AVP Workshop Student Reactions

This page was not created by Victor Sanchez. This is a gift from the students to Victor and the incredible AVP Team. We have assembled this page as a way for us to say "Thank You" to all of AVP for sharing their knowledge !

Also, I have asked each student to provide a way that they can be contacted in case someone wishes to ask questions. In this way, the reader is assured that these students and their experiences were very real indeed. Feel free to contact any one of us. Thanks again, AVP !

May, 1996. Sincerely, Brian D. Barry. My e-mail address is: bdbarry@aol.com

"Practical Applications of the Teachings of Don Carlos,(A Toltec View)" April 3-7, 1996 (CLASS COMPLETED)

Views of some of the students:

Richard Aleksandr, Colorado USA
Walter K. Brauer, Texas USA
Brian D. Barry, Virginia USA
Sophia Fielding, California USA
Lucy Hernandez, California USA
Edwin J. Herzog, California USA
Vance Koenig, Hawaii USA
Jim Ite Tanner, Texas USA
Scott Tanner, California USA
Owen Thomas, California USA
Lloyd Volkwyn, Kings Langley, Australia

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Richard Aleksandr, Class date: April 3-7, 1996
Class Taken: "Practical Applications of the Teachings of Don Juan (A Toltec View)"

Comments on the Art of Living Purposefully workshop April, 1996:

I attended a Victor Sanchez workshop recently with only two facts about the man and his work: one, that his extension/adaptation of Castaneda's work into practical exercises was very inspiring and in the mood of Castaneda's books (which I have read since I was a teenager), and two, it just felt good when I considered it.

I learned quite a bit there, but more important is how I feel: after only a 5 day workshop, my first attention is more focused than at any time previously in my entire life. Also, I feel determined and at peace, strong and soft at the same time. I found the experience difficult, demanding, and thoroughly enjoyable. My body loved it. I am continuing the practices (which are quite demanding) in my own "real world" now. Another thing that impressed me - Victor himself. At no time did he come across as the great master who knew everything. He came across as a man who is doing his work in his own life and, for now, is sharing his knowledge and results with others.

Richard Aleksandr
P.O. Box 354
Crestone, CO 81131 USA
e-mail : rgalek@sipapu.com

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Walter K. Brauer, Class date: April 3-7, 1996
Class Taken: "Practical Applications of the Teachings of Don Juan (A Toltec View)"

Acceptance to, attendance at and participation in the workshop under the auspices of The Art of Living Purposefully and the very able direction of Victor Sanchez and his staff provided opportunity for what proved to be a truly remarkable experience from beginning to end - and beyond. The objectives and themes given in the descriptive brochure prior to the workshop were thoroughly explained, as were the exercises; each exercise presented and maintained with utmost care and consideration resulting in personal experiences of increased awareness, confidence and a pervading sense of joy and freedom.

The preparation, knowledge, attitude and attention to detail and to individual needs graciously and expeditiously provided by members of the staff were truly appreciated, definitely commendable. I recall saying during our parting session, "I felt upon first receiving the letter of invitation, this would be a class act." I repeat, now, without a single reservation, it was, indeed, a class act !

Walt Brauer
10973 Mesquite Flat
Helotes, Texas 78023-4213
phone: 210-302-8537

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Brian D. Barry, Class date: April 3-7, 1996
Class Taken: "Practical Applications of the Teachings of Don Juan (A Toltec View)"

Many years ago, I read all of Carlos Castaneda's books with great interest, for I saw wisdom in the Toltec culture. I enjoyed the stories immensely, but I didn't find enough detail in Carlos' books to apply the knowledge to my own life. Also, I had no interest in Carlos' apparent preoccupation with drugs.

Imagine my surprise when, last fall, I came across a book called "The Teachings of Don Carlos: Practical Applications of the Works of Carlos Castaneda", by Victor Sanchez. Victor brought to life Don Juan's teachings in a vivid way. I wrote to Victor and was invited to his next workshop. YES !

This was an opportunity to solve a 20 year old mystery concerning the reality of Don Juan's teachings. Also, it was apparent from Victor's book that he was speaking from the heart and clearly had much to teach about ways of being human that my culture knows nothing about... healthy ways.

Another aspect of Victor that impressed me was that he was very careful in his book and in the workshop to only speak from his own experience. He made no claims that he could not substantiate. Also, and this is very important, not once did Victor or his staff ever advise us on what we should do with our lives. Our personal beliefs and goals remained our own.

Victor's workshop answered a lot of questions for me as well as created even more questions. I discovered aspects of myself that I didn't know existed. As a direct consequence of my experience, I am more focused and much more aware of my everyday actions, feelings and energy level. Upon returning from the workshop, it became very obvious to me I needed to make more changes in my life and have since taken another job, more in line with my interests.

In my view, Victor and his staff were impeccable warriors of the spirit. They showed us the teachings by example. They took very good care of us and encouraged each of us to approach our own personal limits. However, the choice was always ours where to draw the line for our own comfort. Victor and his staff took 28 people and we became like family in 5 days. This was not a goal in itself, but a natural consequence of taking the teachings to heart. We witnessed our own humanity together and I miss the honesty of our exchanges.

I highly recommend this workshop and Victor's books to anyone interested in truly living their lives. I am looking forward to my next opportunity to work again with Victor and the AVP Team this fall. I have no doubt it will be, once again, a completely unique experience in my life, an adventure of the mind, body and spirit ...

Brian D. Barry
13295 C Blueberry Lane, #102
Fairfax, VA 22033 USA
(703) 968-8872
e-mail: bdbarry@aol.com

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Sophia Fielding, Class date: April 3-7, 1996
Class Taken: "Practical Applications of the Teachings of Don Juan (A Toltec View)"

April 29, 1996

Dear Victor and Friends,

I'm sitting back in my home in Berkeley reflecting on and feeling all that I learned with you in Ajusco these last days. It's now April 10th and I just wanted to let you know how profoundly touched and grateful I feel about all that I experienced through your efforts. I only wish I could be writing this to you in Spanish, for that would be the ultimate of communication from my heart straight to yours. But I'm afraid I'm just not able to do that due to my own limitations with Spanish.

I'm struggling with very deep feelings of happiness and sorrow which are so mixed up in the realization that I am back in my life and that I had to leave the beauty of Ajusco and your beautiful and generous hearts. My only salvation will be to take what I have learned and to move into a more purposeful and "true to my heart" way of living. All of you are responsible in part for giving me the opportunity to find that within myself. Victor for your tireless and relentless vision and intention; Bob for your quiet but present spirit of caring; Manolo for your smile and willingness to give of your being fearlessly; Armando for your graceful, surefooted walks of attention; Esteban for your quiet but present spirit and energy; Demian for your flashing smile of friendship and fresh energy; Elvira for your guidance through fax and mail and sweet energy; Alejandra for the thoughtful, delicious and creative food; Sylvia for the presence of spirit and help; to all of you and those who's names I've left out, please accept my deep felt thanks and love.

I don't know if I can stand the separation and sadness I feel. I long for one of you to speak to me, lead me in an exercize or guide us in a "walk of attention". I notice how I feel a longing I'd never known before, almost impersonal but with full spirit. I don't mean to embarrass you all but I felt compelled to put these thoughts and feelings down whether they sound foolish or not.

FLASH !!! I just received a letter from Brian Barry asking for some input regarding our experiences in Ajusco. I will therefore end this letter to you so that it can be mailed as soon as possible. I hope to be hearing more from you on the future Web Site or from Brian or some other friend from the workshop. Again, please know how important and special my time at Ajusco was to me. I consider it one of the most pivotal, and life-changing experiences of my life. It has been hard to describe to friends and family but even that has felt all right since I can feel it in my heart.

