B E A W A R EJuly 29, 2008 To quote an erudite earlier reviewer: "In books nine and ten, "Art of Dreaming" and "Active Side of Infinity," Castaneda focuses on what he describes as inorganic predators from another dimension, some having the power to imprison humanity in "ordinary reality" so they can feed on the dark emotional energies we produce when succumbing to the negative thoughts they insert into our minds. "
I might add this a dangerous book with its own subtle, destructive undertow. The creative shamanic mind should beware and approach with serious minded caution and maintain a healthy distance. I am neither stating its contents are true nor untrue, but the un-initiated need not apply, and the initiated might be wise enough to let sleeping dogs lie.
It is a big mind-you-know-what, whether Carlos in his imaginative process intended it that way or not.
Claim your power and move on. Consider THIS a gift and a warning. Your greed for esoteric exploration may test you beyond what you expected.
Some Truth & Some Dramatic LicenseApril 16, 2008 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I've done some research on lucid dreaming and astral travel and am in the process of attaining these states and looked to this book, by recommendation, as a potential guide book of sorts. Well, it does contain some general truths as compared with other books I've read and then there are things that are added in to make for a good and dangerous story with plenty of conflict that keeps you turning the pages. For instance: When Castaneda talks of the dangers of being lured in by "inorganic beings", which "inorganic" or non-physical beings is he talking about? The entire physical, astral, spiritual universe is populated by potentially millions of different races of "inorganic" beings. Some are out to get you, while some are benevolent, just like people on Earth. And the "scouts", or spirit-guides as most call them, are stereotyped as well as having a mischievous intent of luring out into realms of the universe that might not be able to get back from. Total rubbish! These examples and many more are why you can't rely on these books as actual guide books to help the serious explorer of these realms. They're written more in the style of "The Celestine Prophecy". I don't see why Castaneda just wouldn't be upfront about them being fiction, because as fiction, they are o.k. books if that's what you're looking for. If you want real advice from real people about real experiences in the real lucid dreaming/astral travel worlds I'd suggest the following authors: Bruce Moen, Robert Monroe, Albert Taylor, William Buhlman, Stephen LaBerge, Adrian Cooper, Robert Bruce, Fred Atwater and others that you can find from links on their websites. But, if you're not seriously looking into astral travel and looking for a good read, then Castaneda may be your man....
The Art of FibbingApril 11, 2008 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Before reading any of the Castaneda books, it is vital that any potential reader know the truth behind the legend - this I have covered in lengthy reviews of each of the first five books. This short review is just to say that this is probably the worst place to start as far as Castaneda books go. The others are at least written in a believable way, when Castaneda's art of fibbing was still well-developed. By this book he had given up all pretence at earning the label of non-fiction, the final result being a book that makes Alice in Wonderland seem quite believable. And if you want lucid dreaming, you've come to the wrong place. Read up some more on the man and his work before you believe anything in this book.
Lucid dreamsOctober 28, 2007 6 out of 7 found this review helpful
When I read this book I started having many more lucid dreams. I found this book extremely interesting and very different from other dream books.
CastanedaJuly 1, 2007 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Not the greatest but who's to say. Lists some practical guides for dreaming and is still a bit criptive to those not fully involve with the sorcerer's path. Still a recommended read for those not too inclined but interested. Don't know what else to say.
