Carlos Castaneda was a Peruvian-American author and anthropologist who wrote a series of books based on his experiences with the Yaqui Indian shaman, Don Juan Matus. He is best known for his work in the field of anthropology, particularly for his book The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge. His works have been widely read and discussed, and have had a profound influence on the development of New Age spirituality.