Recapitulation (Castaneda)

Recapitulation is a term first used by Carlos Castaneda in his book, The Eagle’s Gift, published in 1982. In The Eagle's Gift, Florinda, one of don Juan's party of warriors, teaches Castaneda about the process and purpose of recapitulation. She explained that recapitulation consisted of "recollecting one's life down to the most insignificant detail" and that when a woman's recapitulation was complete she "no longer abided by the limitations of her person." She further explained that in the process of recapitulation one recounts all the feelings they invested in whatever memory they were reviewing.