A Toltec Guide to Personal Freedom
Don Miguel Ruiz Jr.
I stumbled upon this book at a local bookstore downtown while picking up a copy of The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. Having long been familiar with his father’s work, The Four Agreements, I was immediately attracted to the book. With a quick review of the book's content, it was clear that it would complement the message (self-awareness & mindfulness) of the book I originally came for.
I also recall thinking that this looks like it will be the perfect book for the New Year. Twofold, the New Year is both a busy time with family and other social commitments, but it is also a time of year I like to slow down and reflect. That said, I was looking for a book that wasn’t a large time commitment, yet complimented my intention of reflection. Like I said, this turned out to be a perfect match.
Although I say “my coaching philosophy”, I will admit that I have adopted my philosophy from Jay Shetty whom my tutelage is through. That said, our “shared” belief is that it is not a Life Coach’s role to give advice. Instead it is the coach’s role to inspire and be partner to the client in discovering their personal wisdom and path. So, when I read the following from the book, I felt a deep connection to the author and their message.
(...) it may seem like a role model or teacher does have all your answers, as you are just starting to find your own way. But as the initial bud of your awakening blossoms, you soon realize that in reality you have all your own answers, and any role models or teachers you engage with are only there to point you on the way back home to yourself.
The author, Don Miguel Ruiz Jr., is the son of the renowned author of The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz. Like his father, he is a Nagual, a Toltec Master of Transformation. He is a direct descendant of the Toltecs of the Eagle Knight Lineage. As such, his teachings are rooted in the same ancient wisdom as his father. As I began the book, I understood his background and lineage and certainly expected a similar tone to that of his father, however, I did find the beginning of the book to grip me in the same fashion as The Four Agreements.
Now, before you dismiss this book due to my last statement, understand that the author makes no assumption that you have read or are even familiar with his father’s work. As such, he must lay the framework of the Toltec tradition before embarking on his personal message. Personally, having already been familiar with The Four Agreements (having read it multiple times), my first thoughts were… “is he just repackaging the same wisdom as his father?”. The answer, NO! Ironically, had I not made a commitment to read this book due to my Book-A-Week Challenge, I might have just skimmed the rest of the book, “Assuming” that there was no new wisdom in the remaining pages. First of all, “Don’t Make Assumptions” is one of The Four Agreements… so that’s ironic to say the least
All that said, I am extremely grateful for my decision to see this book through. Not only did he build upon the previous understanding of domestication, he did so by introducing the role of conditional and unconditional love, for both self and others. He also discusses “masks” that we wear, and how the Master of Self can wear a “mask”, but can do so without attachment. However, what I appreciated most was his discussion regarding goal setting and competition. Unlike most books that discuss goals, Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. has a very different take and shares the pitfall of the common approach (of which I will not steal the author’s thunder), and in turn provides a method to set and pursue goals without falling into the “trap” of the common approach in which unconditional love is lacking at the onset.
Anytime guilt or shame are deployed as tools to provoke action, this counters any good that has been achieved. Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. : The Mastery of Self
Self-domestication is the act of accepting ourselves on the condition that we live up the ideals we have adopted from others. Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. : The Mastery of Self
At its core, domestication is a system of control, and conditional love is its primary tool. Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. : The Mastery of Self
(...) you cannot give to others what you don’t have for yourself. Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. : The Mastery of Self
The easiest way to control your will is for you to give them permission to do so, because you doubt your own capacity to make a choice. Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. : The Mastery of Self
Unconditional love allows you to disagree with the choices or beliefs of others while still respecting their right to have them. Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. : The Mastery of Self
(...) if you are holding on to resentment, then you are enslaved to the past. Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. : The Mastery of Self
(...) resentment is: self-inflicted suffering with the emotional poison we wish for another. Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. : The Mastery of Self
(...) forgiving others is something you’re doing for yourself, not for them. Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. : The Mastery of Self
The Master of Self wears any mask with the full awareness that it’s only a mask, a temporary identity to serve a function, and readily discards the mask when it is no longer needed. Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. : The Mastery of Self
(...) anytime you judge yourself for not meeting a specific goal, you also open yourself to being judged by others because you have already implicitly agreed with the judgement. Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. : The Mastery of Self
(...) if you are waiting to be loved and accepted in the future, then you are not loving and accepting yourself in the present. Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. : The Mastery of Self
The Coaching Habit offers 7 questions to improve your communication skills as a manager, leader and role-model. Make coaching a habit and unlock your potential.
The Celestine Prophecy chronicles the adventure of a man as he realizes the insights within in an ancient manuscript about the evolution of human consciousness
“Earthing”, the practice of being grounded through connection to the Earth’s surface is now being validated through clinical studies and scientific research.