Don Miguel Ruiz is a shaman and author of several popular self help books.
His most notable work is “The Four Agreements,” which held a spot on the New York Times best seller list for seven years. His work is heavily influenced by his family’s ancient Toltec traditions and the writings of Carlos Castaneda.
The Background Of Don Miguel Ruiz
Don Miguel Ruiz was born in 1952 in Mexico. His birth name is Miguel Ãngel Ruiz. He grew up in a simple rural village with 12 other siblings.
His family taught him the ancient Toltec traditions as he grew, but he decided eventually that he would rather go to medical school and learn about science and the brain.
He was a successful neurosurgeon when he had the realization that his patients not only needed their physical brains healed, they also needed to heal their minds in order to lead full and happy lives. Don Miguel Ruiz decided to return home to his roots and finish his training in the Toltec traditions.
As a shaman, Ruiz was able to heal minds and hearts in ways he could not when applying surgery and physical science alone.
Don Miguel Ruiz has had health obstacles to overcome that helped direct his path towards shamanism and spiritual healings. He was in a car accident that nearly took his life and thrust him into a state of pure awareness outside of his physical body. Ruiz has also had heart problems that left him in a coma for weeks and should have left him disabled. He eventually had a heart transplant.
Through out all his adversities, he continued to live life joyfully and carry on his work as a spiritual teacher, healer, author, and shaman.
Don Miguel Ruiz and “The Four Agreements”
“The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book)” was published in 1997 and became an international bestseller.
The book has sold over five million copies and was discussed by Oprah on her show, which brought Don Miguel Ruiz even more fame. This self help book offers readers tips on how to transform their lives by using ancient Toltec wisdom.
Don Miguel Ruiz teaches the importance of dreams and the dream state. He believes unhappiness and suffering results from the agreements we have made with ourselves. By altering the agreements, he believes it is possible to overcome limitations, expand spiritual growth, and increase happiness.
“The Four Agreements” was selected as one of the most important self help books of its decade. Don Miguel Ruiz claims the principles he teaches in the book have transformed many lives over the years he has been sharing them.
The four agreements include:
• Be Impeccable With Your Word.
• Don’t Take Anything Personally.
• Don’t Make Assumptions.
• Always Do Your Best.
By applying these agreements, Ruiz believes we can lead happier, more authentic lives filled with love. This work is available as a book, ebook, and audio book narrated by Peter Coyote
Other Books by Don Miguel Ruiz
• “The Mastery of Love: A Practical Guide to the Art of Relationship (Toltec Wisdom Book)” was first published in 1999 and is available as an ebook, book, and audio book. In this book, Don Miguel Ruiz offers his wisdom on human relationships. He explains how fear based beliefs lead to unhappiness and relationship drama. He teaches readers about the three Toltec Masteries that includes awareness, transformation, and love, and how these can be used to create loving bonds. The book is filled with stories that help explain the power of self love.
• “The Four Agreements Companion Book : Using the Four Agreements to Master the Dream of Your Life” was published in 2000 and is available as an ebook or traditional book. This is meant to be a companion guide to the best selling self help book by Don Miguel Ruiz, but it can also be used alone by anyone seeking to transform their life. It offers teachings and strategies for increasing happiness.
• “Prayers: A Communion with Our Creator (Toltec Wisdom)” is a work by Don Miguel Ruiz that was published in 2001 and is available as a book or ebook. The book contains a collection of prayers meant to encourage and inspire readers. They touch on human conditions such as forgiveness, love, healing, happiness, wisdom, courage, integrity, truth, and freedom.
• “Wisdom from the Four Agreements (Charming Petites)” was published in 2003 and is available as a small book or on cards. This work contains excerpts from his work as taught in “The Four Agreements” book that are accompanied by beautiful illustrations. This makes a nice gift book or one that can be read a little each day to keep the practice of the agreements fresh in mind.
• “Wisdom from the Mastery of Love (Charming Petites)” was published in 2003. This mini book makes a nice gift or it can be used as a daily refresher on the teachings of Don Miguel Ruiz as they relate to nurturing fulfilling relationships.
• “The Voice of Knowledge: A Practical Guide To Inner Peace” was published in 2004 and is available as a book, ebook, and audio book. In this, Don Miguel Ruiz expands on his teachings of impeccability of the word. He explains how to say what you mean and how to transform negative inner thoughts.
• “The Fifth Agreement: A Practical Guide to Self-Mastery” was published in 2010 and is available as a book, ebook, and audio book. This book was written by Don Miguel Ruiz in collaboration with his son. The fifth agreement concerns being skeptical while remaining open to learn. It teaches readers how to regain their authentic selves in order to live their truths. It further promotes the principles of the four agreements that make up the basis of Ruiz’ work, while elaborating on becoming who you were born to be.
The Work of Don Miguel Ruiz
Don Miguel Ruiz continues to teach workshops and hold retreats where he teaches students the principles of the Four Agreements.
He appears on talk shows and maintains a blog and YouTube channel so he can keep in touch with spiritual seekers interested in his work. Transcripts of many of his media appearances are available on his website where he also hosts the Academy of Awareness, a subscription based community that offers classes and fellowship with other self help enthusiasts and truth seekers.
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