Living the Four Agreements's topics - tribe.net

A new life

2009-03-05T15:23:42Z

So haveing found Toltec wisdom and thus a new way of life I'm haveing a tough time relateing to My friends and society in general. I'm wondering if anyone else had this expierence and if you can share how you delt with it.. Thanks

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 1 reply

Impeccability...

2008-11-20T16:33:10Z

Has anyone found it difficult when you are with people and the only way they know how to communicate is by gossiping? Sometimes I try to change the subject but somehow or another it always seems to go back to gossip. I always end up being the one that never talks.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 9 replies

Agreements with who

2008-11-11T02:12:40Z

So I am thinking the four agreements seem to be with and about myself rather than with anyone else.

Be impeccable with your word.
Don't take anything personally.
Don't make assumptions.
Always do your best.

Anyone want to share if they can make these agreements with someone else or just with themself.
I am new at discovering these agreements.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 1 reply

Looking to meet others

2008-11-02T01:09:40Z

Hello all

I an new to Toltec wisdom and would like to find some friends here to learn from, share with and possibility spend some time. I'm excited to be beginning this new adventure and have already seen benefits from the little I have grasped. I'm a 31 year old man from Redwood City California. If your interested in mentoring me, shearing ideas or making a new friend please shoot me an email at lucky2bthe1@aol.com.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 1 reply

just finished reading the book tonight

2008-07-29T16:47:12Z

i am so excited to live and apply these agreements to my life.
i have slowly been thinking of them and trying to use them as much as possible
and have been sharing some ideas from the book when others ask me for advice
or are in a situation similiar to what i just read about.

i am so excited that the book resonated with me this time.
i tried reading it before and i am guessing i just wasn't ready.
it almost feels like a litte graduation for me, leaving so much of my
ingrained patterns behind as much as i can and starting on this new journey,
experiencing life in a much more meaningful way.

i plan on giving it as a gift to others i love in hopes that it will resonate with them too.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 4 replies

The first agreement and gossip

2008-07-07T02:59:00Z

I'm in the process of reading this book and I have a question.

Part of the first agreement is to not gossip. But what I'm not clear about is this. We all get opinions about people that shape our interactions with them. If someone asks me about a person I won't lie and may have a negative opinion of them.

I can certainly express it as *my* opinion but is that really different than gossip? Is so why and how would I go about not spreading my own poisin?

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 17 replies

CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH DON MIGUEL RUIZ THURSDAY, MARCH 27

2008-03-25T20:47:50Z

http://www.sixthsunfoundation.org/

ARE YOU READY TO CHANGE
YOUR LIFE?

DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!

Don Miguel Ruiz invites you to a lecture you will never forget. If you ever wanted to lean from the Master, this is your chance!.

Don Miguel will be sharing his presence and wisdom with a very small group.

Where: 9039 Camden Lake Way
Elk Grove, CA

Time: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

"Death is not the biggest fear we have;
our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive;
the risk to be alive and express what we really are."

- don Miguel Ruiz

TICKET SALES

Cost for this event is $100.

Information and tickets:
Wendy Keown (916) 616-6843

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 0 replies

Books that go well with "The Four Agreements"?

2008-03-04T13:42:32Z

I'm wondering what OTHER books people have read, that seem to mesh well with the ideas presented in "the Four Agreements".

Have you found that specific books seem to really FEEL 4-agreements-ish? Or, compliment nicely the things we've learned?

Alternately, if you have a favourite "self-help/self-wisdom" book that you have found to be extremely helpful in your personal development, please share!

(this is prompted by me FINALLY picking up "7 Habits of Highly Effective People". From what I'm reading so far, it sounds good, and meshes well with my 4 Agreements universe reading...)

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 28 replies

What's the Core Wisdom for you?

2007-12-28T03:51:10Z

I've been branching out from Don Miguel's teachings into various other books, and realizing that there really is an overarching philosophy of how to live a good, honest, loving life. It's amazing how it all seems to tie together, huh? Have you noticed the common threads in books you've read, seminars you've taken, teachings you've heard?

How would you distill the wisdom you've learned, down into a paragraph or so? What would you most like to share with others, in hopes that they would understand?

So far, here's what I've found to be true, effective, real, useful, timely.... etc. These ideas definitely have some cross-pollination with The Four Agreements....

-We can choose our own reality. The tiny space between "event" and "reaction" is entirely ours, and we can choose that response. We can choose to be happy, to respond well to things, to look on the bright side, to suspend judgment, to be kind, to act out of love and compassion.

-Just being present is probably the most important gift you can give yourself. Not worrying about things that happened yesterday, not stressing about things that might happen tomorrow. Just BEING, and realizing that by worrying about other things in time, we're squandering our time NOW.

-Love is not scarcity. There's enough love for everyone, and the more love you give, the more love you have. Love takes all sorts of forms, but I think you have to love yourself before you can truly love someone else...... And love to me means accepting someone exactly as they are, not wanting to change anything about them, even if you don't agree with it. Love is respect, and love is wanting the best for someone, and love is sometimes as simple as giving them the last bite of your favourite dessert.

Anyway. that's what I got. Now you.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 10 replies

Update: So, how are you doing?

2007-07-23T06:00:22Z

This Tribe's been quiet lately. Just trying to spark some discussion, wondering how everyone is doing in their journey.

Have you been practicing T4A? Any challenges lately? Anything you've been doing particularly well?

I find myself growing more and more comfortable with The Four Agreements in my life, now that I've been living with it for a few years. I am much less judgmental of others, and more importantly of myself. I understand when I'm doing my best, and when I'm not, and am more quick to steer myself back on the path of what's-right-for-me, when I go astray.

It still sure does take practice, though, and a re-reading of the book every few months.

How often do you re-read Don Miguel's teachings? Do you have one book you'll re-read more than the others?

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 8 replies

My Intro and experience with The Four Agreements

2007-06-26T00:24:48Z

Hello all!

My name is Tom and I am in love with The Four Agreements! I recently divorced, most part due to my nasty attitude about life. I was in a really bad space. I pretty much lived the opposite of the four agreements.

I was fortunate enough to be able to "head off into the wilderness" and meditate on my life. For some reason I grabbed The Four Agreement books which I had already read and they did not affect me. I guess timing is everything because they have truly changed my outlook on life after picking them up and reading them again. I am currently working through the Companion Book.

I believe the information in the books this time around for some reason. I think I believed it the first time too but I was either too deep in depression or not deep enough, not sure which but probably not deep enough. I work at these agreements everyday now. I am even believe in me and my ability to live an authentic life.

The thing that had the biggest effect on me was reading that humans are the only creatures that punish themselves more than once for a mistake, that guilt is a sin against ourselves for no reason whatsoever. We made a mistake and we paid a price for it. That is enough, once is enough. It is time to let it go and move on. I was able to forgive myself for the pain I know I caused my wife. Now I can move on from this situation knowing that yes, I made a mistake and it hurt someone I love very deeply but it does not honor my authentic self or my ex-wifes authentic self by being miserable forever about these things. I have moved on and I am working to break old agreements that I dont like and I am discovering my authentic self.

I am appreciative that this group is here and I hope others are having as powerful of experiences as I am from the gift given to us by Ruiz and the Toltecs. If you have, perhaps you could share with me and the group what most affected you.

Love and Peace,
--Tom

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 0 replies

Line in the sand!

2007-05-11T12:08:52Z

Today I draw a line in the sand. Right here and now. I will retreat from myself no further!

I’ve been so willing to subsist off the scraps falling from the table of my possibility… but no longer!

I’ve been willing to let my present moment be robbed of passion and joy again and again in order to continue to replay out old broken down scenes from my past… but no longer!

I’ve been willing to allow my fears and self-doubt to stop me from sharing myself authentically and powerfully… but no longer!

Conversations like, “I’m not capable of that” & “I’m not worthy of real love” have been the platform from which I have created my life… but no longer!

To great a price has already been paid by my heart, and the ones who have ventured into it, to continue to pay homage to the enemies of my progress, fear and self-doubt.

So right here and now, I boldly declare to the enemies of my progress, the line in the sand has been drawn by my love, acceptance and faith, for I am no longer willing to pay the price for not loving and being me!

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 0 replies

The Basics

2007-05-09T17:13:04Z

' Anything will give up it's secrets, if you love it enough.'

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 1 reply

have been noting the depths of the agreements lately

2007-02-21T09:08:47Z

Thought i'd post this because it's been awhile since i've posted, and i thought i'd share a bit about recent developments on this topic.

Basically, i've been "wearing" the agreements for a few years now. But only recently came to the realization that there are several depths to which i can still catch myself, by surprise, making assumptions and taking things personally. Such are so "inbred", so habituated, that when things come to "a head", it's very easy to fall back on what we know.

Anyway, a recent experience had me "arting myself" in my own special way, and then going thru that and thinking about that while i was doing this art of myself (an actual interaction with various people, including a community where i was having troubles). Well, it's very late here now and i guess i just wanted to share a little, for now.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 0 replies

Two Valves

2007-02-03T04:54:24Z

We all have two valves, an 'In' and an 'Out'
And dreams for a Love, we "can't live without".

So we open the inlet, and hope, wish, and pray
For Love to "complete us", and brighten our day.

But Love's not a 'thing', it's more of a 'flow'
So open your outlet, and let the gift go.

By giving away, all the love you possess
You'll make room for more, (so goes the process).

A drink from a cool stream, is sweeter than swamp rot
Same goes for Love nectar, freshness dated by lot.

With *both* valves wide open, you'll maximize Love
Inside, outside, beside...under, over, Above!

