I enjoyed this little book. It's a quick read, and gives a lot to think about. Even so, I can't give it perfect marks because there were some points I felt Ruiz didn't elucidate well enough. I wanted more justification for his beliefs, and what I got instead was "this just makes sense, so try it."

Nevertheless, I do think reading this book will result in significant changes to my interactions with people.

I'm a huge fan of self-help books. Like many, I was caught up in the self-help era of the 90s. Reading _The Four Agreements_ is revisiting ideas and beliefs that helped me through a difficult period of my life. The ideas espoused in this text are familiar, but knowing something isn't the same as applying principles to our lives. I believe in refresher courses.

Ruiz breaks down a path to better living to four agreements: (1) Be impeccable with your word. This is about integrity. Be consciously aware of the power of the spoken word. (2) Don't take anything personal. I laughed at this one. I immediately thought about Susan Jeffers who wrote, _What You Think of Me Is None of My business_. Simply, this means what people say about you isn't about you but them. Don't buy into the hype or criticism. (3) Don't Make Assumptions. Ruiz argues we'd rather make assumptions than ask questions. Ask the questions. (4) Always do your best. Your best changes. Do what you can in the moment and avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

Ruiz doesn't say any of this is easy. It's a process. It's repetition. My feeling: why not try it? There is plenty to gain. It takes a lot to change and having someone remind me in simplistic terms is encouraging.

I think I have read this one 3 times! It has reminded me over and over again what matters in business, friendships, famiy, marriage....All relationships!!

If you are a sensitive person like myself, this book will help you to see things in a different light and stop taking everything personally. It really helped me in dealing with some difficult people in my life.

Reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering..........offers a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness and love.

Very thought provoking - a life changing prospect!

Don Miguel Ruiz is a wise man. Applying these principles has helped me to change some of my self-limiting attitudes in many business and personal situations.

In The Four Agreements, 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, an love.

The Four Agreements are very simple, but very profound. To embrace and live each of the Four Agreements is to find yourself experiencing personal freedom--possibly as never before. The Four Agreements are:

Be Impeccable With Your Words
Don't Take Anything Personally
Don't Make Assumptions
Always Do Your Best

From the cover of the book:

Be Impeccable With Your Word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

Don't Take Anything Personally: Nothing others do is because of you. 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 won't be the victim of needless suffering.

Don't Make Assumptions: Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

Always Do Your Best: Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

This book may be small in size, but it packs a hefty punch in terms of shattering personal illusions and opening up a path to personal freedom. I consider this book a must-have for anyone wanting to become more conscious and wanting freedom from personal stories and agreements that cause suffering.

Very quick read. Insightful. My bookclub read this a couple years ago and it sparked very interesting discussion.

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I will first say that I think this is the kind of book you really have to be ready for, as in searching for something better in your life. In my limited experience with self help books, I would say that’s generally the case, actually. If you don’t feel there is anything wrong with your life, if you’re not searching out something that will make it better or make you happier, it does you no good to read something designed to get you to a happier place.

I agree with the principle of this book, and I think the message is a good one, it’s just maybe not something I feel I needed. To a large extent, I think I was kind of living by several of these agreements already, so I don’t know that it helps to be told to live by them. I also feel that this stuff is common sense, so I’m not certain it needed to be said.

To read the rest of my review, please visit:
http://www.dorolerium.com/?p=719

Don Miguel Ruiz does not do a very good job backing up his claim that the basis of this book is Toltec Wisdom. True, it does contain wisdom, but that wisdom can be found in many different non-Toltec books. These pearls of wisdom are things that are important in a guided life of enjoyment and expansion, but are not unique to Toltec beliefs. So my concern is with the statements that it is Toltec Wisdom and not general wisdom.

It's not horrible, but it's not what I expected ethier... very dull, and why it's title says that it's a "Guide," I do not know: because all it seemed like, to me, was this man's personal beliefs --and since I have never heard of him before, it made me question his creditability!

http://miasbooklist.blogspot.com/2008/04/four-agreements-don-miguel-ruiz_07.html

Haven't read this. LOL!

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