The Four Sacred Gifts: Indigenous Wisdom for Modern Times

by Anita L. Sanchez

Heal your past, discover your true purpose, and become a powerful source of inspiration and leadership with The Four Sacred Gifts , a collection of Aztec and global indigenous wisdom for modern life.

Given the ongoing changes in our economic, social, political, and physical environment, we are often left gulping for air as we ride the powerful waves of change. Modern life overloads us with information yet lacks the true wisdom we seek. In this book, a group of global indigenous elders pass down their four most essential, agreed upon tools to help you fulfill your truest desire for meaning, wisdom, and heartfelt connection.

During these times of great change, indigenous wisdom is needed now more than ever to live the fullest and healthiest lives possible. The Four Sacred Gifts offers an indigenous worldview based on the concept that we are all one relation, and we can all embrace and benefit from the Gift of Forgiving the Unforgiveable, the Gift of Unity, the Gift of Healing, and the Gift of Hope.

These four powerful gifts will guide you to healing and transformation, supporting your journey to wholeness. By following the indigenous principles, lessons, and tools found in this book, we can all experience personal breakthroughs and conscious, societal evolution for humanity. Living in deeper harmony, all of us can thrive together for future generations.

Genres: Indigenous, Nonfiction, Self Help, Sociology, Spirituality

224 pages, Hardcover

Published September 5, 2017

Reviews

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I felt touched by the book. I heard her speak on some of the things she touches on in the section on forgiving the unforgivable and it brought me to tears with the depth of what she has been able to do. In other sections, however, especially the one on unity, I felt let down. She had less of a personal story for that gift and more a summary of things she had done in corporate classes and this felt less real and true. Her strongest parts are when they relate most closely to her. I think the challenge for her in this book is that in some ways she has been blessed to grow up in a culture that still nourishes, respects and honors these things - indigenous wisdom, listening to the earth and so forth. There are some things she believes and feels that are still being learned by those of us not fortunate enough to be raised in the world view she was raised in. We are stumbling and staggering toward it whereas she grew up in it. So some of the things she seems to assume are still things many of us are still just discovering and feel unsure of. Nevertheless this is a wonderful book to start with and there are marvellous things in here such as the blessings and prayers from various elders around the world.

[Doug Bancel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anita tells a series of heartfelt, personal stories that culminate in a powerful message of joy and hope. It's much, much more than a "personal growth" book, because her indigenous perspective is truly interesting and wonderful and educational in its own right. And the story telling aspect of it really holds your interest. I learned many new things from this book and I'd like to think that I'm a better person for having read it. I'm recommending it to all of my friends and family. Enjoy!

[Kit Tennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courageous, compassionate, uplifting, challenging and transformative. In this beautiful book, Anita Sanchez carries a message of extraordinary hope, healing and connection that speaks to all of us in this time of great challenges and opportunities. I'm especially taken by the understanding conveyed by our indigenous elders in ideas like "all my relations", affirming that we are all utterly connected, to each other, to the natural world, to the cosmos and spirit.

The stories the author recounts in parallel with the four gifts are gripping- heartfelt, deeply touching, and inspiring. Her own journey is a wonder, giving us all a glimpse into what we can do in healing our wounds and offering our own wisdom and talent in service to life. I believe this book is destined to be a treasure that many, many will read and re-read, giving copies to friends and family and drawing on for a whole, healed, and loving life.

Note: I have had the pleasure of contributing edits to this book.

[Leah Loveday · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Four Sacred Gifts marvelously interweaves Anita Sanchez, Ph.D.'s personal background, considerable childhood trauma, experience as a Native American/Mexican with her academic background and work giving corporate training workshops in diversity. She interviews native American shamans, wise elders and healers who all add to the message. i found this book very readable and fascinating. We all have traumas, but healing isn't the only reason to read this book. The message of hope in the Native view of life, and of tolerance and compassion is itself healing. She's a woman with a mission, and obviously gives her all in leading workshops on diversity.

