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Summary: What About Cari Cole?
Review: Don't get me wrong, I loved Don Miguel's book, but why wasn't Cari Cole mentioned like she was in the other ones? If you have read any of Don Miguel's other books the back page was for the release of Cari Cole's "Circle of Fire" record. The CD is based on the teaching of Don Miguel's work and I think it's only fitting that she be included in this book as well. Anyone who has listened to Cari Cole's CD knows that it compliments Don Miguel's books beautifully, and we should be blessed that we are able to read the words of Don Miguel and hear the sound of the beautiful Cari Cole.
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Summary: Alerts Readers to Their Inner Voice
Review: Everyone has a constant rhythm of talking in their head. Sometimes it seems as though that voice is never quiet. It is constantly telling us things. Usually things we already know. Miguel Ruiz calls this the Voice of Knowledge or the "prince of lies." The voice of knowledge knows everything about you and everyone else or so it would like to have you believe.
Miguel Ruiz's latest book The Voice of Knowledge focuses on that voice. The majority of what the voice says is negative; even if you think it's positive it probably isn't as positive as you would think. Ruiz wants us to be able to understand how the voice works so we can better control it. Most of what it says is useless information. This negative voice is what causes the majority of people to seek releases elsewhere with alcohol, drugs or even food.
To better explain how the voice works, Ruiz uses personal anecdotes. Right from the beginning I was on guard. I have a problem with knowledge being looked at as a bad thing and a great part of the opening was about how bad knowledge is. It wasn't until later he confirmed knowledge isn't the problem, "the problem is what contaminates it." Another thing about the opening that bothered me was his comment that his perspective may or may not be true because it was from his perspective.
I continued to swim in and out of skepticism as I read. According to Ruiz our head is full of lies and everyone is always trying to inflict their story on us and us on them. I put him in this category as well. He's just another story teller trying to tell us what we are doing wrong with our lives. Supposedly, once we are able to understand this we'll stop trying to control things we have no control over: each other.
A big part of his book is about faith. He wants readers to regain their lost faith in themselves, their lives, the world and most of all in love.
Half way through I had a Dr. Phil book plug moment when Ruiz brought up his other book, The Four Agreements. This section seemed more like a long advertisement for this book which was disappointing. The information is also available on his website.
At certain points the book becomes "God" preachy but I survived and feel one step closer to quieting the prince of lies. The Voice of Knowledge is a very short book and is very repetitive in trying to get its main points across. Basically knowledge is bad, don't believe yourself and don't believe other people. I felt like he was dancing around what he really wanted to say but that could be me imposing my story on his. Or maybe not.
Ruiz didn't offer many suggestions for quieting the voice other than wordless music or prayer (he provided a couple in the back of the book.) He also didn't make any promises that you could. Everyone's different and the way they control their voices I expect it is also different.
As you can see I'm a bit resistant to most of the book. On a positive note, I did find myself more aware of my voice. With that awareness I was able to quiet it more than I have in a while. With that there is a feeling of peace. The kind you get when the kids are away for the day and there are no appointments in your day planner. Now that my scepticism has wavered slightly I'd like to re-read The Voice of Knowledge again with my new perspective.
If this is something you want to do then this book will help. If you are looking for a miracle to inner peace well I think you'd be better off searching elsewhere.
Review Originally Posted at http://www.linearreflections.com
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Summary: A sneaky, wonderful book....
Review: I have to admit that I wasn't expecting much from Ruiz's fourth book on his philosophy. The ideas expounded upon in The Four Agreements and its companion volume are simple enough that I didn't really think much more could be done with them. Also, Ruiz seems to have progressively picked up more New Age buzzwords since his first book, and the samples I'd seen of this work suggested that it might be fluffier than his previous writings. Still, I hadn't been disappointed by one of his books yet, so I added it to my wish list and received it as a gift. And I really think it may be his best work to date.
