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Castaneda Story
by S. I. Can

Here's my one and only Castaneda story as told from my recollection.

Back in the mid 80's Carlos wanted to set up a White Tantra meeting with a group of women only, at the Phoenix Bookstore in Santa Monica. The Phoenix was on Santa Monica Blvd. near 5th st. at that time. The owner wouldn't go for that idea and told him he'd have to include men. Castaneda was kind of stuck back then and wanted the energy boost to get him going again for his next writing project. My best friend knew the owner of the book store and invited me to join him that night. While waiting outside for C.C. to show up I remember seeing this short little Mexican guy drive up in little yellowy orange Toyota or something that was a similar color to the way he was dressed. Any of us that saw this guy would never think twice about who he was. He really blended in. We went to an adjoining room to the bookstore for the talk. C.C. stood in front holding a watch for awhile. He said it was don Juan's watch and he used it for power. He was funny and kind of shy. I liked him very much. The thing he said that really stuck with me was a story he told about being a fry cook in a border town near Mexico. The time was just after when don Juan left him and he said he was using the name of Joe Cortez at that time. The customers at this restaurant didn't love Mexicans and Carlos said when he made something they didn't like they'd take the plate it was on and throw it at his head. He asked the owner of the restaurant what he should do when this happens. The owner told him to duck.

Castaneda said when people throw their shit at you instead of grabbing it and throwing it back and getting all involved with them, just duck. Don't let them bring you down. Move on. I thought that was Sage advice.

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