Authors

Carlos Castaneda

Carlos Castaneda (1925–1998) was a Peruvian‑American author and anthropologist best known for The Teachings of Don Juan (1968), a series of books describing apprenticeship with a Yaqui shaman. His work blended ethnographic claims and visionary themes and attracted controversy; the quote emphasizes acceptance of destiny and the inward struggle.

Quotes: 3

Quotes by Carlos Castaneda

To struggle against destiny is to struggle against yourself. — Carlos Castaneda

Embracing Destiny as Embracing the Self

Carlos Castaneda’s assertion posits a profound relationship between fate and personal identity. By equating the fight against destiny with self-opposition, he suggests that destiny is not an external, impersonal force bu...

Created on: 7/4/2025

Intent is not a thought, or an object, or a wish. Intent is what can make a man succeed when his thoughts tell him that he is defeated. — Carlos Castaneda

The Transformative Power of Intent Beyond Thought

Carlos Castaneda’s assertion draws a clear distinction between intent and more familiar concepts such as thoughts, objects, or desires. While thoughts are products of the mind and wishes stem from longing, intent occupie...

Created on: 6/9/2025

We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same. — Carlos Castaneda

We Either Make Ourselves Miserable or Strong - Carlos Castaneda

This quote emphasizes that our mindset and attitude determine whether we experience misery or personal strength. Both outcomes require effort, but the direction of that effort is up to us.

Created on: 1/22/2025