The Knowledge of the Ancient Mexican Shamans
Through the words of Don Juan Matus · A selection from 14 works
Volume One
Book Details
Series: Shamanism
Volume: Volume One
Description: A selection of 14 works: 13 works by Carlos Castaneda and Unspoken Words About Carlos Castaneda
Translated and Compiled by: Davood Mahzadeh
Publisher: Naqsh Jan Publications
First Edition: Mohajer Publishing, 2023
Page Count: 202 pages
Trim Size: Demy Octavo (approximately 14 × 21 cm)
Cover Type: Paperback
ISBN: 978-635-96318-7-4
About the Book
Carlos Castaneda: The Knowledge of the Ancient Mexican Shamans — Through the Teachings of Don Juan Matus is a curated collection drawn from the works of Carlos Castaneda, translated and compiled by Davood Mahzadeh and presented in two volumes. The collection brings together selected teachings and instructional passages from Castaneda’s writings in a more concise and organized format for Persian-speaking readers.
Volume One opens with a Translator’s Note, in which Davood Mahzadeh explains his motivation for revisiting, translating, and selecting material from Castaneda’s works, as well as the place of Don Juan’s teachings within this collection. The note considers themes such as awareness, perception, inner silence, silent knowledge, intent, humility, power, and the search for an understanding of the unknown.
This volume brings together selected material from the first seven books by Carlos Castaneda:
- The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge
- A Separate Reality: Further Conversations with Don Juan
- Journey to Ixtlan: The Lessons of Don Juan
- Tales of Power
- The Second Ring of Power
- The Eagle’s Gift
- The Fire from Within
Taken together, these works trace the development of key concepts in Castaneda’s intellectual and spiritual landscape. The journey ranges from the initial encounter with Don Juan’s teachings and the idea of a “path of knowledge” to themes such as alternative ways of perceiving the world, personal power, the shifting of the assemblage point, inner silence, death, energy, intent, and encounters with the unknown.
Within the framework presented in Castaneda’s writings, knowledge is more than the accumulation of information. It is connected with experience, observation, discipline, changes in perception, and direct knowing. From this perspective, inner silence and freedom from established mental patterns become particularly significant.
One of the defining features of this collection is its selection of instructional material from several works while preserving the general sequence of events and discussions within each book. The purpose is not simply to shorten the original texts, but to bring together passages that offer a more continuous view of the teachings and the development of their central ideas.
This compilation also draws on material from Unspoken Words About Carlos Castaneda, a book by Davood Mahzadeh that explores aspects of Castaneda’s life, ideas, and teachings. Alongside selected passages from Castaneda’s own works, this material provides additional context for the themes explored throughout the collection.
In the worldview presented in these writings, human beings possess capacities that extend beyond ordinary everyday perception. By changing how they observe and experience the world, they may also transform their understanding of themselves and existence. Ideas such as the warrior’s path, death as a constant companion, humility before the unknown, the conservation and use of energy, and the power of intent are explored within this broader framework.
The Knowledge of the Ancient Mexican Shamans offers a more concise and structured way to engage with selected teachings and experiences presented in Castaneda’s works. Rather than asking readers to accept a particular philosophy without question, the collection invites them to consider ideas and questions concerning awareness, perception, experience, self-knowledge, and the search for the unknown.
This volume is intended for readers interested in Carlos Castaneda and Don Juan, self-exploration, consciousness, the meaning of life, and mystical and experiential traditions. It may also appeal to those seeking a coherent introduction to selected themes from Castaneda’s writings in a more accessible format.
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