Toltec Wisdom
Wisdom of The Four Agreements and Beyond
-
Don Miguel Ruiz?
Posted on June 25th, 2007 2 comments
mommymanic asked:
An amazing author…
The four Agreements
The Mastery of Love
Beyond Fear
An amazing author…
The four Agreements
The Mastery of Love
Beyond Fear
Are there any others comparable to him… any other good reading material?
Seat of the Soul… Got it for a B-day present… loved it
Olympia
Three Ways to Use Your Dreams to Gain Inspiration and Clarity
Posted on June 18th, 2007
No comments
Raven Smith asked:
Often one of the biggest obstacles to getting into (and staying in) Spiritual Integrity is our conscious mind. Our mind has been trained to think in a particular manner. It assigns meaning to everything and analyzes incoming data to match the assignments it makes. This constant analysis does not leave room for intuitive insights, spontaneous actions, or appreciation of the mysteries of life.
In addition, the mind has been trained to judge everything: good or bad, right or wrong. This black and white thinking makes it difficult to deal with a fundamental fact of life: everything changes, and nothing stays the same over time.
The ultimate expression of Spiritual Integrity is being able to choose in each moment what will open us the most to the Divine. To do so we must be totally present, not filtering based on the past or holding expectations for the future. Being present is not a job for our habituated and dogmatic mind. Thus we must tap other states of consciousness to find our integrity, and then make decisions and act from these states.
Integrity in the Dreamtime
For thousands of years, shamans, mystics, and holy seekers from every culture have relied on their dreams as a source of inspired information about the meaning and direction of life. The dreaming state is beyond the conscious mind; it taps the depths of our selves and our connection to Spirit without the filters of time and space imposed by the conscious mind.
Brain wave research has shown that when we are dreaming our brain functions express a different frequency of energy called alpha waves (beta waves are our normal conscious awake frequency). In an alpha state different information is available to the mind and different associations can be made that bypass the habitual reactions of the conscious mind. At still slower and deeper levels of consciousness we find theta waves, the frequency of deep sleep or meditation where even subconscious patterning is released into stillness and Spirit.
By deliberately attending to these deeper states of consciousness we can put forth questions we have about integrity, Spirit, or life direction and receive guidance that is more powerful than what we access with our conscious minds.
Dreaming Practices
1. Kirtan
The Hindu tradition has a practice called Kirtan that involves singing songs to different aspects of the gods and goddesses. Bring this practice into your dreaming by singing throughout the night, staying soft and open, and deepening your connection to Spirit through the singing and music.
Stay up as late as you can, chanting softly and continuously. As you tire, the chanting takes a greater effect, altering your consciousness to be more in alignment with and connected to Spirit. Stay open to any information or vision about your life that comes to you. When you go sleep at the end of the practice, continue the chant in your mind and into the dream space. Carefully note any dreams that arise during the night.
2. Mitote
The Toltec tradition of don Miguel Ruiz has a dreaming practice called the Mitote that involves chanting and sleep disruption to access these deeper states. The sequence of activity is as follows:
Set up an altar with objects that remind you of the questions you have and the types of feelings that you want to feel as you move through your life. Light a candle on it that will burn throughout the night. Meditate in front of the altar, setting your intent to get the answers you need to move more into your integrity.
o Chant
Chant or sing a slow song for half an hour, allowing yourself to be totally absorbed in the chant and the candle flame, letting all questions go and experiencing whatever arises without judgment. Then for a few minutes journal any impressions you had during the chanting.
o Sleep, Wake, and Remember
Go to sleep for a couple of hours. As you fall asleep hold an image in your mind that represents the question for which you are seeking guidance. When you wake up write down any dreams you remember. Don’t analyze them; just write enough that you can remember them later.
Repeat the cycle of sleeping for two hours and waking to note your dreams until sunrise. Then sleep without any purpose or intent until you need to wake up.
The information and experiences generated by this practice can give you deep insights into your life and what needs to change to bring you more into integrity with it.
3. Dream Seeding and Dream Bridging
Dream Seeding
o Spend 30 minutes meditating or contemplating the questions you have and quieting your mind until all that exists is the desire to get guidance from Spirit.
o Then do something unrelated for 30 minutes: read, watch TV, take a walk, etc.
o Go to sleep with a journal ready to record any dreams you have during the night.
o Any time you wake up, during the night or morning, immediately write down what you recall about your dreams, even if it is just a color, person or scene.
