L. B. (blackeyedsusan) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 22 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 16
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.
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.
Karen H. (SashaFletch) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 121 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 13
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.
Erin L. (samidha) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 41 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 11
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.
Nevertheless, I do think reading this book will result in significant changes to my interactions with people.
Darcy N. reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 18 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
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!!
Lois M. (badlass) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
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.
Amber S. (astream) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 38 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
Very thought provoking - a life changing prospect!
Karen W. (Karen88) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 102 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Very quick read. Insightful. My bookclub read this a couple years ago and it sparked very interesting discussion.
Cathy S. reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 110 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
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.
Lisa R. (liamsgramma) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Everyone should read the four agreements. Even if it isn't exactly your belief system...Everyone can benefit from this wise teaching. It is life altering.
kickerdad -
Helpful Score: 1
"The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz is beautiful. Its language isn't the most sophisticated. It is slightly redundant. But is is written with the most simplistic, earnest, and heart-felt sincerity that nearly every page contains what feels like some profound truth.
Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, Ruiz presents a paradigm of reality that with 4 simple steps, aka Agreements, an individual can transform their existence - no matter their spiritual or religious orientation. These Agreements are explained very clearly within the context of the Toltec perspective of the universe, yet as simple and straight forward as they are, their complexity and difficulty to master is made clear. Be Impeccable with Your Word, Don't Take Anything Personally, Don't Make Assumptions, Always Do your Best in some ways sound like modern platitudes spewed by motivational speakers but as we know within every story lie grains of truth, these Agreements are the sand.
The Toltec, I had to look up, were a MesoAmerican culture in central Mexico beginning around 496 AD oft assumed to be the height of civilization in this area of the world until they were overtaken by the Aztec. [4.5/5]
Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, Ruiz presents a paradigm of reality that with 4 simple steps, aka Agreements, an individual can transform their existence - no matter their spiritual or religious orientation. These Agreements are explained very clearly within the context of the Toltec perspective of the universe, yet as simple and straight forward as they are, their complexity and difficulty to master is made clear. Be Impeccable with Your Word, Don't Take Anything Personally, Don't Make Assumptions, Always Do your Best in some ways sound like modern platitudes spewed by motivational speakers but as we know within every story lie grains of truth, these Agreements are the sand.
The Toltec, I had to look up, were a MesoAmerican culture in central Mexico beginning around 496 AD oft assumed to be the height of civilization in this area of the world until they were overtaken by the Aztec. [4.5/5]
Helpful Score: 1
This is a very good book. His ideas are very simple but hard to enact. He made me thinkabout how I view the world.
Helpful Score: 1
This book applies to all aspects of life. It is wonderful
Helpful Score: 1
This book changed the way I think in very practical terms. 1. Be impeccable with your word. To others and to yourself. 2. Do not take anything personal. Anything someone else does has nothing to do with you. 3. Don't make assumptions. This one agreement if practiced will change your world.
Helpful Score: 1
Great little book. Thoughts fit in well with other books like Tole. Lots of simple truth and insight about the agreements we make with ourselves and how we can break the bad ones and make new ones to change our lives. If you are into inspirational reading and thoughts on living the now, give this book a shot. His philosophy comes form the Toltec traditions and philosophies. Makes me interested in learning more about this culture.
Helpful Score: 1
The four agreements are basic but powerful. The world would be a much better place if we all practiced them.
Matte R. (fixedschwinn) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
When my girlfriend told me about this book, I thought it sounded interesting. The four agreements, as she remembered them, were things that I had kind of already decided for myself. She thought it was a really good book, so I thought I'd give it a read too. The basic premise of the book is that in the process of becoming a person, we are domesticated. During that domestication, we make agreements with ourselves. Some of them are true and some of them are not but they become part of our inner 'book of law.' Challenging those beliefs is difficult because that 'book of law' makes us feel safe, even if it's wrong. In order to break away from the pain, fear, and self judgement that goes along with those agreements, we have to make new ones.
I feel that the four agreements he lists are good ones. Like I said, I'd already started trying to follow them without actually reading the book.
