The Voice of Knowledge

Toltec Wisdom

by Miguel Ruiz, Janet Mills

In THE VOICE OF KNOWLEDGE, Miguel Ruiz reminds us of a profound and simple truth: The only way to end our emotional suffering and restore our joy I living is to stop believing in lies - mainly about ourselves. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, this breakthrough book shows us how to recover our faith in the truth and return to our own common sense.

Ruiz changes the way we perceive ourselves, and the way we perceive other people. Then he opens the door to a reality that we once perceived when we were one and two years old - a reality of truth, love, and joy.

Genres: Self Help, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Personal Development, Inspirational, Psychology

234 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Miguel Ángel Ruiz Macías is a Mexican author known for his teachings on Toltec spirituality and neoshamanism. Best known for his 1997 bestseller The Four Agreements, Ruiz's work is embraced by the New Thought movement and has influenced many seeking spiritual enlightenment. His books, including The Mastery of Love and The Voice of Knowledge, have helped spread Toltec wisdom worldwide. Ruiz was named one of the Watkins 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People in 2018. He also co-authored The Fifth Agreement with his son José Ruiz and has continued to write and teach on personal freedom and love.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing new here, but some good reminders all the same.

FAVOURITE QUOTE: “I don’t need to justify my love. I love you because this is my pleasure. Love coming out of me makes me happy, and it’s not important if you reject me because I don’t reject myself. In my story, I live in an ongoing romance, and everything is beautiful for me.” [p. 166]

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great spiritual book, that guides you towards going beyond identification with your mind, ego, and false beliefs. Ruiz calls the ego mind the "storyteller," and he points out it is telling lies. The book helps tame this voice in your head. The author also describes his own spiritual journey and awakening, where he reencountered love, returned to common sense, and regained his own authenticity.

The book is great for overcoming negative thoughts, and false limiting beliefs: so you can move from fear based states of being based in lies, towards love based states of being based on truth. It guides you towards being authentic, instead of pretending to be what you are not.

The author tells that we are born in truth, but then grow up to believe in lies and he says one of the biggest lies is the belief in our own imperfection. He describes, how the real you is full of love.

I recommend this book, since the spiritual truth and reality Ruiz describes is aligned with what I encountered, by grace, in my own spiritual awakening experience. Our true nature is incredible.

[Sue Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short and sweet story that really knows how to pack a punch. One that makes you sit up and think anyways. Certainly it's one that will help you retain your consciousness when you're making decisions. Because ultimately, it's all about conscious choice. Not always an easy thing to be aware of. It's really about trying to learn to be in the now and accepting who you really are without assessing yourself and others by seeing through jaded eyes. This book isn't a one time read either. I think you'll get the most out of it by keeping it as a bedside reminder. Reinforcement is a good thing!

[Constance Cates · Rating 1 out of 5]

For a book that’s supposed to be a “practical guide”, there was nothing practical about this nonsensical rambling mess of pages. I gave up reading the whole thing and just read the bullet points at the end of each chapter, and still it had no clear picture of what the hell it was supposed to be going on about. Oh, you want inner peace? Well too bad, you can’t trust yourself because of Adam and Eve.
It seemed way too pessimistic for something I thought would be soothing and relaxing (and frankly, peaceful).
For the sake of my own inner peace, I had to put this book down and call it quits.

[Justin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book to be much less useful than The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom . In this book the author seems to somewhat be making a cash grab based on previous success. The main reason I am saying this is that this book doesn't feel like its filled with love as did The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom. Also the book seems to say only one thing: that people create stories that are interpretations of reality and not reality. Hearing variations of that incessantly throughout the book made me feel like the author didn't have enough material for a book but wrote one anyway. There were sparklings of positive/loving messages throughout the book. Maybe I am just too jaded, but they didn't counter the overall vibe this book had for me.

[Vaishali · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skip this... Not nearly as timeless, intelligent, or practical as his agreements books.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with this book more than his others because he used such heavy Judeo-Christian imagery, and kept using the word "knowledge" like it was a bad thing/full of lies. I tried to see past that and found some kernels of wisdom.

I think the basic idea he's trying to convey is that we are born innocent, and then as we grow up we are socialized and taught about how to behave, etc., which turns us into different people than our true authentic selves. My only problem with this idea is that he seems to think all social norms are bad and "lies," but in reality without socialization/social norms, without rules, humans easily turn feral on one another. But I still grok the idea that social norms can also be warped by fear, the lies we tell ourselves, etc. and cause us to lead inauthentic lives.

[Carlina Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lies in our story are not important. "WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS TO ENJOY OUR TIME IN THIS REALITY, TO LIVE IN HAPPINESS WHILE WE ARE ALIVE." There is no reason for our life to be controlled by fear and lies. This book is a MUST READ. Not the type of book you want to read quickly but the type you want to take your time reading to soak up all the knowledge it has to offer. This book makes me view life a lot differently. During this read I had many moments of clarity.. it opened my eyes and it felt like a fog was lifted. It made life, and God, and people make sense. This is the type of book I think everyone should have on their book shelf. 5 STARS FOR SURE.

