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By Kaye Berjot
Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. is a Nagual, a Toltec Master of Transformation, and author of his third book, The Mastery of Self: A Toltec Guide to Personal Freedom. I recently was able to have a phone conversation with Don Miguel about his inspirations in creating the book, and the message that he delivers in it. He takes a Toltec philosophy of the Dream of the Planet, and offers us a road map to reclaiming our Authentic Self. He reveals how the tools of awareness, understanding, and unconditional love can free us from any inhibiting beliefs, stories, or ideas that are keeping us from living our best life possible.
In October 22, Don Miguel will lead his second course at the Infinity Foundation, in Highland Park. During this session, one can expect to understand the principles of The Mastery of Self, and start experiencing them.
Kaye Berjot: What inspired you to write The Mastery of Self? And why now?
Don Miguel Ruiz Jr: This book has been a long time in the making. I originally started it while writing The Five Levels of Attachment: Toltec Wisdom for the Modern World. At the time The Five Levels of Attachment was the focus, and The Mastery of Self was a separate topic. It was only recently that I was able to complete the book, so that is the reason for releasing it at this point in time.
KB: Can you tell us a little about the course that you will be leading at the Infinity Foundation on October 22?
MR: Yes, I’m excited to have been asked to return to the Infinity Foundation. The course will be on the topic of The Mastery of Self, and I will be using the principles from the book. Every class is different. Therefore, I really rely upon the energy of the room to help guide the class.
KB: In the book you talk a great deal about domestication. What is the difference between domestication and boundaries?
MR: Domestication is the primary system of control, and has a reward or punishment system in place. Boundaries are different, in that they are there to protect.
KB: How does one manage The Mastery of Self without damaging the relationships around them?
MR: Relationships require renegotiation. For some relationships, the renegotiation naturally happens, yet for some they do not, and they require some sort of relearning of how to be in the relationship. I speak about this in the book.
KB: What is the difference between a spiritual person on this journey, and someone in the academic layer?
MR: With The Mastery of Self, any of these individuals can utilize the principles of the book. The difference in the spiritual community is that many of the terms and concepts are already understood; whereas within the professional academic setting, the principles are applied differently, yet the meaning remains the same, and can be mapped back to the terms used within their professions.
KB: In the book you start out by mentioning the Toltec Warrior, and the things that take place when she starts out on her journey. How does the feminine play a role in the Toltec tradition?
MR: Throughout the book the feminine and masculine terms are interchanged. I started with the feminine because I learned about the Toltec traditions from my grandmother, Madre Sarita, and my father, Don Miguel Ruiz. It was intentional on my part to begin with the feminine aspect, because she is the representation of the Toltec Warrior at the beginning. I am helping to fulfill her (Madre Sarita’s) goals in sharing the Toltec traditions with as many people on the journey as possible, because in the past these traditions were only able to be passed down to certain people. It was my grandmother’s dream to pass them along to everyone.
Kaye Berjot is a freelance writer, astrologer, and creator of AskKaye. Read more insightful articles, weekly astrology, and future plans at: AskKaye.com.