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 0 replies

sincere request and plee

2007-02-02T11:53:04Z

Hi to you all,
>
> My name is Pierce Sharelove and I am posting
> this here today to ask for your prayers. I am
> facing complete financial ruin and the prospect
> of not having access to my two beautiful
> children. They have always been the Priority in
> my life and I want to be able to continue to
> offer them the emotional and spirirtual guidance
> that only their father can give them.
>
> I know that by asking for help, I am doing the
> right thing. Please consider this genuine
> request from my heart to yours in asking for
> your prayers and visualizations, or whatever
> method you use to connect with intention - to
> see me happily, joyfully and respectfully
> continuing to fulfill my lifelong passion being
> the best father I can be. I am only asking for
> your thoughts that will send energy and
> solutions my way so I can further provide and
> create a nurturing, supportive and loving
> environment for my children.
>
> Thank-you from the bottom of my heart for your
> sincere efforts, as I know many of you out there
> believe as I do, in the power of intention.
>
> My humblest prayers of gratitude and love to you
> all that devote even just one minute of your day
> in support of my children and I, in carrying out
> this request.
>
> In love and the sincerest appreciation,
> Pierce Sharelove

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 3 replies

Living in fear, rather than in Love

2006-12-30T00:45:19Z

I've been thinking a lot lately about the idea from the "Mastery of Love" book, that most humans are living in fear, rather than in Love.

It really rings true to me, because I struggle with this a LOT. Much of my negativity and poison comes from my fear-based beliefs about myself and others, rather than the acceptance of myself and others that I aspire to.

Some days, it's harder than others....but I am learning how to "pull myself back up by the bootstraps", as it were, and really recognize when I am being negative, and that my mouth is just spewing things that come straight from FEAR, and it's just on "autopilot"...

As Barry Kaufman says, "happiness is a choice", and in every moment, we make a choice how to react to things, and whether to be negative or positive.

How do YOU consciously live your life to live in Love, rather than in fear?
How do you deal with it, when you find yourself being Fearful, rather than Love-full?
And.... what are your triggers for fear? Do you find that certain things make you very fearful/negative?

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 9 replies

Beauty FULL documentary

2006-11-14T20:30:04Z

I just got my DVD...this is wonderful! Please, please, please watch the trailer!

trailer --> http://onetheproject.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=47

Basically, they went around the world, asking folks from every walk of life and religion the same 20 questions….from Thich Nhat Hanh and Ram Dass to a street kid in Colorado and an Atheist...

The thing I like the most was that the film didn't tout any one idea or way of looking at things. Instead, it shows the diversity of us all and in a simplistic way, shows that we although we may look different, have different cultures, different beliefs and different lifestyles, we are still all one humanity.

Deepak Chopra, Ram Dass, Thich Nhat Hanh, Father Thomas Keating, Barbara Marx-Hubbard, Riane Eisler, Robert Thurman, Sadhguru Jaggi Vadsudev, The voice of his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, etc.

Anybody else seen it?

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 0 replies

i've had a really hard time following

2006-08-23T20:30:26Z

i don't want to say a lot tonite even tho usually i'm totally verbose. But i've been meaning to say that i've been having a very hard time with the agreements even tho i found them working for a time. i wonder if it's lack of community in which to share. i mean, text community is something very different than actual human beings to look at and share with, you know?

And i wonder if focusing on those four things has a way of becoming something negative, at least for me. i mean, the more i focus on something *not* to do, the more i think about those things and the more i seem to replicate them.

Hm?

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 11 replies

Click

2006-07-30T00:00:48Z

Great Toltec film. Check it out.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 1 reply

4 Agreements and Poly

2006-07-28T19:58:43Z

The sexy, wonderful moderator of this tribe brought me the 4 Agreements last week, when I think I hit bottom inside myself. I've been in a vicious downward cycle for a while, and I couldn't seem to stop.

I took three nights to myself to read The Four Agreements, and it was like my eyes were opened again for the first time in a LONG time. And since then, I have had baby steps of success. It's so new, that I celebrate those small successes inside myself - when I refrain from commenting until a better time, when I speak the truth and KNOW it is my truth, when I don't let myself take something personally, when I ask for clarification instead of making assumptions.

But I have a lot of work to do. And my parasite of fear has a lot of triggers tied with poly. My boyfriend and I are in an open relationship - but my fear and insecurity really limit that openness. I keep working on not taking his desires for other people personally, and I want to experience compersion and be so secure and happy with myself that I am as happy for his play with other people as he is for mine. But I'm not there yet. And so I have limits. And we have agreements, and a lot of those are things like "don't do this with this person..."

We will always have negotiations and agreements. That's the nature of an open relationship. You have to communicate and agree. But, I'm feeling like my limitations on my boyfriend come from fear, and so by allowing them to rule in the form of an agreement, I am feeding the parasite. I don't know if I am doing my best on this. I tried to remove all the limits for a brief time, and I was able to accept what happened during that time... but I don't feel ready for that to be the case again. I don't know if I'll ever find a place of no limits.

But I try to stop feeding the fear. I try to really find what is true inside me, and do my best. And I keep trying to push myself beyond the fear - into the heaven I want for myself. But it's hard when it feels like our poly negotiations all come from my fear, so every time I ask for a limit, I am feeding the fear. But if I don't ask for the limit, when I feel like I need it, then I experience a lot of bad juju.

So, how do I make poly agreements and negotiations, without feeding my fear?

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 16 replies

Energy Sensitive

2006-07-11T22:42:09Z

At the moment, I am dealing with being very sensitive to other people's energies, and the energy of the universe. I am looking to clear my energy--- and I am noticing lately how my energy is VERY related to my emotional state! Liberating!

What have any of you noticed along your paths?

For me, talking can help.... it depends. Massage helps, acupunture helps *alot.* Chanting helps, almost always. I chant a mantra everyday. I need more help though. It's a constant unbalance. I am going to see a shaman-type person next week, I hope that helps.
For instance, I am very affected by astrology's shifts (although I have heard the stance before, if I think I am, that makes it worse-- which I believe also, but I really am)...

Anyway, any ideas/ruminations would be welcomed.

BLessings, love,

JENNA

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 2 replies

new here-just starting to practice The Four Agreements

2006-07-10T23:50:48Z

Hi! I just found this site last night, and decided to sign up. Thought it may help me stick to following the agreements. I'm a 34 year old single mom, and I suffer from social anxiety and the occasional panic attack. I've tried medication, but it really messed me up (I felt like a total zombie). Lately I have been exercising more, trying to eat better, meditation, and I am going to re-read my Four Agreements book and follow it this time. I need to get a handle on my anxiety (I recently returned to college-could be why my anxiety level has gotten worse, but I will keep working on feeling better without drugs!)
Glad to be here and look forward to getting to know everyone!

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 3 replies

Impeccable words make others uncomfortable!?

2006-07-09T00:34:22Z

Hi everyone,

I personally have found it easier to be impeccable, authentic, genuine though not abusively so with my word in daily life.

What I have found however, is that people who do not practice this principle as a "life strategy" let's call it, get VERY uncomfortable around me.

Now, I do not impose my word on others or share my thoughts about THEM...when I find that people are most ill at ease is when I am talking about myself and my own life and my feelings and intentions in that regard. I find people are just not used to openness and honesty. They prefer some walls, some political correctness, some curtains to cover up...

Anyone else had the same experience? I have learned to let it be and let them be as well, but I am still shocked at how unsettled people can become when you genuinely talk to them!

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 28 replies

Sucsess Stories

2006-06-21T04:09:31Z

Summers here....dreams are spreading...people are growing.
This book brought me out of the darkist corners of my mind 6 years ago
My dad sent me this book when i was in depression, with a stress caused ulcer
I had both for 3 years, and the doctors couldnt help me at all
I read the book 3 times before things started changeing Visably
I liked what it made me feel like and the thoughts it inspired
took me 3 months of intent to shead my ailments in the forthought of my mind
To rid myself of them
then i spent 5 years looking within, learning, unlearning, teaching, inspiring,changeing myself, into this person i am happy to be with my dreams makeing the presant and the future shine brightly through me
None of it was hard....just one aggreement or choice of how to be, or how not to be at a time
Life is simple, all major decisions are nothing but a sting of small choices
To be made one at a time, day by day, constently building the life you think and dream about
I am closer to my dreams every day, oppertunity is knockin on my door
And my life is abundant, sweet, beautiful, and inspiring
Life wants action, decisiveness, movement, and the universe is willing to give you what you want as long as you truely want it, feel it, think it, and act upon it.

I would love to hear your sucsess stories, so we can pass on the insperation to each other and others

Salute to the free
Change is good, change means growth, and growth is life
Drink in the beautiful chaotic storm of life
And strive to be at the eye of the storm
Where you have the freedom
and consciousness to act,
rather then react

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 4 replies

Celestine Prophecy (The Movie)

2006-05-13T15:28:11Z

Probably no other one book has such an impact on me, i now live it
it's what brought me to KMT (which i think are our next insights ;)

the movie will be out soon

What are your thoughts?

http://www.thecelestineprophecymovie.com/ (movie trailers)

http://www.celestinevision.com/

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 26 replies

Where are you in your journey?

2006-05-02T14:34:45Z

This tribe has been dead lately, but I've noticed a bunch of new members lately, so maybe this will be a good kick-start to some discussion.

Where are you along your path? Do you have a destination in mind, or are you just enjoying the walk? What are you working on right now, in terms of your relationship with "The Four Agreements"? Is there anything you've been doing more lately, anything you've been slacking on?

And....where are you in relation to your life before you read "The Four Agreements"? Has your life changed? How?

