Don Miguel Ruiz shares his Toltec knowledge in The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom so that people will experience more happiness and freedom.
Ellen DeGeneres promoted The Four Agreements back in 2001 and recommended it to Oprah because she loved it so much. "It's such an easy book to read, that he could even put in a few pages for people to color," said DeGeneres.
The Four Agreements Are:
1. Be impeccable with your word. The power of words is stressed with comparisons similar to voodoo. If people believe negative suggestions, they’re likely to make them come true. Of course this agreement also suggests that it’s best if people only speak the truth.
2. Don’t take anything personally. This is easier said than done, but Ruiz basically advises people not to accept other people’s negativity because it’s just allowing them to pass on their poison. People will find it’s easier to let things bounce off them when they realize individual opinions are not about them but about the person expressing them.
3. Don’t make assumptions. This agreement reminds readers that no one can read their minds and they shouldn’t try to guess what others want. Clear communication is encouraged because of this.
4. Always do your best. “Doing your best is taking the action because you love it, not because you’re expecting a reward. Most people do exactly the opposite: They only take action when they expect a reward, and they don’t enjoy the action,” says Ruiz in The Four Agreements.
Don Miguel Ruiz on the Importance of Forgiveness
Don Migue Ruiz explains the importance of forgiveness in the chapter “The Toltec Path to Freedom”. It’s done out of self love and not so much because the other person deserves it. Forgiveness brings with it freedom because by forgiving those who victimize, people cease to be victims.
About Don Miguel Ruiz
Don Miguel Ruiz decided to go to medical school even though he comes from a family of Toltecs or natural healers. It was only after a serious accident and coming out of it unscathed that he turned back to his Toltec roots and wrote The Four Agreements (Amber-Allen Publishing, 1997, ISBN: 1-878424-31-9). He had an out of body experience during this accident that also led him to pursue an apprenticeship with a shaman in the desert.
Other books by Ruiz include: The Fifth Agreement, The Voice of Knowledge and The Mastery of Love. Don Jose Ruiz coauthored the Fifth Agreement.
In 2002 Ruiz had a major heart attack and is bouncing back, but his appearances are limited. Luckily, his son Don Jose Ruiz continues to share more Toltec wisdom through his music and writing.
Sandra Williams - Sandra's a book addict and writer from Ontario, Canada. Her interests include cooking, health and personal development, so many of her ...
