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A Night of Transformation

by Michael James

don Jose Ruiz and Friends performed Saturday evening, Dec. 13th at the Creative Life Center in a performance art mixture of Toltec Wis dom and modern rock & roll music. This was their sixth appearance in two months before heading home for the holidays.

The setting was both mystical and magical with Jed Rees on keyboard and vocals, don Jose Ruiz sitting center stage cross-legged on a low stool and covered with a green shawl, Jeff Cloud on lead guitar, Aaron Landman painting a colorful impressionistic illustration, and T ygh Brunyan on rhythm guitar.

Jed, Jeff and Tygh came on stage and calmly set the space for the evening, creating a stillness for Jose to enter with, and Aaron made the introductions.

don Jose began with a request to listen, and a guided meditation about a doorway in the middle of the Universe; a doorway to silence, to the inner-self and beyond, ending with an invitation to create a new agreement with ourselves. This segued into a soothing and vibran t rock tune that blended well with the open heart.

Moving back and forth between Toltec tale and music, don Jose spoke about the River Man, the journey of a small boy growing into a man through the awareness of judgment and forgiveness; the reflections of smoke and obstacles, fear and illusion, moving into gratitude and responsibility, self-love and acceptance. Through the whole experience, don Jose spoke genuinely from the heart, with wisdom and humor, creating a reflection for all to learn from. He feels that everybody has a unique message, and this message can be delivered just by aut hentically being themselves. This is definitely an experience worth sharing with family and friends.

I had an opportunity to visit with don Jose and friends both before and after their performance, and I was struck by their authentic nature and integrity. As soon as I walked into the space backstage, I was greeted with a very genuine and enthusiastic hug from Jose and introduced to his friends as they entered the room. And as each one arrived, the vibration in the room increased with true, authentic open-heart energy. There was an ease, comfort, and respect among them, and they easily included me in their group without pretense or ego.

don Jose’s true joy and enthusiasm are infectious as he willingly shares his love and wisdom from a place of peace and strength deep inside himself. I was reminded of the bible passage of needing to be as a child to get into Heaven, and Jose is powerfully in this space. It is easy to be in one’s heart while meditating or teaching, but quite another to walk in our daily life with an open heart as Jose does.

Even though don Jose Ruiz comes from a long line of Toltec wisdom teachers and healers, he has had many teachers and influences ranging from the Catholic faith, living in India, Tibet Masters and others that are all incorporated into his message in the moment. He still feels the energetic influence of teachers that have passed on, including his grandmother who passed a few months ago, and he is very awar e of the energy of gratitude from her. He is the son of don Miguel Ruiz, international speaker and author of several books, including T he Four Agreements and The Voice of Knowledge.

don Miguel was in the audience that night, and don Jose was thrilled that his father could see him create this dream of performance ar t birthed only three months ago. Jose has been speaking publicly, both with his father and on his own for the last seven and a half year s, and this performance piece is his latest dream. He states that one must have action to manifest, and he is definitely taking action. He sees this expression as a Sun of Truth, with the rays going in all directions - talking, music, art, dance, etc. He sees it as a reflection versus teaching – there isn’t any reason to walk people through all the steps anymore, they already know the steps. Show them th e destination, the reflection of gratitude, peace, self-acceptance and love, and they will complete the journey themselves through their own resonance of this experience.

This was truly a night of transformation.

Michael James is a spiritual teacher, healer, counselor, and author living in Sedona, as well as a landscape photographer and respecte d real estate Broker. His first novel, The Room is available online at Amazon or Llumina.com. He is currently at work on a second book, The Irony of Forgiveness. You can contact Michael at:

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