With deep gratitude, love and friendship,

Sophia Fielding
3026 Shattuck Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 548-0915

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Lucy Hernandez, Class date: April 3-7, 1996
Class Taken: "Practical Applications of the Teachings of Don Juan (A Toltec View)"

I have long been an avid reader of Don Juan Matus' teachings; so eloquently elucidated by Carlos Castaneda. After reading Carlos' last book "The Art of Dreaming," I thought to myself.... now what ? Then I came across Victor Sanchez' book "The Teachings of Don Carlos" in which he presents practical applications to the teachings of Juan Matus, for people like me.

I recently attended a workshop given by Victor Sanchez in Mexico and came away with a clearer understanding for applying some of these techniques in my everyday life.

I gained a renewed sense of well being and a strong connectedness to all life in its many forms.

Lucy Hernandez
1318 N. Maine Ave.
Baldwin Park, CA 91706 USA

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Edwin J. Herzog, Class date: April 3-7, 1996
Class Taken: "Practical Applications of the Teachings of Don Juan (A Toltec View)"

April 10, 1996

Dear Victor and the Art of Living Purposefully staff,

It's the night before I return home and I wanted to write to you before I forgot about several things I did not say during our final meeting. Sometimes it is easier for me to write my feelings than express them in a big group.

First, I want to tell you how profound the last leap to the other side was for me. When I was sitting waiting to be called, I felt my fear, and wondered where that fear came from, because it felt familiar. I then recalled a vivid incident from my youth. I was twelve years old, and it was the last day of summer. I was walking with my friends in the hills overlooking the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles. We were hiking on a path alongside a cliff that overlooked a ravine when we saw a large tree with a swing attached to one of its strong branches. When held on, you swung out over the ravine, about thirty or forty feet to the bottom.

I decided to grab the swing with my hands, and swung out over the ravine. For some reason, I decided to let go and leap into the air. Instead, I fell and landed at the bottom, seriously injuring my head and fracturing my spine and wrists. I had to wear a body cast for several months.

Until the moment I was waiting for you to call me to take the leap into the unknown, I had never understood why I let go. I then had an incredible realization that as a boy I had wanted to fly into the unknown. I had instinctively wanted the freedom, to jump to the other self. I realized the feeling of what we were about to do was the same as when I grabbed that swing and leapt for it. The intention and desire was there, but not the personal power. In my life the message that horrible, painful experience taught me, was never to take that leap again, to not take chances because the world is a dangerous place. And so whenever I have tried to extend myself, and reach for my freedom, and connect with my spirit I have felt an incredible fear that I will cause harm to myself, that my attempts will end up in disaster and even my death.

Sitting, waiting to be called, I realized my leap was an opportunity to heal that wound from my childhood, to take a risk and live, even succeed, and win my battle for my freedom. When I finally did leap from the rock, that is what I was doing. When I was ... [edited out, see below] ... and made it safely, I was overwhelmed with a combination of happiness and grief. Happiness that I leapt to my freedom an succeeded, and sadness over remembering the pain and horror of my childhood injury I felt that summer day. I guess you could say I recapitulated at that instant, and healed that wound. For that, I say thank you from my heart.

...

One last thing. Feel free to use anything from this letter on your web page to help you deal with this Castaneda nonsense. Once again, thank you. If you have any comments or feedback about what I have written I would love to hear from you.

Yours truly,

Edwin J. Herzog
1012 Jones Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 524-3832

Note: I have removed part of one of Edwin's sentence above to preserve the mystery of the "Jump to the Other Self" for those yet to experience it for themselves. Brian D. Barry

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Vance Koenig, Class date: April 3-7, 1996
Class Taken: "Practical Applications of the Teachings of Don Juan (A Toltec View)"

It was a powerful and unforgettable experience to have participated in the workshop led by Victor Sanchez in Mexico, April 1996. This was the real action stuff I had hoped for. In terms of personal transformative experience, this workshop went way beyond a previous workshop I had taken on similar subject matter where a massive group of participants learned magical pass movements along with interesting talks etc. For me, Victor's workshop was a powerful heart opening experience as well as a breakthrough into the unknown. I felt my body in completely new ways, let go of inhibitions and jumped through fear.

