“The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz (renowned spiritual writer of Mexican nationality) is a spiritual and self-help book that draws on ancient Toltec wisdom. It presents a simple but powerful code of conduct to lead a life of greater freedom and personal happiness. The book is structured around four key principles, or “agreements,” that one can adopt to create a new way of life. I wanted to share them in this post with you because I find them very interesting and am convinced, they can help you.
1. BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORDS. This agreement emphasizes the power of words. Ruiz recommends speaking with integrity, saying only what you think, and avoiding using words to speak against yourself or others. Speaking positively and truthfully can transform your life. Don’t underestimate the power of your words.
2. DON’T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY. Ruiz explains that nothing others do is your fault. People’s actions and words are a projection of their own reality. By not taking things personally, you can avoid unnecessary suffering. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you will not be a victim of unnecessary suffering. As Miguel Ruiz himself often says, “You gain enormous freedom when you don’t take anything personally.”
3. DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS. This agreement highlights the importance of clear communication. Making assumptions can lead to misunderstandings and conflict. Instead, ask questions and express what you really want to avoid misinterpretations. Many of the mistakes’ people make or the problems we create have to do with making assumptions.
4. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST. This final agreement encourages you to do your best in any situation, regardless of the circumstances. Your best will change from moment to moment, but if you do your best consistently, you will avoid self-judgment, regret, and guilt. Miguel Ruiz recommends that you simply do the best you can, in any circumstance of your life. It doesn’t matter if you are sick or tired, if you always do your best, there is no way you can judge yourself. And if you don’t judge yourself, there is no way you can suffer guilt, reproach and self-punishment. By always doing your best, you will always be at peace with yourself.
This fourth agreement reminds me a lot of Martin Luther King’s well-known phrase, “If you can’t fly, run; if you can’t run, walk; if you can’t walk, crawl, but keep moving toward your goal.”
Overall, the book encourages personal transformation through the adoption of these four agreements, which can help people free themselves from self-limiting beliefs and create a life of freedom, love and happiness. As Miguel Ruiz says, “Maybe we can’t escape the fate of what is human, but we have a choice: suffer our fate or enjoy it.”
To do this, Miguel Ruiz recommends that you take action. As he says, “You can have many ideas in your head, but what will make the difference is action. Without action on your ideas, there will be no manifestation, there will be no results, there will be no reward.”
I will end with a quote from Don Miguel that sums up his philosophy of life:
“You don’t have to change the world; you only have to change yourself.”
