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The Toltec Way: A Guide to Personal Transformation
The gift of Toltec wisdom is in being able to transcend ordinary human awareness and achieve personal freedom. Simply put, personal freedom is the ability to choose how to act rather than react to the events in your life. The three Toltec Masteries of Awareness, Transformation, and Intent are the key to transcending your limitations and experiencing yourself as the creator of your life. This great teaching tradition has been handed down for many centuries.
The Toltec A Guide to Personal Transformation is about rediscovering your true self and living at peace with the world around you. It emphasizes the need to take personal responsibility for the choices in your life and the freedom that you attain by doing so. Through exercises and guided meditations, it offers you a way to get started on your journey from its opening pages. And because the wisdom to be learned is often best encountered indirectly, you will find that some of the most important knowledge is hidden in the parable-like teaching stories that are woven into the text.
Not only does Dr. Gregg gently lead the reader to the attainment of the three Toltec Masteries, but she infuses the wisdom of the Masteries with a profound sense of oneness with the world. Dr. Gregg's message and techniques will unlock the door to the discovery of the loving, serene person residing within.
The Toltec A Guide to Personal Transformation is about rediscovering your true self and living at peace with the world around you. It emphasizes the need to take personal responsibility for the choices in your life and the freedom that you attain by doing so. Through exercises and guided meditations, it offers you a way to get started on your journey from its opening pages. And because the wisdom to be learned is often best encountered indirectly, you will find that some of the most important knowledge is hidden in the parable-like teaching stories that are woven into the text.
Not only does Dr. Gregg gently lead the reader to the attainment of the three Toltec Masteries, but she infuses the wisdom of the Masteries with a profound sense of oneness with the world. Dr. Gregg's message and techniques will unlock the door to the discovery of the loving, serene person residing within.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2000
31 people are currently reading
1692 people want to read
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January 4, 2025
This book had interesting ideas on how our subconscious mind and internal chatter works and how to minimize "inner chatter" so one can focus on the "here and now" instead of dialogues from the past and present. I speak a little about internal dialogue with my communication students, so some of the hints were helpful.
I have mixed ideas about her "Book of Freedom," which is basically a diary where you write all your thoughts, frustrations, hopes, and dreams. In theory, it's a great idea. I've seen the power of writing to overcome problems. However, some of the methods were impractical. She said, for example, to take the "Book of Freedom" with you everywhere you go and whenever you have an intense thought, to write about it. Well, I have many concerns with this concept. If you end up leaving the notebook at a work meeting or on your office desk and someone finds it, you could get in trouble. The same is the case at home - if you write a passing thought about how you feel about a family member, and they see it, it might be taken in the wrong way. I also didn't like that Gregg said one needs to follow the "Book of Freedom" methods "as is." Well, for reasons noted above, it is not the best idea. Finally, writing something like this takes a lot of work. It might be a good idea for someone taking time off to "find himself/herself," or someone who is retired. Otherwise, most people don't have the time or energy to do it. Furthermore, even if they "made" the time, it would be too risky.
However, I like the overall idea of writing your thoughts and working them out before communicating them out loud. It might be helpful if Gregg would create an online template and a 30-day challenge for doing the Book of Freedom to help keep one on track. That said, I often write in diaryland.com, an online diary, which no one can find. I don't even have my real name....and that makes it safe. Perhaps Gregg could create something like that. For now, I use this site to write my "Book of Freedom."
Another critique about the Book of Freedom: she suggests writing letters to everyone who's harmed you. Fine. I agree with that concept. But then she says: send it to them. Is she out of her mind? Although she says your newfound mindset would help you cope with these people, why open a new can of worms? While you yourself might have grown, you might bring some painful and difficult emotions for others, who might have moved on. Why drudge up such nonsense? Also, how much time would that take? You would focus on the past instead of the future.
