…He added that nothing in this world is a gift, that whatever there was to learn had to be learned the hard way.

Teachings, 17

I’ve started reading the series over again, starting this time chronologically. I am taking notes as I go, and I’ll put those here as time permits. Reading the books myself helps me understand the concepts more fully, and as this is as close as I can get to Don Juan right now, I’ll take it.

You will learn in spite of yourself. That is the Rule.

Teachings, 34

I think what Don Juan is saying here is that if you insist, then persevere. The magic will find you eventually, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Learning was the most difficult task a man could undertake.

No matter how frightening learning is, it is more terrible to think of a man without an ally, or without knowledge.

Teachings, 37

What I find interesting is that in each of the books there seems to be an admonishment about how terrifying this practice is. As if he wants to underscore the importance of understanding this is hard work, and you need to be prepared… for what, I am not sure. I have my own experiences, and I wonder about the Four Natural Enemies (the first being Fear) and I wonder if I have been defeated.

Is there progress? What am I looking for? What will change? Is this change significant? Hard to say, but these are questions I keep asking myself.

Man lives only to learn, and if he learns it is because that is the nature of his lot, for good or bad.

Teachings, 45

If learning is the Rule, then I have to wonder if it is simply fate that determines if you learn or not? Do you just stop learning, learn nothing? IF learning is for good, great, but what about for bad? What does that look like? Will I lose my mind? Become disabled? Should I simply persist?

The man attempting to learn must prepare himself by leading a hard, quiet life.

Teachings, 51

I can imagine a shaman living a hard, quiet life, but when it comes to Western man in the modern age, I wonder what this looks like. I imagine it to be maybe the life of an academic. There’s a quote among the works about how Philosophers create beautiful worlds, only to have them die when they go home from work. Maybe that’s the hard work, always keeping this at the forefront of your mind and working toward it.

When a man starts to learn, he is never clear about his objectives. His purpose is faulty; his intent vague. He hopes for rewards that will never materialize, for he knows nothing of the hardships of learning.

Teachings, 62

I can relate to this quote, it is all very vague at times. I keep reading, though, and I wonder if the third quote here doesn’t point the way… a man without an ally is a terrible thing. Maybe I’ll focus my thoughts and experiences on understanding, defining, and finding an ally.