The Toltec Art of Life and Death: A Story of Discovery

After selling more than five million copies of his previous book, Ruiz (The Four Agreements) follows up his succinct and instructive manual of clear principles and matter-of-fact advice for living with a much more diffuse volume. What Ruiz’s legions of fans will make of this multifaceted mythology that reads like an extended dream sequence is a fair question. Will they savor the complicated truths this self-described shaman discovered during a nine-week coma following his 2002 heart attack, or will they turn away from his nuanced exploration of wisdom’s many forms? There’s a lot to chew on, as Ruiz switches between the parable-filled inward journey he took during his coma, his mother’s impressions of joining him there in that dream-state, and straightforward memories of family and students. Mirrors are a recurring theme in Ruiz’s work, and many images present a duality tailored to challenge “your entire belief system.” Readers might find it difficult to follow Ruiz’s winding road to the truth, but will come away from this book with a deeper understanding of life’s complexities. (Oct.)