A final critique about the overall book is the "Toltec Way." Although she alludes to the Toltecs, she never discusses how the Toltecs used these methods. What I mean is, did they write down all this on paper and pencil or another medium? I would like to know that. This is more of a self-improvement/soul-searching book, rather than anything about the Toltecs.
She does have a few Native American stories, but they are more of a distraction than adding any value to the book. I mostly skipped them.
Overall, I think this was a positive book and I might check it out again. Maybe a second read will give some ideas on how to more efficiently approach the “Book of Freedom.”
I have mixed ideas about her "Book of Freedom," which is basically a diary where you write all your thoughts, frustrations, hopes, and dreams. In theory, it's a great idea. I've seen the power of writing to overcome problems. However, some of the methods were impractical. She said, for example, to take the "Book of Freedom" with you everywhere you go and whenever you have an intense thought, to write about it. Well, I have many concerns with this concept. If you end up leaving the notebook at a work meeting or on your office desk and someone finds it, you could get in trouble. The same is the case at home - if you write a passing thought about how you feel about a family member, and they see it, it might be taken in the wrong way. I also didn't like that Gregg said one needs to follow the "Book of Freedom" methods "as is." Well, for reasons noted above, it is not the best idea. Finally, writing something like this takes a lot of work. It might be a good idea for someone taking time off to "find himself/herself," or someone who is retired. Otherwise, most people don't have the time or energy to do it. Furthermore, even if they "made" the time, it would be too risky.
However, I like the overall idea of writing your thoughts and working them out before communicating them out loud. It might be helpful if Gregg would create an online template and a 30-day challenge for doing the Book of Freedom to help keep one on track. That said, I often write in diaryland.com, an online diary, which no one can find. I don't even have my real name....and that makes it safe. Perhaps Gregg could create something like that. For now, I use this site to write my "Book of Freedom."
Another critique about the Book of Freedom: she suggests writing letters to everyone who's harmed you. Fine. I agree with that concept. But then she says: send it to them. Is she out of her mind? Although she says your newfound mindset would help you cope with these people, why open a new can of worms? While you yourself might have grown, you might bring some painful and difficult emotions for others, who might have moved on. Why drudge up such nonsense? Also, how much time would that take? You would focus on the past instead of the future.
A final critique about the overall book is the "Toltec Way." Although she alludes to the Toltecs, she never discusses how the Toltecs used these methods. What I mean is, did they write down all this on paper and pencil or another medium? I would like to know that. This is more of a self-improvement/soul-searching book, rather than anything about the Toltecs.
She does have a few Native American stories, but they are more of a distraction than adding any value to the book. I mostly skipped them.
Overall, I think this was a positive book and I might check it out again. Maybe a second read will give some ideas on how to more efficiently approach the “Book of Freedom.”
December 8, 2019
Was it easy to read: Yes. The book is short and not complicated.
What I liked about it: WHAT the book was saying. The ideas correspond well with the usual advice of well-being experts: meditation, journaling, focusing on what matters to you instead of what others think, taking full responsibility for your life, understanding that most things depend on our point of view etc. I like to re-read these advice in various forms from time to time, cos they are easy to forget and hard to make a habit of.
What I disliked: HOW the book was saying it. The ideas were conveyed as wisdom of Toltec culture. Instead of framing the final goal as well-being something like “unleashing the deity in you” was used. There were few hard to believe stories of magical healing.
All in all, I took this book from my sister’s esoteric books library in order to read something outside of my usual bubble and get to know the stories she is into. I was pleasantly surprised that in spite of the form how these advices are delivered, they seem to be really legit. And maybe there is no harm in it, if it is easier for some people to follow good habits when they believe these are ancient wisdom.
Ideas/ Quotes:
“Manau, sutiksite, kad mūsų visuomenė yra pagrįsta dominavimo samprata, kuria vadovaudamiesi visada esame priešingoje ko nors pusėje. Remiantis šia samprata, kažkas yra geresnis už jus arba prastesnis, įvykiai ir veiksmai yra teisingi arba ne, o žmonės yra turtingesni arba neturtingesni. Beveik neįmanoma jaustis saugiai ar atsipalaiduoti, kai pasaulis yra jūsų priešininkas.”