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 19 replies

Love Letters

2006-04-28T21:53:55Z

Our wisdom group in Eugene is considering creating a more intensive meeting in addition to our regular bi-montly gatherings for deeper study using Dr. Gene's Love Letters. A lot of groups and individuals around the country use the love letters as a guide to go deeper and deeper. I have never used them that way, though I've had the great pleasure of hanging out with the ever-so-humble Gene Nathan on a few occasions. My body just knows that what he's offering is deeply impeccable and penetratingly loving. I'm really looking forward to taking in that teaching, and thought I'd share the resource with all you lovely folks. And, while we're at it, if you have actually used the letters feel free to share with the rest of us chickens (not fearful chickens - irreverent chickens.)

http://www.toltecsacredlegacies.com/documents/love_letter_01.htm

Much love,
Tatiana

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 0 replies

Wisdom Groups

2006-04-20T19:30:31Z

I'm looking for others involved in Wisdom Groups who may be able to share topics for meetings and ideas for group dynamics. We've got a small group in Minneapolis, and I'm setting my intention to help it grow in 2006.
-Light-

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 2 replies

4 Agreements and...Religion?

2006-04-11T21:55:10Z

I'm wondering...what role does religion play in your life?
Do you consider yourself a particular religion?
If not, do you still consider yourself "spiritual"?
Do you believe that religion/spirituality and "The Four Agreements" necessarily go hand-in-hand?

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 7 replies

A real message of truth from our Divine Creator...!

2006-04-10T21:25:41Z

Message that is so true...
Always stick with what makes perfect sence and can be backed up with physical proof. Don't believe in anything, either know it or don't.
Beliefs are based on second hand information which forms speculation and is subject to change.
Knowledge is gained from first hand information through personal experience which is unquestioned and completly understood, undeniable proof of truth.
Don't play into any kind of religious idealistic brain washing manipulation.
Anything spiritually based that is gained second hand, is confusing and in some way or another makes a profit, isn't the truth and not the real deal.
The spirit of the soul is inlimited and free. Having a known connection with the powerful energy that created all that exists in our known physical rhelm, is personal to the individual and that connection has no boundries ,stipulations and is not set on any kind of conditional guidlines, nor are there rules and regulations that have to be followed inorder to know that powerful endless connection. The energy of the Divine is inside us all and exists in everything that exists.
Makes a lot more sence to me. My connection with God is known and unquestioned, it's a constant and infinite flow of energy completely unconditional and without fear. I trust in that which designed me for a specific purpose in this world. That guides my soul and knows the pure of my heart. For the Divine power of all knowing makes my heart beat and connects me to a beautiful view and understanding of myself.......
The love of life and power of us is knowing what is in the depths of our soul's purpose..
The trinity of true self....
love you all...Donna

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 1 reply

Who agrees..?...Who wonders..?.. and who really KNOWS..??..!!

2006-04-09T11:48:58Z

We human beings have and are being programmed through the use of fear by munipulation in almost every aspect of our lives and have been for thousands of years... since the invention motion pictures and T.V. a new open venue was created for puplic programming (hum?)using fear by targeting adults and influencing children, which inturn created media and marketing propaganda ....back in the day.. there wasn't a separate established organization that monitored and regulated the media and marketing by the use of proaganda, the religious rulers and governmental heads controlled most of what we were subjected to, there was more behavioral expectations of people in society to stay within the set religious and governmental guidelines....They were building the boxes for us to crawl into...using fear as a way to scare the living shit out of us.....for example; war propaganda used fear like there was no tomorrow, literally...the use of subliminnal (ms sp?) messages ran rampid and went vertually unnoticed for a very long time..god bless the government control......instilling fear into our sub-consiuos minds, without our knowing it.....fear was being implanted double time........god bless the usa........World War one and World War two had us convenced that we were going to parish by the use of atomic bombs...and sold war bond like willy wonka sold choc...candy....this began a new path, focusing on our weakness to get us to do what they wanted.... human minds were now being classically condition and the human robot began to develope....now they are finding new ways to get into our heads......after the damaging media coverage of the viet-nam war...different ideas of individual thought and creativity evolved into a new form of people.....the Government now was being disputed and people began to protest against what they believed was governmentally wrong.......suddenly people began to see the reality of truth, which revieled the governments wrong doings...drugs, sex and rockin' roll ruled the seventies and a different breed of people sat up and took notice of there enviromental surrounding.......I don't agree with disrepecting anyone who fights to protect our safety and the safety of our nation....but are we really all that safe..?..who's really incontrol here..?.. We seem to be crawling right back into those previuosly created boxes and falling pray to the fear again......Are our minds being Fu*% with again?....are they using different ways to get deep into our heads without us realizing it ..?...has religion and government come back together again...?....Yes I think it has?....is our indiviuality of idea's and thoughts being taken away from us right under our noses?....yes....who are they targeting now by using fear programs..our children....next time you get the chance to watch childrens cartoons...pay real close attention to the detail of not only the cartoons but the advertising of childrens toys..video games..ect....ect...fear...fear....fear..is running rampid again...horrific and deadly voilence is now the new cool thing to do....what.....and fear is being instilled deeper than ever and we need to stand up and take notice again......watch for the little details in everything we and our children are being subjected to and expections by society to fall within a set norm of rules and regulation of behavoiral exceptance......what..!...damn it man.....there doing it again......what the..?..we are reverting back to the doids we used to be.......congratulation to religious and govermental control by the use of manipulation through the instilation of fear through the use of propaganda......hip hip hooray.....right.....well I don't care who doesn't like it, but my ass is staying as far away from any boxes as I can.....get out before it's to late and you suddenly realize that you are becomming the robot that they intented for you to be....sad part is they are leaving nothing to chance this time.......watch your kids and what they are watching and playing on the boob-tube..and seeing on computors.....we may think that they are just fine, but becareful not to assume anything.......computors and video games are the new venues to mind control, targeting our kids.........what kind of damage by influence is being done to the sub-consious moldable mental young mind.......huh?

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 3 replies

Any new workshops on the 4 agreements in the bay area/sfo?

2006-02-27T17:32:27Z

Hey every one,
I was wondering if any one knows of some upcoming workshop in san fran or the bay area.
Peace and happy 2006.
Vero

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 3 replies

Bay Area Toltec Firewalk

2006-01-25T17:38:42Z

Hey all. It would be great to meet some of you in person. My friends are putting on a firewalk and a sexuality workshop. Both are in the Eagle Knight lineage of don Miguel.

Come out and play! questions welcome.

Heather Ash Amara and Raven Smith are lovers of life and spreaders of the sacred. Their joy is to support each person to not just think about, but actually LIVE, their highest potential. They are dedicated to sharing the most powerful tools from a variety of shamanic traditions. They are both mentors in the Eagle Knight lineage of don Miguel Ruiz, ministers of The Center of Creative Intent, and certified firewalk instructors. Heather Ash is the author of "THE FOUR ELEMENTS OF CHANGE." Raven is the author of "THE HANDBOOK OF AWARENESS AND INTENT" and "THE RECAPITULATION WORKBOOK."

"Heather and Raven bring a level of integrity to their work that continues to inspire me in my own. They help me to see, support me to challenge, and never waiver in their belief that I can do what needs to be done. I never thought I'd find this depth of support in this life yet with them I found this and much, much more." D.A., Taos, NM

******************************************
FIREWALK!
CLARIFY AND CELEBRATE YOUR PURPOSE!
at the UC Davis student farm
Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 6 PM
$50 ($25 for second time firewalkers)
with Sexual Integrity workshop: $75

Join us in this ancient practice of celebration, healing, and release.
- Learn to set a strong Intent and follow through with it. -
- Connect with your deepest passion and joy through the gift of FIRE!
- Let the fire be your gateway into a new year of living your fullest potential in each moment.
- Work with the fire to create dedication, focus, and opening into every aspect of your life.
- Work with the resonance of fire in yourself to clear out obstacles, fears, and habitual behaviors.
Feedback from a recent firewalker: "WOW!!! The workshop and firewalk were incredible! I went to the Staub's open to whatever experience there was for me and left just in awe! You and Raven just blew me away and watching you work was so inspiring. I heard myself think, "I want what they have." The peace and dedication to your work is amazing. I have been to other workshops that did not have NEAR the power this one did. I had the most incredible experience. Thank you, thank you."

One of the first things we are taught is that fire burns. But if over 2 million Americans have walked on fire without harm, in what ways are you limiting yourself from living your highest potential? Firewalks are a beautiful ritual of transformation, giving us the energy, passion, and courage to go for our dreams through any obstacle. In the workshop we will work together to explore and clarify our highest purpose, and then use the fire to energize, purify, and celebrate our new vision. Come dance your own fire!

To learn more about Firewalking: http://www.creativeintent.org/firewalking.html

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SEXUAL INTEGRITY WORKSHOP
Saturday, February 4 Noon to 4 pm
$45
with Firewalk: $75
Sexuality is our life force energy. When we dampen or shut our sexuality down due to trauma or confusion, we also dampen our creativity and passion for life. Join us in a safe circle to delve into how to heal, realign, and step into your own sexual integrity. Learn how to tap into your own sexual energy, and how to be in balance. We will talk about boundaries, exploration, relationship, and anatomy, all in a fun, safe format! There will be lots of room for questions.

******************************************

TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION:
vist our website: http://www.coreflame.com

email: heatherash@creativeintent.org
call: Heather Ash at 415-720-6123

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 0 replies

The Peasant

2006-01-15T23:41:26Z

Here's a story I wrote a year ago. Light. LW

The Peasant, the Donkey, and the Cart

In a town far away, 3 Beings visit a Nagual, seeking the meaning of Life. The 3 are: an Intellectual, a Philosopher, and a Provider. After considering their question, the Nagual hands them a picture of a Peasant, leading a Donkey, pulling a Cart with a sack of grain to market. The Nagual says, “The meaning of Life is here, if you can see your Self in this picture.”

The three study the picture at length and in detail. Finally, the Intellectual rises and speaks. “Thank you, Wise One, for the insight. I clearly see my Self as the Peasant. My Life is a journey that I lead and direct, using the tools available (natural and man-made) to progress and succeed in Life.”

The Nagual looks sadly at the Intellectual and says, “Please sit down. Your logic and knowledge have colored your vision.”

Then the Philosopher rises and says, “I agree, Master. Certainly, I am the Donkey. Caught between the tug of my desires and the load of my burdens, I must continue to trudge onward, ever onward, lest I feel the sting of the stick.” …(As the Master winces and before he can speak, the Philosopher quickly sits down.)

