The Four Agreements Book

The four agreements book comes out of ancient Toltec wisdom that originated in Southern Mexico.

Who Wrote It?

Don Miguel Ruiz was born in 1952 and raised in Mexico amongst a family that had a long line of healers and teachers of Toltec wisdom.  Toltec refers to a collection of people who practiced a way of life and shared common insight into wisdom and knowledge of life in Southern Mexico thousands of years ago.

When Was It Written?

He completed and had the book published in 1997.  In 1987 he began healing practices but began to see that he preferred teaching to healing.  Teaching is more about empowering people to discover themselves what is true, and I fully understand and share his preference in this regard.

I first heard of the book by a fellow retreat attendee in 2005, Napa Valley, California.

What Is The Four Agreements Book About?

• Most everything that this website is about.  Integrity, honesty, authenticity, personal responsibility for your thoughts, words and actions.

• Ruiz also writes about noticing just how much we assume is true.  We assume we know how other people feel and think and we are almost always completely wrong.

• Developing unshakable personal power in the face of other people’s words and behaviour.  Know that other people have a lot of stuff going on and the way they behave towards you is not your responsibility.  You are responsible and empowered about how you behave in return though.  Hint: next time you have a confrontation or situation where you need someone else’s cooperation, quietly say to yourself with your attention on them ‘I love you’ repeatedly.

This technique is amazing and I use it a lot!  In quick time you notice the other person’s attitude change, all because you have changed your energy.  As one of my teachers used to say ‘you must go first’.

• Either do your best or allow yourself to move onto something where you can do your best.  There are no rules about what you must be good at doing, what you must enjoy or when you should do it.  If you want to do something or it needs to be done and you can then do it.  Otherwise don’t do it.

Across all the teachings and all the ancient wisdom of the world through to modern day psychologists and spiritual teachers, no one says anything new.

Some teachers or some traditions will present and explain the knowledge in a way that resonates with you and helps you transform the way you live.  Your job is to keep seeking and following what comes into your awareness and apply it in your life if it feels right for you.

At the right time the right books, workshops and opportunities will present themselves to you.  The Four Agreements book has been a best seller for many years.  The way you live your life; your attitudes towards yourself and others, is a major determinant of your experience of life.  This book is a great place to start.