The Voice of Knowledge: A Practical Guide to Inner Peace [Paperback]

Don Miguel Ruiz (Author), Janet Mills (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2004 | Series: Toltec Wisdom

The Voice of Knowledge is the fourth book in the Toltec Wisdom series by the best-selling author of The Four Agreements. Don Miguel Ruiz explores the concept of "impeccability of the word" as a simple yet potent prescription for countering the judgmental inner "voice of knowledge." Adhering to "the word" - saying only what you mean, refusing to speak against you - allows anyone to transform those inner tyrannical thoughts into a voice of self-trust and integrity. Knowledge then becomes an ally, and life becomes an expression of the authentic self.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

As little children we know how to live in the moment and be completely authentic. But then something damaging happens to us, according to author Don Miguel Ruiz: we are given "knowledge" about how to live in the world. Parents tell us how to behave in order to be a "good" boy or girl. Teachers tell us what it takes to be a "winner" or a "successful" adult. This collective "voice of knowledge" is not only false--it is often poisonous, explains Ruiz, bestselling author of The Four Agreements. It makes us believe that "I am not the way I should be; it is not okay to be me." Drawing upon the story of Adam and Eve, Ruiz refers to the forbidden tree of knowledge and likens the abandonment of the true self to the fall from heaven. What Ruiz calls "the voice of knowledge" others spiritual teachers might call ego--the hidden and carefully defended belief system that prevents us from living and expressing who we really are. "The structure of our knowledge makes us feel safe….When we discover that we are not what we believe we are, the foundation of our entire reality begins to collapse." In the Toltec tradition, Ruiz says every human is an artist, "and the supreme art is the expression of the beauty of our spirit." He explains that there are two kinds of artists: "the ones who create their story without awareness, and the ones who recover awareness and create their story with truth and love." The recovering of awareness is what this fourth book in the Toltec Wisdom series is all about. This makes for a good bedside spiritual growth book. Each chapter closes with "Points to Ponder"--summary thoughts to sleep upon as you create the more authentic story of your life. --Gail Hudson

From Publishers Weekly

With more than 2.7 million copies of his The Four Agreements sold, Ruiz returns to readers with a new volume that presents his latest thoughts on the ways and means of inner knowledge and healing. Written in the first person with frequent apostrophic addresses ("You need to challenge every belief that you use to judge yourself, to reject yourself, to make yourself little"), the book moves gracefully and anecdotally from "Adam and Eve: The Story from a Different Point of View" to "The Tree of Life: The Story Comes Full Circle," with 10 chapters in between, including "The Lie of Our Imperfection," a chapter that covers "emotional pain as a symptom of abuse" and one on "Writing Our Story with Love," with frequent stops for "Points to Ponder." For Ruiz, life can be a matter of storytelling, to ourselves and to others. His reflections on the process of how people tell these stories, and how they can change their narratives, draw on the lore of his native Mexico and feel both centered and earned.
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Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Amber-Allen Publishing; 1ST edition (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1878424548
• ISBN-13: 978-1878424549
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.8 x 7.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Epistemology
  • #55 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Ethics & Morality

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

183 of 188 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars More Useful Wisdom April 1, 2004

By Aubrey Wade

Format:Paperback

Days after finishing the new offering from don Miguel Ruiz and Janet Mills, I found the essence of its meaning reaffirmed time and again, and frequently "heard" the teaching in the middle of daily issues or challenges. Just like the wonderful "Four Agreements", this book presents valuable lessons for practical use with everyday living.

