he describes his apprenticeship to a Mexico-based sorcerer of the Yaqui tradition and a Toltec heritage. But when I say sorcerer I mean someone in touch with the other world... we're not talking about hurling fireballs here in classic high fantasy mode, no Castaneda's sorcerers are people on an inner journey and in touch with a world of spirits and familiars. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_CastanedaIt is a mythological story, where he is offered through his apprenticeship a new kind of life and an insight into himself and the nature of the universe. The Wikipedia page tells a little bit of the story of his later life and death, none of which offers a real resolution to his quest, to make some of the experiences and powers more widely known. The books are largely available as pdfs online.
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Post by Admin on Jul 15, 2017 19:23:14 GMT
i read some of his stuff years ago.
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Post by Bodhitree on Jul 15, 2017 19:27:51 GMT
I was surprised to read that some of the relationship between Luke and Yoda in Star Wars was based on Castaneda's experiences with Don Juan.
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Post by Admin on Jul 15, 2017 19:40:00 GMT
I was surprised to read that some of the relationship between Luke and Yoda in Star Wars was based on Castaneda's experiences with Don Juan. Joseph Campbell's work also had a big influence on the Star Wars franchise. Hollywood, as well as a lot of TV / Advertising; many creative people / projects mine mythological, esoteric & occult areas. Some of Michael Tsarion's work (as well as others) is incredibly interesting on the subject.
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malli
Junior Member
Posts: 81
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Post by malli on Jul 15, 2017 22:06:40 GMT
I read his stuff back in the 70's I was fascinated by it at the time but now I feel it has aged a lot ... a bit like myself. I also read the Electic Kool Aid Acid Test, Ken Kesey and a load of Isaac Asimov.. apart from that I can't remember much else...
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Post by Bodhitree on Jul 16, 2017 8:00:47 GMT
Yes it has aged, you're right to say that. The way in which writers write has become more polished. And as you look through the sequence of books there is a certain lust of power that becomes apparent. At first it's just about teachings and the hidden world, later on it becomes about power, he is acknowledged as the nagual... it's the classic sorcerer's trap where they leave the path towards self knowledge and are seduced by the world.
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malli
Junior Member
Posts: 81
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Post by malli on Jul 16, 2017 10:13:26 GMT
Interesting you say that about the "lust for power" .. the later stuff made me unsettled and I could not recall why.. it was just a lingering feeling.
But yes, now you explain it, definitely that fits the feelings I had.
Very like real life... I've seen a lot of folks in roles where they set out to help people and ended up seduced by the world and chasing money and power. Thousands of years of the same cycles I suppose..
Diogenes is a person I always had a place for in my heart...do you think they will section me if I walk about in the daytime with a lamp saying that I am looking for an honest man.. ( or woman)?
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Post by Bodhitree on Jul 16, 2017 11:07:58 GMT
It's true it is a common pattern, doctors are a good example. Almost all of them set out with the best of intentions, but you come across many stories of consultant surgeons who are extremely arrogant in their little godlike domains. I think they lose contact a little with the less fortunate, what it can mean to not be in control of your own destiny.
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malli
Junior Member
Posts: 81
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Post by malli on Jul 17, 2017 7:49:38 GMT
I see a neurologist, he was reading my notes that the now retired neuro surgeon had written about me... The neurologist said.." Mr. X is very self congratulatory in your notes".
Some years later... the neurologist is telling me that he ( neurologist" has done wonders for me and now I " only have a little bit of epilepsy" compared to some of his patients.. ten partial seizure episodes a day from dozens is not me being cured imo...
I gave up on the pdocs years ago as I function ok day to day in the main ( thankfully) but they kept giving me to students to run various exercises on. I am quite sure had I had a more day to day job there would have been no interest in me whatsoever.. and that sort of irked me too...
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