Books can help you understand yourself and your environment. Many books provide you with philosophical ideas that aim to promote a gratifying and more fulfilling life. “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruíz provides you with and invites you to put these philosophies into practice.
The author’s work introduces four principles based on Toltec wisdom to help you create inner peace and harmony with your environment.
Four Principles:
- Be impeccable with your words. Use the power of your words in a positive way. It is necessary to become aware of the content of what you choose to say. This requires an intentional and active effort to avoid using hurtful or negative words towards others as well as towards oneself.
- Don’t make things personal. This principle focuses on the idea that others’ opinions and actions do not need to have power over your emotional state. This is a difficult principle to exercise since we tend to think of ourselves as very important. We may think others behave in a certain way to get a reaction out of us, however, what others do or say has more to do with themselves and their own experiences than with us.
- Don’t make assumptions. Often, we make the mistake of “reading” others’ minds and we even believe we can decipher what they think, feel, or their intentions. When this happens, it is very rarely accurate. Avoid making assumptions about the intentions or thoughts of others, instead, be curious. This opens the door to clear and open communication that includes questions and clarifications that help avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.
- Do your best, always. This agreement speaks to your self-image because by always doing your best you can reduce self-reproaches based on your efforts. This includes recognizing that performance differs depending on circumstances and conditions.
Beyond the four agreements, Don Miguel invites you to break old agreements. That means allowing yourself the freedom to be who you really want to be and confront the false beliefs you have adopted, often involuntarily, over the years.
It is a short book that holds a strong message. Give it a try.