The Voice of Knowledge doesn't dazzle at the beginning. It does have some fluff to open with, but as with his other books, the narrative progresses into crystal clarity, almost completely free of superfluous elements. Thankfully Ruiz never falls into the abyss of misusing the New Age vocabulary as a substitute for real content. The focus is a little more autobiographical, and one of its most engaging aspects is that the whole thing reads like a story, even where the biographical elements are not the focus. This alone makes it an exceptional piece on Ruiz's part.
But more compelling to me is that somewhere along the way--I can't place where--I found the narrative prodded something in me, stirred it up something fierce. The ideas in The Four Agreements have been incredibly useful to me in recent years, but few things have had the ability to really stir something up in my psyche as this work has.
I'll note that I generally loathe inspirational works, as their usual purpose is to make you feel good and leave you with very little real benefit. The Voice of Knowledge is a rare work that finds that perfect balance between theory, practicality, and inspiration--inspiration that exhilarates and engages rather than that which merely placates.
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Summary: For Peace
Review: This book is amazing! If you truly want to find peace with your self and others - Read this book! It's changing my life for the better and I no longer have to worry about so many other things or people.
Rating:
Summary: For Peace
Review: This book is amazing! If you truly want to find peace with your self and others - Read this book! It's changing my life for the better and I no longer have to worry about so many other things or people.
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Summary: A most beautiful guide to inner peace and personal growth.
Review: This book is an excellent follow-up to The Four Agreements. The Voice of Knowledge is a more personal and intimate look at Toltec wisdom. Don Miguel gives us a window into his own process - how he gained awareness recognizing his role as a story-teller dominated by the lies of The Voice of Knowledge, and what steps occurred in his own transformation. Don Miguel delivers with lyrical mastery, powerful instructions about how to regain your common sense, recover your faith and recognize the authenticity of your emotions. The Voice of Knowledge is wonderfully simple and simply brilliant. I highly recommend it. Ray Dodd, Author of 'The Power of Belief: Essential Tools for an Extraordinary Life'
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Summary: An excellent follow-up to The Four Agreements
Review: This book is an excellent follow-up to The Four Agreements. The Voice of Knowledge is a more personal and intimate look at Toltec wisdom. Don Miguel's gives us a window into his own process - how he gained awareness recognizing his role as a story-teller dominated by the lies of The Voice of Knowledge, and what steps occurred in his own transformation. Is this just another great book brimming with spiritual and practical wisdom? Yes, ...and more. Don Miguel delivers with lyrical mastery, powerful instructions about how to regain your common sense, recover your faith and recognize the authenticity of your emotions. The Voice of Knowledge is wonderfully simple and simply brilliant. I highly recommend it. Ray Dodd, Author of 'The Power of Belief'
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Summary: A most beautiful guide to inner peace and personal growth.
Review: This book touched me deeply. I have read the Four Agreements and loved it, but this book really spoke to my heart in a language that felt so right for me. I have bought this book for all my loved ones, telling them that it is a beautifully written book about love. Love yourself and read this book.
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Summary: A Voice of Truth
Review: This book, one of a collection building on Ruiz's "The Four Agreements" is well worth the read. Greatly expands on the knowlege sections in "The Agreements", making the original clearer and firmer in the mind. Plenty of reviews here that delve into content, just a note of recommendation.
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Summary: Another gift from Don Miguel Ruiz
Review: This is a perfect companion to "The Four Agreements." I just finished this and I can't wait to read it again. There are stories from the authors past, explaining his journey, and making this book wonderfully personal. The book discusses how to not listen to that voice within us that causes us so much drama and pain. How to forget, and change our 'programming', the domestication, and the lies that have permeated our lives. The book even breifly goes back over The Four Agreements. This book is truely a must have. It, like all his other books, are a gift from above. They leave you feeling incredible and the more that they are read, the greater the message becomes. I know that I have said that in other reviews of Ruiz's books, but it is the truth and it is worthy of repeating.
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