Episode 41 – Don Migel Ruiz: Finding the work of art that is you [PODCAST]

Can you see yourself as a work of art?

Don Migel Ruiz believes that every single one of the 7 billion people on the planet are a unique work of art. That belief comes from a philosophy he was raised to believe in his own family, a Toltec philosophy. The word “toltec” actually means “artist” and communicates the underlying belief that every person is a work of art in the fact that the are unique, that they are special, that there is nobody else exactly like them. Don Migel’s application of that has broad-reaching implications and on this episode of Crank It Up you’ll hear his conversation with David D.S. Wood about this and other concepts.

From the youngest of 13 children to spiritual teacher and best-selling author.

The story shared by Don Migel Ruiz in this episode of Crank It Up is an incredible account of how the truths shared in a family can have a long lasting impact on even the youngest child. His family beliefs were powerful in shaping who he’s become today. One of those was that anything is possible, that the only limit to what a person can accomplish is their belief about whether it’s possible, or not. It’s an intriguing look into the life of a thoughtful man which you can hear on this episode.

“That’s when I learned that everybody was pretending.”

Don Migel Ruiz made that statement after telling the story surrounding the death of one of his older brothers. The brother had been a rebel, living life on his own terms and in many ways embarrassing the family at various points. The family had their very clear judgements about the brother and were not shy about making them known. But when he was killed in a car accident he suddenly became the hero. Everyone admired his willingness to take chances, to boldly live the way he wanted to live, and held him up as a model. Don Migel was 10 years old, but saw in their change of heart that everyone had been pretending, trying to live and make others live in ways that were expected. Hear how this realization impacted Don Migel and set the course for his life, in this episode of Crank It Up.

There is a difference between the brain and the mind, and it is has huge significance.

Don Migel Ruiz had finished his education to become a surgeon and was studying even more to become a neurosurgeon when he came to the realization that there is a very distinct difference between the brain and the mind. The brain is a body organ, like a liver or kidney, that performs a variety of biological functions. It is instrumental in the physical manifestation of thought, but is not the source of them. The mind is what creates thought. The mind is the part of us we might call our “soul.” That understanding caused a dramatic shift in the course of Migel’s life, setting him on the path to becoming a best-selling author. Hear his story on this episode.

Can you rewrite your own story, to change it for the better?

Many people live their lives as if they have no control over them, like things happen to them that are outside their control. While this may be true on one level, those things don’t have to limit the possibilities of who you are and what your life can be. In this episode of Crank It Up, Don Migel Ruiz shares what he believes to be the first two steps any person has to take in order to begin rewriting the story of their life. It’s very intriguing, and something you won’t want to miss, so be sure you listen.

Outline of this great episode

[1:55] Welcome to Migel and introduction of the show.

[2:20] What does it mean to embrace a Toltec philosophy?

[6:46] Why much of the world does NOT believe tha...