Now the once timid Provider boldly stands, certain that the others’ failure has ensured his success. “Indeed, in this picture I am the Cart. My body and physical ability allow Me to support others and shoulder my responsibilities, as I roll down the journey of my Life. Yes, the mind and feelings direct and pull me, but my body keeps Me rolling on the road of Life.”

Wearily, the Master rises and speaks. “You do not see either, join your blind friends with a seat. You each have only seen that which you want to see, not that which you could see. The You I speak of is so much more than any of those individuals.”

After a short moment, and in unison, the 3 say “Surely then, our Self is a collection of all three objects in the picture! Of course, all are depended upon to complete the journey!”

As they celebrate their discovery, the Master waits and smiles. When the Mitote’ quiets, he speaks softly…. “Consider that the Self to be seen is no more all three than it is any one. Your true Self is much, much more. Indeed, your Self in the picture is within the sack of Grain.”

As the three fall silent and confused, the Nagual continues…. “You are the Grain. You are on a journey with an unknown destination, complete with an unimaginable transformation awaiting. The Mind, Heart and Body exert force and influence in their own way, along the way, but Your only job is to Exist and Experience. And finally, regarding this Journey called Your Life, it is because of You that the Others even Exist. Without your Self, the mind, heart and body vanish. And so, You are the Grain. Nurtured by others before, and destined to nurture others to come, all because of Your Existence alone!”

With new awareness, the three leave the Nagual and continue their respective Journeys…… Now more ingrained in their Truth Nature…

Laughing Warrior
16JAN05

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 0 replies

On meeting Don Miguel: My Story

2006-01-12T15:21:44Z

A few years ago a friend told me about the book The Four Agreements. I took a trip to Barnes and Nobles and read the back of the book. Then I read about Don Miguel and as I was holding the book in my hand I told myself that I needed to meet this man. His story was so fascinating.
I went home searched the internet and found his site. I looked into his speaking engagements and he was to give a session about 45 minutes from my home in Moorestown, New Jersey.
At the time I was working in an office where everyone was at each others throats. "How perfect" I thought. I purchased enough tickets for the five of us to attend.
The day before the session everyone decided they didn't want to be together so they all cancelled. I decided to go!
I arrived, waited online the line was huge! I finally got in and there were not any seats visible to me available. I went down to the front to look back to see if there were any seats. An lo in front of me there was one seat, front row exact middle. I asked the woman sitting on either side if they were saving for anyone and one woman said "We saved it for you have a seat."
So I did. Don Miguel came out and stood in front of me, and spoke to me.
It was amazing, and it was life changing.
After the talk, he did a book signing. I brought my copy of the "Four Agreements" up with me and stood in a line (I am not the most patient person) yet I found this worthy of the wait.
I finally got up there and he signed my book. He put out his hand and I said “I’d rather have a hug" and this kind, gentle man full of wisdom, light, and love hugged me.
The day was purposeful and beautiful.
I wish that I could keep inspired daily to remember his teachings. It is so difficult to remember when things are not going as you planned.
But I will forever remember him and always attempt to do my very best.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 4 replies

being a kind person

2005-12-28T18:00:51Z

I'd like to know others' thoughts on being kind.

By being kind, I'm referring to being generous of your heart in your relationships/interactions with others. That is, being nice, pleasant, patient, gentle, compassionate/sympathetic. Generally, creating a rewarding experience for the other party. Basically, the Golden Rule, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Being kind (generally, but not at any cost) strikes me as very important thing.

How do others feel about the importantce of kindness?

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 24 replies

Four Agreements in the Workplace

2005-11-29T16:25:22Z

What prompted this is I just found out my position description was changed without my knowing it. Received reprimands while being handed the new description. Stunned? Yep.

How do I stand in my truth in the Four Agreements and approach this?

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 12 replies

Personal Mastery

2005-11-22T00:36:02Z

Here's a good quote I wanted to share:

"People with a high level of personal mastery live in a continual learning mode. They never "arrive." Sometimes, language, such as the term "personal mastery," creates a misleading sense of definiteness, of black and white. But personal mastery is not something you possess. It is a process. It is a lifelong discipline. People with a high level of personal mastery are acutely aware of their ignorance, their incompetence, their growth areas. Paradoxical? Only for those who do not see that "the journey is the is the reward." -- Peter Senge

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 6 replies

4 Agreements and Dating/Mating?

2005-11-21T14:17:27Z

So..... I was thinking lately..... how do folks around here apply the Four Agreements to dating/mating situations? Do you only date folks who are familiar with the Four Agreements, or comfortable with it when you talk to them about it? DO you talk to them about it?

When does it come up in a dating situation? And would you ever date someone who didn't think the Four Agreements was valid/interesting/useable as part of a personal philosophy?

For me, it's one of those "not negotiable" criteria for getting to know new people. If they aren't familiar with it, I tell them about it. If they go "yeah, that makes sense!".... great. If they discount it or say something negative, I'd really take a second look at them....but, thankfully, everyone who I've had good feelings about meeting/talking to, has either been familiar with, or been OPEN to, the Four Agreements.

You can start to sense "your people" after a while....whatever flavour "your people" might be. Or...some people can, anyway.

What's your story on this?

Heck, I should start a "Four Agreements Dating" website. Imagine how fewer breakups there would be from BIG ISSUES. Heh heh.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 10 replies

Upcoming Nagual Workshops

2005-11-04T23:22:12Z

Please check out the event listings below for two amazing workshops on November 12th in San Diego and on November 18th in Yosemite. This is a great opportunity to work with a most loving teacher and friend Don Mark Bonta.

Join us if you can for a trance-formative weekend.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 8 replies

Always do your best

2005-10-20T23:24:22Z

Now, I've not really been focusing too much on the Four Agreements individually lately. I've focused on the larger picture of life being the agreements we make with ourselves and between eachother. I've focused on seeing and creating opportunities beyond "the way things are" or the way we perceive they "have" to be.

I will share this. I recently, for my birthday, purchased a ring with my birthstone. After much mulling, as this was a symbolic ritual act for me, I decided on a design with seven small stones in a row. For various reasons, this design appealed to me most. One of the reasons was seven stones for seven days in a week. As I reflected on making each day a "gem", if you wish, I realized how well it ties in to the fourth agreement: Always do your best.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 2 replies

how do i help a loved one?

2005-10-14T21:10:01Z

Extended Family,

I need some advice.

I am very worried about a dear loved one/past lover.

He is about to move in with a woman he has only known and been dating for less than two months. He is moving in with her out of fear and thinking that he has no other choice.

He is going through an extremely difficult transition in his life right now – he is about to become ‘homeless’ and does not have a job. He doesn’t seem to know what he wants in life in many aspects – can’t make a decision regarding his needs or his priorities.

He has a HUGE community and network of friends here at home, which for unknown reasons he won’t reach out to. He has given a tremendous amount of support, both physical and emotional to this extended community for many years, and I know that they are all loving and supportive and would help him if he asked. This meaning that I know many people would let him ‘couch surf’ until he got back on his feet again.

He has stalled out in his life, and has not been able to motivate to find himself a job or a place to live. My belief is that somewhere along the road his self-esteem and confidence became shattered; something that I, nor anyone – obviously – can not fix for him.

I am afraid that if he moves in with this woman then he will continue on this downward spiral of denial and destruction.

He won’t listen to anything that I have to say about this situation, as he feels that it is just an attempt by me to break them up – which is not what I’m trying to do. I just want him to stand on his own two feet for himself, which he can do while in a relationship with her.

The sticky situation with this is that I am the lover he was with when he connected with this current woman. We are no longer together for very complex reasons – not because of their relationship.

Please, any suggestions are GREATLY appreciated.

Namaste,
~ geneva

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 8 replies

~Intro~

2005-10-13T19:04:03Z

I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Kim and I just joined this tribe. I have read The Four Agreements, The Four Agreements Companion Book, Mastery of Love and The Voice of Knowledge. I look forward to discussing them with others.

K~

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 13 replies

Firewalk this weekend in Davis, CA

2005-10-10T22:06:08Z

It's an amazing workshop and ritual whether you walk or not... I hope to see some of you there!

-stormaldo

FIREWALK: CLARIFY AND CELEBRATE YOUR PURPOSE!
with Certified Firewalk Instructors Heather Ash Amara, Raven Smith and Andrea Shanti

The Student Experimental Farm at UC Davis
Davis, CA
October 15th, 2005 • 6 PM till 11 PM

One of the first things we are taught is that fire burns. But if over 2 million Americans have walked on fire without harm, in what ways are you limiting yourself from living your highest potential? Firewalks are a beautiful ritual of transformation, giving us the energy, passion, and courage to go for our dreams through any obstacle. In the workshop we will work together to explore and clarify our highest purpose, and then use the fire to energize, purify, and celebrate our new vision.
Come dance your own fire!

For more information on Firewalking visit www.creativeintent.org/firewalking.html

TESTIMONIALS

"The firewalk allowed me to break some old beliefs about myself in one evening! It was magical, and so much fun, to be with the fire and the joy of everyone present. I highly recommend the firewalk and workshop with Heather Ash and Raven to anyone wanting more vitality and clarity," T.S., California

"The firewalk workshop was one of the most powerful, inspiring events of my
life."

"The firewalk experience has given me the courage and energy to make
concrete changes in my life that I used to only dream about."

"This workshop will help anyone achieve more."

"Encourages positive thinking and pushing the self beyond your comfort
zone."

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Firewalk $40-$60 sliding scale, $25 if you have walked with us before
please pre-register if possible so we can have an accurate count... thank you!
We take credit cards via phone and web...
To register or for more information call 415-720-6123 or visit www.creativeintent.org

Raven Smith and Heather Ash Amara inspire individuals to move beyond limiting belief systems and behaviors to live from their true, authentic center. Raven and Heather Ash’s boundless energy, humor, honesty, and ruthless compassion coupled with personal experience and insight help every person they touch to move beyond intellectual understanding into a direct connection to the joy of living from one’s true purpose. They share the most powerful tools from a variety of shamanic and healing traditions. Heather Ash and Raven are certified Firewalking Teachers through Sundoor and mentors in the Eagle Knight Lineage of don Miguel Ruiz, author of “The Four Agreements.”