Dream Bridging
Build and strengthen your connection to the dreamtime by honoring the information you receive with action. Read through everything you wrote about your dreams and pick something you can act on during your day, today. For example
o If you dreamed about a person, contact them and tell them your dream. If that is uncomfortable, talk with them about any topic, listening carefully to what they say and honoring it as a response from Spirit to whatever issues questions you started with.
o If a color appeared as significant in a dream, dress in that color, buy something of that color, eat food that color, or do something else to bring that color into your waking existence.
o If you dreamed of a place, look it up on the Internet, call someone you know there, or put a picture of it on your altar.
By consciously bringing elements of your dream into your waking world you honor the information and connection to the dream. The dreams become an important part of your life, and the information begins to flow freely between all your states of consciousness, bringing you closer to the flow of life around you.
Working with dreams is a powerful way to get beyond the filters of the rational mind. It allows for a fresh perspective on obstacles and problems in our lives, and gives us an opportunity to connect directly to Spirit without the analysis that usually accompanies our waking state and often distorts the information we get from the Divine.
Oliver
Often one of the biggest obstacles to getting into (and staying in) Spiritual Integrity is our conscious mind. Our mind has been trained to think in a particular manner. It assigns meaning to everything and analyzes incoming data to match the assignments it makes. This constant analysis does not leave room for intuitive insights, spontaneous actions, or appreciation of the mysteries of life.
In addition, the mind has been trained to judge everything: good or bad, right or wrong. This black and white thinking makes it difficult to deal with a fundamental fact of life: everything changes, and nothing stays the same over time.
The ultimate expression of Spiritual Integrity is being able to choose in each moment what will open us the most to the Divine. To do so we must be totally present, not filtering based on the past or holding expectations for the future. Being present is not a job for our habituated and dogmatic mind. Thus we must tap other states of consciousness to find our integrity, and then make decisions and act from these states.
Integrity in the Dreamtime
For thousands of years, shamans, mystics, and holy seekers from every culture have relied on their dreams as a source of inspired information about the meaning and direction of life. The dreaming state is beyond the conscious mind; it taps the depths of our selves and our connection to Spirit without the filters of time and space imposed by the conscious mind.
Brain wave research has shown that when we are dreaming our brain functions express a different frequency of energy called alpha waves (beta waves are our normal conscious awake frequency). In an alpha state different information is available to the mind and different associations can be made that bypass the habitual reactions of the conscious mind. At still slower and deeper levels of consciousness we find theta waves, the frequency of deep sleep or meditation where even subconscious patterning is released into stillness and Spirit.
By deliberately attending to these deeper states of consciousness we can put forth questions we have about integrity, Spirit, or life direction and receive guidance that is more powerful than what we access with our conscious minds.
Dreaming Practices
1. Kirtan
The Hindu tradition has a practice called Kirtan that involves singing songs to different aspects of the gods and goddesses. Bring this practice into your dreaming by singing throughout the night, staying soft and open, and deepening your connection to Spirit through the singing and music.
Stay up as late as you can, chanting softly and continuously. As you tire, the chanting takes a greater effect, altering your consciousness to be more in alignment with and connected to Spirit. Stay open to any information or vision about your life that comes to you. When you go sleep at the end of the practice, continue the chant in your mind and into the dream space. Carefully note any dreams that arise during the night.
2. Mitote
The Toltec tradition of don Miguel Ruiz has a dreaming practice called the Mitote that involves chanting and sleep disruption to access these deeper states. The sequence of activity is as follows:
Set up an altar with objects that remind you of the questions you have and the types of feelings that you want to feel as you move through your life. Light a candle on it that will burn throughout the night. Meditate in front of the altar, setting your intent to get the answers you need to move more into your integrity.
o Chant
Chant or sing a slow song for half an hour, allowing yourself to be totally absorbed in the chant and the candle flame, letting all questions go and experiencing whatever arises without judgment. Then for a few minutes journal any impressions you had during the chanting.
o Sleep, Wake, and Remember
Go to sleep for a couple of hours. As you fall asleep hold an image in your mind that represents the question for which you are seeking guidance. When you wake up write down any dreams you remember. Don’t analyze them; just write enough that you can remember them later.
Repeat the cycle of sleeping for two hours and waking to note your dreams until sunrise. Then sleep without any purpose or intent until you need to wake up.
The information and experiences generated by this practice can give you deep insights into your life and what needs to change to bring you more into integrity with it.
