Carlos Castaneda, the American author known as the ‘Godfather of the New Age’, gained fame through his best-selling nonfiction book, ‘The Teachings of Don Juan’. This book introduced readers to the mystical teachings of Don Juan Matus, a Yaqui Indian shaman from Mexico. Castaneda’s journey with Don Juan began during his time as a graduate student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he first interviewed an Indian for an assignment. This encounter led him to become an apprentice under Don Juan, delving into the non-ordinary reality and believing himself to be ‘the chosen one’. Castaneda documented his training in ‘The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge’, one of the 12 books he wrote in his lifetime. Although his books received critical acclaim and made him a renowned author, later critics questioned their authenticity and labeled them as fiction.
Quick Facts
- Died At Age: 72
- Family: Spouse/Ex-: Florinda Donner
- Born Country: Peru
- Quotes By Carlos Castaneda
- Writers
- Died on: April 27, 1998
- Place of death: Westwood, California, United States
- Ancestry: Peruvian American
- Cause of Death: Hepatocellular Cancer
- Education: University Of California, Los Angeles
Childhood & Early Life
Carlos Castaneda was born on December 25, 1925 in Cajamarca, Peru. He moved to the United States in 1951 with the goal of becoming a sculptor. He studied at the School of Fine Arts in Lima and took up odd jobs to support himself. In addition to his art training, he also took classes in philosophy, literature, and creative writing at the Los Angeles Community Center. In 1957, he became a naturalized citizen of the USA. After completing his elementary education, he enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles for a Bachelor’s degree in Arts. He later pursued a doctorate degree in anthropology, which he obtained in 1973.
Career
While studying at the University of California, Castaneda had the opportunity to interview and intern under Don Juan Matus, a Yaqui sorcerer. Castaneda was greatly influenced by Don Juan and eventually became the leader of a party of seers, known as a ‘nagual’. Based on his experiences with Don Juan, Castaneda wrote three books: ‘The Teaching of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge’, ‘A Separate Reality’, and ‘Journey to Ixtlan’. These books introduced new concepts such as being inaccessible, erasing personal history, and stopping the world. In his fourth book, ‘Tales of Power’, published in 1974, Castaneda described the end of his training under Don Juan. He went on to write eight more books, six of which were published during his lifetime and two posthumously. Castaneda’s books gained widespread acclaim and he became one of the best-selling nonfiction authors in the country. However, his work was later met with skepticism and some critics labeled it as a hoax and works of fiction.
Major Works
Castaneda’s most significant work is his first book, ‘The Teachings of Don Juan’. This book, written in first person, presents dialogues between Castaneda and Don Juan. His 12 books have sold over 28 million copies in 17 languages and have never gone out of print, highlighting his success as an author.
Personal Life & Legacy
There is much dispute regarding Castaneda’s personal life. Some believe he was married to Margaret Runyan in 1960, while his death certificate states that he was a bachelor. The birth certificate of Runyan’s son lists Castaneda as the father, adding to the confusion. It is unclear whether Castaneda and Runyan separated or divorced. In 1973, Castaneda purchased a compound in Westwood where a group of his female companions lived. Following the philosophy of ‘erasing personal history’, they took on new names. Castaneda passed away on April 27, 1998, from complications related to hepatocellular cancer. His death was not widely known until two months later when an obituary was published in the Los Angeles Times.