The Four Agreements

a refresher

I couldn't finish this. you don't learn anything new. I found that at best, its a reminder on what to always keep in mind. But its all common sense things anyone with a little bit of empathy a desire to communicate, connect and be heard already knows. If you find yourself struggling, its a good listen, to remind you of how to be you, and how to be good for the world and how to be someone who can take in the good.

51 people found this helpful

Common Sense - Don't Waste Your Time!

This book has a LOT of good reviews, and I have no idea why. I got the audiobook, and the narrator is okay ( a bit dull), but the book itself is complete drivel. Anyone who thinks this book is revolutionary must have been living their life on a different planet.

Be impeccable with your word. Don't take anything personally. Don't make assumptions. Always do your best. These are things that anyone living should already know they have to do. Despite saying over and over in the book that people already know they need to do it but don't know-how, he never actually delves into how to start when you haven't already, just says that you SHOULD. I sat through the entire book waiting for some epiphany where he would walk me through how to reach the Toltec wisdom that he stated at the beginning, but all he said were things that most people already know.

Don't get me wrong, there were some parts of the book I found myself nodding along and agreeing with his words, but to be given this book by a therapist as something that would change my life is laughable. This is not a life-changing book, and the Toltec wisdom that they're claiming seems to be just regular common sense people should know.

Also, any atheists - despite the fact that I was given this book to read by a non-religious therapist that KNEW I was an atheist, this book alludes to a higher power a LOT, and even requests you say a prayer the end, with an 'amen' and everything. It's clear that originally this book was written to talk about 'God' but upon probably getting a suggestion from an editor that they make it more universal took that out and put 'the all knowing being' or 'the creator' instead.

All in all, it wasn't horrible. It made some good points. But I wouldn't waste my money. I'm just happy it was free on Audible.

37 people found this helpful

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.

273 people found this helpful

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.

21 people found this 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.

139 people found this helpful

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.

32 people found this helpful

Pseudoscientific silliness

I really wanted to see past the new age language, but when they started talking about ghosts I tapped out. Might be useful for some, but it requires a specific perspective going in.

13 people found this helpful

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.

38 people found this 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.

141 people found this 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.

39 people found this helpful