We learn in Chapter One that the "Voice of Knowledge" is not a benevolent one, but the incessant chattering that humans unconsciously perpetuate daily, the "...voice in our head. You can call it thinking. I call it the voice of knowledge." (Ch. 1) Ruiz' descriptions of his grandfather's teachings are an immediate wonderful antidote to the wearying Voice of Knowledge that we so often succumb to. His words are beautiful encouragement to rediscover the wonder of childhood. One of his great lines sticks with me: "Faith is the power of creation that all humans have, and it doesn't have anything to do with religion." He goes on to describe the difference between having faith in one's own goodness versus believing the lies of others who might convince us we're not good enough or smart enough.
The realizations that Ruiz experiences in Chapter 4, A Night in the Desert, are an inspiring description of one mind grasping the Truth of the Ages. His account of experiencing the universe experiencing him is an eloquent and understandable report of an epiphany that's a joy to read. I call page 47 the "truth page". Soon after this exhilarating evening in the desert, we learn about the "Storyteller", the essence of the Voice of Lies that pervades our consciousness all too often. I think "storyteller" is an apt term for that demon we all wrestle with - Little mind, monkeymind, maya, etc. etc. The authors do a fine job of offsetting the depressing strength and pervasiveness of Storyteller with thoughtful conversation about faith and intent. Suggestions for transforming the storyteller, and the beautiful descriptions of love, wrap this valuable book up and leave one with a sense of relief and anticipation - this world is full of beauty, hope and possibility.

If you're interested in this book, chances are you gravitate towards inspirational reading. We've all read books that promise great healing, wisdom and illumination, but not all deliver on their grand guarantee. The litmus test of a true work of useful wisdom is whether the material is applicable in mundane, real-world situations. I've had a dozen instances of hearing the words of "The Voice of Knowledge" in everyday situations in my life, and a month later, I return to re-read my favorite parts just for the fortification. The ancient wisdom to be learned from the worlds' great Speakers is here, portrayed in a relevant, and sometimes lyrical, manner.

135 of 138 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gift of Truth for Humanity. 10 Stars! March 18, 2004

By Barbara Rose VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Don Miguel Ruiz has brought us all a gift to reclaim our own truth, from within our own hearts rather than listen to the `voice of knowledge' that so many people have destroyed when they give their own `knowledge' to you.
This wonderful book will help you shatter the judgment, self-recrimination, and denial of your greatest attributes that you have taken on from others, and have even learned to deny within your own self.

The only truth is that which you were born with. Don Miguel Ruiz helps you to re-connect to the Divine attributes and qualities that you DO hold within, despite what other's tell you, and despite what you may have `learned' to tell yourself.
This book will help you open up to the wondrous being you are, so you can align with your OWN truth, soar in your life, unattached to outcomes, and love yourself in the joy-filled process you deserve.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants to claim his or her authentic self.
Barbara Rose, author of "Stop Being the String Along: A Relationship Guide to Being THE ONE" and 'If God Was Like Man'
Editor of inspire! magazine

114 of 116 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Follow Up to The Four Agreements March 17, 2004

By Allan Hardman

Format:Paperback

"The Voice of Knowledge" is a wonderful companion to "The Four Agreements" by Miguel Ruiz. In this simple and concise book, don Miguel shares many of the experiences and breakthroughs that led to his being the Artist of the Spirit that he is today. Woven through his personal story is the story of The Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden, and the Fallen Angel (the serpent, the parasite, the devil) who lives in the tree. The Fallen Angel has forgotten the message of love that angels deliver, and is now telling lies ("The Voice of Knowledge"). When we eat the fruit of this tree, the lies grow in us, and our mind becomes another Tree of Knowledge, feeding the lies to others.

It is through learning AND believing the real truth about who we are as Divine beings, that we find our way back to the Tree of Life in the Garden. There we eat the fruit of Life itself. Ultimately, we become true Angels (which means "messengers") and our message is one of absolute unconditional love.

In the chapter near the end called "Opening Our Spiritual Eyes" don Miguel writes: "When you open your spiritual eyes, the first thing you say is 'I am with God and the angels. I am in heaven, in paradise, where everything is so beautiful. . .there is no place for fear or suffering. It's just beautiful.'"

This beauty would seem to be our true legacy here as humans in this beautiful garden. When we open our spiritual eyes, we have a chance to perceive directly all the beauty that is here, without judgement or resistance to the Truth.

I urge you to read this book (and the others by Miguel Ruiz) if your desire is to feel more connected to Life, to feel empowered to create your life the way you want it, to know your own precious Divinity and perfection, and to be always happy.

Don't miss this chance to re-claim the truth of who you really are, and live in Heaven on Earth !!