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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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