Also of great importance was the connection with fire, trees and earth as well as the awareness of our death. I feel now the pull to go deeper into these basic relationships and how the quality and fullness of our lives is directly related to the strength and awareness of these relationships. Our work around the night fire and in the forest helped me to realize how disconnected I had become but yet how alive I felt to begin to reestablish my connection with nature.

Victor and his incredible staff put out a complete effort in carrying out this workshop. They were a great inspiration, always personable and available to discuss matters and answer questions. These are people of the highest integrity who walk their talk. I am impressed by their practicality and sincerity. From all the tears of joy and expressions of thanks, I know our entire group went home feeling blessed to have come together for such an amazing adventure. I am waiting anxiously for the next opportunity to participate in one of Victor's more advanced workshops. It is a thrill that someone is actually making this work available in a safe and conscientious manner with the support of a highly skilled and experienced staff.

Vance Koenig
P.O. Box 876
Kula, HI 96790

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Jim Ite Tanner, Class date: April 3-7, 1996
Class Taken: "Practical Applications of the Teachings of Don Juan (A Toltec View)"

I first read Castaneda's works in 1980. I recognized "Journey to Ixtlan" as an important body of teachings for my life. I read it often and his other works for over a decade. I did not feel that Castaneda's later works maintained the authority of Don Juan's teaching for life, which I had seen in his earlier works. When I read Victor Sanchez's "Teachings of Don Carlos" I again saw the practical techniques for living that I had seen in "Journey ..." I even practiced Sanchez's recapitulations with more interesting results than I had gained with dreaming exercizes over a decade before.

I wrote to Mr. Sanchez complimenting him on his efforts. Over time he sent me a notice of his workshop on purposeful living. Even though I have moved from the spiritual point I inhabited in the mid 1980's, I recognized the opportunity to go and applied. His organization surprised me with a quiz. To my delight, I was accepted to the workshop.

I flew to Mexico to attend the workshop. I viewed Mexico City the afternoon of my arrival. By chance, I met several of the other participants at the hotel where we spent the night. I was amazed that other people had read Castaneda and Sanchez. They were all people with good tonals. We spent the next two days doing tonal things. On the third day, we went to Teotihuacan. Awesome ! Then we spent two days on the nagual. During those two days, I regained the memory of the personal love I had for trees before I went off to college to get an education. The rest, for the moment, I leave in the unknown.

If Victor Sanchez had not appeared I would have had to invent him. I strongly recommend his book and workshop to those who seek practical teachings for life.

Jim Ite Tanner
P.O. Box 1742
Glen Rose, Texas 76043 USA

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Scott Tanner, Class date: April 3-7, 1996
Class Taken: "Practical Applications of the Teachings of Don Juan (A Toltec View)"

Dear Victor:
Thank you and your staff for the very special experiences that I had at "The Art of Living Purposefully". The experience was powerful and emotionally very cleansing for me. I cried several times which amazed me since I am not an emotional person.

One month later, I am still integrating what I have learned into my daily life. My perspective has changed. I am much more conscious of how I spend my energy and I am more purposeful.

I very much look forward to the time that we meet again to continue this work.
Best Wishes!

Scott Tanner
13 Lassen
Irvine, California 92715 USA
(714) 786-2179

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Owen Thomas, Class date: April 3-7, 1996
Class Taken: "Practical Applications of the Teachings of Don Juan (A Toltec View)"

I was privileged to attend the workshop called "Practical Applications of the Teachings of Don Juan" with Victor Sanchez and his wonderful support team from April 3 to 7 in a rustic, mountain lodge on Mount Ajusco. This was the first time he presented his understanding of the surviving Toltec culture to an English speaking audience and was a special experience for 28 persons in addition to his team. My gratitude is unbounded. Victor and his team were superb as exemplars of the spiritual understanding which flows from acceptance of the powers of Nature; Sun; Fire, Wind, Water, Trees, and all life.

