The Four Agreements

By: don Miguel Ruiz

Narrated by: Peter Coyote

Length: 2 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

In The Four Agreements, don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, the The Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.

Don Miguel Ruiz has dedicated his life to sharing the wisdom of the ancient Toltec. For more than two decades, he has guided others toward their personal freedom. Today, he continues to combine his unique blend of ancient wisdom and modern-day awareness through journeys to sacred sites around the world.

©1997 Migeul Angel Ruiz (P)2003 Amber-Allen Publishing

Critic Reviews

"Despite the New Age-sounding language, Ruiz is refreshingly clear in the presentation of his ideas. Reading aloud, actor Coyote sounds every bit the enthusiastic old hippie, genuinely excited by the concepts he is spinning." (Publishers Weekly)

Incredible!!!

When I first started listening to this, I almost turned it off because it seemed way too "new age" (i.e., spiritual nonsense) for me. I am SO glad I didn't. After the first 2 minutes or so, this book is great. I think this book may have totally changed the way I look at the world. Basically, the author says life is a dream and the way you look at the world will determine if it is a nightmare or an incredible dream. However, rather than using nebulous clich?s like ?just think positive? or ?think big?, he explains how to do it in a much better way than I have ever heard. Some of it you need to take into context, in that, some of what he says might be interpreted as ?I can do no wrong? and ?the rest of the world is messed up but not me?. However, he really says don't beat yourself up over mistakes and just learn from them and move on. Also, he says that people can be way too judgmental (for various reasons which he explains) and you need to be cognizant of this before you accept what they say. Anyway, BUY THIS AUDIOBOOK!!! It is cheap and it could drastically change the way you look at the world. As an added bonus, Peter Coyote, the narrator, is excellent.

86 of 91 people found this review helpful

A better listen than a read

I've had this book for years but could not get past the first several pages. I tried it as an audio book with much more success. I truly appreciate this book and the lessons within. It's a good read, I reccommend it.

81 of 88 people found this review helpful

It Helps Heal Your Soul Wounds

Great philosophy. Outstanding narration. Very relaxing to listen to. It teaches how we're one with the universe. It helps you to calm down from our everyday stress and troubles by focusing on what you can do to be a better person, instead of worrying for the things that are out of your control.

I enjoyed this book very much.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Making Promises to Ourselves

Our personal power is based on the agreements we make, and often we make those agreements to please others, rather than being true to ourselves. In doing so, we give away our personal power. The Four Agreements is about taking back our personal power by being authentic and by adhering to our true selves. The four agreements are: 1) Be impeccable in your word, 2) Don't take anything personally, 3) Don't make assumptions, and 4) Always do your best. While simple, these agreements are anything but easy. Ruiz encourages readers to practice these agreements everyday and forgive ourselves when we are not perfect. The effort is what's most important. This book is a quick read (or listen) and should be reread repeatedly if you truly desire to keep your agreements with yourself.

25 of 27 people found this review helpful

The Four Agreements

I am so glad I picked up this book! My life had fallen off track, lost in a huge slump of depression. The message in this book helped me rise above my own harsh criticism and stop being the victim. Now I focus on each day, being the very best I can be without judging myself, always striving to keep each of the very important four agreements.

48 of 54 people found this review helpful

One Of My Favorites

This is one of the few books that made me reevaulate some of my beliefs. I'm not a changed man after 1 listen, but the ideas and advice within this book really struck home for me. If you enjoyed "The Power of Now" by Ekhart Tolle, you probably won't be disappointed here.

38 of 43 people found this review helpful

Must Read Book!

I recommend this book for anyone interested in neuroscience, or how the mind truly controls our actions and outcomes. Amazing read!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Want to change your existence?

If you can keep an open mind and let go of all the hangups that you know of and listen to the story, you could get the power to finally get freedom in your life. And true freedom, the freedom that brings a chance for everlasting happiness. It comes a price though, and it comes with work: forgiveness, letting go of the past, getting rid of our victimhood and anger, and be willing to live in the ever present. But from this little person's humble perspective, it is so very worth it.

Plus, Peter Coyote has one of the best reading voices of all time and he reads this book as if speaking into my soul.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Highly Recommended!!!

This book has literally helped to changed the direction of my life along with several other great people I know, all for the better! I give this book my highest recommendations!!!

22 of 26 people found this review helpful

Fantastic!

This book is written in very simple language, yet the teachings are profound. While the four agreements sound very simple, they are not easy to follow. However, just by paying a little attenton to information in this book can change your life. I highly recommend it!

34 of 41 people found this review helpful

Tools For Life

This is a brilliant book with an excellent audio edition. It describes four simple agreements to make with yourself, which allow you to increase your control over how you experience your life: 1) Be impeccable with your word; 2) Don't take anything personally; 3) Don't make assumptions; 4) Always do your best. Simple does not mean easy! Don Miguel's book helps the reader have the power of these agreements and use it. Peter Coyote's reading is a delight which helps the learning process. This is timeless work that can be referred to time and again. I found the Four Agreements even more powerful than Stephen Covey's Seven Habits, which is saying a lot. And just like the Seven Habits, the Four Agreements are powerful in all aspects of your life including family, work and leisure time.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

An interesting perspective

I was initially put off by the rather religious stance at the beginning of the book. I decided to stick to it and keep listening. I was rewarded as the book laid out some useful principles:



1. Be Impeccable With Your Words.



2. Don't Take Anything Personally.



3. Don't Make Assumptions.



4. Always Do Your Best.



Simple, not always easy to practice but resonates with me!

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Really practical advice if you can get past the over-spiritual and religious background that make up a lot of the stories

Although the content and agreements are useful and relevant in the 21st century, I felt there was a lot of very religious and over-spiritual elements within the stories.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

GAME CHANGER

I loved this audio book. It has lead has a HUGE impact on my relationship with my spouse,my children and so much of my community.
It has given me an enthusiasm for life and happiness.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Outstanding

A wonderful book
I love the prayers at the end, they are for people from all religions or not, and i feel connected to the universe by listening to this chapter daily.
Thank you to Mr Ruiz

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Better than expected.

I was a little sceptical, but I actually quite enjoyed listening to this audiobook. There is no particular religious bias to the teaching, but it was interesting and made complete sense.

This is an audiobook that I will re-listen to at some time.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Top 10 read.

Great book from start to finish. Recommended read for all those interested in personal development

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

great read!

loved this little book. The prayers at the end are wonderful. highly recommend reading it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

So Enlightening!

A book which can support you to open your soul to love and begin to live life with love.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

peace, beauty, wisdom in one place

I suggest you to read this book. It is really nice book, it gives you new perspective how to see the world.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful