I just finished this book today. My mentor suggested it to me after I had a serious breakdown due to coming to terms with the way my mother treated me as a child and continues to treat me and how that has affected the person I am today and my daily life. This book taught me how to start a life without those "lies" and "agreements" fed to me by my mother and how to turn everything in to love and freedom.

I have used this book over and over. It is an incredible resource and helps me to stay positive and focused no matter what life sends my way.

Ruiz has come up with four principles from ancient Toltec wisdom. If one adopts these four agreements, Ruiz argues, they will help bring a sense of peace and happiness to one's life. Generally the agreements sound reasonable enough: don't take things personally, say only good things about others, etc. So far, so good. But there's some serious theoretical problems that underlie Ruiz's plan. Ruiz seems to suggest that the self can determine the majority of one's experience outside of social context. He claims that society is composed of collective dreams. Even recognizing that Ruiz is infusing dreams with more importance than western culture generally does, it still strikes me that the message here is that if one has fortified one's spirit with these four principles, nothing anyone else says or does can strongly affect you. Maybe I'm too close-minded, but I just can't buy it. We all live in social and cultural worlds, and those worlds do shape our experience, whether we like it or not.

After reading this book I stopped drinking and smoking on the drop of a dime. Within several weeks I was a vegetarian. I have read "Conversations with God" that I loved, I read the "Celestine Prophecy" - so I have read several books in that genre. But I have never come across a book that packs this much of a spiritual punch. Did reading this book change my life? YES! People say that about books, but it is something else when it happens to you. This book has influenced my life more than any other book has. I can only say that the quality of your life will be improved after reading this book, it should be read again and again.

After reading this book I stopped drinking and smoking on the drop of a dime. Within several weeks I was a vegetarian. I have read "Conversations with God" that I loved, I read the "Celestine Prophecy" - so I have read several books in that genre. But I have never come across a book that packs this much of a spiritual punch. Did reading this book change my life? YES! People say that about books, but it is something else when it happens to you. This book has influenced my life more than any other book has. I can not emphasize enough how much I believe it should be required reading of sorts.

A short tome that is easily readable. Upon reflection, and a willingness to try the Four Toltec agreements, it could lead to change in your life. This book was brought to my attention by the interview in Esquire of Tom Brady. It is easier said than done to follow the four agreements put forth, but they are great guidelines to attempt to follow.

I had heard about this book a long time ago through a friend and teacher of metaphysics but only now I am mature enough and free from some of my own baggage to allow me to grasp the concepts in this book. Don Miguel is short and sweet. With precise and non-judgemental words, I felt as though he was talking directly to me, about my own relationship with myself.

The book is structured around Four Agreements that we make with ourselves. Within these agreements are clues to how we sometimes tend to dishonor ourselves just to please other people. He says nobody abuses us more than we abuse ourselves and explains self-talk, or what I call self-sabottage -- how we doubt ourselves and feed our brains with negativity and limiting beliefs.

THE FOUR AGREEMENTS:

BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD -- Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

DON'T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY -- Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

DON'T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS -- Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST -- Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse, and regret.

I really enjoyed this book and listening to the CD was fun as I could carry on with my daily tasks and take in the wisdom at the same time.

This book is written with love and honesty and it demonstrates Don Miguel's care and sincerity towards people. It reminded me that I am a higher consciousness living in human form and that being human sometimes means making poor choices. But with self-awareness I am able to transmute some of these choices into life lessons and therefore, free myself from limiting and self-destructive beliefs.

If you are ready to be honest with yourself, look at your own stuff and make changes to how you operate in life, I really recommend you take a look at this book.

I had heard about this book a long time ago through a friend and teacher of metaphysics but only now I am mature enough and free from some of my own baggage to allow me to grasp the concepts in this book. Don Miguel is short and sweet. With precise and non-judgemental words, I felt as though he was talking directly to me, about my own relationship with myself.

The book is structured around Four Agreements that we make with ourselves. Within these agreements are clues to how we sometimes tend to dishonor ourselves just to please other people. He says nobody abuses us more than we abuse ourselves and explains self-talk, or what I call self-sabottage -- how we doubt ourselves and feed our brains with negativity and limiting beliefs.

THE FOUR AGREEMENTS:

BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD -- Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

DON'T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY -- Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

DON'T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS -- Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST -- Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse, and regret.

I really enjoyed this book and listening to the CD was fun as I could carry on with my daily tasks and take in the wisdom at the same time.