The teachings of the TONAL, the mental powers, prepared us to release all ego concepts of self-importance. Several night experiences taught us to speak to Grandfather Fire, Abuelo Tatewari. Then we were ready for learning from our own interior resources how to leap into the NAGUAL, the unknown where real power connects with real Nature. That leap was performed by all 28 new (may I presume to call us initiated?) partisans into the surviving Toltec wisdom. My life was transformed, and I now understand how to evade all traps of bizarre mental concepts. All answers are in the observation of the faces of a Higher Spirit that show through nature outside the cities and books of the so-called modern civilization.

Owen Thomas
P.O. Box 927298
San Diego, CA 92192-7298 USA
(619) 552-0508
Also: Rosarito, Baja Norte, Mexico
Mexico phone from US: 01152-661-30384
"Be present as you think, thinking forms your world."
e-mail : othomas@cts.com

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Lloyd Volkwyn, Class date: April 3-7, 1996
Class Taken: "Practical Applications of the Teachings of Don Juan (A Toltec View)"

A person travels 17,299 kms to visit a country whose language he doesn't speak, to participate with a group of people he has never met, conducted by someone he doesn't know, dealing with subject matter extensively covered by someone else. WHY?

I suppose that I am just one of the millions of readers of Carlos Castaneda's books dealing with the Toltec teachings of Don Juan. It was not important to me whether Carlos' stories were fact or fiction: it was the ideas, which fascinated and seduced me into adopting the warrior's quest for freedom as an alternative way of living. Then after using Carlos Castaneda's books as a text for 18 years, it was my good fortune to come across Victor Sanchez' book: "The Teachings of Don Carlos - Practical Applications of the Teachings of Carlos Castaneda" in November '95. This brought everything together in a concise and practical way, which excited me immensely. But I detected something else throughout the book: the sincerity and integrity of the writer.

Writing a book invariably makes one some kind of an authority, whether you like it or not. And to admit (as Victor Sanchez did) in his book that 'I hasten to point out that my experiences and practices to date remain restricted to the realm of the first and second attention, therefore, I can only consider it (the third attention) a "tale of power", is something that can blow your image. My assessment of the author was that what he was saying was from his heart and from his own experience, and that he couldn't care less about maintaining any role or image. He had something to communicate and here it was - without embellishment. When I was invited to participate in his workshop - The Art of Living Purposefully - in Mexico City my response was unequivocal and immediate: YES !

My experience at the workshop was more than I could have anticipated. To use any adjectives at all in describing the experience seems to me to be a bit futile. How can one bring the sacred into the mundane, or the 'second' into the 'first', even though they are partners of the whole? As I write these words, tears come again to my eyes, remembering the places of my being that I had touched during those days and nights in Mexico. And from my heart to Victor, his friends, and all of the participants, I say "thank you my friends".

I am writing this as a gift to the Spirit. It is not intended as a counterpoint in an argument about Victor Sanchez and his work. Victor Sanchez and his work needs no defense: it is all self-evident. He calls his assistants "my friends". I watched the reverence, care, silence, attentiveness and respect with which he prepared the bed each time for the offering to grandfather fire. Immense love for stones, sticks and earth: and such a passion for Tatewari, the Fire... what to say about humans?

Postscript:
Lloyd Volkwyn lives and works in Sydney, Australia. He is employed as a Financial Controller and Company Secretary for a manufacturing company, and is a part-time practicing Hypnotherapist. He may be contacted by writing to:

Lloyd Volkwyn
52 Hutchins Crescent
Kings Langley, NSW 2147
Australia
phone: 61-02-838-0449