天死

I do want to read Castaneda, just to have read him–I think a lot of authors (including some not so great ones) have been influenced by him. I’m really wondering if some of the plastic shamans who claim to have been taught by Native Americans who haven’t been proven to exist are actually pulling a don Juan on everyone? I wouldn’t mind that sort of thing so much, if people were just honest about the fact that they created a teacher-figure to impart what they themselves have developed, or treated a spirit guide as a physical one that anyone could walk up to.

It is a tough thing, sometimes, trying to tell the difference between a genuine mentor, and someone who’s just out for ego (and sometimes it’s really a matter of opinion). I’ve found my own balance in that regard for now, though I know some people feel the need for more supervision than I do.