Being Real at the Old Salmon River Trail
Years ago when I was a college student, I voraciously read and reread the works of Carlos Castaneda. While many of his observations being mentored by his teacher, Don Juan, remain with me, today as I was hiking along the Old Salmon River in Welches, Oregon, I thought about the end of his third book, Journey to Ixtlan. Don Juan and his fellow sorcerer Don Genaro are explaining to Carlos that he has a spiritual challenge: to find and wrestle his “ally” figure. It may destroy him or it may provide some kind of spiritual reward as he “wins his ally.” The ally is veiled and shrouded in mystery. Don Genaro describes to Carlos how many years ago he was spun like a top by his ally and in the end, to his great surprise, triumphed. He went on to describe how he next tried to return to Ixtlan where he had a home, family and friends, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not reach his destination. He characterized other human beings whom he encountered on his journey home, with the exception of Don Juan, as simply phantoms–people who appeared to be real but had no real essence. Read More »Being Real at the Old Salmon River Trail