Aaron Landman

When I was a young boy, around eight or nine years old, I remember a particular day staring in my bathroom mirror engulfed with a sensation of gratitude to be alive. Without any thought or words, I saw the intermingling of body, mind, and spirit – and immediately felt the gift of life. Making the assumption that everyone around me had the same awareness, I put all my attention on my teachers, friends, television, and the whole outside world in order to deepen my understanding of what it meant to be human. Of course by the time I was heading to college, I had misunderstood almost everything, took it all personally, and had used my word against myself as daily inner criticism. I had lost myself in a world of competitiveness, misconception, shyness, and shame. I could no longer see the love and gratitude that emanated out of that young boy’s smile in the mirror.

In an inspiring encounter in 1997, I met don Miguel Ruiz at a small house in Los Angeles. Not knowing anything about the Four Agreements at the time, it truly was a fortuitous meeting. I can still remember the first words from that evening’s talk, “If I can do it, you can do it. And if you can do it, the whole world can do it!” At the time, those words seemed impossibly distant. Years of self doubt and comparison had buried the innocence and enthusiasm I remembered from childhood. Yet in Miguel’s eyes I saw a reflection of myself that had always been there, full of the freedom, wisdom, and clarity I had forgotten. That moment set me on a lifelong journey of transformation through awareness, gratitude, and personal freedom. 

That unexpected meeting turned into deep friendships with Jose, Miguel Jr, Leonardo, Barbara, as well as a loving and beautiful relationship with Karla. I am honored to call them all family. For over two decades, I’ve worked closely with the Ruiz family – archiving footage, curating courses, and doing my best to inspire others through art and storytelling.

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