New Agreements for Living: Interview with Don Miguel Ruiz Jr

MRJ: At first I rebelled against it, like any child would. I actually worked in the film industry for quite a few years and at some point I thought: “What will my life look like when I am in my thirties?” as I wanted a family. Even if there are people out there successfully raising a family and working in the film industry, I wanted to be that kind of dad who is around his family a lot. So I let go of my career and I joined my dad in his classes and learned so much and it became a lot of fun. Like the conversation we are having right now. It is the funnest way of just serving. So you can say that I am following in my family tradition, because it was also my grandma and my brother Jose. Once I understood it and allowed it, it became something functional.

SS: You just mentioned your grandmother, how did she influence your spiritual training?

MRJ: I would imagine this was a typical bond between a grandmother and her grandchild. There are grandparents who might not be very inviting or make their home their family. But then there are the grandmas like the one I have. They are home. She opens up the house and she always has something on the stove, ready to feed just in case people show up. And if they don’t show up she just put it away and saves it for another day. For me, the relationship with my grandmother was one of a loving family environment, as well as that of a teacher – apprentice, as she also took the time to teach me. And to a certain extend she taught me my responsibilities.