3. Dream Seeding and Dream Bridging
Dream Seeding
o Spend 30 minutes meditating or contemplating the questions you have and quieting your mind until all that exists is the desire to get guidance from Spirit.
o Then do something unrelated for 30 minutes: read, watch TV, take a walk, etc.
o Go to sleep with a journal ready to record any dreams you have during the night.
o Any time you wake up, during the night or morning, immediately write down what you recall about your dreams, even if it is just a color, person or scene.
Dream Bridging
Build and strengthen your connection to the dreamtime by honoring the information you receive with action. Read through everything you wrote about your dreams and pick something you can act on during your day, today. For example
o If you dreamed about a person, contact them and tell them your dream. If that is uncomfortable, talk with them about any topic, listening carefully to what they say and honoring it as a response from Spirit to whatever issues questions you started with.
o If a color appeared as significant in a dream, dress in that color, buy something of that color, eat food that color, or do something else to bring that color into your waking existence.
o If you dreamed of a place, look it up on the Internet, call someone you know there, or put a picture of it on your altar.
By consciously bringing elements of your dream into your waking world you honor the information and connection to the dream. The dreams become an important part of your life, and the information begins to flow freely between all your states of consciousness, bringing you closer to the flow of life around you.
Working with dreams is a powerful way to get beyond the filters of the rational mind. It allows for a fresh perspective on obstacles and problems in our lives, and gives us an opportunity to connect directly to Spirit without the analysis that usually accompanies our waking state and often distorts the information we get from the Divine.
Oliver
How To Handle Difficult People
Posted on June 11th, 2007
No comments
Saleem Rana asked:
They are out there. They may either be your boss, college professor, business partner, landlord, or even your own spouse, children, siblings or parents. Anyone can be a difficult person to someone else.
You may not admit it, but at one time or another all of us have been difficult people to other people.
It is vital to see if you are in a situation with a difficult person or if you yourself are beginning to be one. The first solution to any problem is recognizing the problem.
Most times, difficult people do not realize they are difficult. They do not see that they are demanding too much from other people. They think their attitude is just normal. Likewise, some of their victims may not see that they are dealing with difficult people.
It is vital that at this early point, we grasp the fact that avoiding difficult people does not solve the problem in question. As earlier mentioned, these people are everywhere. There is no privacy they cannot invade.
Ironically, the more successful you get the more difficult people you have to meet and cope with. Coping with difficult people might even be considered an essential skill to getting and staying successful in your life.
If you enjoy sailing in the sea you have to get used to its moods. The key is not to stay out of it but to learn to sail smoothly through thick and thin.
Likewise, it is learning how to deal with a difficult person that gives you smooth sailing amid a storm.
Once you master this, difficult people will start liking you.
So what makes a difficult person difficult?
Everyone out there is fighting a life battle of some kind. The battles may be fierce or mild. Different people have different stress tolerance. When people reach a state of high confusion and overwhelm, they become difficult. They, then, unconsciously project their frustration on you.
As a psychologist, my business is actually in dealing with difficult people, trying to make them less difficult. Once people become aware of their own inner pain, they begin to see how they bludgeon others with it, often unconsciously. Their lives are falling apart because they are critical, judgmental, and hostile to themselves and other people. Everything I do in a session is designed for only one purpose: to make them self-aware.
Given this opportunity to see other people more deeply, I have found the best way to stay objective enough to help them is to follow the advice of Don Miguel Ruiz, a brilliant Toltec philosopher.
He said that everyone is living in their own dream, their own version of reality. You have to understand that everything they are saying about you is only a projection from that state of unawareness. In fact, they do not see you at all, only their interpretation of what someone like you means to them. Thus, he advised, do not take things personally.
If you base your values and your meanings on someone else’s point of view, you have merely traded in your own uniqueness and become imprisoned in their dream. You are letting them define you. No one can truly understand you for they do not know you well enough to do it.
Once you really get this perspective, you can allow yourself the freedom to see them as upset about something that has nothing to do with you but over something that is bothering them. They are experiencing something about you that does not even exist in your reality.
Often, too, they do not even use the same words in the same way you do. Let me give you a simple example of the often invisible linguistic barrier that arises between people. Yesterday, I was having a discussion with someone about the subject of consciousness. She argued that it had no value for her. This was puzzling to me because what I was witnessing was a being that was animated because of consciousness. After some investigation, I finally understood that she had narrowed the word down to mean “figuring things out.” Thus, while I was defining the word as “sentience, life-force, and awareness,” she was defining it as “limited, circuitous thinking.”
