The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge Chapter Summary & Analysis - Part 1: Chapter 11 Summary

Part 1: Chapter 11 Summary and Analysis

Castaneda visits Matus on Sept. 30, unable to slough off the "shallow states of non-ordinary reality," and feeling his anxiety worsening. Unusually preoccupied, Matus diagnoses a "loss of soul" and true bewitching. From a list of activities prior to hallucinations, Matus pinpoints when he loses his soul, but not who is trying to sicken or kill him. He prescribes specific bodily positions to perform on his "beneficial spot", while he finds the culprit and tries to get his soul back. In an extreme crisis, Castaneda can hurl rocks at the enemy accompanied by a loud war cry. Matus cannot provide more detail to the frightened protygy; he may sing his Mescalito songs to keep him company. Matus enters his house at 7:00 PM, leaving Castaneda in the cold.

Four hours later, Matus' voice yells, "hey boy!" summoning Castaneda indoors. Because the words do not ring true, Castaneda stays on his...
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