1. Be impeccable with your word.
2. Don't take anything personally.
3. Don't make assumptions.
4. Always do your best.
Of course he expounds on these, explaining why he feels each is important both for us and the people around us. I think much of what he writes makes a lot of sense, but I wasn't thrilled about it being explained through the filter of Toltec wisdom. I don't understand why a practical matter had to be turned into a spiritual one. I guess the pursuit of Toltec knowledge is this author's thing, but I don't feel that making these agreements sort of spiritual helped me in any way, shape or form. It's easy enough to skip over those statements and get to the meat of the agreements, but I just didn't need to be reading things like "Don't resist life passing through you, because that is God passing through you." Or "It is an expression of God to say, "Hey, I love you." Then you get to the very end of the book and there's a prayer to the creator. It seems out of place to me, you've got this whole book teaching you how to be comfortable with yourself and how to live without guilt and fear, but then you keep mentioning this concept whose very purpose is to fill people with guilt and fear.
It is a good book. I feel that living by these agreements had made me a better and happier person, but I didn't need a lot of spiritual mumbo jumbo to come up with them.
I feel that the four agreements he lists are good ones. Like I said, I'd already started trying to follow them without actually reading the book.
1. Be impeccable with your word.
2. Don't take anything personally.
3. Don't make assumptions.
4. Always do your best.
Of course he expounds on these, explaining why he feels each is important both for us and the people around us. I think much of what he writes makes a lot of sense, but I wasn't thrilled about it being explained through the filter of Toltec wisdom. I don't understand why a practical matter had to be turned into a spiritual one. I guess the pursuit of Toltec knowledge is this author's thing, but I don't feel that making these agreements sort of spiritual helped me in any way, shape or form. It's easy enough to skip over those statements and get to the meat of the agreements, but I just didn't need to be reading things like "Don't resist life passing through you, because that is God passing through you." Or "It is an expression of God to say, "Hey, I love you." Then you get to the very end of the book and there's a prayer to the creator. It seems out of place to me, you've got this whole book teaching you how to be comfortable with yourself and how to live without guilt and fear, but then you keep mentioning this concept whose very purpose is to fill people with guilt and fear.
It is a good book. I feel that living by these agreements had made me a better and happier person, but I didn't need a lot of spiritual mumbo jumbo to come up with them.
Laurie H. (lah) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 37 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Ruiz has come up with four principles from ancient Toltec wisdom. If one adopts these four agreements, Ruiz argues, they will help bring a sense of peace and happiness to one's life. Generally the agreements sound reasonable enough: don't take things personally, say only good things about others, etc. So far, so good. But there's some serious theoretical problems that underlie Ruiz's plan. Ruiz seems to suggest that the self can determine the majority of one's experience outside of social context. He claims that society is composed of collective dreams. Even recognizing that Ruiz is infusing dreams with more importance than western culture generally does, it still strikes me that the message here is that if one has fortified one's spirit with these four principles, nothing anyone else says or does can strongly affect you. Maybe I'm too close-minded, but I just can't buy it. We all live in social and cultural worlds, and those worlds do shape our experience, whether we like it or not.
Mark R. (strato-reader) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 49 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A very readable and practical self-help book. (the only one I ever finished) A little book, but rather pithy.
Barbara B. (GrannyGamer) -
Helpful Score: 1
Ugh. Four common sense pieces of advice (like "Always do your best") couched in a lot of New Age gobblygook. If Ruiz is a direct line to ancient Toltec wisdom, then I'm a reincarnation of a Vestal Virgin.
Chris C. (Cerwin) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 107 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This wonderful book really improved my outlook on life.
Janet R. (rusigrl) -
A great little book to remind us that we choose what to believe and how to react to what others do and say. I skimmed it in minutes
and appreciated the wisdom and also the organization of this book.
I would recommend The Four Agreements for anyone who is into self-doubt and needs a boost!
and appreciated the wisdom and also the organization of this book.
I would recommend The Four Agreements for anyone who is into self-doubt and needs a boost!
Karen P. (peelerk) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 4 more book reviews
Great book
Jessica reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 4 more book reviews
This book has changed the way I react to life. I am much calmer and happier as a result of the Four Agreements.
Michele J. reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 3 more book reviews
Excellent book - highly recommend.
Awesome book -- deceptively simple in its clear, easy to follow language, but profound in its impact.
Nicely written. Great concepts.
Nan M. reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 87 more book reviews
Reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. A powerful code of conduct tat can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness and love.
