Don Juan Matus

Don Juan Matus

Don Juan Matus is a major figure in the series of books on Nagual 'Sorcery' by Carlos Castaneda.

Matus is described as a Yaqui Indian to whom Castaneda was first introduced at a bus depot in Yuma, Arizona in the early 1960s. He turns out to be a 'Man of Knowledge' who imparts much of his wisdom and clarity through his 'connection' with Castaneda. The Knowledge is passed on to Castaneda by means of actual experiences, simple exercises and much patience on the part of both which ends in further transforming both characters' view of the world.

Carlos Castaneda never claimed Juan Matus to be a shaman and yet the actual existence of don Juan has been disputed by a handful of critics who claim his practices and beliefs are inconsistent with his alleged identification as a Yaqui shaman. In Journey to Ixtlan, Juan Matus is quoted as saying "No one knows where I am really from or who I am for certain", so in effect the statements in regard to Juan Matus' lineage are not applicable.

Read more about Don Juan Matus:  In Castaneda, In Subsequent Works

Famous quotes containing the words don juan, don and/or juan:

    Rather would I have the love songs of romantic ages, rather Don Juan and Madame Venus, rather an elopement by ladder and rope on a moonlight night, followed by the father’s curse, mother’s moans, and the moral comments of neighbors, than correctness and propriety measured by yardsticks.
    Emma Goldman (1869–1940)

    I know what you’re thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I’ve kinda lost track myself. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off—you’ve got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?
    Harry Fink, U.S. screenwriter, Rita Fink, U.S. screenwriter, Dean Riesner, U.S. screenwriter, and Don Siegel. Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood)

    Is that the Craig Jurgesen that Teddy Roosevelt gave you?... And you used it at San Juan Hill defending liberty. Now you want to destroy it.
    Laurence Stallings (1894–1968)