The Four Agreements

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.

174 of 183 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.

73 of 79 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.

106 of 116 people found this review 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.

13 of 14 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.

55 of 62 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.

19 of 21 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.

41 of 47 people found this review helpful

This book wants to be great, but fails

I really wanted to like and wholly "agree" with this book, but it is such a conundrum, because its fundamental premise is a contradiction and flawed. The very structure of his teaching is in itself a domestication, based on a position or, if you prefer, belief, which he in turn is imparting to the reader to adopt and live according to his definition for freedom of mind. Now, don't get me wrong, it is positive--according to my belief, and in the end the best this book can do is give you is useful nuggets of thought that you can take, and apply for good in your life and toward others. in other words, take the best out if it and let go of the rest. Or just go wild and let your inner self rule, regardless of consequence, reason, or other people--just love them even if you hurt them in the process--after all, according to the author, it is not your fault, and you shouldn't judge yourself for it. Ha!

4 of 4 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.

9 of 10 people found this review 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.

9 of 10 people found this review helpful