Guy Lochhead, 10/09/10
Peruvian-born American author. Castaneda’s writings on his purported training in traditional Yanqui Indian shamanism (which actually wasn’t Yanqui at all) have been the subject of much debate. Critics claim the books are fictitious, citing numerous self-contradictions and inaccurate anthropological data. His followers claim the books offer enlightenment to those willing to accept the “nagual” (part of perception in the realm of the unknown, yet reachable by man). Some of these followers are known as Chacmools (specially energised beings) or Witches (Castaneda’s apprentices). These followers disappeared in mysterious circumstances after Castaneda’s death – another cause of controversy related to Castaneda’s writings. I don’t want to include this guy. I am cynical of any single, specific means of ‘enlightenment’, and this guy’s especially bad. I hate that it’s dressed up as anthropology. Castaneda’s response to criticism was often to claim his teacher, Don Juan had clarified or altered some element of his teachings. This seals Castaneda’s role as a student misappropriating cultural traditions. He was not fit to teach. His followers even wrote their own ‘anthropological’ books about studying with Castaneda, with even more bizarre, unfounded rubbish, perpetuating the cycle of misinformation and idiot leaders.