Suzanne P. (christianreader) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 24 more book reviews
good guide for your life - dont take it personally is my favorite :)
Excellent book. If we could all follow the four agreements the world would be a much better place.
Chris T. reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 10 more book reviews
Good reading!
if you ever had a problem...this book can teach you how to fix it...
Chris D. reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 4 more book reviews
Not bad. It is a pleasant and reassuring read. It reiterates much what is echoed in other new age writings. It is written by a man who claims to be a nagual of toltec heritage. Overall, I liked it, but it didn't change my life. It was interesting, because it had a very different feel from the Carlos Castaneda books (which are supposedly based on toltec wisdom and practices). Ruiz strikes the reader as very compassionate, patient and warm -- very much in contrast to Don Juan from the Castenada books, who is a very interesting, wise, but severe personality. The wisdom taught in Casteneda's books is borne of sobriety, austerity and audacity. Ruiz writes more of compassion, tolerance and humility. The approach couldn't be more different. Castaneda books 3-11, are definitely worth a read, and I found to be more profound than Ruiz. YMMV.
Kristin T. (wyldfairy) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 13 more book reviews
I really loved this book. I keep going back to it time after time. I had rented it from the Library a few times and then decided to wish for it on here. Now I have my own copy! I've also read the other books by Don Miguel Ruiz. The message speaks right to the heart and mind and is very soothing. It is just what I needed to lift me up and help me out.
Dawn B. (dawnm) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 32 more book reviews
Great ideas to think, ponder and apply to our lives. If everyone made these 4 agreements what a much better place our world would be.
Erin Marie P. (flowerwlf) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 26 more book reviews
Good book. I need to read it again.
Kisha J. reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 3 more book reviews
This book is great! It's uplifting and inspiring.
Danielle M. (mommahalo) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 24 more book reviews
Very inspiring reading material for those looking for the answers. It is mostly common sense that we tend to forget about. As children we were told not to take those kid's seriously as they bully us because they have issues and are projecting on us. I don't know about you but then I never took that advice seriously but now it is ground breaking and so true. I plan on implementing the four agreements in my life and try to work through all my problems holding me back.
The four agreements breaks down in a simplistic manner the way to living a life free of judgements, self defeating emotions and what I call the Eeyore syndrome. If you are open to the possibilities to a different life, this is the book for you.
Ramona M. (Grazona) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 119 more book reviews
This book reminded me of The Secret in that the presentation is a bit hokey but the information is solid. It's not an "ancient secret". It's knowledge any person can access if they want to. I loved this book because the four agreements are things I struggle to accomplish in my daily life. The explanation for each agreement is simple and easy to understand and put to use. The way they fit together is easy to see. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in improving their quality of life. You have to start with how you think!
Rebecca S. (frogandcricket) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 2 more book reviews
In The Four Agreements shamanic teacher and healer Don Miguel Ruiz exposes self-limiting beliefs and presents a simple yet effective code of personal conduct learned from his Toltec ancestors. Full of grace and simple truth, this handsomely designed book makes a lovely gift for anyone making an elementary change in life, and it reads in a voice that you would expect from an indigenous shaman. The four agreements are these: Be impeccable with your word. Don't take anything personally. Don't make assumptions. Always do your best. It's the how and why one should do these things that make The Four Agreements worth reading and remembering.
Addison C. (littlemeap) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 2 more book reviews
I read this book in less than a day, I couldn't put it down.
I feel that is has some very important lessons that can be applied to everyday life. It has helped me tremendously and I have recommended it to several people who have also enjoyed the reading.
One on my biggest problems is that I take everything personally and this book has helped to overcome this little by little. Although it may not seem as big, "Always do your best" has helped as well and I am no longer wearing myself out to get things done, I am doing the best I can in that moment.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to make a positive change in their life.
I feel that is has some very important lessons that can be applied to everyday life. It has helped me tremendously and I have recommended it to several people who have also enjoyed the reading.
One on my biggest problems is that I take everything personally and this book has helped to overcome this little by little. Although it may not seem as big, "Always do your best" has helped as well and I am no longer wearing myself out to get things done, I am doing the best I can in that moment.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to make a positive change in their life.
Rhonda M. reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 24 more book reviews
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.
