The Four Agreements

By: don Miguel Ruiz

Narrated by: Peter Coyote

Length: 2 hrs and 31 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.

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.

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.

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.

Be ready to make connections to your upbringing!

If you could sum up The Four Agreements in three words, what would they be?

Mind blowing, perceptive, enchanting.

What did you like best about this story?

The connections I made to the things I couldn't verbalize about my childhood. Associating and letting go of things I couldn't understand.

What about Peter Coyote’s performance did you like?

How helped me understand that my mother was only able to do the best she could with the seeds she was given to grow. You can grow juicy sweet cantaloupes when all you were given were kale seeds to grow. Don't know much about gardening but that's the best analogy I can make.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

To let go of my past and embrace all that I can be because I am in control of myself.

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.

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.

relearning a lifetime of unhealthy learning

the concept is simple, the four agreements are understandable, the results are unarguable... however, the disciplined practice of awareness and action is a monumental challenge...not because it's complicated, but monumental to accomplish because it requires a complete re-writing of your deepest engrained thoughts & actions. Constant presence of mind and persistent focus will begin to untangle the lifetime of unhealthy conditioning we've all become comfortable with.

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!

LISTEN BEYOND THE WOO WOO STUFF

This book is a little "woo woo", not bashing it at all, but I could see how parts of it are difficult to get through for someone who isn't into that stuff. The basis of The Four Agreements is strong and so important. Beyond the woo woo new agey tone of the book are four tenants that are SO important and vital to succeed personally and professionally. The Four Agreements are simple and easy to follow and will serve you well in life.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Fantastic thought provoking perspectives

Was looking for a book that could open my mind to new thoughts and new perspectives after reading amazing The Way of The Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman.

It's sad to say that there are very few books out there that can really change ur life, despite the bold claims of many, but this one and the aforementioned Way of The Peaceful Warrior (at least for me) really did contribute to a notable change in my life.

If you find you are spending your days thinking "there's got to be more to life than this, you're right!" And these 2 books could help you see that possibility.

I would recommend this book to anyone dealing with depression, low confidence, or a dissatisfaction in life.

I listen to this book frequently. The lessons, though simple in concept are profound.

Enjoy x

A MUST READ

I have been on the path of spiritual awakening for the last 25 years, and I wish I had come across this book at the beginning of my journey! Now it is a perfect summary of what I have found out myself over the years, wrapped into a beautiful mystical story, the Toltec way of looking at it.
I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who is looking to find a way to lead a happy life, be free from the fog of limiting beliefs and other effects of our domestication. The four agreements are simple, yet difficult enough to keep in every moment of our life, which is why the fourth agreement is so important.
I will keep this book at the top of my list of favourite books for a long time to come, and certainly read it again to get even more wisdom out of it.

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

My journal to Happiness through the four Agreements

Peter has a soft voice.
Don has wonderful Wisdom. It is directly the answer to all of my agonies.
It is as if he is speaking to me giving guidance for my particular situation with my surrounding. I felt resentment, anger towards rude and inconsiderate behaviour of my family and friends.
It may not be easy but I will definitely transform the situation and become immune to their behaviour by using these technics. I am listening to it again and again till my heart reaches the bliss told at the end of the book. Also listening makes a difference than reading. For me it passes my filtering and judging mind and effects my subliminal consciousness and my heart changes. Thank you Miguel, Peter and Audible.)

wouldn't recommend

Simplistic examples , angels and prayers ... Fairly religious views . Not a step by step process .

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.