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The Four-Fold Way is a powerful path to enhance your life through presence, meaning, honesty, and openness. I have had the opportunity to try, and often fail, using these principles.

Angeles Arrien was a renowned cultural anthropologist and author who dedicated her life to exploring the wisdom of indigenous cultures and universal principles for personal and communal growth. For the full bio click here.

My journey with the Four-Fold Way started in the Moab Desert, where I went on a vision quest led by Gary, a Cherokee elder who had studied under Angeles Arrien. Both Gary and Angeles were powerful teachers who showed me that the Four-Fold Way isn’t just a set of values but a framework for living that can guide anyone toward deeper fulfillment and resilience.

The Four-Fold Way has four key principles that resonate universally:

(1) Show Up and Choose to Be Present – The Way of the Warrior – Living authentically means being fully engaged in every experience, whether at work, at home, or within ourselves. Showing up isn’t always easy, but it brings clarity and depth to our lives.

(2) Pay Attention to What Has Heart and Meaning – The Way of the Healer — In a world filled with distractions, focusing on what truly matters can ground us. Whether it’s a relationship, a project, or a personal mission, this principle encourages us to invest in what aligns with our values.

(3) Tell the Truth Without Blame or Judgment – The Way of the Visionary — Speaking truthfully while respecting others is a skill that strengthens our connections and helps us grow. When we communicate without blame, we create safe spaces for ourselves and others to express authentically.

(4) Be Open to Outcomes, Not Attached to Them – The Way of the Teacher This invites us to embrace uncertainty. When we release rigid expectations, we cultivate resilience and adaptability, especially in the face of life’s challenges.

These principles are as relevant for leaders as they are for parents, friends, and partners. They offer a path to greater intentionality and purpose, and I carry them into my work with Spring. Living by the Four-Fold Way means creating a life filled with meaning, self-acceptance, and growth, no matter the challenges we face.

Gary and Angeles have passed on, but their wisdom lives on, illuminating paths for all of us who seek purpose beyond the surface level. The Four-Fold Way serves as a reminder that authenticity, courage, love, and openness are within reach for all of us, every day.

Onwards!

Resources

YouTube — Cornerstones of wisdom: the four-fold way: Angeles Arrien