The Four Agreements

I’ve recently read “The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom” by Don Miguel Ruiz. It uncovers some basic truths based on ancient Toltec Wisdom which I definitely feel is relevant today. It seems so basic yet, most of us will find it hard to do it on a daily basis. But when you can, it will definitely be life changing and in my opinion, makes life much simpler.

Be Impeccable with your Word: Speak with integrity.
Seems simple enough. But do we always say what you mean? Whatever we say does affect other people. My mom used to say that whatever you say is actually a prayer – so  if you speak bad things about others, you are praying for bad things for others. The Word is such a powerful thing.
Often enough, when we say something enough times, it becomes our reality – it becomes someones’ truth. Imagine someone being told that they are ugly in the midst of an argument, it hurts and sometimes it’s embedded deep in their psyche. Even when its absolute untruth and their rational mind says otherwise but it’s already in their subconscious.
Even advanced athletes use words and imagery to make themselves better. We should avoid using the Word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use it to empower ourselves and others.

Don’t Take Anything Personally
This is definitely hard. Especially when someone says things that, to you, feels like you are being attacked upon. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality. Nothing others do is because of you. It is from their minds and their personal view. But if we can do this, we won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

Don’t Make Assumptions
Doesn’t this feel like the most common sense rule of all? But we can’t even seem to get that right. How many times have you assumed the crap out of a situation and find that it’s not what it was? Plenty I bet. I do that too. We have to be able to speak up and express what we really want. Communicate with others and clarify when we don’t understand. Why do we need to assume. We need to agree that a page is a page and not something else in order to understand one another. 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.

Always Do Your Best
That’s all we can strive for. The best we can give at any given moment. And our best will change from moment to moment, not day-to-day but even minute to minute. It will be different under stress, when you feel good, when you are healthy, when you have lots of worries, when you are sick. Just do your best, avoid self-judgement, self-abuse, and regret. This ties up the other 3 agreements, cause we know we can’t be perfect on our agreements all the time, but when we find ourselves failing, just try to do your best again

 

The agreements may be simple, but Don Miguel never said they are easy to keep. He referred to people who decide to adopt the Four Agreements and create love and happiness in their life as SpirituaBe impeccable with your word. don't take things personally. don't make assumptions. always do your best,.l Warriors. It is Spiritual because it is about living your Life. It is also referred to as a war because you are challenging the old fear based beliefs in your mind.

I say, go have a read, pick up some ancient Toltec Wisdom and try to keep the four agreements – as best you can. (No this is not a plug, i don’t have any association to Amazon or Don Miguel Ruiz).

 

 

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