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 plants. While at a bus station, hemet an extraordinary man. His name was don Juan Mateus, but I will reach to himas don Juan. Don Juan, a Yaqui "brujo" or shaman, decides to ascertain Carlos the"Yaqui way of knowledge." It is not known if these stories ar fiction or non-fiction and numerous critics steady debate over his writings. I interpret his booksas modern mythological stories for several reasons. The "Heroic JourneyArchetype" and shamanistic ideologies, and also 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 and through a restless stage and breaks ties with his studies andprofessors at school. He moves forward with the help of don Juan, whoseshamanic wisdom enlightens and guides Carlos along his spiritual path. He alsofaces death many times in his quest to become a warrior. Finally, after manyyears, he "passes through". This mythological archetype is one of the mainreasons I view his stories are mythical in nature.There are also many shamanistic idealogies that run throughout his stories.Views of the natural world including plant life, animal life, and elements areall personified. Everything is embodied with spirit. Concepts of reality arealtered through drug induced states. Mushrooms and peyote are mainly used 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 order realities. His teachings gave anexplanation to mans view of existence and hi s 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 thither 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 small-minded smoke" 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.