[Devika Koppikar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am intrigued by the concept where Ruiz states: everything we know is a projection of our perception and internalization of socialization. His analogy of comparing a painter’s art piece to our brain’s projection was amazing.

While reading this book, I was going over a unit about internal dialogue in my Speech Communication class…and the subject resonated well. In fact, I recommended it to my students as suggested reading.

However, I didn’t like that Ruiz kept referring to our internal dialogue as “lies.” Perhaps he was referring to "mind chatter" and "quieting the mind." But "lies" was a strong word. I agree that we need to produce positive impressions of ourselves, but what about self-improvement?

I did not have a chance to finish the book and perhaps will check it out again another time. But somehow, overusing the word “lies,” kept me from wanting to turn the page.

[Kat Klavon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gem for my treasure chest of books! Real clarity on the four agreements, in ways that are so perfect! I'm blessed to have been able to read this series of books. I think it is the ultimate on wisdom and will be a factor in the authentic life that I am having, so i can be happy without needing a reason to be. I want my beloveds to read this book. I hope to plant the seeds in my family because life is too amazing to be anything but unhappy! This is not a self help book, and yet, it is a true tool for living.

[R.W. Erskine · Rating 3 out of 5]

not a bad read but he repeats himself a lot to try and make a point.

for a book as the title implies should be the less said the more is said.

[Deanna]

For me, sort of an unratable meh. It was in my path, I read it. I was justly rewarded for the laziness? compulsiveness? of my choice.

[Sheelah Ingebrigtsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anything this man writes. Very simple guide on improving your life and mindset. Recommend to everyone

[Marilyn Bahena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Voice of Knowledge
The Voice of Knowledge is a non-fiction book by Don Miguel Ruiz. This book is mainly about how to stop believing lies that we believe and tell ourselves. It’s a guide to change the way we perceive ourselves and change the way we look at others. The purpose of this book is to take us back to the way we perceived the world when we were two years old.
This book begins with teaching the reader that we have our own Tree of Knowledge which is our personal belief system; it’s based on the Toltec wisdom. Toltecs were a nation of scientists and artists who formed a society based on spiritual knowledge in Southern Mexico, that was passed onto a thousand years worth of lineages of naguals. Don Miguel Ruiz is a nagual from the Eagle Night lineage and created this book because it was finally time to share their teachings with the readers. They were expected to shield their knowledge from anyone who could have miss used it for personal gain or kept from those who weren't prepared to use it wisely. The Tree of Knowledge allows us to gather information and begin to judge a situation. It lets us determine what is right and wrong, good or bad. It allows us to go through a variety of stages that allow us to think about the lies we tell ourselves all the time and that we are better than what out Tree of Knowledge tell us who we are. It’s our human mind against the truth. It’s a quest to conquer the authenticity of how we are without lies and self- doubt. I believe that the Toltec wisdom is very useful, it makes the reader really take inconsideration they way one has been living and what actions they can take to move forward after reading this book. We base things on what we have already seen and we reflect back on past experiences when we are trying to figure out how to perceive a situation or just to realize who we are. In comparison to this book I think we have our morals set up wrong, this book helps one realize the way we should perceive the world.
This is a great and impacting book overall; it makes one eager to want to keep reading and want to know how erasing the lies in our life will really impact the way you perceive yourself and others. It also shows you how to love again, to realize what the truth really is, and how to be happy in a genuine way. If you’re trying to figure out who you are as a person, then this book would be a great example. It’ll take you into a journey of realization

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was quite intriguing. The concepts taught within its pages were awe-inspiring. It really opened my mind to a new way of thinking about the Supreme Being and the meaning and purpose of each of our lives. The content presented was beautifully written and laid out in a manner conducive to an intimate understanding of oneself in relation to God and the universe. I am often amazed with how different cultures and spiritually enlightened individuals passed down their knowledge throughout the ages. Even more amazing is how easy it is to internalize the messages within these writings when one is prepared with an open heart and an open mind for gaining greater knowledge and understanding. These past few years I have been on a quest for a deeper understanding of who I am and who God is. As I have been traveling down this path new and wonderful information has been revealed to me through my studies, prayers, contemplations, reflections and meditations. I have come to discover just how much the Supreme Being loves each of us and wants to see us grow into our fullest potential.

Don Miguel Ruiz was taught by his parents and grandparents before him.

[Hugo · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The way to transform what you believe about yourself is to unlearn what you have already learned. When you unlearn, your faith returns to you, your personal power increases, and you can invest your faith in new beliefs."

"The best way to write your story is with love. Love is the material that comes directly from your integrity, from what you really are."

"When you enjoy the presence of yourself, you love yourself not because of the way you are, but because of what you are. The more you love yourself, the more you enjoy your life, and the more you enjoy the presence of everyone around you."

[Wholenewlight · Rating 4 out of 5]

If it's true that to effect the revolution "you've got to free your mind instead" as John Lennon said, then this book is a worthy place to begin. It offers a brief reprise of his first book The Four Agreements toward the end that sheds a helpful perspective on those agreements. This book is a tonic that hopefully will seep into the veins of us all.