Thus, even when two people are discussing what appears to be the same topic, they are actually talking about two completely different things. Each in their own minds is convinced that they are correct because each is viewing something that is perfectly aligned with their own precepts and vision.
The best way to cope with difficult people is to not take what they have to say personally.
If this does not make sense to you, consider the following.
Difficult people are difficult because:
(a) They project their inner pain on you; and you just happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
(b) They do not even experience you as you are; but only interpret you a certain way because of their limited experience of you.
(c) They do not even see you as you are; but are only caught up in a dream state of what someone like you stirs up in them.
(d) They do not even hear the words you say; but are only interpreting the meaning of your words according to their own hidden definition.
Thus, when you really look at it deeply, it is not wise to take things personally. Once you remain free of getting stuck in their view of you, then you can intuitively understand how to cope with the situation.
Juniper
They are out there. They may either be your boss, college professor, business partner, landlord, or even your own spouse, children, siblings or parents. Anyone can be a difficult person to someone else.
You may not admit it, but at one time or another all of us have been difficult people to other people.
It is vital to see if you are in a situation with a difficult person or if you yourself are beginning to be one. The first solution to any problem is recognizing the problem.
Most times, difficult people do not realize they are difficult. They do not see that they are demanding too much from other people. They think their attitude is just normal. Likewise, some of their victims may not see that they are dealing with difficult people.
It is vital that at this early point, we grasp the fact that avoiding difficult people does not solve the problem in question. As earlier mentioned, these people are everywhere. There is no privacy they cannot invade.
Ironically, the more successful you get the more difficult people you have to meet and cope with. Coping with difficult people might even be considered an essential skill to getting and staying successful in your life.
If you enjoy sailing in the sea you have to get used to its moods. The key is not to stay out of it but to learn to sail smoothly through thick and thin.
Likewise, it is learning how to deal with a difficult person that gives you smooth sailing amid a storm.
Once you master this, difficult people will start liking you.
So what makes a difficult person difficult?
Everyone out there is fighting a life battle of some kind. The battles may be fierce or mild. Different people have different stress tolerance. When people reach a state of high confusion and overwhelm, they become difficult. They, then, unconsciously project their frustration on you.
As a psychologist, my business is actually in dealing with difficult people, trying to make them less difficult. Once people become aware of their own inner pain, they begin to see how they bludgeon others with it, often unconsciously. Their lives are falling apart because they are critical, judgmental, and hostile to themselves and other people. Everything I do in a session is designed for only one purpose: to make them self-aware.
Given this opportunity to see other people more deeply, I have found the best way to stay objective enough to help them is to follow the advice of Don Miguel Ruiz, a brilliant Toltec philosopher.
He said that everyone is living in their own dream, their own version of reality. You have to understand that everything they are saying about you is only a projection from that state of unawareness. In fact, they do not see you at all, only their interpretation of what someone like you means to them. Thus, he advised, do not take things personally.
If you base your values and your meanings on someone else’s point of view, you have merely traded in your own uniqueness and become imprisoned in their dream. You are letting them define you. No one can truly understand you for they do not know you well enough to do it.
Once you really get this perspective, you can allow yourself the freedom to see them as upset about something that has nothing to do with you but over something that is bothering them. They are experiencing something about you that does not even exist in your reality.
Often, too, they do not even use the same words in the same way you do. Let me give you a simple example of the often invisible linguistic barrier that arises between people. Yesterday, I was having a discussion with someone about the subject of consciousness. She argued that it had no value for her. This was puzzling to me because what I was witnessing was a being that was animated because of consciousness. After some investigation, I finally understood that she had narrowed the word down to mean “figuring things out.” Thus, while I was defining the word as “sentience, life-force, and awareness,” she was defining it as “limited, circuitous thinking.”
Thus, even when two people are discussing what appears to be the same topic, they are actually talking about two completely different things. Each in their own minds is convinced that they are correct because each is viewing something that is perfectly aligned with their own precepts and vision.
The best way to cope with difficult people is to not take what they have to say personally.
If this does not make sense to you, consider the following.
Difficult people are difficult because:
(a) They project their inner pain on you; and you just happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
(b) They do not even experience you as you are; but only interpret you a certain way because of their limited experience of you.