DIRECTIONS: UC Davis Student Experimental Farm

Take 80 East towards Sacramento. Exit 113 North (towards Woodland), and take your first exit, Hutchison. Go right. Get in the left lane and turn left onto Extension Center Drive. Look for the signs.

A tad bit over an hours from the Bay Area

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~ Blessings and deep joy to you ~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE CENTER OF CREATIVE INTENT
offers tools and resources designed to support individuals and communities
to balance their mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical being and to
live their highest potential, now!

We honor all expressions of spirituality, and seek to create connection and
community. Our teachings draw on a wide variety of traditions, including
Toltec shamanism, European shamanism, Buddhism, and Native American
teachings.

We commit to teaching ourselves and others to live our sacred truth, and to
consciously connect with Divinity and the Earth.

May we be clear channels whose actions flow from pure intent and
open-hearted acceptance of all that is.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 0 replies

Saw Don Miguel speak last night....(thoughts)

2005-10-08T01:22:37Z

Don Miguel was here in San Francisco last night. He also brought his son, Don Jose, along.

Don Miguel spoke first about things from the "Voice of Knowledge" book, almost word-for-word. It was like hearing the book come alive, but in the guise of this smallish, plain-yet-vibrantly-alive gentleman up on stage. He had a beautiful accent!

He told us that all knowledge is lies (Dreamer: I know you were asking about the Voice of Knowledge in another thread, so this is for you!), and that to return to a truly authentic way of living, we need to return back to a place where we live in the moment, and just FEEL, and not think. It sounds radical, and I'm not sure how this would work in "daily life"...but he never quite explains that part!

The "knowledge" that we're programmed with, since we were born, is about judgement, and right and wrong, and trying to be something we are not. He tells us that we are truly authentic when we're children, when we are living in the moment and just LOVING. He tells us that we need to learn to quiet the voices in our minds (the voices of knowledge that give opinions & thoughts on things), so that we can attain the inner peace of just being PRESENT, and EXPERIENCING the world.

Then he went through the Four Agreements with us, and showed us how to take them deeper, and told us that the first agreement, Be Impeccable With Your Word, is the 'main' agreement, and the others can basically be seen as SUPPORTING that first agreement. When we are impeccable with our word, we are being true to ourselves, and loving ourselves, and being authentic..... and we are knowing that WE are the only ones who understand us, and we can't understand ANYONE else, because they make their own reality.

So if we can never understand anyone else, how could we POSSIBLY take anything they say personally? They don't know us. Their opinions don't matter!

And why make assumptions, because we can't possibly know anyone else, or assume we know what they are thinking!

And about always doing our best.... Don Miguel told us that we ARE always doing our best, but we don't KNOW we're doing our best, and a lot of shame/guilt/anger/drama comes from us beating ourselves up, and THINKING we're not doing our best.

(Sorry for this being so long..... Don Jose Ruiz, Don Miguel's son, was also there, and had some interesting things to say, but I'll save that for another post.)

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 2 replies

Increasing the percentage of "awake"?

2005-10-05T03:29:36Z

This Tribe's been dead lately, trying to stir up some discussion.

How do you, in your daily life, help increase the "Four Agreements" feeling? Do you talk to people about it? Gift the book? Live your life as a good example of The Four Agreements?

And....does it seem to work? Have you noticed any changes in your personal life, social circle, or community?

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 9 replies

Be Impeccable with your Word

2005-09-09T05:49:32Z

I hear people abuse (or not use) this Agreement when they speak to others (online and in person) and I'm frequently tempted to butt in and set them straight, particularly if I know they believe in the principles of the Four Agreements. The times I have said something, it almost never has the desired effect.

Does this ever happen to anyone else here? Also, what does this Agreement actually mean to you, to be Impeccable with your Word?

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 16 replies

Has anyone read "Beyond Fear" by Don Miguel?

2005-09-07T16:48:37Z

Has any one read "Beyond Fear" by Don Miguel Ruiz?
It's very interesting, I must say I only got 1/2 through it, because I thought I'd like to actually go in person to the pyramids in Mexico, and do the meditations and rituals there, rather than just in my mind.
The info. is fascinating though, and he definately takes it to some other levels (Almost Casteneda like/mystical).
Talking about Atlantis, the history of the world, and things like that.
What'd'yall think?

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 3 replies

Being a light of Love in the world

2005-08-27T05:41:43Z

Here's a beautiful message on Being a Light - goto www.lightmovie.com - turn
up your speakers and enjoy the words and music.

Here are the words - to the message:

You are the Light of the World

.and as such you are here to use your light to heal, transform and
transfigure anything unlike peace, love, harmony and goodwill.

That we all may have moments of peace
.and more peace.

Rather than impose your will upon conditions of lack, disease, or suffering
choose instead to think, feel and emote from an outcome in which anything
unlike what is preferred simply does not exist.

It cannot exist in your experience if you decide not to entertain it.

In doing so, you create a Quantum overlay of preferred possibilities and
probable futures.
You are the Light of the World.

You do not need the world's permission to shine your light upon the dark.

The light releases you from joining others in seductive, lower energy
vibrations. Use your light to simply transform lower energies.

This is how you heal yourself and the world. This is how you create moments
of peace.And more peace still.

Light cannot injure light
Light is injured by nothing.

Light heals all.

In the midst of shining your light
you are immune to lower energies.

You don't heal people by getting them to "get it."
You don't heal unwanted situations with people by "teaching them a lesson."

Just stand in the midst of all that you resist and instead of letting
judgement take over, put your entire focus upon the light.The light will
prevail.

You don't have to do anything more than this.

Bringing peace to the world is what your are here to do. Just shine your
light.

You know where your inner light switch is .Turn it on!

You heal and transform the entire world around you by turning ON your light.

You don't have to warn the darkness that you are coming with the light.

Just shine your light.

You are the light of the world.

And so it is.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 1 reply

interesting article- reminded me of HeatherLyn's post on "a second childhood"

2005-07-26T21:44:30Z

Why Do You Work So Hard?
Is it maybe time to quit your safe job and follow your path and infuriate the establishment?
- By Mark Morford, SF Gate Columnist
Friday, July 8, 2005

There remains this enormous and wicked sociocultural myth. It is this: Hard work is all there is.

Work hard and the world respects you. Work hard and you can have anything you want. Work really extra super hard and do nothing else but work and ignore your family and spend 14 hours a day at the office and make 300 grand a year that you never have time to spend, sublimate your soul to the corporate machine and enjoy a profound drinking problem and sporadic impotence and a nice 8BR mini-mansion you never spend any time in, and you and your shiny BMW 740i will get into heaven.

This is the American Puritan work ethos, still alive and screaming and sucking the world dry. Work is the answer. Work is also the question. Work is the one thing really worth doing and if you're not working you're either a slacker or a leech, unless you're a victim of BushCo's budget-reamed America and you've been laid off, and therefore it's OK because that means you're out there every day pounding the pavement looking for work and honing your resume and if you're not, well, what the hell is wrong with you?

Call it "the cafe question." Any given weekday you can stroll by any given coffee shop in the city and see dozens of people milling about, casually sipping and eating and reading and it's freakin' noon on a Tuesday and you're like, wait, don't these people work? Don't they have jobs? They can't all be students and trust-fund babies and cocktail waitresses and drummers in struggling rock bands who live at home with their moms.

Of course, they're not. Not all of them, anyway. Some are creative types. Some are corporate rejects. Some are recovering cube slaves now dedicated full time to working on their paintings. Some are world travelers who left their well-paying gigs months ago to cruise around Vietnam on a motorcycle before returning to start an import-export business in rare hookahs. And we look at them and go, What is wrong with these people?

It's a bitter duality: We scowl at those who decide to chuck it all and who choose to explore something radical and new and independent, something more attuned with their passions, even as we secretly envy them and even as our inner voices scream and applaud and throw confetti.

Our culture allows almost no room for creative breaks. There is little tolerance for seeking out a different kind of "work" that doesn't somehow involve cubicles and widening butts and sour middle managers monitoring your e-mail and checking your Web site logs to see if you've wasted a precious 37 seconds of company time browsing blowfish.com or reading up on the gay marriage apocalypse.

We are at once infuriated by and enamored with the idea that some people can just up and quit their jobs or take a leave of absence or take out a loan to go back to school, how they can give up certain "mandatory" lifestyle accoutrements in order to dive back into some seemingly random creative/emotional/spiritual endeavor that has nothing to do with paying taxes or the buying of products or the boosting of the GNP. It just seems so ... un-American. But it is so, so needed.

Case in point No. 1: I have this sister. She is deep in medical school right now, studying to be a naturopathic doctor at Bastyr University just outside Seattle, the toughest school of its kind in the nation, and the most difficult to get into, especially if you've had no formal medical training beforehand, as my sister hadn't.

She got in. She bucked all expectation and thwarted the temptation to quit and take a well-paying corporate job and she endured the incredibly brutal first year and rose to the top of her class. Oh and by the way, she did it all when she was over 40. With almost no money. While going through an ugly, debt-ridden divorce.

Oh you're so lucky that you have the means to do that, we think. I'd love to do that but I can't because I have too many a) bills b) babies c) doubts, we insist. We always think such lives are for others and never for ourselves, something people with huge chunks of cash reserves or huge hunks of time or huge gobs of wildly ambitious talent can do. It is never for us.

And truly, this mind-set is the national plague, a fate worse than death.

And while it must be acknowledged that there are plenty who are in such dire financial or emotional circumstances that they simply cannot bring change, no matter how much they might wish it, you still always gotta ask: How much is legit, and how much is an excuse born of fear?