“Kitas aspektas gyvenant dominavimo gyvenimą yra asmeninės svarbos sąvoka. Kai galvojate apie savo svarbą, visą laiką vertinate save ir kitus. Jūsų pagarba priklauso nuo išorinių šaltinių ir yra trumpalaikė.”
“Visi mūsų trūkumai slypi mūsų protuose ir yra mūsų pačių sprendimų rezultatas. Būdas, kuriuo mąstome apie įvykius savo gyvenime, lemia mūsų sprendimus. Kaip apie viską galvojame yra mūsų įsitikinimų, prielaidų ir susitarimų su savo pasauliu ar dėl savo pasaulio rezultatas. Mes neturim ryšio su realybe. Mes bendraujame su filtrų sistema.”
“Mes manome, kad mūsų emocijas sužadina kiti žmonės ar išoriniai įvykiai, tačiau iš tiesų jas kuria tai, ką sakome sau apie įvykius mūsų gyvenime.”
“Išorinių dalykų, visko, kas yra “ten”, neįmanoma pakeisti. Pakeisti įmanoma tik savo išorinio pasaulio suvokimą ir atsaką į jį.”
What I liked about it: WHAT the book was saying. The ideas correspond well with the usual advice of well-being experts: meditation, journaling, focusing on what matters to you instead of what others think, taking full responsibility for your life, understanding that most things depend on our point of view etc. I like to re-read these advice in various forms from time to time, cos they are easy to forget and hard to make a habit of.
What I disliked: HOW the book was saying it. The ideas were conveyed as wisdom of Toltec culture. Instead of framing the final goal as well-being something like “unleashing the deity in you” was used. There were few hard to believe stories of magical healing.
All in all, I took this book from my sister’s esoteric books library in order to read something outside of my usual bubble and get to know the stories she is into. I was pleasantly surprised that in spite of the form how these advices are delivered, they seem to be really legit. And maybe there is no harm in it, if it is easier for some people to follow good habits when they believe these are ancient wisdom.
Ideas/ Quotes:
“Manau, sutiksite, kad mūsų visuomenė yra pagrįsta dominavimo samprata, kuria vadovaudamiesi visada esame priešingoje ko nors pusėje. Remiantis šia samprata, kažkas yra geresnis už jus arba prastesnis, įvykiai ir veiksmai yra teisingi arba ne, o žmonės yra turtingesni arba neturtingesni. Beveik neįmanoma jaustis saugiai ar atsipalaiduoti, kai pasaulis yra jūsų priešininkas.”
“Kitas aspektas gyvenant dominavimo gyvenimą yra asmeninės svarbos sąvoka. Kai galvojate apie savo svarbą, visą laiką vertinate save ir kitus. Jūsų pagarba priklauso nuo išorinių šaltinių ir yra trumpalaikė.”
“Visi mūsų trūkumai slypi mūsų protuose ir yra mūsų pačių sprendimų rezultatas. Būdas, kuriuo mąstome apie įvykius savo gyvenime, lemia mūsų sprendimus. Kaip apie viską galvojame yra mūsų įsitikinimų, prielaidų ir susitarimų su savo pasauliu ar dėl savo pasaulio rezultatas. Mes neturim ryšio su realybe. Mes bendraujame su filtrų sistema.”
“Mes manome, kad mūsų emocijas sužadina kiti žmonės ar išoriniai įvykiai, tačiau iš tiesų jas kuria tai, ką sakome sau apie įvykius mūsų gyvenime.”
“Išorinių dalykų, visko, kas yra “ten”, neįmanoma pakeisti. Pakeisti įmanoma tik savo išorinio pasaulio suvokimą ir atsaką į jį.”