This book is written with love and honesty and it demonstrates Don Miguel's care and sincerity towards people. It reminded me that I am a higher consciousness living in human form and that being human sometimes means making poor choices. But with self-awareness I am able to transmute some of these choices into life lessons and therefore, free myself from limiting and self-destructive beliefs.

If you are ready to be honest with yourself, look at your own stuff and make changes to how you operate in life, I really recommend you take a look at this book.

Its impossible to make a reviesw on an item that I never received...aaah!! you never gave me a credit for it

This is as fine a piece of literature as you can find. A quick read and you will hold on to the precepts for a life time. Keep a copy on your night-stand, you will want to review it often as you journey through the process we call life.

I believe that everyone should have a copy. "The Four Agreements" is the best possible gift for anyone special in your life. You might want to keep a couple of extra copies on hand to give to someone in their hour of need. What more can I say.

This book embodies the "It's not me, it's you" theme. It is a quick read, and something you should read weekly. I loaned it to a friend and they never gave it backso I'm buying it again! One should live by the 4 agreements! REALLY---I'm trying!

This book embodies the "It's not me, it's you" theme. It is a quick read, and something you should read weekly. I loaned it to a friend and they never gave it backso I'm buying it again! One should live by the 4 agreements! REALLY---I'm trying!

A friend recommended this book to me and I'm grateful that he did. This is a short, but very profound little book and came to me at just the right time in my journey. If you are not ready to accept and assimilate the information provided, it will be hard to appreciate this book fully. I know that I wouldn't have been ready until now. I have the four agreements posted on my fridge and am trying to think about them often as I go about my daily life. They are so simple to comprehend, yet it is amazing what a challenge it really can be to practice them fully.

First of all this is a very basic book. I have big issues with page 30 right from the get go. He says the word is powerful and is a force....I beg to differ. Things are just symbols of symbols, thus twice removed from reality, and the word IS the symbol! It's the thoughts we think that give us power and give us light to see what we REALLY are, not the word. He states a familar bible phrase, "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God,and the word is God." No.... I'm sorry, God doesn't DO words or any other "idols" He only does creation... in the form of loving, expansive thoughts. Yes we, (as children of God), are thoughts in the mind of God, and have NEVER left. Ideas leave NOT their source. He also gives a definition of sin, which I don't beleive in, and therefore can't possilbly be correct! The truth MUST be the same for eveyone! So while this book may have some good things to say, I so disagree with most of it's main premises, that it will serve no good purpose to reccommend it or reread it.

Using and applying these four agreements has improved my relationship with myself and others. I highly recommend them to anyone drawn here. The work is powerful yet simple, beautiful in its simplicity, and washes away emotional pain like the ocean sculpts the shoreline. Other of my favorite book about self-help and love is I Love You. Now What?: Falling in Love is a Mystery, Keeping It Isn't

I strongly recommend that anyone who has a yearning to BE their authentic self, but is unsure or afraid of this process, to buy this book. This beautiful intense book of wisdom is the step-by-step process of uncovering the Authentic Self for anyone. I have begun working with the Companion Book that is sold seperately, and I cannot imagine being the same again. I have created 4 new agreements to honor the Real Me, as Don Miguel suggests. I feel lighter, happier, and so much less afraid. You will not regret the purchase of this book, or his other books.

Great for anyone struggling with the injustices of society and religion. This is an EXCELLENT cd. A little /new agey/ at first, but after the 1st 10 minutes or so, it gets really good. Of course, for the new age folks out there, you will love it right from the beginning. I'm telling everyone I know about this cd.

This has been one of the most helpful and enlightning book for me and my family in recent history.

The Four Agreements by Ruiz is certainly one of my most referred to volumes in my library! This man says things that so many folks mouth over and over and he says them with such authority and gentleness that they resonate deeply with your heart.

This book is very well written and easy to understand. It is a quick read, and I will reread it often to keep the material fresh. The message is simple, yet very profound. It truly opened my eyes and my heart to an awareness that had made a huge difference in the way I treat myself. Most of us don't realize how we are silently killing our own souls by the way we think; this book helped me to realize and change a thought process that released negativity I didn't know was harboring in my soul. As a result, it freed me and opened the path to a higher level of enjoyment and satisfaction in my life. I will purchase many more copies as gifts for friends ... what great joy it will bring me to know that I gave someone I love the ability to be kinder to themselves, along with the tools to truly enjoy life!

This book was really thought provoking. Keeps you reading and wanting more. Some of these types of books can be very dry reading and hard to get through, not this one!!!

