yaqui

The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge
$17.95
Well, I finally got around to reading this book after having friend after friend suggest it. I am very interested in esoteric knowledge (I will not demeen the book or esotericism with the term New Age) and was hoping to get a fresh perspective on it; and one that was more local (as in my neck of the woods) to boot. I, as an American, have a shamefully low amount of knowledge of Native American tribes and their beliefs. I must be frank about that so as to not imply that I have read other books on Native American spiritually and can judge it on that level. This is for all intents and purposes my introduction to this field. I also have read none of the author's later works so I do not know how they add to or complement this book. I can however say that I doubt this is that place to start if one is seriously interested in this specific subject, nor does this book contain any spiritual insights that cannot be found elsewhere and in far more intellectual contexts (here I would suggest that any searchers of such wisdom turn to the Vedas, Buddhist scripture, the New Testament, the Edda...all written by far more advanced people and containing universal knowledge that Castaneda's book, by definition, cannot as it deals mostly with altered states of consciousness through use of local flora...and fauna, in a rather repulsive scene that seems highly unlikely to endeer the practioner to the animal community he is trying to befriend).

As a story it is rather interesting and hard to put down. Don Juan is certainly an interesting character although I suspect that Castaneda does not do him justice as Castaneda seems to me to be of average intelligence only, although blessed with a quest for adventure and knowledge. I use the incredibly useless attempt through the second half of the book as an example to give a "scientific" explanation of Don Juan's theology, for lack of a better term. Anyone with half a brain can skip all of this as it contains information that, if not grasped by the reader in the first section, will certainly not be made more comprehensible to said reader by adding a college-freshman level anthropological analysis.

To sum up, there is no harm in reading this book and since it clearly has changed a number of lives for the better and opened up the minds of many others I would certainly recommend reading it if you are interested. To others with a more serious desire of attaining spiritual wisdom and are intellectually up for a much more demanding quest I think you will find this to be nothing more than a fun story of a Yaqui and his American apprentice (whether real or not). I am glad to have read it.

Yaqui Ritual and Festive Music: Pascola Dance, Deer Dance Matachini Dance, Folk Songs
$15.98
Through centuries of persecution, the Yaquis of northwestern Mexico and southern Arizona have strived to preserve their homelands and culture. Much of Yaqui culture centers around the colorful songs and dances of their religious fiestas. Performed on both indigenous and Spanish instruments along with voice, this recording of the many unique Yaqui musical traditions provides a glimpse into the rich pageantry of the Yaqui way of life.

Yaqui Ritual and Festive Music
$8.99

Apache Gold and Yaqui Silver
$19.95
This book is an excellent read. It's probably been responsible for more newcomers searching for the Lost Adams Diggings than any other book. However, Dobie wrote this book, not as a work of history, but as a great story. Readers should keep that in mind. Many years ago Apache Gold and Yaqui Silver caused me to begin my own search for the Adams. At that time the Dobie book was the only source. Now there are better sources of information on this subject, but none will ever cause the fast pulse and follow the fast pace of Apache Gold. That's Dobie's gift to the reader.