This is my recap and notes on the book “Journey To Ixtlan” by Carlos Castenada. It’s a book about a Mexican shaman named Don Juan. Carlos is trying to learn about peyote from Don Juan, but Don Juan has other teachings in mind. Don Juan teaches Carlos about life and how to lead an impeccable one. 

One of the things I picked up was how Don Juan taught Carlos about life through hunting. Don Juan understood that Carlos was interested in hunting and had been involved in it since he was a boy. Carlos was familiar with hunting so Don taught him his way through hunting metaphors. 

I think the main point of the book is that our perception of the world is just that, a perception. It isn’t reality. Reality is much more beautiful than any one person can ever imagine. 

your reality is just your perception of the world. It can change like anything else.

Self importance robs you of experiencing the beauty of the world.

Your description of the world has been instilled in you since birth. Your parents and everyone you have ever met aided in creating your reality. The environment and culture you grew up in is you.

You’ve been conditioned into living a life with parameters set by other people. Your parents, your coach, society, significant other. They have told you what’s right and whats wrong. They will let you know when you are screwing up or doing good.

It’s not a bad thing. It’s not a good thing either. It just is what it is.

Death will touch us all but will it today?

You might think things are going bad but wait until the day you die. That will be the end. No more anything. You just cease to be.

Death is certain so why are you so worried. Enjoy today like it’s your last because it might be.

Whether you want to admit or not you want to make your parents and peers happy. You want them to like you. So you might end up doing things because you want to please your environment. Instead of asking whether or not it made sense for you.