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MystikMushroom
I RULE YOU!
Registered: 10/11/04
Posts: 400
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Don Miguel Ruiz's Works...
#5390712 - 03/11/06 11:47 PM (17 years, 10 months ago) |
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Well guys, I had a pretty rough time last weekend, culminating in an intervention by my "friends" about my "drinking problem".
Since then (all week long) I've been reading about Ruiz's "Four Agreements" in his various books. I picked up "Beyond Fear" and "The Four Agreements Companion Book". I didn't feel that it was needed to get the "Four Agreements" book when he states over and over in all his books what those four agreements are.
So far guys, I like what this man has to say. How he says it, well...it's pretty good to. 
I wouldn't reccomend these books for just anyone. You have to have the mindset to radically alter your perception of yourself, and the world you live in--but as a psychonaut don't I already fall into this catagory?
I've been struck time and time again by things that Ruiz says that I seem to "already know". It's as if a single, ubber intense mushroom trip can reveal this man's life work in a single night!
Reading his perceptions on reality, life after death, God...ect all seem to mimic the psychedelic state of ego loss.
Ruiz teaches to let go of the fear of death. I certainly can say that I know that my awareness will not die with my body. I have seen that there is only ONE, and that everything (awake or asleap) is just an illusion. We see with our minds, not our eyes.
It's almost frustrating in a way because I was expecting these books to help me learn somthing that I didn't know.
I certainly will not claim to utilize all four of his agreements fully, every single day to their potential...but somehow my psychedelic journeying has implanted them innately inside of me.
Ruiz says he is against drugs. Why? He is of a Toltec heritage, and I thought (my history may be wrong) that the psilocybin mushroom was an important tool in breaking the cultural programming of an apprentace in mesoamerica.
Like I said earlier; these books would be excellent for those individuals who would never put a psychotropic compound in their body ever...but for us psychonauts (at least me)...it seems that the esoteric knowledge he shares is already known to our community.
*sigh*
I was really hoping to further propell my shamanic training with these books. I have a book about Carlos Castenada I haven't started yet--which I hope might help me out...
It seems that the road that Terence McKenna followed leads to a quicker over-arching perception of the universe...whithout having to painfully day-by-day force one's self to see past the fog of our culture.
Anyone have any thoughts either about Don Miguel, his books, or what I *should* be reading/doing?
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Deviate
newbie
Registered: 04/20/03
Posts: 4,497
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
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ive read some of the four agreements. it seemed like a very nice book but like you said, most of it was stuff i already knew.
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MystikMushroom
I RULE YOU!
Registered: 10/11/04
Posts: 400
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Re: Don Miguel Ruiz's Works... [Re: Deviate]
#5390806 - 03/12/06 12:54 AM (17 years, 10 months ago) |
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It seems like it's the kind of book I'd want to give to my "less brave friends" that'll only take 2 grams of shrooms and go on and on about "the colors, oh the colors!" *shakes head*... you get out what you put in I guess...
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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Mr. Ruiz knows his shit. The acceptance of responsibility and the accumulation of personal power is well addressed in his books.
"ive read some of the four agreements. it seemed like a very nice book but like you said, most of it was stuff i already knew."
Read ALL of it and you may find things you didn't "already know".
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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lukeboots
fresh futuristic

Registered: 02/04/04
Posts: 19,728
Loc: Grand Ole Operating Syste...
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I have the Four Agreements. I try to practice them in my daily life.
For anyone who doesn't already know, the agreements are as follows:
Be impeccable with your word. Don't take anything personally. Do not make assumptions. Always do your best.
Together, these four suggestions create a very honest, selfless, and hard-working individual. I try to remember them in my day-to-day activities, but it's difficult. Even Mr. Ruiz knows this; and does not expect you to be able to follow them every moment of your life. Just do your best.
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funky ass music: Planet of Dinosaurs // Rich Whiskey
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Kerr
Who else would I be

Registered: 02/05/05
Posts: 1,611
Loc: My roots in the Koots
Last seen: 5 years, 3 months
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Re: Don Miguel Ruiz's Works... [Re: lukeboots]
#5395253 - 03/13/06 01:29 PM (17 years, 10 months ago) |
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I found that book at work, totally caught me by surpirse and someone on the inside cover wrote something along the lines of "Let go, dont hold any and shine on" This really got me, I wanted to know who had written it. I finished the book at work and put it back on the shelf. I went to get it again another day and someone had swipped it, took it home. How lame
-------------------- "Easy going and organic thoughts bent on self experimentation and knowledge and growth for the betterment of self and those around us" -Playdo the philosophiser
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dickdeadly
rælity

Registered: 04/05/02
Posts: 5,672
Loc: in my mind
Last seen: 12 years, 13 days
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Re: Don Miguel Ruiz's Works... [Re: Kerr]
#6550927 - 02/10/07 02:58 PM (16 years, 11 months ago) |
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Not lame at all. Someone else got something out of it. The book was passed on. Why should it sit on the shelf and collect dust? Whether they read it every day or used it as kindling does not matter.
It is a good book. I enjoyed it. It helped a friend of mine get through heroin withdrawal.
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Character is how you act when you think no one is watching
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kotik
fuckingsuperhero


Registered: 06/29/04
Posts: 3,531
Last seen: 4 years, 24 days
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Re: Don Miguel Ruiz's Works... [Re: dickdeadly]
#6553448 - 02/11/07 07:07 AM (16 years, 11 months ago) |
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i came across four agreements while being incarcerated... so my mind was certainly open for some altering of perceptions / etc. That book changed a few people in there. For me it was a gradual process, but by reading that one book, it got me started to reading all the time and ultimately going back to school and etc.
-------------------- No statements made in any post or message by myself should be construed to mean that I am now, or have ever been, participating in or considering participation in any activities in violation of any local, state, or federal laws. All posts are works of fiction.
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Gomp
¡(Bound to·(O))be free!


