The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz (2003)

Once I was hooked on Don Miguel Ruiz's "The Four Agreements", I just had to find out what other insights he had that might help transform my life. In these two books he has created simple 'life 101' handbooks--- for the things they don't teach you in elementary school.

Ruiz teaches in parable form, telling stories which help us understand that the world we think we live in isn't always particularly 'real' to anyone but ourselves; that our perception of how people 'should' treat us is often the product of learned, culture-based mis-perceptions; that many of our daily trials and tribulations are the result of holding unrealistic expectations; that life would be much simpler, and more rewarding, if we can clear out those illusions (and delusions).

My favorite story in this book is about the man who didn't believe in love. He created expectations around the woman he was in love with. Through this story we begin to understand that only we ourselves are responsible for our happiness; we create our own reality.