This book is a wonderful book so full of insightful knowledge, yet so simple that anyone can read it quickly. I highly recommend this book to anyone for personal and professional development.

The concepts of this book are right on the money. There were a few statements that I didn't quite agree with and at times it gets a little wordy, but it is a quick read. This book is an absolute "must read" for folks who tend to have a little too much drama in their lives and seem to be unable break away from it. If you live with, are related to, work with or manage people who fit this description, recommend this book -- better yet, buy it for them.

I've been reading through some of the reviews of this book, positive and negative. Of course there are lots of books out there about the same thing. Of course we've heard all this before. But personally, this book actually broke through and made sense to me. Like in those old cartoons where a light bulb turns on over your head. I read this book and it all made sense; I saw what I was doing, I looked at myself honestly and made real changes. I don't know what makes this book different from the others that tell you basically the same thing. I think, though, that it is its simplicity. Don't give people power over you. Not a lot of psychological studies, case histories and boring details. Just simple and honest advice. Take back the power. When people hurt you, you allow them to. You agree to it. Maybe this doesn't make sense to everyone. But this book changed my entire life view and I believe that it will do the same for anyone who reads it with an open mind and an honest vision of themselves.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is a very practical and eye-opening book. It teaches that by adopting the following four agreements: (1) Be Impeccable With Your Word, (2) Don't Take Anything Personally, (3) Don't Make Assumptions, and (4) Always Do Your Best, an ordinary life can be transformed into a magical one, filled with happiness, integrity and love. I was particularly inspired by the fourth agreement - "Always Do Your Best." Adopting that agreement supported me in being proactive in each moment of my life, regardless of the task at hand and regardless of the outcome. I felt alive and passionate even while doing activities I once thought were boring or mundane.

Another practical and inspiring approach to transformation can be found in the work of Ariel and Shya Kane. Their books: Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: A Book About Instantaneous Transformation; How To Create a Magical Relationship; and Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment, demonstrate how being present in your life, exactly as it is showing up, leads to satisfaction and well being. The touching stories shared by the Kanes are supportive of living a magical life, regardless of the circumstances, and without having to work on yourself. I highly recommend the Kanes' books and The Four Agreements for a simple and practical approach to transforming your life.

For anyone who beats themselves up, for what others think or say about them, who question the past, present and future of their lives, this book is a way to keep it all sane. Seems it worked for Alex of the Yankees and it you want it will work for you too!

Put down the other books, cancel your life coach session and buy this book. This is pretty much the basics of what you need to know about the rules of the road so to speak. Granted it's simple--but that's the beauty of it.
The Four Agreements are:
Be Impeccable With Your Word
Don't Take Anything Personally
Don't Make Assumptions
Always Do Your Best
Have you ever wished life came with some sort of instruction book? Well it doesn't but this is as close as anything I've seen. This is brilliant flashing insight.

I have read this book three times. I even used to carry a small version in my bookbag when i was in college. This time i ordered it for my fiance but i have been rereading it again too.

This was a big disappointment. It was recommended to me by a "personal coach" along with a few other books. The others were great and I enjoyed the different perspectives they brought.
This book, however, contained too much "new age mumbo-jumbo" for me. I tried my hardest to get past that and finish the book.
Unfortunately, I hit the wall about halfway through.

Any New Age 'Old Duffer' will find this book overly simplistic and not very satisfying. But, if every one on the planet could just follow these 4 simple behavioral models, we'd have a lovely world and our Earth Mother could stop crying. As one of the reviewers said, the concepts are not new. Neither is the Golden Rule but not enough people follow that one either. I feel it's an easy-to-read Primer for pursuing a spiritual path if you're just starting out. It's also nice to get back too when life throws too many spitballs at you and you're getting cranky. Beautiful concepts to teach kids if you truly walk the talk.

Buy this book. Read it over and over. Buy more copies to give to your friends, your children, all who matter to you. It is that important.

As an organizational psychology professional, this book has been a very critical piece of my success. I used it in graduate school and it opened my eyes to a whole new way of viewing my interactions and conversations with people. I have always felt that I was good with people, but this book helped me to understand that it's not all about me, but it could be about something another person is dealing with, at the time we interact. It was definitely a huge eye opener for me in working in the corporate sector, and I would highly recommend it for anyone to read!!!

This book is way too simplistic for anyone who has done any work on their spiritual progress. Maybe it will help someone who is completely new to this subject. If you want to go further and really work on deeper issues and expansion of awareness I would recommend the Castaneda series and The Art of Stalking Parallel Perception: The Living Tapestry of Lujan Matus.