(c) They do not even see you as you are; but are only caught up in a dream state of what someone like you stirs up in them.
(d) They do not even hear the words you say; but are only interpreting the meaning of your words according to their own hidden definition.
Thus, when you really look at it deeply, it is not wise to take things personally. Once you remain free of getting stuck in their view of you, then you can intuitively understand how to cope with the situation.
Juniper
Toltec Wisdom: The Power Of The Individual
Posted on June 6th, 2007
No comments
Courier 21 asked:
THEUN MARES
THE POWER OF THE INDIVIDUAL
Today, millions of people are disenfranchised in the true sense of the word – not because they have no money or cars, but because they feel that they are worthless and have no part to play in life. Millions of others have some money but have become disaffected with their jobs, their Churches, their entire lives, and for the same reason – that they feel that they are nothing more than numbers in a system.
A great many of these people give up on themselves and any connection with their spirituality, remaining hungry and disillusioned – and they will remain so for as long as they believe that their God has abandoned them or is punishing them.
There is only One Truth, and One Life and it is the knowledge of this that forms the base of all true religions. What separates and divides, and causes so much strife is humanity’s tendency to compartmentalise and, in doing so, to set themselves apart from other people and other religions. It is only a short step from this to religious intolerance and aggression.
One of the effects of this intolerance is to breed more intolerance and suspicion, so that there are today a host of different churches, going their own way, and most highly suspicious of each other.
Yet all of these different churches are founded upon a truth that is based upon the One Truth, and it is an understanding, and an experience of the nature of this One Truth that will lead to the building of bridges, and to the realisation not only that we are all One, but that each and every one of us is needed in his or her true uniqueness, in order for the One to become a proper functioning whole.
However, to claim our true uniqueness, or our power, is not easy. For many people, it is far easier to hand their power over to a higher authority and simply remain as “one of the crowd”. There is a lot of security in this, and this is partly the reason why there is such a rise in fundamentalism today. However, to give up one’s power in order to blend in with some crowd, in the false hope of finding security, is to submit to slavery and to pave the way for dictatorships.
The enormous changes that are needed in the world today can be brought about through beginning with teaching individual respect and responsibility. This is because individuals form the foundations of every country. So if the people feel weak and worthless – just a number in a crowd – then that country will reflect this. If the individuals can be shown that they are worth something, then the country concerned will also reflect this.
Toltecs believe that although there are many sources, with each revealing its value, at the end of the day, it is the responsibility of each individual to learn to light his or her own candle. For it remains a fundamental truth that the power to change the world lies not in governments, but in the strength and mutual co-operation of individuals.
We are all subject to certain universal laws, like the law of gravity. What is needed is a recognition and upholding of these laws. For example, we have the law of cause and effect, which is often expressed in the phrase, “what goes round comes round”. This law is as pervasive as the law of gravity, and it applies throughout our lives. Therefore, if someone loses their job, or home or partner, it is not helpful look for someone to blame, or to blame themselves. Instead, a more life-supportive way is to accept that simply because an event happened, we are responsible for setting it up in such a way that it did happen. In everything in our lives, we are the cause as well as the solution.
This forms the basis of the Toltec approach to individual responsibility. Toltecs show how we all have to take full responsibility for whatever happens in our lives. There is no place for blaming other people. Instead, as responsible adults, because we own the responsibility, we also acknowledge that we have the power to change our circumstances.
Does this mean that there is no accountability? We are all accountable for our actions, but we also need to take responsibility for whatever we call into our lives. As we do this, we can learn not to feel victimised by our circumstances. Instead, we can learn to look upon our trials as challenges. They are there in order to help us to grow, to become stronger, wiser and ever more responsive to life.
Toltecs do not wish to start another religion; that is not our purpose, and the time for structures is past. However, we are willing to become involved in the building of bridges – to share our knowledge with existing structures and religions who wish to open themselves to a fresh insight.
Today, there are many prophets of doom, and just even to look around at the world situation is to risk becoming completely disheartened. Yet, we offer a message of hope, and a very real approach that results in true enfranchisement for those who are willing and open enough to see it.
………………………………………………………………………..
Toltec-legacy is Theun’s online Teaching facility. This new website comprises a substantial public section, with a lot of useful resource material. However, at the heart of the website is a unique and vast teaching facility that includes, not only all of the material in Théun’s books, but also articles and experiences from apprentices who have been working with the teachings in their daily lives, guidance given by Théun to participants in his retreats, as well as a very substantial volume of guidance he has given over the past 8 years to a group of people all over the world, working intensely with him on an e-forum.