Registered: 09/11/04
Posts: 10,888
Loc: I re·side [primarily] in...
Last seen: 10 months, 23 days
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I love the story of "Smokey Mirror", reminds me of "Jesus" and "Buddha" and such...
I am currently reading the English (amongst others by others, in Norwegian,); The voice of knowledge, and; The four agreements. I like it, and I concur with so much of what he writes...
He reminds me of my dad.
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery


Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
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They are worth reading as a reminder. It's not a stright line whatever your path is. Same is true for Psychedelics.
Now I can't say why he is against psychedelics. It's silly IMO.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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Re: Don Miguel Ruiz's Works... [Re: Icelander]
#6555549 - 02/11/07 08:04 PM (16 years, 11 months ago) |
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Probably because he is trying to appeal to the mainstream with his more recent books. This would get the books into the greatest number of hands and make the most cash. To taint them with evil drugs in this "just say no" era would relegate them to the twilight fringe that most of us freaks inhabit. This does not take away from his accomplishment, however, as drugs are not in any way essential to spiritual growth. To use them effectively in this way, without obsession and indulgence, requires crystal sure judgment and great sobriety of mind. Most seekers have only very little of either...at least in the beginning. These days for a writer of shamanic works denouncing drugs is a mere ticket punch.
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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Cracka_X
Spiritual Dirt Worshipper



Registered: 01/25/03
Posts: 8,808
Loc: Swamp
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I read the 4 agreements. I can say I feel what he says and it has opened me to a better perception of life and the way of life. good quick read if anyone has like an hour, the most, to sit and read it in a book store.
-------------------- The best way to live is to be like water For water benefits all things and goes against none of them It provides for all people and even cleanses those places a man is loath to go In this way it is just like Tao ~Daodejing
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery


Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
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Re: Don Miguel Ruiz's Works... [Re: Huehuecoyotl]
#6557600 - 02/12/07 10:33 AM (16 years, 11 months ago) |
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I guess. It's not doing anyone a service IMO to make definitive statements about the use of power plants and such. His books are good none the less.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
Edited by Icelander (02/12/07 10:34 AM)
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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Re: Don Miguel Ruiz's Works... [Re: Icelander]
#6559620 - 02/12/07 06:25 PM (16 years, 11 months ago) |
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I agree. A totally definitive statement cannot be made about such a subject because we are all individuals, but I feel that there are some good rules of thumb concerning entheogens if they are applied in a case by case basis.
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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kotik
fuckingsuperhero


Registered: 06/29/04
Posts: 3,531
Last seen: 4 years, 24 days
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Re: Don Miguel Ruiz's Works... [Re: Huehuecoyotl]
#6561873 - 02/13/07 05:39 AM (16 years, 11 months ago) |
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its reasonable to see why he takes a stance like that, because his readers are for the most part people coming across his stuff in self-help, AA, NA, etc. Plus, using drugs as tradition to speak with gods or etc. is usually seen as sacred, and probably not the first thing to condone to a soccer-mom going through midlife crisis or a recovering drug user. (Although may be something I would suggest)
-------------------- No statements made in any post or message by myself should be construed to mean that I am now, or have ever been, participating in or considering participation in any activities in violation of any local, state, or federal laws. All posts are works of fiction.
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery


Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
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Re: Don Miguel Ruiz's Works... [Re: kotik]
#6566189 - 02/14/07 10:22 AM (16 years, 11 months ago) |
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The very reason I don't follow anyone as a Guru. I pick out what seems reasonable and dump the rest. That includes Castaneda.;)
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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Re: Don Miguel Ruiz's Works... [Re: Icelander]
#6567990 - 02/14/07 06:02 PM (16 years, 11 months ago) |
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"I pick out what seems reasonable and dump the rest."
Sometimes what seems reasonable is only the self imposed definitions (and limitations) of self that you maintain that was created by and reinforced by culture. Currently humans globally seem to believe that wiping out themselves and their neighbors with warfare, pollution, and greed is reasonable. Often what seems reasonable is really quite insane.
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery


Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
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Re: Don Miguel Ruiz's Works... [Re: Huehuecoyotl]
#6570335 - 02/15/07 10:39 AM (16 years, 11 months ago) |
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OK, you're right. I will never do drugs again unless it is under the supervision of a licenced Shaman.
Now all the rest of you, remember, drugs are bad.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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Re: Don Miguel Ruiz's Works... [Re: Icelander]
#6571830 - 02/15/07 06:14 PM (16 years, 11 months ago) |
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Your in luck. I am a licensed shaman. Never, ever use psychedelics without first consulting me and sending me a generous sample of the active principle. You want to be safe don't you? And for my friends...my services are free. Aren't you lucky!
Seriously, I was not commenting on drugs there, but was referring to not throwing out the baby with the bath water by not being open minded when one considers what is reasonable.
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery


Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
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Re: Don Miguel Ruiz's Works... [Re: Huehuecoyotl]
#6572174 - 02/15/07 07:34 PM (16 years, 11 months ago) |
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I know you were. I was kidding.
Still, Each person takes what is valuable or what they can handle at the time and runs with that. Maybe more later or discouragement might end it all before it begins. In the end it's an individual thing anyway. What one takes on is personal and only important to them. I have noticed here and in my daily life that my advice to others is rarely pertinent to them and often just a pain in their butt. I am becomming much less inclined to take or give advice.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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