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The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom

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'The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom' by Janet Mills, Miguel Ruiz Jr. introduces four simple agreements - be impeccable with your word, don't take anything personally, don't make assumptions, and always do your best - that aim to transform one's life by promoting self-improvement and inner peace. The writing style varies among readers, with some finding it simplistic and easy to understand, while others mention mystical elements that may require a deeper understanding. Overall, the book delves into ancient Toltec wisdom to provide a code of conduct that can lead to true happiness and freedom.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is straightforward and accessible, using simple language but can be repetitive to emphasize key concepts, intertwining spiritual and metaphysical terminology.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative centers around transforming one’s life by adopting four agreements that challenge societal conditioning and self-limiting beliefs, leading to personal freedom and happiness.

Setting:

The setting is abstract, concerned with personal consciousness and societal conditioning rather than a specific geographic location.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick due to the short chapters, although some sections of repetition invite deeper reflection and may slow the pace for some readers.
Dreaming is the main function of the mind, and the mind dreams twenty-four hours a day. It dreams when the brain is awake, and it also dreams when the brain is asleep. The difference is that when the ...

Notes:

The book promotes four main agreements for personal freedom: Be impeccable with your word, Don't take anything personally, Don't make assumptions, and Always do your best.
Ruiz emphasizes that our agreements shape our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, which significantly impact our lives.
The author discusses how many of our beliefs are formed unconsciously in childhood and can lead to self-doubt and unhappiness.
The book draws from ancient Toltec wisdom and presents these agreements as a way to transform our perception of reality.
Ruiz explains that taking things personally leads to unnecessary suffering and that others' actions are often reflections of their own beliefs and realities.
The idea of being impeccable with your word involves using language positively and avoiding gossip or harmful speech.
The concept of not making assumptions helps reduce misunderstandings and miscommunications in relationships.
Ruiz suggests that by doing your best, you can eliminate guilt and self-judgment, as your best can vary by circumstances.
The book highlights that many agreements we make in life can hold us back and that recognizing and changing them is essential for personal growth.
Many readers find the principles in the book resonate with common sense and universal truths found in various spiritual and self-help teachings.

From The Publisher:

In The Four Agreements, bestselling author don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, The Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.

A New York Times bestseller for over a decade


Translated into 46 languages worldwide

"This book by don Miguel Ruiz, simple yet so powerful, has made a tremendous difference in how I think and act in every encounter." - Oprah Winfrey

"Don Miguel Ruiz's book is a roadmap to enlightenment and freedom." - Deepak Chopra, Author, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

"An inspiring book with many great lessons." - Wayne Dyer, Author, Real Magic

"In the tradition of Castaneda, Ruiz distills essential Toltec wisdom, expressing with clarity and impeccability what it means for men and women to live as peaceful warriors in the modern world." - Dan Millman, Author, Way of the Peaceful Warrior

Ratings (41)

Incredible (10)
Loved It (18)
Liked It (7)
It Was OK (3)
Did Not Like (2)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (90):

Read It (45)
Currently Reading (4)
Want To Read (34)
Not Interested (7)

2 comment(s)

Incredible
2 weeks

Insightful and life changing book full of tools you can use immediately to change your life and the lives of others. Although the book is a short read at 138 pages, it packs a big punch.

The book begins with the concept that we are constantly in a dream state and that main difference between our waking dream state and sleeping dream state in that when we are dreaming, our reality is flexible. Following this explanation, the author then presents the idea that all humans have bee domesticated and directed away from who they really are in order to conform to the desires of others.

I was also with the concepts of the book of Law which contains all of your beliefs, the inner judge who is constantly judging you for all that you say, think and do and the the victim who is punished for the convictions given by the judge. By introducing the four agreements, this helps the reader become a free thinker and at peace with the world are as follows: be impeccable with your word, don’t take things personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best.

The first chapter and agreement, is be impeccable with your word which means that your word is the power that you gave to create. I really liked the idea that through your word, you manifest everything.

The second chapter and agreement is don’t take things personally and introduces the concept of personal importance or taking things personally which is the maximum expression of selfishness because we make the assumption that everything is about you. The reality is that when someone gives you an opinion, the truth is that the person is dealing with their own personal feeling, beliefs and opinions.

The third chapter and agreement is don’t make assumptions because when you make assumptions, we misunderstand and end up creating drama for nothing.

The fourth chapter and agreement is always do your best. The fourth agreement builds upon the first three agreements and is also the best way to prevent the inner judge from passing judgment.

This book is a life changer and to me, and I feel that it should be required reading for all people who want to become better and free from the emotional poison given by unhappy people.

 
Incredible
5 months

In his concise audiobook, “The Four Agreements”, Miguel Ruiz distills ancient Toltec wisdom into four powerful principles that can revolutionize our lives. Peter Coyote's narration complements the material, creating an engaging listening experience that resonates with both clarity and enthusiasm.

1. Be Impeccable with Your Word

Ruiz's first agreement encourages us to use our words with integrity. Coyote's narration embodies this principle, delivering the message with a straightforward, teacher-like tone. His voice feels like that of a wise friend, urging us to recognize the impact of our words on ourselves and others. As he speaks, we sense the weight of responsibility and the potential for transformation.

2. Don't Take Anything Personally

Coyote's narration shines in conveying the second agreement. He adopts the tone of an understanding friend, gently guiding us away from personalizing others' actions. Ruiz's wisdom reminds us that people's behaviour reflects their own inner world, not our worth. Coyote's delivery reinforces this liberating perspective, inviting us to release the burden of unnecessary suffering.

3. Don't Make Assumptions

Here, Coyote's narration becomes more animated. He infuses the third agreement with curiosity, urging listeners to question assumptions. Ruiz's insights encourage us to seek clarity, communicate openly, and avoid misunderstandings. Coyote's voice embodies the excitement of unlearning old patterns, inviting us to embrace a more conscious way of relating to others.

4. Always Do Your Best

As Coyote narrates the fourth agreement, his tone shifts once again. Now, he sounds like a supportive mentor, encouraging us to give our best effort without judgment. Ruiz reminds us that our best varies from moment to moment, and Coyote's delivery reinforces the idea that self-compassion matters. We feel inspired to strive for excellence while honouring our humanity.

Throughout the audiobook, Coyote maintains a genuine enthusiasm for the concepts he presents. Despite the New Age-sounding language, he remains refreshingly clear, emphasizing the practicality of Ruiz's teachings. Coyote's voice, reminiscent of an enthusiastic old hippie, invites us to explore these agreements with an open heart.

In summary, "The Four Agreements" audiobook, narrated by Peter Coyote, offers a transformative journey. Coyote's narration enhances the experience, making these ancient principles accessible and relevant. Whether you're a seeker or a skeptic, this audiobook invites you to explore new ways of being, free from unnecessary limitations.

 

About the Author:

Don Miguel Ruiz is the bestselling author of The Four Agreements (a New York Times bestseller for over a decade), The Four Agreements Companion Book, The Mastery of Love, The Voice of Knowledge, The Circle of Fire, and The Fifth Agreement. The teachings of Ruiz are best known for transforming complex human issues into simple common sense - a talent that has earned him millions of fans and international acclaim.

Janet Mills is the founder and president of Amber-Allen Publishing and co-author, with don Miguel Ruiz, of six books in The Toltec Wisdom Series. Mills is also the creator of "The Four Agreements for a Better Life" online course, editor of Deepak Chopra's bestselling title, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, and publisher of the world-renowned "Seth Books" by Jane Roberts.

 
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