The powers that be absolutely rely on our lethargy, our rampant doubts, the attitude that says that it's just too difficult or too impracticable to break away. After all, to quit a bland but stable job, to follow your own path implies breaking the rules and asking hard questions and dissing the status quo. And they absolutely cannot have that.

Case in point No. 2: I have a young and rather brilliant S.O., a specialist in goddesses and mystics and world religions, who is right now working on a book, a raw funky spirituality "anti-guide" for younger women. She took a six-month leave of absence from a very decent, reliable, friendly administrative job so as to focus on the creation of this project.

And while she has no trust fund, she does have the "luxury" of small parental loans to help her through, though it hardly matters: Giving up her respectable gig was insanely stressful and wracked with doubt. Leave a honest job? Give up paid health care? Have no reliable source of income for months on end? Trade calm stability for risk and random chance? No way, most people say. And of course, it was the absolute best choice she could've made. Time instantly became more fluid and meaningful. Mental clutter vanished. Possibility grinned.

Case in point No. 3: Not long ago, the CEO of one of the largest and most powerful international real estate firms in the nation quit his job. Stepped down. Not, as you might imagine, for retirement and not to play more golf and not to travel the world staying only in Four Seasons suites, but to work on rebuilding his relationship with his estranged wife.

My insider source tells me it was one of the most touching, and unexpected, and incredibly rare corporate memos they had ever seen. No one -- I mean no one in this culture is supposed to quit a job like that just for, what again? Love? Relationship? It's simply not done. But of course, it absolutely should be.

We are designed, weaned, trained from Day 1 to be productive members of society. And we are heavily guilted into believing that must involve some sort of droning repetitive pod-like dress-coded work for a larger corporate cause, a consumerist mechanism, a nice happy conglomerate.

But the truth is, God, the divine true spirit loves nothing more than to see you unhinge and take risk and invite regular, messy, dangerous upheaval. This is exactly the energy that thwarts the demons of stagnation and conservative rot and violent sanctimonious bloody Mel Gibson-y religion, one that would have all our work be aimed at continuously patching up our incessant potholes of ugly congenital guilt, as opposed to contributing to the ongoing orgiastic evolution of spirit.

It is not for everyone. It implies incredibly difficult choices and arranging your life in certain ways and giving up certain luxuries and many, many people seemed locked down and immovable and all done with exploring new options in life, far too deeply entrenched in debts and family obligations and work to ever see such unique light again. Maybe you know such people. Maybe you are such people.

But then again, maybe not. This is the other huge truism we so easily forget: There is always room. There are always choices we can begin to make, changes we can begin to invite, rules we can work to upset, angles of penetration we can try to explore. And if that's not worth trying, well, what is?

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 9 replies

Great post on the four agreements

2005-07-19T16:56:26Z

My friend Walking Bear just wrote this stuff on the four agreements, its a great post:

http://www.stonesoupcs.com/bbwi/Articles/sanchez/Magic.htm

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 0 replies

Divination with TFA cards

2005-07-18T11:11:40Z

There's a great deck of The Four Agreements cards (48 of 'em) that I use from time to time. They have really lovely illustrations and expand on each of the agreements in a simple but powerful way.

My reality at the moment and for the last several weeks has been recovering from a major unexpected emergency surgery where I came close to crossing over. Right now, it takes great concentration just to stand and move across the room. Also, I am psychologically having to deal with the fact that my previously "perfect" body now has a massive 25" scar all the way across it. Anyway, I decided to pull a card out of the deck, not having touched it since before the surgery. I gave them a good shuffle, cut 'em, then selected one. Here's what I got:

"Always Do Your Best: Love and Nurture Your Body"

Whoa!

On the back of the card it says, "Your own body is a manifestation of God, and if you honor your body, everything will change for you. Practice giving love to every part of your body. This will plant seeds of love in your mind, and when they grow, you will love, honor, and respect your body immensely."

You gotta love how the universe flows. Just thought I'd share!

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 0 replies

A second childhood.....? (society vs. happiness)

2005-07-18T07:07:49Z

I've been thinking about the perspective of Don Miguel, and his idea of returning to a "childlike state" as being an ideal way to be, with no judgements and basically pure love....

And then thinking about society's idea of a "second childhood"/ midlife crisis as a totally negative thing, and how society seems to frown upon anyone changing their life to try and be happier, however that change may take place.

I've noticed several times lately, society trying to beat back the nail that's reared it's head..... to grease the squeaky wheel, whatever metaphor you prefer.

Do you notice it? What do you think? Have you had people noticing your increased happiness (for whatever reason) and trying to give you a hard time about it?

I'm just curious.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 14 replies

Living TFA with a partner

2005-07-17T15:25:07Z

Hello all.

I just want to share a little about my experience embodying The Four Agreements (TFA) living with a partner who is doing the same.

We had both done quite a bit of work on ourselves before discovering the simple condensed wisdom of TFA but when it came along, it lubricated and quickened our growth.

It's great having someone close who shares the same values and is on the same path. We discuss things and keep each other in check. Not in a mean way but in a loving supportive way. We have a summary of each agreement on the fridge as a reminder and read it each day. If communication or emotions get rough, we can point to an agreement where we think the difficulty is coming from and discuss it.

If anyone does *not* have their Beloved on board with them in this regard, I highly recommend it. It's a joy!

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 0 replies

The Compassion Excercise

2005-07-05T20:39:30Z

Something that I learned in the 'the forum' (landmark education) that has helped me so mush in the world. It has helped me connect to people who I may have otherwise not felt comfortable with, and using this 'exercise / philosophy' has brought me some amazing friends as well. Enjoy~~~

by Harry Palmer

This exercise can be done anywhere people congregate.
It can be done on strangers, unobtrusively, from
some distance. Try to do all 5 steps on the same
person.

1. With attention on the person, repeat to yourself:
"Just like me, this person is seeking some happiness
for his/her life."

2. With attention on the person, repeat to yourself:
"Just like me, this person is trying to avoid
suffering in his/her life."

3. With attention on the person, repeat to yourself:
"Just like me, this person has known sadness,
loneliness and despair."

4. With attention on the person, repeat to yourself:
"Just like me, this person is seeking to fulfill
his/her needs."

5. With attention on the person, repeat to yourself:
"Just like me, this person is learning about life."

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 6 replies

"Humility" and "The Four Agreements"

2005-06-16T22:39:31Z

I spoke with someone today that said basically "humility and compassion are very attractive to me." A refresher:

(\Hu*mil"i*ty\, n.; pl. Humilities. [OE. humilite, OF. humilit['e], humelit['e], F. humilit['e], fr. L. humiliatis. See Humble.] 1. The state or quality of being humble; freedom from pride and arrogance; lowliness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth; a sense of one's own unworthiness through imperfection and sinfulness; self-abasement; humbleness.)

This intrigued me, because I don't think of "humility" as a particularly good trait in people. Don Miguel Ruiz teaches us that we are perfect, that we can basically just be pure love- 'humility' sounds very much like a societal construct that keeps us down, keeps us from attaining our true potential.

Why on earth would someone find this attractive, I wondered to myself?
(I know, to each his own, but I thought this would be a good topic for discussion)

I'd like to hear your thoughts on it.....

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 61 replies

a great email about "Humility"

2005-06-09T22:34:19Z

hello, after reading the "humilty" post, i posed an email to some very good friends of mine, I've always had positive associations with humilty. I wanted to share with you all one response that I thought captured it perfectly and lightly & in a way that many people use the term in our culture. Enjoy~~~ :) xo Sultry

"The other morning I was doing my morning practice -
meditation,breathword, energy work, manifestation
excercises....and I got into a really powerful space -
very sure and certain and fearless and as I wrapped it
up and was about to start my day, just before I opened
my eyes, my ego got a hold of this new "powerfulness"
and I started feeling like I was so hot shit.

I opened my eyes and at first glance there seemed to
be a large black spider on my leg and I freaked out in
fear and jumped and spazzed out and my tea went flying
all over myself and it wasn't even a spider - it was a
fly. I just started laughing. I went from "total hot
shit" to ridiculous fearful child in an instant. I must
surely have a long way to go to actually be fearless
or powerful.

I love how life keeps me in check. I love the lessons
of humility that seem to always present themselves
just when I need them. I love being humbled. I do not
enjoy people whose egos live in fear of humility and
don't see it as a good thing. They can't be serious.

That's my two cents.

Humbly yours,
Jeffrey"

- wasn't that great? I laughed & laughed at that :) ~sultry

> "Outside ideas of right doing
> And wrong doing,
> There is a field...
> I'll meet you there."
>
> ~Rumi

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 2 replies

Making Assumptions (discuss!)

2005-05-31T22:06:33Z

I've been meeting a lot of people recently who've been making assumptions (about me, about situations, etc), and they've mostly been WRONG, or wrong in SOME way at least.

And this wrongness could have been easily avoided, had they just asked questions instead, and clarified, rather than assuming.

When people around you assume, how do you handle it? Do you point out that they are assuming, and whether their assumption is right/wrong? Do you tell them about the Four Agreements, and how it could make their life easier? Or do you just let them do their thing, even if it's an incorrect assumption about YOU (err, since you're not taking it personally anyway, hah...)

And... when do YOU assume? Do you? Why? Are there situations where it's easier to assume, when it wouldn't make much of a difference if your assumption was wrong/right?

And finally, do you find that assumptions and judgement go hand in hand?

Just trying to stimulate some discussion in here. Feel free to respond to one or all points.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 14 replies

Being Judgemental (and letting go of it!)

2005-05-26T21:18:00Z

I have been struggling lately with being judgemental, and I'm having some issues getting over it. Maybe you folks could relate some of your issues with this, and how you are getting over (or have gotten over) them.

When others do things that I don't agree with, or things I think are illogical, I tend to be very judgemental. It feels sometimes like I can't get beyond "my way is right, and you are screwed" (which is DEFINITELY not Four Agreements!)

