A Mythical Analysis Of A Yaqui Way Of Knowledge :: essays research papers fc

A Mythical Analysis of A Yaqui Way of KnowledgeIn the summer of 1960 a UCLA anthropology student traveled tothe southwest to do research on medicinal typesets. While at a bus station, hemet an extraordinary man. His name was bear Juan Mateus, scarcely I will refer to himas don Juan. male p arnt Juan, a Yaqui "brujo" or shaman, decides to teach Carlos the"Yaqui way of knowledge." It is not known if these stories are parable or non-fiction and umpteen critics still debate over his literature. I interpret his booksas modern mythological stories for several reasons. The "Heroic transitArchetype" and shamanistic ideologies, and excessively the general moral, explainative,and philosophical content of his writings indicate that these stories can beviewed as "modern myth".throughout Castenedas stories you can see the "Heroic Journey Archetype".Carlos goes through a restless stage and breaks ties with his studies andprofessors at school. He mo ves forward with the help of don Juan, whoseshamanic wisdom enlightens and guides Carlos along his spiritual path. He alsofaces death numerous times in his quest to become a warrior. Fin partner, after manyyears, he "passes through". This mythological archetype is one of the mainreasons I believe his stories are mythical in nature.There are also many shamanistic idealogies that run throughout his stories.Views of the natural world including plant disembodied spirit, animal life, and elements areall personified. Everything is embodied with spirit. Concepts of reality are modify through drug induced states. Mushrooms and mezcal are mainly utilize inrituals that don Juan uses to teach Carlos his way of knowledge Mescalito, the"spirit" of the peyote plant, indicated to don Juan that Carlos was the "chosen"one, the person to whom don Juan should pass on his knowledge(CLC,87). Don Juanspeaks of many different spirits and separate realities. His teachings gave an explanation to mans view of innovation and his ignorance resulting fromattachment to the material world.Mythological proof is also found in don Juans teachings, which compare Indianfolklore, mysticism, and philosophy. Don Juan explains that there are manydifferent planes of reality and that a warrior must detach himself with the aidof an ally. Carloss ally is "Mescalito" or the spirit of the peyote plant.Don Juans ally is "the little low-down" a mixture made from hallucinogenicmushrooms. He explains that all life is made up of controlled folly andattachment to the material world causes ignorance and blindness. A warrior mustlearn to "see" and an ally helps achieve these states of non-ordinary "seeing."Don Juans teachings are closely related to Buddhist philosophy.