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Carlos Castaneda was an author
who left his mark on my generation - although in academic circles
he was never considered someone worthy of attention. As a tribute
to him, I present a summary of his most important writings:
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The most difficult thing
in this world is to adopt the spirit and attitude of a warrior.
It is no use being sad, complaining, feeling unjustly treated, and
believing someone is doing something negative. No one is doing anything,
and certainly not to a warrior.
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It matters not how we were
brought up. What determines our way of acting is the manner in which
we administrate our will. A man is the sum of all his wishes, which
determine his way of living and dying.
The will is a sentiment, a
talent, something which lends us enthusiasm. The will is something
which is acquired - but it is necessary to fight for it one's whole
life.
From the moment we are born,
people tell us that the world is like this and like that, this way,
that way. It is natural that - for a certain period of time - we
end up believing what we are told. But we must soon push these ideas
aside and discover our own way of living reality.
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The humility of a warrior
is not the same humility as that of a servile man. The warrior does
not lower his head to anyone, and nor does he allow anyone to bow
before him. The servile man, on the other hand, kneels before anyone
he believes to be more powerful, and demands that the people under
his command behave in a similar fashion before him.
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The bad thing about words
is that they make us feel as if we were illuminated and understanding
everything. But, when we turn and face the world, we see that reality
is completely different from that which we discussed or heard. Because
of this, a warrior seeks to act, and not waste time in useless conversation.
Through action, he discovers the meaning of that which occurs in
his day-to-day life, and takes creative and original decisions.
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The ordinary man thinks that
yielding to doubts and worries is a sign of sensibility, of spirituality.
Acting thus, he remains distant from the true meaning of life, for
his reduced reasoning turns him into the saint or monster he imagines
he is, and before he realizes it, he is caught in the trap he has
set himself. This type of person loves being told what he should
do, but even more than that, he loves not following sound advice
- simply in order to anger the generous soul who, at a certain moment,
was concerned about him.
Only a warrior can endure
the path of knowledge. A warrior does not complain or lament anything,
and sees challenges as neither good nor bad. Challenges are simply
challenges.
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The world is unfathomable
and mysterious, just as we all are. The art of the warrior consists
of reconciling the terror of being a man with the wonder of being
a man.
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