Part of me wants everyone to be Four Agreements all the time, and honest, and open, and always doing their best-- but another part of me realizes that 1) this will never be true, and 2) what if they ARE, and it just doesn't line up with how I would perceive it?

(i.e. their actions make sense in their realities, but not mine)

I need to work on accepting people for who they are, even if their actions/words are totally opposite anything that would ever make sense to me.

How do you let go of that?
Why is my first reaction to judge, rather than to love/accept?
(This second question is purely theoretical- I don't expect YOU to know!)

Hmmm....thanks for listening.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 37 replies

Here are the agreements.

2005-05-26T20:00:29Z

Hi.

This is wonderful Tribe idea. Thanks for inviting me Heather.

Here are the four agreements for new people who haven't read the book.

1) Be impeccable with your word.
2) Don't take anything personally.
3) Don't make assumptions.
3) Always do your best.

Emanuel

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 14 replies

Affirmations

2005-05-25T16:13:39Z

Another discussion topic that's vaguely Four Agreements related....

Do you have affirmations for yourself? If so, what are they?

If not, why not create one or two? Why not share them with us?

(A definition of affirmations that I read lately says that: "An affirmation is a positive declaration that something is already so. It can be general or very specific. It's a constructive thought that you deliberately choose to place in your consciousness to produce a desired result.")

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 8 replies

I'm SO glad to be here...

2005-05-20T19:53:13Z

I just wanted to say hello to part of my new "family". I just became involved with the Four Agreements and went to my first study group last week. WOW... the people are amazing. I'm sure that all of you are, as well.

I look forward to sharing experience, strength and hope here. I'm a sponge right now, and hungry for knowlegde. These agreements make SO MUCH sense to me.

Love and Light,

Sandi

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 6 replies

Reco the book or not?

2005-05-16T21:28:00Z

I just wanted to say thank you to the friend who recommended this book to me (Thanks Diva F). She told me to read it when I was going through a very difficult time, and it's made a big difference to me. I'm trying to only focus on 2 of the agreements right now (impeccable with my word, and not taking anything personally). I believe they have led to much suffering for me, and just being aware of those agreements, and the effect they have on my relationships has made all the difference.

I have 2 questions; first, I really want to recommend this book to others whom I feel it would benefit, but I'm not sure they're in a space that would accept the message. How have you approached that? I don't want to make assumptions about what they'll absorb, but nor do I want to be preachy to them.

Second, is there any one agreement that you feel, if you could master it, would make the biggest difference in your relationships?

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 2 replies

Angel of Death

2005-05-12T13:53:06Z

So, as I finished the book last week, I was painting the ceiling of a Lutheran church. Looking at the huge (8' tall) stained glass of the crucifix, I got to thinking about that as a symbol of the Angel of Death, and I now have a cool new angle to look at Christianity.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 2 replies

Blog Wisdom??? Love and the 2nd Agreement

2005-05-07T17:33:28Z

Hello all.

I was reading a friend's blog and found this...

"I have a theory that we can't really feel love from someone else, all we really feel is the love we have inside ourselves."

Wow. Had to think on that one a bit. I came to the conclusion/thought/theory/confusion/insanity that this fits perfectly into the 2nd Agreement "Don't take Anything Personally".

Let's see if I can say this..........whatever anyone says to me is not about me, it is about them. Conversly, anything I say about them, is really all about me.

I don't feel their love for me, They share what is going on internally for them, and I, in turn, if I agree that they do love me, feel the love within me, for me.

So, when someone tells me they love me, I don't feel THEIR love, I feel the love within me, more.

It is still about me.

Interesting. If I am understanding what the statement says, and what the 2nd Agreement says correctly.

Am I, or did I miss the point, or am I just talking in circles??

Any thoughts??

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 8 replies

Don't take anything personally...constructive critisisim

2005-04-29T05:55:45Z

Ok, I just re-read this chapter in the book, 3 times in a row.

I have a question about constructive criticism. Loving suggestions, by me to others, or from others to me.

If I am not to take anything personaly, then, how should I, or should I at all, listen to others suggestions to me, or how do they, or should they, listen to me?

It seems to me that we offer lots of constructive critisisim in this Tribe. It seems to work just fine.

I have looked all through the chapter, and don't see this being discussed at all. Maybe I am missing something.

I am all cornfused.

Please, tell me what you think. Also, if you see where in the book I overlooked this issue, please point it out to me (page ##)

Thanks in advance

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 12 replies

Something for Everyone...more Toltec books

2005-04-15T02:29:23Z

(Preface: I was going to give my opinions on the various books, but decided not to influence your own experiences of them should you decide to read them.)

If y'all liked The Toltec Way, Susan Gregg has another called Mastering the Toltec Way. (Susan was a student of don Miguel... they still lead power journeys together every so often.)

The don Miguel Ruiz list: The Four Agreements, The Four Agreements Companion Book (seriously repetitive - more like a workbook with no 'new' information...), Beyond Fear, The Mastery of Love, Prayers, Toltec Prophecies, and the most recent is The Voice of Knowledge...

Another student of don Miguel but with a Carlos Castaneda flair, Florinda Donner(Grau): The Witch's Dream, Shabono, and Being-In-Dreaming (written more in the form of novels... )

Victor Sanchez: He is in South America, I believe. His books are Toltecs of the New Millenium and The Teachings of don Carlos.

Ken Eagle Feather: A Toltec Path. He started out in Colorado, if I remember correctly, but he's been in Va. Beach for years now.

These are not in any particular order... Enjoy.

Blessing,
Yas

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 1 reply

Doing Your Best

2005-04-13T18:44:07Z

This agreement has always been the one I have a love/hate relationship with, only because when I DON'T do my best, and am feeling non-Four Agreements, it always comes to bite me in the ass.

Lately, however, I have been making a concerted effort (both in work and in relationships) to Do My Best, and it's worked wonderfully.

Relationship-wise, all my cards are on the table. I've been completely honest, upfront, and have let all my needs be known. I've Done My Best to communicate all aspects of what I expect, want, and require from the relationship, and what I will bring the relationship.

At this point, I get to sit back and realize that there is nothing more I can do. Since I've done my best, I don't need to worry, or be fearful, or wonder if there's anything else I can do. There's not, because that is My Best. I have thrown 100% of myself into it, and I am reaping the rewards of that in a stable, loving, well-examined relationship.

I just wanted to relate that, and ask you....are you doing YOUR best? And if so, how has it worked for you lately?
If not, has it bitten YOU in the ass? What can you learn from this?

Trying to get a dialogue going in this limping little tribe,

Heather

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 12 replies

The Toltec Way..new book..

2005-04-13T02:21:20Z

Hey I am reading this new book by Dr. Susan Gregg and loving it. It even has a forward by Don Miguel Ruiz. Anyone else reading or have read it? I would love to talk about how she compliments and goes into depth of living in a new way.

love~
mermaid

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 12 replies

Journey's.

2005-04-01T03:46:27Z

has anyone here been on a power journey with Don Miguel?, I have been curious about what its like.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 0 replies

love you folks for being here

2005-03-25T01:53:04Z

hugs

chat with me anytime.
:)
krista

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 5 replies

grateful for hell

2005-03-24T18:26:39Z

In waking up, and living my life in gratitude, i have become aware of how grateful i am for the times i am in hell. I had to realize i was in hell first, before I could get out of hell.....if not for hell, i would never know the amazing bliss and love of heavan. both of which, of course are choices of perception.

In Gratitude,
Sunny

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 3 replies

Toltec teacher comes to Eugene, OR

2005-03-23T17:40:35Z

Truth Beyond Mythology ~ Wisdom Beyond Agendas

Experience the teachings of Mark Bonta, Master Dreamer and Teacher trained directly by don Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements.

Mark Bonta has devoted his life to sharing the wisdom of esoteric teachings. Combining yoga, bodywork, and Toltec Dream Mastery he expresses the intensity that the truth of life has to offer, guiding individuals on the path to freedom.

Prepare to be lead on a journey into the truth. Come and spend time in the presence of a master beyond agendas and mythologies.

When:
Saturday April 2nd, 2005
10:00 AM –2:00 PM

Price:
$50.00

Contact:
Steve Lafferty (530) 472-1060 or
Tatiana Efremova (541) 510-9031

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 0 replies

Deciding to be happy

2005-03-12T03:05:49Z

OK, another post on being happy from me.... (I struggle so much with this)

I was reading a great book on the plane Monday night- it's called "Happiness is a Choice" by Barry Kaufman. He basically says that we can INSTANTLY change ourselves into happy people, just be DECIDING to be happy. It doesn't require years of therapy, struggle, pain and angst to do it-- we just need to BE happy. Our thoughts create chemical changes in our body, and deciding to be happy, and stay happy, and respond in a positive manner to all life's struggles, is much better for us.

Have you ever noticed that once you start to get frustrated/angry/upset, it feels just like a chain reaction, and it just gets worse and worse, and you seem to be spiraling downward? It's all your body's response to the anger and negativity. I really have a hard time sometimes (err, often) snapping myself out of these moods once I start getting stressed or angry, and it feels like I'm almost embarassed to STOP being angry, to just laugh it off, to just make the decision to start being happy.

Anyway, I'd recommend this book, he gives great examples, and "shortcuts" to just being happy that are very similar to the Four Agreements. It's a good companion tool.

Note: although I've been practicing this, and it feels kinda stupid at first to go around thinking "I'm happy, I'm happy, la la la, no reason to be stressed, take it easy, happy happy happy" when I really just want to go "ARRRGH!".... it's working. I can really snap myself out of being stressed-- "fake it till you make it", I guess.

Heather

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 9 replies

Women's History Month

2005-03-01T15:52:40Z

Women’s History Month
March 2005

“Women Change America”

I welcome you to Women’s History Month 2005. My proclamation is simple—to come together in Divine Consciousness as Goddesses of Mother Earth and BEcome
CHANGE

We get in the habit of looking to others to making improvements in our lives, in our country, in our world. But improvements come with change and change must first come from within. As women, as the nurturers of the world, it is especially important for us to make the changes in the way we perceive ourselves, our children, our country, and the world around us.