[D'Arcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this up in two days. Many of the words echo his past works, many are new perspectives, including one on the Adam and Eve story that I found a bit compelling. You just go away from Ruiz's works feeling lighter and more alive.

[Michele Harrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. If only everyone could take hold of this concept and embrace it - we would indeed be living in heaven on earth and doing nothing but enjoying our own personal stories, and allowing others to enjoy the perfect creation of theirs. A blissful concept that I will try to embrace.

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

A question that sometimes drives me hazy: am I or are the others crazy? -Albert Einstein

[Amazingsomeone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read, "The four agreements" by the same author. All other books by this author are not good enough.

[Chetan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! In this one we Miguel Ruiz explores the "disease" of the human mind. Specifically the narrative one's own ego creates.

[Juan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Voice of Knowledge is a fascinating and thought-provoking book. I believe it came at the appropriate time in my life. Even yet, I struggled to apply the contemplative knowledge being imparted to myself since I couldn't seem to open up to it. You must be willing to hear the knowledge before you can begin to understand it. Even though I may not have fully grasped everything, it served as a useful reminder of how to live in inner peace and make an effort to lead oneself through love.

[Sidney (aka Sidsbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Voice of Knowledge by Don Miguel Ruiz eludes to the judgement we carry daily within our mind. The one that sets us up to fear, rationalise and form assumptions. While this book wasn't my favourite of Ruiz I can respect how he focused on the mind as an integral part of our internal suffering. One must learn to balance all three components that make up who we are; our mind, body and soul. This should be part of our practice.

[Doug · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am so disappointed in this book, that it is almost not worth the effort to jot down a review. For more than the first half of the book, the English is so bad that is it hard to follow and what you can follow seems to fold back over itself numerous times. Most of the time I was lost and I'm pretty sure that the author was too ... but that didn't seem to stop him from trying to move forward. At times it felt like I was reading a strange movie script, where not only does the main character constantly jump forward and backward between the present and his memories, but at times sideways through time! There's never any warning ... just ... oop different space!!!

After a little over the halfway mark, he seemed to settle into the real meat of his message, which was really no different than his book "The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom" (which I enjoyed and got quite a bit out of). And the disappointment continued, because he really didn't cover any new ground or expose any addition insight (at least not to my way of seeing it).

And then finally, depression set in as I struggled with trying to finish the last quarter of the book, because he slips back into the same "gobblety-guk" that the first half was comprised of.

One redeeming thing are the two prayers that he has put in the back of the book. They are probably useful irregardless of what your major religion may or may not be.

Unless you can get it for next to nothing ... I would not recommend spending your money here.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't agree with his premise that Satan lives in the tree of knowledge in our minds or that knowledge is bad & my life is actually a dream BUT he had some great points about how we listen to the part of ourselves that tells us how awful we are & how we believe it even though it's a lie. This book really makes you think about what you are thinking & points out that we need to respect ourselves & love ourselves & not poison ourselves or those around us with self-hatred. Though his religious beliefs & ideas are different, there are some valuable truths in this book. It gives a different perspective. Sometimes his writing is confusing & goes in circles but you get the idea.

[Ruby · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Mr. Ruiz delves into how we, as humans, have fallen victim to the negative inner voice that tells us we’re not good enough; strong enough; beautiful enough; or valuable enough. He talks of how we fall prey to believing that voice, and the voices of those in our external world, making us feel that we are not enough. This is an enlightening book that offers suggestions for silencing the inner negative voices that can often do more harm than good. This is a good read for anyone who wants to begin the process of rewriting their own “story” by taking the necessary steps to paint their own picture of their world as they want to see it. Definitely a thought-provoking read.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a real cognitive disconnect while reading this book. Ruiz uses the word "knowledge" to describe what I (and others) term ego. For me 'having a knowing' is to be connected with my inner higher self--a place beyond faith.

I appreciated his book, but if you want a book about connecting with the watcher inside who experiences the emotions that hook you, cause you to react, and create delusions to shield you from your fears, read The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael Singer. Singer's book is far more comprehensive and deep and life-enhancing than Ruiz's little tiny taste explaining how we delude ourselves.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read! This is the first time I’ve read a novel quite like this! I definitely feel clarity upon reading certain passages and strength to find inner peace. While I read it all the way through, I am sure others can read chapters whenever they feel like it. You don’t need to read it from beginning to end to receive Don Miguel Ruiz’s message. Unfortunately, I found myself rushing through this to finish it, which may have prevented me from fully enjoying its contents. I know I’ll be opening it up again whenever I wish to have tranquility within myself. I recommend it!

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like what Ruiz has to say about "The Storyteller". This is the idea that we are all here writing our own story. The way your story unfolds is entirely up to you, and everyone else is also writing their own story. Another person's perception of life is up to them to write the way they see it. It is not your job to change their beliefs. The key is to focus on your own life, perform your own goodness in this world with your own pen, and love people in whatever story they are writing.