[Mindie Burgoyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sanchez is a great storyteller and there a lot of interesting insight about the unnecessary burdens that women carry. The beginning was better than the end - but it's definitely a worthwhile and inspiring read. My favorite of the gifts was "listening with the softest part of your ear." I never realized how judgy I was until I read this book.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced readers copy of The Four Sacred Gifts By Anita Sanchez from Goodreads
Giveaways.

The Four Sacred Gifts discusses the Sacred Eagle Hoop Prophecy. Very interesting. Spiritual book.

The Four Sacred Gifts are:

Forgiving the unforgivable
Unity
Healing
Hope

[Andy Oram · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is unique in some ways, and a mixture of genres from another point of view. There is a spiritual and socially-conscious call on us to change our orientation to the Earth, some self-help advice, excellent anecdotes (from the author's own life and from others), and quotes from indigenous community leaders around the world. I did not feel that the book came together as a guide to action, but it was very rich. One Elder states that "the honor of one is the honor of all." How would it change our political and economic systems if no one thought he could gain honor by degrading others? Naturally, there is much overlap among the four sacred gifts, so there is also a good deal of repetition in the book, but with a new angle or view on the material each time. One must read carefully to realize that common words such as "forgiveness" and "hope" have different meanings in the Sanchez's hands--meanings that contribute to positive activity.

[Billye · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Four Sacred Gifts: Indigenous Wisdom for Modern Times by Anita L. Sanchez is a useful, thought-provoking book. Anita's willingness to share her story, including the most painful aspects of it, is commendable. The narration performance by Robin MIles is adequate to the task. It should be noted that this work is not a guidebook. Rather, it is a vehicle to share wisdom and insight told in the form of stories, legends, science, and conversation. I would recommend this to anyone who is seeking enrichment along their spiritual path.

[Janna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I have always loved Native American spirituality and Dr. Sanchez, through her own personal stories as well as stories from work, explains them eloquently and with honest emotion. This is definitely wisdom that is needed in the world now, and I highly recommend this book to everyone.

[Theodora Zourkas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging and relevant for our times. Sanchez explains and hands down the simple but very powerful messages from the elders on our planet. The core message for me is 'we are all connected' - harm one you harm all, help one you help all. I have hope for the future because our young people are much more in-tune with what is right for humanity.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

All four gifts contain invaluable wisdom and are a blessing, but I particularly related to the forgiveness and healing, based on life over the past few years. A highly insightful read!

[Rossana Yarmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody should read this book and learn about the four sacred gifts. Lovely words...amazing book!!!

[Sueanne Pacheco · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful perspective on how similar we are and how much we can learn from our ancestors' wisdom.

[Monika ↠ BewilderedSlavica.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a soothing and uplifting read!

[Mary Muller Coerver · Rating 4 out of 5]

gifts from our elders.
what the world needs much more of!!

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Laura. Beautiful and I really want/need to do a Pachimama adventure.

[Kseniya Kosmina · Rating 3 out of 5]

some useful concepts to apply to your daily routine

[Leah Peker · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was hard for me to read some of this and digest it, but I felt myself healing as I went. This book is a heart opener.

[EmberMantles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish it'd had content warnings, I did not have a good time being surprised with details of the author's sexual abuse. Still worth reading!

[Katie Goulet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - it left me feeling very hopeful for the future. I appreciated the emotional and very difficult personal stories that Anita shared and earned a much greater understanding of the four sacred gifts through her storytelling. I was glad to hear about the work she is doing with large corporations as I often feel like the corporate world is soulless and lacking in compassion and unity. This gives me hope that my place of work is heading in a similar direction and encourages me to look for signs of this to be more involved.

[Carolyn Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading " The four Sacred Gifts" by Dr. Anita Sanchez. I feel this book is so timely and offers great shared wisdom for all. Inspiring us with the four sacred gifts of forgiveness, unity, healing and hope. My book has so many folded edges, under scores and post it's for sweet reminders for myself or honoring a quote or two from the book with appropriate acknowledgments with Dr. Sanchez and the Elder. I have read this book twice. Thank you Dr. Anita Sanchez for sharing such depth from your life experiences and wisdom along with many Elders and Wisdom Keepers from around the world. Blessings and with much gratitude! Carolyn