Are carlos castaneda books any good?

[infinitelove]

I read some of his don juan book several months ago and don juan was too indirect . He basically was bullshitting carlos which I was expecting. Is this going to be the theme of his other books. Is it a waste of time to read his books?

[Zigzag Idiot]

I spent years allowing for the possibility that Castaneda was giving a factual account. 

Now I perceive him as a genius trickster repackaging ancient wisdom in entertaining metaphors. Patterson makes a pretty good case.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2898191-the-life-teachings-of-carlos-castaneda

 

Edited October 15, 2019 by Zigzag Idiot

[docs20]

The Wheel of Time is on Leo Gura's book list

[Cocolove]

I didn't find the books helpful enough to continue reading

[fridjonk]

@Cocolove great, i just ordered 3 of them yesterday. 

lol 

[Zigzag Idiot]

I was swallowed whole by all of Castaneda's books in the 1990's.

 I'm vaguely aware of Eliade writings but completely  unfamiliar with Holger Kalweit. Thanks for sharing.

Unfortunately I never have had a Facebook account,,,,,

[OmniYoga]

I read 2 of his books - first and the last one

they are very abstract, far away from what we call reality
even if there are bits of truth and wisdom in it, they are hiddden amongts metaphors and allegories 
which I personally don't find very useful for serious self-improvment,
rather category of fantasy, but it's curious how others might percieve the world and things in it 

Edited January 18, 2020 by OmniYoga