Victor Sanchez

Victor Sanchez is a Mexican author born in 1961, whose work is deeply influenced by Carlos Castaneda's writings and his own research with the Wirrarika people, believed to be descendants of the ancient Toltecs. His initial book, 'The Teachings of Don Carlos,' offered practical applications of Castaneda's concepts for personal development, focusing on everyday applicability and steering clear of psychotropic substances. Sanchez has since authored several other books exploring Toltec traditions, including 'Toltecs of the New Millennium,' 'The Toltec Path of Recapitulation,' and 'The Toltec Oracle.' His 'recapitulation' technique has been noted for its comprehensiveness within the field of soul retrieval, drawing parallels with other shamanic practices while distinctively emphasizing individual action over guru worship.

Sanchez identifies himself not as a shaman, but as a researcher of indigenous knowledge and personal development. He advocates for a broader understanding of shamanism as a shift in human consciousness accessible to all, rather than the domain of a select few. He expresses skepticism towards spiritual literature that relies heavily on imagination rather than rigorous research into living indigenous communities and ancient codices. Sanchez developed the concept of 'anti-anthropology' to describe his research approach, which prioritizes understanding indigenous perspectives on soul development over purely material or societal aspects.

Victor Sanchez's literary work centers on the practical application of Toltec wisdom, drawing inspiration from Carlos Castaneda's explorations and his own studies with the Wirrarika people. His first book, 'The Teachings of Don Carlos,' sought to translate complex concepts into actionable steps for personal growth, emphasizing everyday relevance and discouraging the reliance on psychotropic plants often associated with Castaneda's earlier works. Sanchez's subsequent publications, such as 'Toltecs of the New Millennium' and 'The Toltec Path of Recapitulation,' continue to delve into these themes, offering readers methods for healing the past and fostering self-development within a Toltec framework. His approach aims to make ancient wisdom accessible and applicable to modern life.

Sanchez distinguishes his research approach, which he terms 'anti-anthropology,' from traditional academic methods. He critiques the tendency in some spiritual literature to rely on imagination rather than empirical study of indigenous cultures and ancient texts. His method focuses on transforming the researcher through immersion and understanding the indigenous perspective on soul development, contrasting with anthropology's frequent emphasis on material culture and social structures. This perspective underscores his commitment to authentic research and his skepticism towards superficial interpretations of indigenous traditions, particularly those concerning the Toltecs.

While his work engages with shamanism, Sanchez avoids self-identifying as a shaman, preferring the role of a researcher. He views shamanism as a fundamental aspect of human consciousness meant for universal experience, not solely the purview of specialized individuals. Sanchez critiques the tendency to elevate shamans to celebrity status, arguing that this distracts from the core task of integrating different aspects of human consciousness. He asserts that genuine personal development stems from individual effort and direct experience, rather than from venerating gurus or relying on external authority figures. His perspective encourages self-empowerment and direct engagement with consciousness.

“shamanism is way too important to leave it in the hands of shamans”