Megan (meggy37) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 10 more book reviews
This book left a huge impact on me. I'll never relist this book on here. I will hold onto it forever. It's so well done. A quick but impactful read.
Liz Gawel reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 6 more book reviews
Love. The only word that describes this book.
MaryEllen R. (minister) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 6 more book reviews
great guidance with simplicity
a bit of a yawn...
Elaine G. (lane997714) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 3 more book reviews
love this book
Rebecca S. (berylsie) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 16 more book reviews
Very powerful! If we all could live by these four agreements what a wonderful world we would have. I am trying to put them into practice in my life and have passed the book on to a family member.
James T. reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 2 more book reviews
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.
Lori G. (lorigriffin) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 8 more book reviews
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.
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.
Crystal J. (dorolerium) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 212 more book reviews
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
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
Amy H. (IntrepidOne) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 157 more book reviews
It's an all right book. Great common sense guidelines. Nothing earth shattering.
Betty J R. reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 151 more book reviews
interesting spiritual thinking....
Maritza M. (kafechic) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 17 more book reviews
This book was mentioned on Oprah and Ellen. The message is simple and refreshing.
miss-zuzu -
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!
Tara S. (ladymcfadey) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 85 more book reviews
An excellent book!!! Everyone should read it!
Allison W. (sealady) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 657 more book reviews
The source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom
Danielle C. reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 101 more book reviews
Don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-burting beliefs that rob us of our joy and create needless suffering. This book is based on Toltex wisdom and offers a peacefull code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.
Renee N. (ReneeN) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 12 more book reviews
Ruiz's first book.
Leah D. (LeahinTexas) reviewed The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom on + 26 more book reviews
(from the back cover)
Don Miguel Ruiz was born into a family of healers, and raised in rural Mexico by a curandera (healer) mother and a nagual (shaman) grandfather. The family anticipated that Miguel would embrace their centuries-old legacy of healing and teaching, and carry forward the esoteric Toltec knowledge. Instead, distracted by modern life, Miguel chose to attend medical school and become a surgeon.
A near-death experience changed his life. Late one night in the early 1970s, he awoke suddenly, having fallen asleep at the wheel of his car. At that instant the car careened into a wall of concrete. Don Miguel remembers that he was not in his physical body as he pulled his two friends to safety.
Stunned by this experience, he began an intensive practice of self-inquiry. He devoted himself to the mastery of the ancient ancestral wisdom, studying earnestly with this mother, and completing an apprenticeship with a powerful shaman in the Mexican desert. His grandfather, who had since passed on, continued to teach him in his dreams.
In the tradition of the Toltec, a nagual guides an individual to personal freedom. Don Miguel Ruiz, a nagual from the Eagle Knight lineage, has dedicated his life to sharing the wisdom of the ancient Toltec.
(From the inside front cover)
The Four Agreements
Be impeccable with your word. . .
Don't take anything personally . . .
Don't make assumptions . . .
Always do your best . . .
Don Miguel Ruiz was born into a family of healers, and raised in rural Mexico by a curandera (healer) mother and a nagual (shaman) grandfather. The family anticipated that Miguel would embrace their centuries-old legacy of healing and teaching, and carry forward the esoteric Toltec knowledge. Instead, distracted by modern life, Miguel chose to attend medical school and become a surgeon.
A near-death experience changed his life. Late one night in the early 1970s, he awoke suddenly, having fallen asleep at the wheel of his car. At that instant the car careened into a wall of concrete. Don Miguel remembers that he was not in his physical body as he pulled his two friends to safety.
Stunned by this experience, he began an intensive practice of self-inquiry. He devoted himself to the mastery of the ancient ancestral wisdom, studying earnestly with this mother, and completing an apprenticeship with a powerful shaman in the Mexican desert. His grandfather, who had since passed on, continued to teach him in his dreams.
In the tradition of the Toltec, a nagual guides an individual to personal freedom. Don Miguel Ruiz, a nagual from the Eagle Knight lineage, has dedicated his life to sharing the wisdom of the ancient Toltec.
(From the inside front cover)
The Four Agreements
Be impeccable with your word. . .
Don't take anything personally . . .
Don't make assumptions . . .
Always do your best . . .
http://miasbooklist.blogspot.com/2008/04/four-agreements-don-miguel-ruiz_07.html
