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Summary: Guide to a free mind and kind spirit
Review: While searching for meaning in a truly manipulative world of back stabbers and those who call themselves "friends" who wear an array of masks, this book brings light and hope to those of us who wish to better ourselves and try to accept others who are stuck in that hell. I certainly was captured by the Toltec way of life from reading what author Don Miguel Ruiz wrote. I would ask any person who is curious about how to become a better person with pure thoughts and a good heart to read this, as it will bring you hope and guidence. I LOVED this book and wish that it was required reading for young adults everywhere! As everyone can take away something meaningful and pure from it.
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Summary: Clear and beautiful explanation
Review: Ruiz describes ancient Toltec wisdom and its relevance to modern times. I, too, believe that the world is going through a spiritual evolution and that we will wake up to the grand illusion that we all bought in to. He describes how we need to take responsiblity not only personally, but socially. A word of caution: Don't confuse the words of empowerment by buying in to another illusion that you are soley responsible for every circumstance in your life. The agreements that he writes about are consensual agreements. They are agreements in which we buy in to at a higher level of consciousness which we share. The implications for recognizing this are so that people don't feel soley responsible if they have cancer or other debilitating dis-ease.
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Summary: Put it in Perspective.
Review: Many of those critical of this work seem not able to put it in perspective. If you've read Castaneda, it's obvious that Ruiz lifted the main terminology from him. It is also fairly established that Castaneda was a liar and made it all up. That said, Ruiz is to be commended for what he has made-interpreted from Castaneda's works. That any of this actually came from the Toltec's is highly doubtful and instinct and common sense should make that readily evident to you (Unless, your a terminal romantic new ager). Yet, and yet... Ruiz has indeed made a relevent contribution to dealing with issues of fear and shame and communication. It's not even that it's unique, I have pretty much formulated/had the very same insights, minus any Toltec dressing up. It's like Emerson said, something like, when we recognize our own insights in a book like Ruiz's we think it is great, brilliant even, and we sort of discount ourselves. Anyway, that's obviously not a quote. Ruiz is mostly a poetic, hermeneutic, visionary, catching the Castaneda drift. Peter Lamborn Wilson has written about how certain teachings, or lineages, even if not true, or legitimate in terms of succesors etc. can end up being true through drifting over time and geographically etc. Well, although Castaneda's revelation hasn't travelled far geographically (from the U.C.L.A library to Mexico), something useful and true is evident here. Just don't take the magical-mystical side to literally, but rather read poetically and sensitively and with common sense and you might appreciate Ruiz's effort. It's all in the poetry baby! Listen to the silence between the notes. And don't worry about the guru, or aliens, or historical revisionism.
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Summary: More than ideas. Meaningful transformation possible here!
Review: Probably the most important thing to get across to potential readers (and those who merely read it without sincere attention) of this book is that it has the potential to help you create deep and meaningful changes. The author literally transmits teachings through his words, helping you on more than just a consciou level. Conceptually, the book is also very interesting, but it is an experienctial learning that you gain. Very profound book! I also recommend "Effortless Wellbeing: The Missing Ingredients for Authentic Wellness" by Evan Finer as another book with very very deep and experiential teachings and transmissions.
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Summary: Agree on Agreements
Review: The Ancient Toltec Peoples had a handle on life that is rare in this day and age. I found the novel to be extreemly enlightening. This book changed the way that I looked at the world, myself and at others. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an open mind and an open heart.
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Summary: Four Simple Ideas that we can all use
Review: This book has been on the best-seller list for years because it has a simple message. If you follow the four points, your life can only get better. One of the four agreements is "Be Your Best." Personally, I think Optimal Thinking--How to Be Your Best Self is the absolute best and only book on the planet to show us how to be our best. We need Optimal Thinking to be and do our best and bring out the best in others. Buy both of these books. You will get your money's worth.
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Summary: the four agreements
Review: For those of you that read this book , The four agreements and
did not like it or stated that it was a bunch of crap , or it did not help you .
The book never stated that it was to help you , it just sat foreth the agreements for you. Only you can change yourself
the book just gives you the agreements to live by.
I was enlightened by the fact that the book states that we are
programed and that we only know what we are taught. This is so
true , Have you ever heard the saying or said too yourself " Oh my God I'm acting just like my mother or father" or I have become my mother. Hey think about it , we only learn what we are taught and it only takes 30 days for something to become a habit. How long did it take for your parents to raised YOU!!!
and rest of the story.............................
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Summary: Very rewarding if you work at it.
Review: It's a very easy read. The application is very hard but worthwhile. You have to figure out how to apply the agreements to each situation in your own life and then actually apply them. It takes awareness, discipline and being honest with yourself. Don't expect any magic that will change your life just by reading this book. You have to apply it to reap the benefits.
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Summary: So whats all the Hype about?
Review: Ok i bought this book expecting something extraordnary, and i was vastly dissapointed. Expectations aside, this book was just an oversimplified 'instruction' to enlightenment. MR Ruiz seems to think he is the only wise and enlightened being on the planet. Save your time. read the dalai lama! ~Namaste~
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Summary: How to be exclusive and not inclusive.
Review: The ideas are so - so. They promote separation - like Hitler did. They promote smugness and emotional ignorance of others. (Taken literally it promotes emotional violence through assuption that it's rules apply to anyone other than yourself. Don't assume anything, true; but you cannot respect someone if you don't understand what they intend by what they are saying/doing. If you need to be literal in what you say, that does not in any way allow you to assume that you have the right to ask that of others. If you do; you are not behaving with respect. These little simplistic agreements will keep you completely disconnected from everything that surrounds you. If used literally; they violate everyone who is shy or soft-spoken. It is only for the agressive/vicious.
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