BEcome the positive image of womanhood to your daughters and nieces. Show them the beauty within themselves as well as on the surface.

BEcome the empowered image of motherhood to your sons and nephews. Show them the woman-strength they are to treasure in all women in the present and in their future.

BEcome the loving companion and friend to your spouse. Show them the support and guidance as an equal in humanity by being responsible for your actions and the actions of those in your charge.

BEcome the sister to all women of the world. Voice your support and add your call to end the degradation of the nameless, the faceless, the powerless. What you allow to happen to them, IS happening to you as one in Infinite Consciousness.

BEcome the pride in your advancing years towards wisdom and embrace the woman you see in the mirror. Release yourself from the pressures to remain a child-like figure.

You can’t just talk about it; you have to BE about it.
BEcome CHANGE and BE the woman you envision yourself and your world BEing.

Masani Azura, 2005

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 0 replies

How do you apply the Four Agreements?

2004-12-30T21:06:21Z

I figure this would be a good topic to get this Tribe started.

I'm still in the process of learning and making the Four Agreements a habit, and it's been tough to break some of my personal agreements that are not good for me.

The one that I seem to be applying the most recently is "Don't take anything personally". It's a struggle, because I want to take EVERYTHING personally, and I keep forgetting that everyone has their own dream, and I can take total control of MY dream.

But when someone is rude to me at work, I just brush it off. They're just rude because they've had a bad day, or have PMS, or are just taking things out on me. That's what I keep telling myself, and one day, it'll be effortless.

What about you?

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 14 replies

We use the four agreements in our MOAB.org Meetings

2004-12-30T05:13:01Z

I am part of a wonderful group in the Santa Cruz - CA area called MOAB (Men Overcoming Abusive Behavier)

We use this book extensivly, and for those who have difficulty reading, don't like to read, want something to calm them while driving (To avoid road rage) etc. We have the book on CD and Tape.

Meetings are free! and are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm

If you would like more information on MOAB, please visit http://www.MOAB.org

matt
------------------------------------------------------------------
Men Overcoming Abusive Behavior (MOAB) is a self-facilitated men’s support group. MOAB was originally founded by a few local men who endeavored to find ways to recognize and deal with their anger and the abusive behavior in their relationships. Over the years MOAB has become a safe and confidential environment to talk with other men about things that we may ordinarily harbor or conceal. Listening to others helps us to recognize our own hidden issues so they become easier to deal with.

You will hear the testimony of many men whose lives have changed in this self help group. MOAB has received positive acknowledgment from the Santa Cruz County Court System, the Probation Officers Association and Child Protective Services. The community in general speaks to the importance and effectiveness of MOAB.

Meetings are FREE (there are no dues or fees, although we do accept donations for the purchase of necessary supplies). All men are welcome to attend, the only requirement is sobriety during meeting times.

You will hear the testimony of many men whose lives have changed in this self help group. MOAB has received positive acknowledgment from the Santa Cruz County Court System, the Probation Officers Association and Child Protective Services. The community in general speaks to the importance and effectiveness of MOAB.

Meetings are FREE (there are no dues or fees, although we do accept donations for the purchase of necessary supplies). All men are welcome to attend, the only requirement is sobriety during meeting times.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 0 replies

the dream

2004-11-30T00:09:16Z

The dream. the dream of peace. the dream that keeps us all going. the River of Peace. The river of peace runeth truly over the land, and makes me laugh all to hell!
sharelove

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 1 reply

What the Bleep Do We Know?

2004-11-15T17:51:58Z

What the Bleep Do We Know?

What the Bleep Do We Know? The Movie...
Are you ready for a spiritual film that combines quantum physics, multi-dimensional visual effects and animation, a dramatic story and interviews with leading scientists and mystics?
What Happens When You Combine Today's Cutting Edge Scientists & Mystics?
Can Science And Religion Really Be On The Same Path?
www.whatthebleep.com

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 4 replies

great tribe idea!

2004-11-12T23:49:38Z

I've given this book to many people in need of psychological help and have always received wonderful feedback. It's tough to practice everyday, but just being aware of the existance of these aggreements begins the healing process.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 4 replies

joy and sorrow

2004-11-08T22:04:41Z

" When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which had given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." -Kahlil Gibran-

I hadn't read this passage in a long time and it really hit me today I sat and meditated on this for a while...I started reading The 4 agreements again recently because I felt I had fallen away from practicing the agreements and noticed how much more open and free and joyous I felt when I was.

I've been conflited over a recurring theme in my life right now...I keep asking myself how I can recapture the happiness I felt, how do I get back to reapplying the agreements with the same passion and understanding that I felt the 1st time I read it??

The answer I've come up with is...you don't, I'm a different person than I was yesterday or a month ago or a year ago, there is no finding the same passion or the same happiness for that matter. Each step in life is a journey each moment is a "new day"...live it. Find a way to appreciate even the sorrow in your life for without that you would not know the depth of your joy.

After reading this passage this morning I looked at the recent events in my life and I actually felt thankful in a way because without that I would not have realized I'd been forgeting to appreciate even the simplest things in life. Such as walking w/out pain, holding a full glass of water in my hand, the sensation of touch, even sitting, the list goes on. And with actually meditating on this passage and truley FEELING an understanding for this (not just understanding it intellectually) I felt JOY again and I felt appreciation for my sorrow.

I hope this has helped someone, I felt so strongly about it I felt I had to share it. Maybe this will help someone in applying the agreements in the book or tools from other books to help improve all of our lives.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 1 reply

When did you last BREAK your agreements?

2004-10-17T18:30:47Z

Since this tribe is so lively.....

I was staring at my 4 Agreements posted on the wall today, and thinking about the last time that I'd broken each of them. Care to share the last time you broke any/all of the Agreements, and how you got back on track (or what resulted, or what you learned.....)

Just trying to get some discussion going.

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 3 replies

What do you do to break unconscious assumptions?

2004-10-17T18:14:19Z

this is one that is hard, and everyone i've talked to about it seems to agree. It's one thing to break those conscious assumptions, fucking up the flow of conversation or emotion. But the unconscious ones seem to fuck me up. I did really well with them when i first read the book, but after a while they kinda seep back into normal processes and I don't notice them when they come up as easily.

One thing is to realize it after a problem erupts, but that's the bad way to do things.
Another is to meditate, write, self analyze, etc so you bring whatever is in you to light. Which is a much better way.
Ideally I'd like to catch them as they come up, when they come up, but that's the hard part. It's easy to fall back into behavioral cycles that you've been doing for years. Anyone have any luck with this?

thanks

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 2 replies

overnight mitote ceremony in Sonoma County June 26-27

2004-06-21T12:09:28Z

I found this on the marin events list and thought others here might want to know about it. I would attend if it were not pride weekend. Post here if any of you attend. I would love to find out how it was.

love, light, and abundance for all,
CC
______________________________________
I am very excited to announce that don Jose Luis, a powerful Toltec
teacher and son of Miguel Ruiz (author of the Four Agreements), will be
coming to : Saturday
June 26 6pm to Sunday, June 27 9am. An overnight mitote is is a powerful
ceremony that mixes periods of sleep with periods of waking ceremony.
Jose Luis brings a unique energy of his own to the Toltec work. I hope
you will be able to come. I'm attaching a flyer with more information.
To register, please contact Robin Nicolaus at dreemz@sonic.net, (707)
526-4150.

In love and light,
Jasmine Gold

A Mitote with don Jose Luis & dona Judy
Occidental, CA

"In the middle of the universe, you can find a door. When you open that
door, you enter a room. The room you find is the room you enter when you
close your eyes... don Jose Luis Ruiz" The Mitote allows you to
illuminate your awareness by shifting your regular sleeping patterns.
The Mitote ceremony will help you gain insight to the limiting
boundaries of your mind and assist you in expanding these boundaries so
that you can experience a broader and more diverse point of view of
life. The more you experience the unlimited possibilities of life, the
more you can break the self-imposed limits of your mind.

*
Call Robin at 707-526-4150 or e-mail Robin at dreemz@sonic.net
for information or reservations.
*
Cost $139.00 (deposit of $50.00 to reserve)
*
6:00 PM on Saturday, June 26 through 9:00 AM on Sunday, June 27, 2004.

*
The mitote can be compared to a huge marketplace where thousands
of people are talking at the same time, and nobody understands
each other. This is the condition of the human mind - a big
mitote, and with that big mitote we cannot see what we really are.
In India they call the mitote maya, which means illusion. It is
the personality's notion of "I am." We cannot see who we truly
are; we cannot see that we are not free.

The programming in the mind - all of those agreements we have made
- are not necessarily compatible with each other. Every agreement
is like a separate living being with its own personality. All
these little living beings create inner conflict because they are
alive and they each have a voice. There are conflicting agreements
that go against other agreements and on and on until it becomes a
big war in the mind. The mitote is the reason humans hardly know
what they want, how they want it, or when they want it. They don't
agree with themselves because there are parts of the mind that
want one thing, and other parts that want exactly the opposite.
(Through the Mitote) will we uncover all of the conflicts in the
mind and eventually make order out of the chaos of the mitote.
--From The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz

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Berkeley's Toltec Center - movie night!

2004-05-28T19:28:37Z

Hey all. Some folks are getting together in Berkeley at the Toltec Center on Monday night to watch the Tibetan Book of the Dead documentary. It's a great doc. very much in alignment with don Miguel's version of Toltec cosmology. We start at 7PM and are located at 2300 Roosevelt (@Bancroft Way). There may be a discussion afterwards.

Feel free to bring friends and snacks. There is no charge for this event.

www.tolteccenter.org
info@tolteccenter.org

posted in Living the Four Agreements - 0 replies