Anthropology, Castaneda's Healing Fiction, and Neo‐shamanism Print Culture
The Beauty of the Primitive July 1, 2007 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195172317.003.0006
Summary
Carlos Castaneda's early works, including The Teachings of Don Juan, were presented as anthropological accounts, lending them credibility. His ethnographic narratives from the Sonoran Desert appeared authentic, and his choice to keep character identities vague encouraged readers to engage their imaginations. This intrigue made Castaneda and his character Don Juan appealing figures for cultural and intellectual exploration, inspiring some spiritual seekers to emulate their experiences.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | Castaneda's works inspired some spiritual seekers to replicate the experiences of his characters. |
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Abstract
Abstract Carlos Castaneda's first book, The Teachings of Don Juan, and two subsequent texts were described as anthropological accounts, which gave them credibility. Coming straight from the Sonoran Desert, Castaneda's ethnographic accounts could easily appear to readers to be authentic anthropology. The fact that Castaneda refused to specify the identity of his characters brought an intrigue to his plots. Readers of his books were left free to exercise their imaginations or to look around for cultural and individual parallels with Castaneda's characters and settings. Castaneda and Don Juan became attractive cultural and intellectual models, which inspired at least some spiritual seekers to replicate their experiences.