My Journey on The Toltec Path ( Part 2)

After reading all of don Miguel’s books I became very serious about my path of freedom. I was not satisfied just learning the material, I wanted to work it, live it, and achieve the quality of life that don Miguel clearly reflects in everything he does.

Not long after reading The Four Agreements, I learned that I could meet don Miguel and participate in his Circle of Fire Ceremony in Nunnelly, Tennessee. That was a trip that I will never forget!

There were many great teachers there giving presentations and sharing their wisdom and one of them was don Miguel’s son; Jose Ruiz. One day shortly after Jose had delivered an excellent speech I approached him and thanked him for being there. He turned and while looking deeply into my eyes with a smile that I will never forget, he put his hand on my shoulder and thanked me for being there. It was a simple gesture, but it was so powerful and there was something to it that I just could not define with words.

A few months later I realized why my experience with Jose was so powerful. He was reflecting everything that a man who has personal freedom has. His eyes were filled with complete unconditional love and acceptance for me even though I was a complete stranger. There were no walls, no barriers, nothing to hide in those eyes. His smile was so complete, pure and genuine. He was radiating his authenticity in a way that I had never seen from anyone before. Later on I decided that my goal was to be able to reflect that kind of authenticity, love, and acceptance not only to others, but to myself.

One day don Miguel was speaking and he asked the crowd “ Why am I here?” Then he paused silently for a moment and then he said “ what is my purpose?” I can imagine there were a lot of people thinking “ why is he asking us that?” After another momentary pause he said “ I am here to enjoy life! My purpose here on earth is to enjoy life, it is as simple as that!”

I found what he said to be extremely powerful. Here was a man who is one of the most important teachers of our time and he is saying that his purpose is simply to enjoy life!

We were all probably taught that our purpose in life was to serve a career, reproduce and support a maniacal consumerist munching machine. That’s what I grew up thinking anyway and I tried to live that purpose and even though I did have moments of true happiness, they were mere drops in a bucket full of suffering. I spent 32 years of my life working jobs that provided little or no rewards other than a paycheck. I spent 22 years of my life learning how to enjoy life and that helped, but I was not truly living my purpose like Miguel was suggesting. I was distracted by the American Dream which is not necessarily laser-focused on enjoying life.

What better purpose can there be than to enjoy life? My enjoyment in life is highest when I am doing what I love. I love to write, teach, mentor, and coach. Therefore, in doing what I love, I not only serve my purpose to enjoy life, I serve a purpose in helping others to do the same.