Carlos Arana Castaneda came to the United States from Peru in the early 1950s, becoming an American citizen in 1957. He was a student of anthropology and the author of twelve books, two published posthumously. His writings described his training in shamanism, supposedly under the tutelage of a Yaqui shaman known as Don Juan Matus. He also founded Cleargreen, an organization that promotes tensegrity, which is described as a traditional Toltec regimen of spiritually powerful exercises. Among his claims was that he had attained the position of nagual, a shaman with the ability to change into an animal form. In 1973, he withdrew from public view until the 1990s, when he reappeared to promote Tensegrity. He died of cancer in 1998.
Recommended Resources
Cleargreen was founded by Carlos Castaneda, and other students of don Juan Matus, in 1995, for the purpose of sponsoring workshops, classes and publications on the subject of Tensegrity, a spiritual practice. An overview of the organization, its teachers, interviews, and answers to commonly asked questions are put forward.
http://www.cleargreen.com/
Published in Life Art Media on June 10, 2012, Francesco Sammarco challenges the popular assumption that Carlos Castaneda was a fake, pointing out the value in the bulk of Castaneda’s teachings.
http://www.lifeartsmedia.com/carlos-castaneda
Castaneda’s Lover Reflects on Shamanism and Celebrity
Originally published in the San Francisco Chronicle on August 24, 2003, the article by Don Lattin discusses an affair that Castaneda is said to have had with Amy Wallace, the daughter of writer Irving Wallace.
http://peyote.com/carlos-castaneda/
Written by Gaby Geuter, this first-hand account of the author’s involvement with Carlos Castaneda during the last years of his life includes more than a hundred and twenty photographs and other archival material. An overview of the book, a chapter excerpt, an interview with the author, and purchase information are included.
http://www.filmingcastaneda.com/
The moderated discussion forum is targeted toward Nagualists, inspired by the writings and teachings of Carlos Castaneda, offering conversation on a variety of topics, including nagualism, sorcery, inorganic beings, djinn, lucid dreaming, and shamanism. Registration is required for participation.
http://nagual.yuku.com/
Maintained by Alfonso Orozco, the site represents a collection of interviews, seminars and notes by Carlos Castaneda, as well as an online discussion forum for anyone who wants to share or discuss information about shamanism, nagualism, or the works of Castaneda.
http://www.nagualism.com/
Through this site, and over a long period of time, Corey Donovan evaluates the claims of Carlos Castaneda, reaching out to the community of Tensegrity practitioners and others interested in the man and his legacy, in an attempt to determine what is authentic and what may have been simply stories designed to capture the attention of his readers.
http://www.sustainedaction.org/
Tensegrity - The Magical Passes of Carlos Castaneda
The practice of tensegrity, as practiced in the United Kingdom, is highlighted here, including UK groups and events, Cleargreen, and European events, poetry and other texts, books, and media.
http://www.tensegrity.org.uk/
The Four Yogas of Enlightenment
The site highlights a book by Edward Plotkin, which purports to be a guide to don Juan’s nagualism and esotetic Buddhism, linking the nagualism of Carlos Castaneda’s don Juan, Jungian analysis, modern physics, transcendental psychology, and the teachers of eastern and western Buddhist masters. Chapter one is published here, along with reviews, a table of contents, and online purchase offer.
http://www.fouryogas.com/
The Life & Teachings of Carlos Castaneda
Written by William Patrick Patterson, the book investigates the life and writings of Castaneda. Information about the book and accompanying video are featured, along with photographs and an online discussion board.
http://www.carlosnagual.net/
The Institute of Transcendental Nagualism is a sub-sect of mainstream Nagualism, which was popularized by the writings of Dr. Carlos Castaneda. Its objectives, techniques, and a schedule of events are posted.
http://7t2.net/
