Death on Your Left Shoulder: Carlos Castaneda and don Juan Matus
Explore the shamanic wisdom of Carlos Castaneda and don Juan Matus. Learn how keeping death on your left shoulder serves as a reality check and ultimate advisor.
Best quote from Death on Your Left Shoulder: Carlos Castaneda and don Juan Matus
Your problem is that you think you have time. When you realize death is right there, an arm’s length away, all that pettiness is dropped and you are forced to be present because you realize you don’t actually know if today is your last act on Earth.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
 why does my therapist say that I have to live like death is on my left shoulder like I have to always be aware because people are always not what they pray to be
Frequently Asked Questions
Living with death on your left shoulder is a metaphor from the teachings of don Juan Matus, a Yaqui shaman featured in the work of Carlos Castaneda. Rather than being a source of terror or paranoia, it represents the idea that death is a palpable entity always an arm's length away. This perspective serves as a constant reality check, reminding individuals that life is fleeting and helping them prioritize what truly matters in their daily existence.
Carlos Castaneda was an author who wrote about his apprenticeship with don Juan Matus, a Yaqui shaman. Their relationship centers on shamanic wisdom and unconventional metaphors for understanding reality. In the podcast Death on Your Left Shoulder, Nia and Lena discuss how don Juan used these intense concepts to guide his apprentice away from a morbid outlook and toward a more grounded, intentional way of living through unique spiritual advice.
According to the shamanic wisdom of don Juan Matus, death is the ultimate advisor because it provides perspective during moments of stress or overwhelm. When the world feels like it is collapsing, don Juan suggests turning to your left to ask your death for advice. This practice is meant to strip away petty concerns and provide a reality check, offering clarity by acknowledging that death is the only thing that truly matters in the grander scheme of one's timeline.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
