Magical Passes: The Practical Wisdom of the Shamans of Ancient Mexico
Cult author Castaneda has written nine books (e.g., The Teachings of Don Juan, LJ 3/1/69) chronicling the life and practices of Yaqui sorcerer Don Juan Matus. While these books talk about the magical and shamanistic practices of Don Juan and his lineages, this new book begins with Don Juan chiding Castaneda about his physical well-being (or lack of it) and then teaching Castaneda the physical movements practiced by the sorcerers. These magical movements are called "tensegrity"?a combination of the tension of contracting and relaxing with the integrity of the body moving in one complete unit. The bulk of the book is a detailed step-by-step description and photographs of the movements, which can be done following the book but require a concentration that cuts out extraneous thought. Recommended for collections where Castaneda's other books are popular and for collections on meditation and movement.?Gail Wood, SUNY at CortlandCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.