April 12, 2020
I received this book as an advanced reader earlier this year. I started reading it right away. I was loving it! Then spring break was coming up and I was going to take 10 days off of work to spend with my kids. In the weeks leading up,I had to work my business harder to be able to take my days off without leaving things in chaos, so I had to put the book down. During spring break COVID-19 became very real in the U.S., and was predicted to become very real in our state in the next couple of weeks. My kids did not return to school after spring break due to closing, my spouse didn’t go back to work due to closing and I could no longer work my business seeing clients due to social distancing. Needless to say, I’ve spent the last month reinventing my business so I could start creating an income again and getting organized in our new normal way of living.
Today I was finally able to pick up the book again. I believe that things happen in perfect timing and where I am in the book today is perfect for where I am in life right now, though I feel bad for being behind on putting out a review. I am not even half way yet, but wanted to share what I think already to get the word out. I believe this is already one of my new favorite books!
No matter your religious beliefs, this book unites all beliefs! It is a beautiful book. I’m feeling very inspired to better myself and this book is a great guide, tool and inspiration. If you are ready for personal transformation, I with all my heart recommend this book!
I will add to the review as I continue to read, practice and finish the book.
4/12/20 - Breath work has bee on my list of things to start practicing and love how emotionally productive the breath work being taught in the book is.
The Toltec Way: A Guide to Personal Transformation
Today I was finally able to pick up the book again. I believe that things happen in perfect timing and where I am in the book today is perfect for where I am in life right now, though I feel bad for being behind on putting out a review. I am not even half way yet, but wanted to share what I think already to get the word out. I believe this is already one of my new favorite books!
No matter your religious beliefs, this book unites all beliefs! It is a beautiful book. I’m feeling very inspired to better myself and this book is a great guide, tool and inspiration. If you are ready for personal transformation, I with all my heart recommend this book!
I will add to the review as I continue to read, practice and finish the book.
4/12/20 - Breath work has bee on my list of things to start practicing and love how emotionally productive the breath work being taught in the book is.
The Toltec Way: A Guide to Personal Transformation
July 25, 2023
This book was a good reminder that our thoughts direct our lives. She reinforced this on page 154 when she wrote about how “Our life is like a movie.” The author suggests several writing and meditation exercises to clarify how we perceive the people and experiences of our lives. Overall, this was a good book to read as I continue to ponder what and how I want my life to be.
December 22, 2016
This is an excellent book as a companion to the Four Agreements, since it expands those ideas with a very different voice that is a bit more focused on implementing those changes than on simply laying them out. There is a brief biographical section at the beginning, this is mostly about helping you figure out how to implement some of the changes of adopting this world-view. I am not sure I would start here, but that might be my own preference for theory before implementation.
February 10, 2020
Interesting take on taking responsibility for your own life
May 26, 2020
As with the majority of such books, it is not so much actual ancient teachings as it is “This is how I do it.” Which may be ok, but somewhat misleading. Still, if your looking for a self-help guide to inner peace, this will help.
“The Book of Freedom” section was interesting and something I think I will try, at least the first of the morning, end of the day journaling. Maybe the biography, too. Getting on in years, might be fun for those left over.
Could have done with less of the anecdotal and repetitive, or the overwritten “stories” that filled more space than needed.
Broken down, basically, into the three Masteries: Awareness, Transformation, and Intent with each chapter pertaining to them giving how to and personal reflections.
In the Introduction chapter, I loved her line “What we see is our filter systems version of reality.”
It is in The Toltec Tradition chapter that follows that there is a glimpse into their ancient knowledge. From there, it’s more of the author’s take on what she was taught.
The meditations at the end can be useful to the novice. Also included is a glossary and some suggested reading.
“The Book of Freedom” section was interesting and something I think I will try, at least the first of the morning, end of the day journaling. Maybe the biography, too. Getting on in years, might be fun for those left over.
Could have done with less of the anecdotal and repetitive, or the overwritten “stories” that filled more space than needed.
