It has been assumed that the West has produced no way of spiritual knowledge comparable to the great system of the East. Taoism, Yoga, Vedanta, and Zen-the ancient 'ways of liberation'-belong root and branch to Asia. This unprecedented and strangely beautiful book, which is assured a place in the literature of ethnology, will even more remain a living document of the spirit. His account will leave the reader with the strongest impression of the nobility, depth, and authority of don Juan and of his teachings. Castaneda writes pragmatically and simply, allowing the events to carry their own drama. In a series of remarkable dialogues he sets forth his partial initiation into don Juan's perception and mastery of 'non-ordinary reality.' He describes how peyote and other plants sacred to the Mexican Indians are used as gateways to the mysteries of 'dread,' 'clarity,' and 'power.' Although he must deal with alien phenomena, often with matters of terrifying and fantastic order, Mr. Castaneda, a young anthropologist, records here his experiences during five years as a pupil of don Juan, a Yaqui Indian shaman. No fading even to the light green colour on the spine. Small nicks and slight creasing to the extremities.

Extremities of dustwrapper just slightly rubbed and creased, mainly at the head and tail of the spine, with very slight loss at the head of the spine. The thin dustwrapper is complete with no chips, creases or tears. ***In a very good typographically printed dustwrapper, that has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of $5.95. Very slight lean to the binding but spine tight. Internally very clean, with no creases or tears. Top edge and fore-edge of page block slightly foxed. ***Near fine in dark grey cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. A second printing of the true first edition, published as an academic work by the University of California Press in 1968.

Some tanning to pages but are unmarked save for remainder mark to bottom edge of text block for Fire From Within. Bindings are strong save for The Second Ring of Power which has cracked hinges and a few areas on slit binding. Boards remain fairly clean with some faint blemishes and bumps to corners and spine ends. Ink stains to rear liner flap of Power of Silence with inscription on reverse side of jacket along spine.

Mild shelf wear to jackets with A Separate Reality & Power of Silence wrapped in contact paper and small digits placed between contact paper and jacket at base of spines - some bubbling and imperfecttions to both jackets. Contains the books: A Separate Reality (2nd print, 1971) / Journey to Ixtlan (6th print, 1972) / Tales of Power (1st print, 1974) / The Second Ring of Power (2nd print, 1977) / The Eagle's Gift (3rd print, 1981) / The Fire From Within (1st print, 1984) / The Power of Silence (1st print, 1987).

The teachings of don juan