"The Four Agreements" by Ruiz

[Guest guest]

Kelly,

Thanks for reminding me.

I read this about 3 or 4 years ago and I agree this is worth reading.

It's the only one of his that I've read. The only reason I haven't

pursued that Toltec path is that I'm already spread so thin over so

many different paths. And I'm pretty certain my path is dominantly

Hindu. Which is why, even though I've felt the power of the Sufi

practices and I honor the Sufi Masters, I had to search the Hindu

path again.

 

It's sooooo human to take everything personally. A tough one to

overcome. I'm still working on it, for sure!

 

Astraea

 

, Kelly Leeper <blissnout>

wrote:

> Hi Arjuna and Everyone. Namaste.

>

> There is a book called The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz. He

is a toltec shaman and wrote this book amongst others. It goes into

great detail of taking things personally and it's a wonderful book.

After reading it, I thought, this is implied in alot of religions,

but how many religions would thrive if it were considered almost a

gospel and people truely followed it and made these agreements with

themselves. The 4 agreements that you make to yourself are:

>

> BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD: Speak with integrity. Say only what

you mean. Avoid 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 wont be the victim of needless suffering.

> DON'T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS: Find the courage to ask quqestions 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.

>

> Sounds simple, but I can tell you, it's very true and not always

easy. Following these and not falling into the traps, can give you

non-attachment and discernment automatically. Take a week and

follow number 1 and then the next week 2. Just become aware of how

we speak against ourself or others. How gossip is not impeccable,

even if you think righteously your opinion it's for the best or if

you are trying to 'protect' someone by gossiping... how we decieve

ourselves by gossip. Then the next week the 2nd agreement. It's

amazing how much more aware we can become.

>

> Anyway, if anyone is interested, it's a good book to read as well

as The Mastery of Love.

> They are short books..

>

> Namaste,

> Kelly