Broken down, basically, into the three Masteries: Awareness, Transformation, and Intent with each chapter pertaining to them giving how to and personal reflections.
In the Introduction chapter, I loved her line “What we see is our filter systems version of reality.”
It is in The Toltec Tradition chapter that follows that there is a glimpse into their ancient knowledge. From there, it’s more of the author’s take on what she was taught.
The meditations at the end can be useful to the novice. Also included is a glossary and some suggested reading.
April 22, 2020
The Toltec Way: A Guide to Personal Transformation is a practical and accessible tool for personal growth. A well-organized and simple guide, the under two-hundred-page book focuses on personal awareness and transformation and stresses how we can act instead of reacting to life’s difficulties. I found this concept really enlightening as I am often reactive. The Toltec Way also encourages letting go of the things you can’t control, addressing and conquering fears, and connecting with yourself on a deeper level.
The book offers realistic and achievable goals to improve your well-being from meditation, journaling, letter writing, breathing techniques, and more, and it includes clearly marked exercises and anecdotes to support you in your journey. This is a great resource for personal growth especially in the midst of these turbulent, stressful, and chaotic times.
The book offers realistic and achievable goals to improve your well-being from meditation, journaling, letter writing, breathing techniques, and more, and it includes clearly marked exercises and anecdotes to support you in your journey. This is a great resource for personal growth especially in the midst of these turbulent, stressful, and chaotic times.
March 22, 2020
I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC of this book - and have read The Four Agreements in the past. This book nicely complements the teachings and ideas in The Four Agreements, while expanding on core thoughts and elaborating with stories to bring the teachings to life. Susan crafts a beautiful analogy of a sailboat - where the wind to power the direction is our Intent, the rudder to steer the sailboat is our Awareness, and adjusting the sail is our Transformation.
There is a recurring sentiment shared throughout, that we are perfect today, and all we need to do is be kind to ourselves, gentle, and love ourselves. Through this, with dedication and thoughtful action, we can live our best life.
There is a recurring sentiment shared throughout, that we are perfect today, and all we need to do is be kind to ourselves, gentle, and love ourselves. Through this, with dedication and thoughtful action, we can live our best life.
May 6, 2020
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I found the exercises, concepts, and techniques to be very useful. The book is written in an easily understood method and has little stories that help illustrate the concepts. Anyone who is looking to grow or change their current situation would benefit by using some of the concepts: journaling, meditation, and becoming aware of your thoughts. I feel this book is a good addition to any spiritual growth library!
This book came at the right time for me because I was able to relate to some of her experiences. I also found that I had started doing some of the exercises on my own, but her insights helped me see where I needed to do more work.
I found the exercises, concepts, and techniques to be very useful. The book is written in an easily understood method and has little stories that help illustrate the concepts. Anyone who is looking to grow or change their current situation would benefit by using some of the concepts: journaling, meditation, and becoming aware of your thoughts. I feel this book is a good addition to any spiritual growth library!
This book came at the right time for me because I was able to relate to some of her experiences. I also found that I had started doing some of the exercises on my own, but her insights helped me see where I needed to do more work.
February 10, 2020
This is my favorite type of book, it is about personal transformation. This is something we can all learn from. This book teaches how to attain awareness and freedom, and choose how to act rather than react to life. The three things to master are awareness, transformation, and intent. Then you can make yourself over and create your own unique life. The book has exercises and stories to help you. It is about getting clarity in your life and loving yourself the way you are. It also teaches clearing mental clutter in your life, and focus on what makes you happy.
April 22, 2020
I am so glad to have won this book from Goodreads. As I have read it and done the exercises, I have found that I am sleeping much more peacefully after having a lot of bad dreams and insomnia, due most likely to COVID-19 and a series of earthquakes for over a month in my area.
The author writes in a relaxed and easy manner, which is quite soothing. My receiving this book couldn’t be more timely, and I recommend it to anyone who can use a little peace and centeredness in their world.