As one might expect from Théun, in addition to the substantial material and guidance, the new website is absolutely stunning in its beauty and presentation. It leads the visitor though a true experience comprising rich and deeply symbolic graphics, as well as a live musical score that has been specifically created for us.
As you know, Théun’s work is intensely practical, and the new website will offer the sincere seeker of knowledge the opportunity of learning to work with the Toltec teachings in the context of their daily lives, and also to receive ongoing feedback and guidance. It is especially appropriate to these times when more and more people are being thrown onto their own resources, and are searching for a new forward. Will they choose for victimhood, or will they choose for a new way of being?
The new website is at www.toltec-legacy.com I hope you enjoy it!
Lydia
THEUN MARES
THE POWER OF THE INDIVIDUAL
Today, millions of people are disenfranchised in the true sense of the word – not because they have no money or cars, but because they feel that they are worthless and have no part to play in life. Millions of others have some money but have become disaffected with their jobs, their Churches, their entire lives, and for the same reason – that they feel that they are nothing more than numbers in a system.
A great many of these people give up on themselves and any connection with their spirituality, remaining hungry and disillusioned – and they will remain so for as long as they believe that their God has abandoned them or is punishing them.
There is only One Truth, and One Life and it is the knowledge of this that forms the base of all true religions. What separates and divides, and causes so much strife is humanity’s tendency to compartmentalise and, in doing so, to set themselves apart from other people and other religions. It is only a short step from this to religious intolerance and aggression.
One of the effects of this intolerance is to breed more intolerance and suspicion, so that there are today a host of different churches, going their own way, and most highly suspicious of each other.
Yet all of these different churches are founded upon a truth that is based upon the One Truth, and it is an understanding, and an experience of the nature of this One Truth that will lead to the building of bridges, and to the realisation not only that we are all One, but that each and every one of us is needed in his or her true uniqueness, in order for the One to become a proper functioning whole.
However, to claim our true uniqueness, or our power, is not easy. For many people, it is far easier to hand their power over to a higher authority and simply remain as “one of the crowd”. There is a lot of security in this, and this is partly the reason why there is such a rise in fundamentalism today. However, to give up one’s power in order to blend in with some crowd, in the false hope of finding security, is to submit to slavery and to pave the way for dictatorships.
The enormous changes that are needed in the world today can be brought about through beginning with teaching individual respect and responsibility. This is because individuals form the foundations of every country. So if the people feel weak and worthless – just a number in a crowd – then that country will reflect this. If the individuals can be shown that they are worth something, then the country concerned will also reflect this.
Toltecs believe that although there are many sources, with each revealing its value, at the end of the day, it is the responsibility of each individual to learn to light his or her own candle. For it remains a fundamental truth that the power to change the world lies not in governments, but in the strength and mutual co-operation of individuals.
We are all subject to certain universal laws, like the law of gravity. What is needed is a recognition and upholding of these laws. For example, we have the law of cause and effect, which is often expressed in the phrase, “what goes round comes round”. This law is as pervasive as the law of gravity, and it applies throughout our lives. Therefore, if someone loses their job, or home or partner, it is not helpful look for someone to blame, or to blame themselves. Instead, a more life-supportive way is to accept that simply because an event happened, we are responsible for setting it up in such a way that it did happen. In everything in our lives, we are the cause as well as the solution.
This forms the basis of the Toltec approach to individual responsibility. Toltecs show how we all have to take full responsibility for whatever happens in our lives. There is no place for blaming other people. Instead, as responsible adults, because we own the responsibility, we also acknowledge that we have the power to change our circumstances.
Does this mean that there is no accountability? We are all accountable for our actions, but we also need to take responsibility for whatever we call into our lives. As we do this, we can learn not to feel victimised by our circumstances. Instead, we can learn to look upon our trials as challenges. They are there in order to help us to grow, to become stronger, wiser and ever more responsive to life.
Toltecs do not wish to start another religion; that is not our purpose, and the time for structures is past. However, we are willing to become involved in the building of bridges – to share our knowledge with existing structures and religions who wish to open themselves to a fresh insight.
Today, there are many prophets of doom, and just even to look around at the world situation is to risk becoming completely disheartened. Yet, we offer a message of hope, and a very real approach that results in true enfranchisement for those who are willing and open enough to see it.
