Domestication and the dream

Ruiz draws on the wisdom of the ancient Toltec people of Mexico. He describes life as a kind of dream: society’s rules, beliefs and values, which he calls the dream of the planet.

As children we are domesticated into this dream through reward and punishment. We agree to beliefs about who we are and how we should be, without choosing them. Over time an inner Judge criticises us and an inner Victim carries the blame and shame, and much of our suffering comes from these agreements.

To be free, Ruiz says, we must replace fear-based agreements with four new ones.