Robert J. Feldman

Guestbook entry

Thank you for inviting me to participate and collaborate with you on this documentary.  I see documentaries all the time about lesser figures than Castaneda that made me ask why they deserved note, but for his literary record alone, he is deserving of note. 

Putting the controversy aside, one must agree there is something unique and different about this man for having such an exhaustive effect on so many lives for literally decades, whether positive or negative; whether you believe or not.  Through you and participating in this film, I've learned so much, and I take away much from this experience. 

Following your direction, I tried to create music that would not detract, but become a character unto itself.  I hope audiences can appreciate our efforts on being true to the genre and to your film's subject as well. 

Thanks again for your tireless efforts, your unending patience and care with this project, and most importantly, for your friendship.

Ron Goldstein

Guestbook entry

Dear Ralph, been deep in my internal work finally waking to your email and the announcement of this site.

After a couple of visits I see your little stone has stirred up some big ripples. Hope you are enjoying, it is an expected part of the process.

Sounds like you are ever closer to realizing your dream, don\'t let the phantoms bother you on your way to Ixtlan.

Love and respect ron

Monica Martinez

Guestbook entry

Bravo! It couldn't be a better time for the public release of this controversy.

I think that your film will find a warm reception not only among the millions of world wide Castaneda followers, but it will also reach a broader audience. People like your neighbor or mine who still feel the impact of the blow delivered by the September eleven attacks.

At this particular moment in time this work pioneers and gives voice to questions and feelings that are familiar to all of us as humans. Concepts like evil, right, wrong, spirituality, and religion are right now screaming for a new examination, for a new meaning.

I sincerely applaud the spirit of sharing and the passion shown in your work.

Wishing you all success.
Monica M.

Robert Moss

E-mail comment

Your website is very cool. I chuckled with graveyard humor when I saw the backdrop you have assigned to my mugshot, since at the moment I opened your message I was engaged in writing a chapter on "Dreaming with the Departed". I have now put a printout of that shot into the plastic sleeve of a binder containing drafts of what I now feel will be a whole book on this theme…

Good dreams and brilliant documentaries, siriusly

Robert

Victor Sanchez

E-mail comment

Is good to hear that the project is alive. First I want to express my respect for your unbending intent in keeping this project alive, despite so much work load, lack or resources, etc.,

Without having seem the movie and having seen only the website, I feel like sharing this preliminary comment with you.

I like the combination of people and different views that you present. I think there are a lot of individuals there whose views worth the trouble to listen. Is a good think that someone took the task of putting all that together. I think is good to have the different sides of a story like this as oppose to taking one side only.

Having said that, I think that even though is clear your attempt to be "objective" or "not partial" so to speak, you could not prevent your own bias of admiration and being enamored of Castaneda to filter your approach to the task (I can not blame you for this. I suppose there is no way for any of us to completely be aware off and suppress our own bias).

Let me explain what I mean and please be aware that I am saying this in a friendly way and because I respect your work.

The way it seems to me this subtle bias to be present in the film is through an approach that seems "protective" of the image of Castaneda. My point here is that while the fiction issue is properly addressed, the cult issue is not.

The not being explicit about the kind of actions that Carlos did with his close followers (e.g. collecting a harem with "sorcerer" seductive lies, psychological manipulation and domination, brainwash, cult-like practices, and lying, lying and more lying), leaves room for those not informed of such crude aspects of the inner life within the "nagualīs party", not having an concrete idea what the shadow part of the Castaneda Phenomena is about.

It is my point of view that, without this part, the story is not complete.

Is not that this "negative" side of the story is the only one or even the most important one, but telling this part of the story is very relevant to give a real picture of what may happen when even intelligent people surrender to the spell of those who pretend to be above everybody else for spiritual or magical reasons.

Showing this hidden side may help those searching for spiritual paths to keep on eye on the fine line, between passionately following an idea and the danger of becoming blind to the human weaknesses of spiritual leaders, who being the positive spark who ignites the quest for meaning in many, may end up in becoming and obstacle to the further development of their followers.

As I said before, this is my first impression after having seen the video clips in the web site. Seems like the right people is there.. but the selection of what they say (including me) seems very vague when it comes about showing the shadow of C.C. I will be curious to see how this may be different in the actual movie.

Please keep me posted.

Victor Sanchez

Director's Comments:

The vast majority of the comments I've received have been positive, yet I posted this email from Victor because he eloquently echoes concerns some have expressed.

All the concerns Victor raises here are properly addressed in my current cut of the film, and with any luck, distributors will keep it that way.

Thank you, Victor, for your thoughtful comments.

Felix Wolf

Guestbook entry

Carlos Castaneda's work undoubtedly had a tremendous influence on the spiritual orientation of a whole generation. He sold over 10 million books and was labeled "Godfather of the New Age Movement" by "Time Magazine". This should make your well researched and balanced film a document of significant historical and anthropological importance.

Love,
Felix