Four Agreement statements of truth

fThe Four Agreements: A Toltec Wisdom Book

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The Four Agreements: A Toltec Wisdom Book
by Ruiz, Don
Amber-Allen Publishing


The work of Don Miguel Ruiz is based on a knowledge held by the ancient Toltec of Mexico. His work is the result of years of study and self-inquiry, which altered his life. Ruiz describes it as a way of life that is spiritual, yet not necessarily a religion. This pathway is distinguished by the commitment to reach an accessible happiness and love. It moves the person beyond the world that is leaned to a deeper sense of what is self. Ruiz defines this move with the commitment of the person to four agreements. In order to attain this path to freedom defined by true happiness and love, the person practices these four agreements: "Be impeccable with your word", "Don't take anything personally", "Don't make assumptions", and "Always do your best".


The first of the four agreements, "Be impeccable with your word", means to speak with integrity. Ruiz describes the power of the word and how we must use that power to say what we mean and use it in a direction of truth and love. Because of the power the word has, Ruiz warns of its misuse, such as in the case of gossip. It is only through integrity of the word, that a person can transcend to heaven.

The second of the four agreements, "Don't take anything personally", speaks of the word of others. Ruiz discusses being immune to the opinions and actions of others, which act against us. These opinions and actions against us are the result of a fear or insecurity with the person dealing the opinions and actions. Therefore, according to Ruiz, we should not take anything personally. We will avoid needless suffering if we are in accordance with this agreement.

The third agreement, "Don't make assumptions", deals with misunderstanding. Ruiz declares that, in order to avoid the sadness and worry that accompany misunderstandings, we should communicate with clarity. The clarity can only come when a person is willing to be courageous and ask questions for clarity.

The fourth agreement, "Always do your best", works to avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret. Ruiz defines your best as relative to how a person is feeling at that time. Therefore, you best will change from time to time, whether you are feeling healthy or sick. Yet, if you do your best under any circumstance, a person will avoid the negative side effects of not doing your best.

Ruiz describes that make the four agreements with yourself, and constantly working on them, can lead a person to the path of personal freedom. These agreements, all of which are present in Zander and Zander's The Art of Possibility, and Cashman's Leadership From the Inside Out, are useful for us as leaders. The agreements help keep us in integrity with our word. They can help us to stop and reflect and verify that our word is in line with our declared truths about leadership. The four agreements can assist us to maintain a focus on our core values, which guide us as leaders. The four agreements remind us that as leaders we will always need to reflect and renew ourselves as we develop and grow with new experiences.