Impeccability

Impeccability is a words much used by the sorcerers and their apprentices in The Second Ring of Power, but with little indication of its root meaning: incapable of sin, in the original Latin; beyond suspicion, flawless in secular usage. It clearly lies at the very core of Don Juan Matus' teaching and implies some form of asceticism, for his associate, Don Genaro, advise instead that apprentices not hurry but enjoy life. The apprentices bandy it about as a given, much as author Carlos Castaneda takes his understanding of rationality as a given. Much of the tension in the book comes from givens falling short of universality. The closest anyone comes to a clear characterization of impeccability comes when Carlos' anger at the church flairs. Don Juan says that this attitude brings no well-being, and suggests concentrating on being an impeccable warrior, which brings vigor, youth, and power.

Various...