The Mastery of Love: A Practical Guide to the Art of Relationship: A Toltec Wisdom Book [Paperback]

don Miguel Ruiz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 1999 | Series: Toltec Wisdom

In a refreshingly honest investigation of the true nature of love, don Miguel Ruiz brings to light the commonly held fallacies and misplaced expectations about love that permeate most relationships. In the tradition of Carlos Castaneda, he uses inspirational stories to impart the wisdom of three fundamental Toltec masteries (Awareness, Transformation, and Love). The themes explored include the Toltec wisdom of the heart, the track of love, and the war of control.

Editorial Reviews

From AudioFile

The human mind is afflicted with a disease called fear--a chronic vigilance about being hurt that causes negative behaviors. The author says that awareness, freedom, and love are the essence of who we really are, and are central to the Toltec tradition, which was practiced in southern Mexico by ancient artists and scientists. There are both mental health and spiritual aspects to these teachings, which emphasize the ways we distort life's potentials and diminish our own power. Though Ruiz is an excellent and compact writer, his message of opportunity falls short of inspiring in this recording by two otherwise talented actors. The narration makes the work sound uneven and overly intellectual. T.W. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: Amber-Allen Publishing (March 30, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1878424424
• ISBN-13: 978-1878424426
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.8 x 6.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (257 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,371 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Consciousness & Thought
  • #25 in Books > Self-Help > Relationships > Marriage
  • #41 in Books > Self-Help > Relationships > Love & Romance

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

460 of 467 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Short and Powerful - Highly Recommend December 13, 2000

By J. Charles Hansen

Format:Paperback

Reading this concise book I had the feeling that I was glimpsing real wisdom, not psychobable or "self-help".

Don Miguel Ruiz takes his interpretation of Toltec wisdom explained beautifully in his previous work "The Four Agreements" and applies these concepts to the realm of human relationships. Ruiz has an easy writing style that is very accessible and a joy to read numerous times.

This is a book you can finish in an afternoon sitting, yet it's simple truths have the potential to alter profoundly how you view loving relationships as well as your relationship with yourself. There's a lot here. I've read this twice and it's spoken directly to me in ways beyond what I can explain in this review.

Don Miguel teaches through parable and direct suggestion the transforming power of self-love. He says that all relationships start with you, and how you feel about yourself. You will allow just as much abuse and what he calls "emotional poison" as you inflict upon yourself. A truly loving relationship requires self love - which is so lacking in most of us. Ruiz compares the ideal relationship to the one we have with out pet - say our dog. The relationship with our dog is perfect because we get exactly what we expect from our dog. We never wish that our dog would be better at being a dog, and we love it freely just as it is. Yet with our mate we tend not to accept them as they are, we expect them to be different, to act in ways they would not naturally act. Then we are unhappy with them. We think we are in love with them, but really we're in love with how we want them to be. He says that we do not truly accept this person we say we love because we don't accept ourselves.

Ruiz tell us that humans hunt for love because we don't have it. We don't have it within ourselves. We hunt for love from other humans who also don't love themselves and are also on the love hunt. Then we are surprised and upset that we don't get the love we want from them, and they feel the same. So true! Other people don't have the love we need, only we do.

Don Miguel ends the book with a guide to healing our "emotional body" and also prayers for ourselves.

114 of 114 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book will change your life! March 5, 2004

By Nick

Format:Paperback

I have read both this book and The Four Agreements several times now and each time I learn something new. After reading this book, you feel that you are completely in control of your life, and of the consequences of the choices you make. This book not only teaches you how to improve the relationships of people in your life, but, more importantly, it teaches you how to improve the relationship you have with yourself. It is well written and read very easily in a few days time. Each time I start to read this book, I don't want to put it down.

When I review a book, I usually like to say at least one thing that could be improved about the book. However, with this book, I can only say good things. It's well worth the money, and well worth the time to read. I have recommended it to several of my friends, telling them if it doesn't change their life, I will reimburse them for the cost of the book. So far, I haven't had to reimburse a single person!

474 of 517 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars About unconditional love November 14, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I particularly like what the the aurhor says about unconditional love. I think we have to understand the God loves us unconditionally before we can practice this concept. I learned about God unconditional love in the book and the Book An Encounter With a Prophet which removed all of the support for the negative concepts I had about God. I highly recommend both books.