Has the book, *The Four Agreements* ever been discussed here?

[Unreconstructed Lib]

I'm on my second reading of it and am finding the ideas presented to be very compelling.

[msongs]

1. i read the first and the second volume, its very enlightening imo

like to review it especially when under stress

it is a way big best seller so surely others here have read one or both of them

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[poverlay]

2. Anyone want to give us the extended review/synopsis and save us the trip over to

Amazon? You know how tiring those 3 or 4 clicks can be...
Plus I trust your judgement a bit more than people I've never met before.

[Unreconstructed Lib]

3. From the publisher

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 Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love. The Four Agreements are: Be Impeccable With Your Word, Don't Take Anything Personally, Don't Make Assumptions, Always Do Your Best.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781878424501&itm=3

[nuxvomica]

4. This is the first I've heard of the book

I looked up the Four Agreements and they seem like rock-solid advice of which I would nonetheless need to be reminded each day. I'm looking forward to reading the book because I expect it will give examples that flesh out the agreements.

[Unreconstructed Lib]

5. I hope you like it.

It starts with some background on the Toltec tradition, some of which is a little esoteric. But the agreements themselves are practical, well-defined, and, as you guessed, well-fleshed out.

The person who told me about the book said that she had a difficult time with the intro and first chapter, so she went straight to the agreements. After she read the agreements, though, she went back to read the beginning, and she got more out of it that way.

In any event, it's a very slim volume and easy to read.

[nuxvomica]

6. There is so much New Age wisdom stuff out there...

That it's kind of daunting to take it all in. Most of the advice is wise and practical but if I were to study all of it I fear I may not focus on any of it. The Four Agreements, however, caught my attention as being pretty straightforward and carefully distilled. All by themselves they appear to be useful but I know I'll need a deeper understanding to avoid frustration. For example, "Say only what you mean" probably doesn't mean I should be brutally honest with everyone on every occasion. That's the sort of nuance I'm hoping to get from the book. And as far as learning more about esoteric Toltec tradition, well that's just the icing on the cake because I find that sort of thing fascinating. :D

[Unreconstructed Lib]

7. ". . . carefully distilled . . . ."

You put your finger on it, right there. I'm like you regarding all of the New Age/self help stuff out there. But this book resonated with me before I ever even read it, for a few reasons. First, a dear friend and someone whose intellect I greatly respect recommended it. Second, it's such a small book that I knew I could fit it into my life. And, third, from reviewing the information on the back cover, I recognized that it would take up concepts similar to those I had read about, many years before, in the Carlos Castaneda books.

When I read Castaneda's writings, I was positive that, in all of the arcane and mystical stuff, there were some simple instructions for living a life that is above self-reproach. But I could never quite distill, as you say, these things from the material. Now, some 35 years later, I've found a book that does exactly that, and reading it has been a series of "Eureka!" moments for me.

As for nuance, it's in the simplicity. The section about being impeccable with your word, for example, is an excellent template for determining whether our words are meant to convey poison. Don Miguel observes that there's a time and a place for everything. And, in that regard, brutal words, or words that might be perceived as brutal, can absolutely be necessary, sometimes. I can think of examples and I'm sure you can, too. But, because words are incredibly powerful, the idea of saying what we mean is about the intent of our words. And Intent is everything.

That's just my take, though. You may reach a different conclusion. In any case, I'm certain that you'll come away with some renewed understandings.