Blog 6

I found the first 4 chapters of this book probably to be the most intersting out of all the other books. I think it's a book that anybody is capable of understanding and the experiences are explained very well. The first 4 chapters to me have to do with overcoming fears. I believe this is a very important subject to succeed in life. Us, being mammals (human beings) are going to have fears. We also have a deep desire to want to succeed. I think this book tells us that in order to succeed, you cannot fear failure. Many of us hold back on the things we want because we are afraid of failing and dissapointing ourselves and others. For example in the book, when Castaneda was looking for his spot that gave him strength and power, he was quite hesitant because he was afraid that he kept failing, and just wanted to give up. So just in the first 4 chapters we can learn a lesson about fear, and how we shouldnt "fear fear". Because if we know how to control that fear, we are capable of handling situations limitlessly and peform like we never have before.

I thought don Juan's first test was a good one. It was preparing Castaneda for his "meeting with Mescalito" (which I later researched peyote and it contains the hallucinating substance mescaline which could be the origin of the name Mescalito) I think him finding his spot helped prove his focus on his surroundings and helped him see things differently than the normal eye so Castaneda would not be overwhelmed with different realities. So when it came time for him to hallucinate he would be able to focus his mind more attentively.

It's pretty obvious that Castaneda saw things differently in his state then the other 5 men did. He was in an altered state of conciousness and saw things differently than the other men. Castaneda still had the fear in his mind even after his first time and did not seek to take peyote again. I still don't think he had control over fear at that time which is why don Juan's quote made perfect sense "you are still learning" I think once Castaneda overcomes his fears he encountered with peyote that he will see things differently and more pleasantly when in his altered state of concsiousness.

These types of ancient teachings never fail to amaze me. They remind me of Martial arts once again especially when the first chapter talked about Castaneda's test on finding his spot. It's almost as pointless as punching a wooden board with just your knuckle until it breaks, it seems crazy and impossible. But it's the act of discipline, understanding, and opening your mind that will take you to higher steps of your teachings. I think it's pretty amazing how ancient Indians lived for years on these beliefs and still function today, so they must know what they are talking about, they always seem so wise.