Book of the Month Recommendation: The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz (1997)

 

Book of the Month Recommendation: The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz (1997)

Review by Katie Cox, staff music therapist

What Amazon Says:

“In The Four Agreements, bestselling author 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 Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.”

What I Say:

The Four Agreements lays out a simple yet philosophical narrative for our lives, illustrating a concept in which we are all made of light, but our human struggles with perfectionism and fear of rejection create smoke that keeps us from seeing each other clearly in our true forms. Because of the blurred vision, so to speak, we ultimately end up suffering because our perception of others and ourselves is marred. 

The four agreements present themselves as being pieces of very simple advice, but each one is explained in terms of how it not only betters ourselves but creates a safe haven for us to “live in Heaven while others live in Hell,” as Ruiz explains. This concept, alone, is enough to intrigue most readers these days!

Ruiz explains that these agreements are what we come to believe about ourselves and others, and that by breaking negative “contracts,” we free ourselves to live in love and to experience true happiness and freedom. It’s honestly a refreshing way to think about the concept of positive psychology and to consider the impact of self-kindness upon ourselves and how it flows over to others in our lives.

Be impeccable with your word. 

Don’t take anything personally.

Don’t make assumptions.

Always do your best. 

Trust me, it’s worth the read. You’ll feel enlightened, as if you have gained some secret wisdom, and you’ll want to share it!