Ask AI: According to Carlos Castaneda, what is a nagual?

In Carlos Castaneda's works, particularly in his series of books starting with "The Teachings of Don Juan," a "nagual" is depicted as a spiritual guide or leader, often possessing certain mystical or shamanic powers. The term originally comes from Mesoamerican traditional beliefs, where it denotes a person who can transform into an animal or has a special spiritual connection to animals. In Castaneda's narrative, the nagual is a key figure who guides apprentices in the ways of perceiving and interacting with the world beyond ordinary perception. A nagual is something akin to a shaman or sorcerer, and they play an essential role in leading their followers toward enlightenment or a deeper understanding of reality, often challenging the conventional perceptions of the material world.