………………………………………………………………………..
Toltec-legacy is Theun’s online Teaching facility. This new website comprises a substantial public section, with a lot of useful resource material. However, at the heart of the website is a unique and vast teaching facility that includes, not only all of the material in Théun’s books, but also articles and experiences from apprentices who have been working with the teachings in their daily lives, guidance given by Théun to participants in his retreats, as well as a very substantial volume of guidance he has given over the past 8 years to a group of people all over the world, working intensely with him on an e-forum.
As one might expect from Théun, in addition to the substantial material and guidance, the new website is absolutely stunning in its beauty and presentation. It leads the visitor though a true experience comprising rich and deeply symbolic graphics, as well as a live musical score that has been specifically created for us.
As you know, Théun’s work is intensely practical, and the new website will offer the sincere seeker of knowledge the opportunity of learning to work with the Toltec teachings in the context of their daily lives, and also to receive ongoing feedback and guidance. It is especially appropriate to these times when more and more people are being thrown onto their own resources, and are searching for a new forward. Will they choose for victimhood, or will they choose for a new way of being?
The new website is at www.toltec-legacy.com I hope you enjoy it!
Lydia
Four Toltec Principles
Posted on June 4th, 2007
No comments
Ernie Fitzpatrick asked:
The Toltec culture and people were known throughout Southern Mexico as “men and women of knowledge”. These master naguals gathered around the ancient city of pyramids known as Teotihuacan. Most often this city was known as the place where “Man becomes God”. One of their descendants has brought the ancient culture forward.
Don Miguel Ruiz was raised by a Toltec family wherein the mother was a curandera (healer) and the grandfather was a nagual (shaman). Ruiz has written several books of which his book, The Voice Of Knowledge, contained four principles worth applying to our lives.
1-Be Impeccable In Your Word
We are our word and it’s critical that we measure what we say and are cautious to be able to perform it. Once people know that what we say can be counted on, our words will have great force.
2-Don’t Take Anything Personally
This has to be one of the most difficult principles to follow. Each person has their own story, wear different glasses, and see from an entirely different viewpoint than we do, so why do we get upset when they see things differently than we do?
3-Don’t Make Assumptions
We worry about so many things that we know will come to pass- that don’t! The addage is that when you liveyour life based on assumptions, you wind up making an ASS- out of U- and ME. The goal is to KNOW and not ASS-U-ME!
4-Always Do Your Best
When you ive life your best there’s nothing to regret. If we fall short but we did all we knew to do and were capable of doing, there’s no lingering guilt or “what if” mind games to contend.
We humans are too often victimized by what we know- that’s not true: it’s just what we think we know. Unless we are prepared to “let go” of our sacred cows and truly examine our lives, we can’t profrees. We can’t be transformed. Plato had it right- “Know thyself” and then you can begin to understand others.
Vincent
The Toltec culture and people were known throughout Southern Mexico as “men and women of knowledge”. These master naguals gathered around the ancient city of pyramids known as Teotihuacan. Most often this city was known as the place where “Man becomes God”. One of their descendants has brought the ancient culture forward.
Don Miguel Ruiz was raised by a Toltec family wherein the mother was a curandera (healer) and the grandfather was a nagual (shaman). Ruiz has written several books of which his book, The Voice Of Knowledge, contained four principles worth applying to our lives.
1-Be Impeccable In Your Word
We are our word and it’s critical that we measure what we say and are cautious to be able to perform it. Once people know that what we say can be counted on, our words will have great force.
2-Don’t Take Anything Personally
This has to be one of the most difficult principles to follow. Each person has their own story, wear different glasses, and see from an entirely different viewpoint than we do, so why do we get upset when they see things differently than we do?
3-Don’t Make Assumptions
We worry about so many things that we know will come to pass- that don’t! The addage is that when you liveyour life based on assumptions, you wind up making an ASS- out of U- and ME. The goal is to KNOW and not ASS-U-ME!
4-Always Do Your Best
When you ive life your best there’s nothing to regret. If we fall short but we did all we knew to do and were capable of doing, there’s no lingering guilt or “what if” mind games to contend.
We humans are too often victimized by what we know- that’s not true: it’s just what we think we know. Unless we are prepared to “let go” of our sacred cows and truly examine our lives, we can’t profrees. We can’t be transformed. Plato had it right- “Know thyself” and then you can begin to understand others.
Vincent