Conclusions arrived at through reasoning have very little or no influence in altering the course of our lives.
Carlos CastanedaIn the Art of Dreaming Don Juan tells Carlos, "... most of our energy goes into upholding our importance... if we were capable of losing some of that importance, two extraordinary things would happen to us. One, we would free our energy from trying to maintain the illusory idea of our grandeur; and two we would provide ourselves with enough energy to ... catch a glimpse of the actual grandeur of the universe."
Carlos CastanedaA man goes to knowledge as he goes to war, wide awake, with fear, with respect, and with absolute assurance.
Carlos CastanedaOne cannot enter don Juan's world intellectually, like a dilettante seeking fast and fleeting knowledge. Nor, in don Juan's world, can anything be verified absolutely. The only thing we can do is arrive at a state of increased awareness that allows us to perceive the world around us in a more inclusive manner.
Carlos Castaneda