The author writes in a relaxed and easy manner, which is quite soothing. My receiving this book couldn’t be more timely, and I recommend it to anyone who can use a little peace and centeredness in their world.
November 12, 2020
I loved this book of personal transformation into a being of love. She not only gave ancient stories & philosophical ideas, she also gave specific details. A path to follow to release all of your filters. She even gives you an idea about how long each step should take. It's not a fast, straight road, but a windy, long path. I can't wait to start training myself with these teachings! It's just what I was looking for to help me become emotionally closer to the energy that is everything :)
March 25, 2020
This book is easy to read with very timely wisdom in a world of increased turmoil and commotion. As a psychotherapist, I found the content extremely edifying and intend on using the wisdom gleaned to better serve those struggling. It is not laden with a bunch of technical jargon, is very easy to read and understand which I found very refreshing.
April 4, 2018
Has some nice exercises and seems to be written in good spirit. Much of the content seems old hat, but there are many different topics covered so there is likely to be something useful especially to those new to personal development
June 12, 2019
"Do you love only when you feel safe?"
I did like the practical advice. I don't know if concepts in this book are toltec or not, but I don't think it is reallyy important. To me is the remodeling and realignment of mind.
Pretty good.
I did like the practical advice. I don't know if concepts in this book are toltec or not, but I don't think it is reallyy important. To me is the remodeling and realignment of mind.
Pretty good.
April 22, 2020
Great information.
November 5, 2020
Heartwarming. Provides a fresh perspective on life and living on an intimate level. Refreshing. I particularly enjoy the Teaching Stories.
August 20, 2021
Excellent book that I won in a Goodreads "giveaway
August 5, 2022
well written without being over bearing and enjoyed the guided meditation exercises at the end
May 15, 2023
Vague poppycock
July 20, 2023
Learn to master: Awareness, Transition and Intent and you will have a fulfilling life. Some good techniques
February 2, 2016
Merilyn Tunneshende was not a beneficiary of the National Freedom Award Oprah Effect...or the Deepak Chopra Endorsement. She was not even the beneficiary of the Joan Wilcox Editorial Dictionary Endowment...even though Joan worked on Merilyn Tunneshende's books. Like John Nelson...her first editor and the editor of Solstice Shift...each of these authors had a priority agenda of their own. However there was matching Celestial Replenishment and appreciation; synchronicity...synergy and symmetry with ample evidence. I personally learned much from all of it...and had both exquisite and undesirable realizations about intent. For me, having read many authors elaborating on the subject of Ancient Mexico ... the chips seemed to spill at a certain point. Having seen the results of 2012..I found that most of that was a loan that could not be repaid...which was continuing in 2011...when National Bankruptcy was announced...and then going on into 2013...when health repo refinance occurred. I no longer read new works in the Mexican Genre. But I am grateful for these older ones...which are still valid...and many always will be. Thank you.
August 30, 2013
I liked Gregg's other book, "Dance of Power", more than this one. It contained a lot of the same information, but in a more digestible style and more real. This book seems to lack the depth of that book. That said, it is full of good advice and love.
May 8, 2008
Currently studying. Masterful book on inner journey and journalling.
Read
May 19, 2008This is an excellent book -- I liked some of the exercises/meditations and found that reading it really changed my perception of reality in small but powerful ways
June 25, 2008
Interesting read about a Mexican religion since the Mayans - that gives a more positive spin on the violence. Good perspective to living.
Currently reading
July 25, 2008This book has many good resources and exercises for personal transformation.
September 15, 2014
Not for me.
May 17, 2018
An interesting read. This teaches you to take control of your thoughts and emotions along with reactions to be a better person.
The exercises and meditations are well written and easy to follow. There are aspects that have a similar feel to zen and to reiki.
While I like the book, it's not one I will read several times
The exercises and meditations are well written and easy to follow. There are aspects that have a similar feel to zen and to reiki.
While I like the book, it's not one I will read several times
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews