THE SEEKERS BY JOHN DENSMORE : CHRISTINE TRZYNA BOOK REVIEW

 

Yes, in case you're wondering, I was once in the same very small room as John Densmore, who was making an appearance for no pay. I can't remember what year it was and I didn't exactly meet him. If I said two words to him, I would tell you. 

Lately I'm on a Doors reading jag and this is one of the books I've read by a musician who was in the Doors or someone considered to be a person accomplished when it comes to writing music bios. I'm so impressed with this book because Densmore weaves personal experience and some of his history and Doors history with profiling some of the musicians who have impressed him. George Harrison; Densmore was in the room with him.  Ravi Shankar - ditto. Patti Smith - the same. It's a short but sweet read but impactful just the same.

Densmore also writes about the creative process and spirituality, how that influenced him or was a factor in developing his art and a philosophy of life.  That I think would be of interest to any creator.

Now I'm not sure if I will review the other books that crisscross the story of the Doors or not. I will say that so far these books are so much more worth the time reading than some of the other music memoirs I've reviewed here which I've criticized because the writer(s) seemed to have no  introspection.

C 2026 Christine Trzyna All Rights Reserved

INTERVIEW WITH CARLOS CASTANEDA

https://youtu.be/ymylx-nrldc?si=Wyiw5M_4TN4zz5uI  

Carlos Castaneda Interview with Theodore Roszak 1969

DON JUAN THE SORCERER - Carlos Castaneda interviewed by Theodore Roszak. Author of "The Teachings of Don Juan" discusses his experiences with hallucinogenic substances used under the guidance of his Yaqui Indian teacher, don Juan Matus. BROADCAST: KPFA, 30 Jan. 1969.(37 min.) BB2038 Pacifica Radio Archives.

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This interview is about shamans and hallucinogens.

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I met a woman who studied Anthropology at UCLA and was in his lecture class during the brief time that Carlos Castaneda was teaching there. I regret not quizzing her about it. She became an PhD. anthropologist studying and recording the music of the a certain ethnic tribal group in Mexico and Central America.

I'm sure that - through the years - I read most of his books beginning with The Teachings of Don Juan though I remember only a couple scenes from those books. I felt confused about what I was reading. I noticed that my local libraries seem to no longer have these books as if they haven't bothered to reorder them when old copies were stolen or fell apart from popularity.

Years later, years ago, I met a woman who was studying to be a hypnotherapist (not a hypnotist) and we had a brief conversation about Castaneda.  Very basically, she said, ..." but he was right."

I've read some criticism of Castaneda. I read some books by women who were called "witches" who we might call devotees or students or members of a cult. I also read  Amy Wallace's Sorcerer's Apprentice.  (July 3, 1955 – August 10, 2013 : Amy Wallace.) This book came out in 2003.

I thought of these things today because my Taisha Abelar posts have always gotten a lot of interest.  Years ago a woman who worked at a favored coffee house loaned me her copy and said "You have to read this," so I did. I found it fascinating...

 

Because I fear cults.

Because I once honed an interest in Native American cultures. Because I still think anthropology is more interesting that sociology or psychology. (And I know the distrust of anthropologists that many tribal people felt. Which, forgive me, might explain why Don Juan might have been playing with Carlos Castaneda.)

Because I used to walk in the Hollywood Hills and Santa Monica Mountains and learned enough to identify many native plants including ones that were used by the Tongva and Chumash for hallucinogens. I believe such experiences should only be part of a spiritual adventure and while closely attended to by others more experienced; this is not about a party or addiction.

Because I've heard people dismiss all creative writers as "liars." I hate that.

Should his books (besides this one) be considered Fiction?

Because I've read Castaneda's memoir three times, years apart, and I think that even if he wrote nothing else, there is valuable advice for writers in it. 

And it is a whole lot about Los Angeles.

Because the "missing"  four of the five "witches" are still missing - since 1998, But here's the thing: for various reasons their disappearances might not have been suicide as is hinted at in Amy Wallace's book. (Amy Wallace also suggested that she had seen evidence of Castaneda's field notes and travel in pursuit of the wisdom of Don Juan and other Shamans.) (I think the terms witches or sorcerers used to describe these women is in error because those terms bring up notions of women who are conjuring, doing magic for personal gain or to revenge enemies. Rather they worked on themselves.)

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https://youtu.be/J6_5LAstxHE?si=BfXaK1ob1ZwUmYDF

What Happened to the "Witches" of Carlos Castaneda? Sean Munger

Because many people just wish they could drop off the grid. It's possible these women are still alive. Erasing personal history being part of Castaneda's belief system.

C 2026 Christine Trzyna

GLORIA STEINEM said

 "The truth will set you free but first it will piss you off." - Gloria Steinem

THE NEW YORKER : GLORIA STEINEM GAVE IT ALL  by Emma Watson

Excerpts:  

I have always felt a strange protectiveness toward Gloria, which is absurd when you consider that Gloria Steinem has spent her life protecting the rest of us. She is one of the greatest heroines of the twentieth century.
...

As the eclipse passes, I think about how quiet I have been for quite some time now, and I realize that something about that has to change, because if Gloria is leaving us, then some of us are going to have to get louder. It feels less like a decision than like a law of physics: I think of gravity, of black holes, of the way one body continues to exert a force on another across apparently empty space. I feel Gloria’s gravity still, pulling me toward the horizon and toward a world she could already envision.

She did not get to see it.

UNDER WATERFALL : THE DOORS

WHATCHA SEE IS WHATCHA GET : PEPE MARQUEZ - BILLY MONDRAGON - ANDY VARGAS

JONI MITCHELL said

"I don't like being too looked up at or too looked down on.  I prefer meeting in the middle to being worshipped or spat at." - Joni Mitchell

CAN'T FIND MY WAY HOME : BLIND FAITH

For Charlie ...

LONG BEACH LIBRARY BUDGET CUTS!

A friend has asked me to spread the word and this is a worthy cause... The LONG BEACH CALIFORNIA LIBRARIES are facing budget cuts that would mean ALL BRANCHES WOULD BE CLOSED ON MONDAYS STARTING IN OCTOBER. (Not just the Michelle Obama branch in North Long Beach.) And that's not all!

There is talk of putting up to a dozen SENIOR LIBRARIANS out of work.  Other employees may also have reduced hours or lose their employment.

YOU CAN ADD YOUR VOICE WITHOUT BEING A RESIDENT OF LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA.

LONG BEACH IS LOOKING FORWARD TO MASSIVE POSITIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT BECAUSE THE CITY WILL BE HOSTING THE SUMMER 2028 OLYMPIC GAMES.  THE HOTEL, RESORT, EVENT, and RESTAURANT BUSINESSES IN LONG BEACH ARE VITAL AND WILL BENEFIT.  I BELIEVE LONG BEACH CAN SO AFFORD TO KEEP THE LIBRARIES OPEN ON MONDAY AND KEEP THE SENIOR LIBRARIANS EMPLOYED.

If this picture of the flyer isn't readable, read this:

SPEAK UP FOR MICHELLE OBAMA LIBRARY! This branch is at risk of being closed Mondays.

After years of budget cuts, Long Beach was able to restore a six-day schedule to 5 of its 12 branches in recent years, including here at Michelle Obama Library.  Not now the proposed city budget threatens to reduce the schedule back to five days a week.

We want City Council to :

FULLY FUND LIBRARY STAFF  

Our libraries thrive thanks to the incredible librarians, clerks, security officers, administrators, and every one else who runs them.

PROTECT NEIGHBORHOOD BRANCHES

Everyone deserves access to a library within their neighborhood. Cuts to operating hours are unacceptable.

MAINTAIN PROGRAMS AND MATERIALS

Libraries encourage lifelong learning by providing free access to books, computers, and programs for all ages.

YOUR VOICE MATTERS

1) Attend and speak at the City Council meeting on TUESDAY 8/25 at 3: 00

2) Send an email to your Council member and sign our petition.  Go to the QR Code below to identify your councilmember or sign our petition.

3) Share why the Long Beach Public Library matters to you on social media. Spread the word to your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues.

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HERE IS YOUR LINK TO LONG BEACH CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS:

https://www.longbeach.gov/cityclerk/meetings/

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HERE IS THE LINK IF THE CODE DOESN'T WORK

https://www.lbplfoundation.org/action/

Libraries have always played an extremely important role in my life. I'm aware that the role of librarians and libraries has changed through the years, due to the impact of technology such as computers, e-books, and so on. THESE DAYS LIBRARIES HAVE LINKED WITH EDUCATION, providing support for students and schools. They have become COMMUNITY CENTERS and PROVIDE PATRONS - YOUNG AND OLD - WAYS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ARTS, CRAFTS, AND OTHER CREATIVE ACTIVITIES.  AUTHOR TALKS, BOOK FAIRS, CULTURAL EVENTS, and WRITING WORKSHOPS FIND THEIR SPACE IN LIBRARIES.

LIBRARIES HAVE ALSO BECOME A RESPITE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO NEED A PLACE TO GO AND JUST BE. 

Christine

GRAHAM NASH ON TOUR : FIND THE COST OF FREEDOM AND WOODSTOCK

 An excellent concert: Just wish the names of the musicians had been included:

AMERICA : SIMON AND GARFUNKLE

I'M BACKFLOATING IN 12 FEET OF WATER FOR THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS ...

Enjoy reading some of my past posts! I've enjoyed writing them! Christine

INTO THE MYSTIC : VAN MORRISON

GET TOGETHER : THE YOUNGBLOODS

RIDERS ON THE STORM : ROBBY KREIGER and JOHN DENSMORE : PLAYING FOR CHANGE : FANTASTIC VERSION!

The Doors: John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek- Drums, Guitar, Vocals Red Cloud Drum Group- Percussion Aaron White- Acoustic Guitar, Vocal Micah Nelson- Harmonica Lukas Nelson- Vocals, Guitar Sierra Ferrell- Vocals Rami Jaffee- Piano William Barton- Didgeridoo Don Was- Bass Boboulay Sissokho- Kora Macarena Montesinos- Cello Guarani Andeva Group- Percussion Iron Cult Dancers- Dancers Izzana Jaa- Vocals Ezequiel Acosta- Bandoneón Erik Prevost David- Trumpet

LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY CELEBRATES 100 YEARS : 1926 - 2026 : ONE OF MY OLD HAUNTS

Photo of 

LAPL Celebrating a Century of Light and Learning 

Bookmarks by Christine Trzyna C 2026