The four agreements are simple, and, yes, obvious. What's not so obvious is what they *do*. They keep you from receding back into the Dream, back into dealing with the *story* you have in your head about the world and the other people who are in it. These are tools to keep you awake, to remind you that other people have stories in their heads about *you*, too, and most likely their actions are a result of reacting to that story and not to the actual you. The four agreements help to disentangle the drama and hurt of day-to-day life, to stalk out the lies that we tell ourselves about what is happening to us and around us. Read some of the one- and two-star reviews to see perfect examples of what Ruiz calls people who are caught in their dreams and unable to engage the observer, unable to relate to the world as it is.

I liked reading this book and feel as if there is definitely some truth to it - practice these four agreements and you will live a better life. However it's also harder than it looks! I printed out the four agreements and keep them in my wallet - and try really hard to own it. I'm also reading a New Earth which I feel has some similarities so I feel like I'm on my way to a better me! :)

I've read the book before, and bought the CDs because I wanted to listen to them on the way in to work. It's a great way to start the day and keep the principles of the book in the forefront of my mind. The narration is fairly well done, and the pace is just right.

I was compelled to pick up this book a few years ago at a bookstore without knowing anything about it at all, and I rarely purchase books. I didn't know why then but after I read it I knew why. No book has inspired me or taught me like this one. I have referred back to it many times over the years. This, along, with "The Mastery of Love" by the same author have been such a positive changing force in my life that I am forever grateful for stumbling on them.

This book is a good read. The four agreements are very, very useful for anyone. There is a spiritual underlying theme, but if you are not religious, like I am not....just take the jewels from the book and disregard the rest.

I strongly recommend this book to everyone. I believe, everyone and I mean everyone in the world should read this book. If everyone did the four agreements, there would be a lot less conflict in the world.

The book is disappointing on many levels. If your life is so shallow that you need to hear some of the common sense and simple views in this book, you are already in trouble. You could learn more from Buddha and Jesus of Nazareth.

And what is this garbage about Toltec wisdom? The Toltecs were an extremely aggressive and expansionistic society in MesoAmerican history. Although they left a number of monuments and numerous glyphs at cities like Chitzen Itza (which is as Mayan as Toltec), they were hardly peace-loving group from whom I would draw deep wisdom for everyday life.

May I suggest probing through Zen Buddhism for more enlightenment or the Gospel accounts associated with Jesus of Nazareth. I have found far more richness and depth.

If you are bent on being "free" in your "spirit" and making your own morality and rules then maybe you should read Nietzsche for that line of absurdity. At least, he has more intellectual prowess to offer. Again, this is a book does not offer any new, deep, spiritual wisdom. Indeed, it's just a simple read on four dynamics that you might agree with in a world without restraint. Sorry, this does not measure up to anything astounding.

I wish I had read this book years ago. Life would not have been so hard to live.

As a trainer and professional writer, I can't tell you how powerful this little book is. If you really want to change the outcome of your life, read this book. The four agreements are simple, yet profoundly challenging. If more people followed the Four Agreements, we'd live in a near paradise....
Thank you, Mr. Ruiz, for a magnificent contribution of intellect, vision and information.... I use this book regularly and refer to it often. For a small book, it carries a massively important message that can help the reader towards attaining personal growth, personal integrity and real authenticity in this lifetime.

Don Miguel's The Four Agreements is a life-altering book. Every person I know in business should read this book and adopt the philosophies at home and in work. I have recommended this book to lawyers, advertising and marketing agency executives, accountants, public relations practitioners, publicists, women in business and so many others. It's a refreshing view of how we can live our lives more fully, achieve personal and professional success, and love ourselves and others in a perpetual state of awareness and growing wisdom.

The book is well criticized in many of the 1-star reviews so I won't repeat the valid points made there but just add to the numbers.

I am shocked that I actually bought this book - but there it is in my order history, bought from Amazon in late 2004. My age at the time (28 :-) ) does not justify this choice and I can only hope that it was a "people who bought this also bought" inspiration after putting Csikszentmihalyi's "Flow" into my cart.

On the upside, I don't have any friends or relatives to think less of for giving it to me as a gift. And this teaches me to never ever trust the average ratings on Amazon again but always to check for very low ratings.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is awesome! I actually read the sequel "The Mastery of Love" first and loved that book, so it's no surprise that "The Four Agreements" made just as deep an impression on me as it did.

Ruiz's agreements are a small but incredibly useful set of "rules-to-live-by" that when used can revolutionize one's life! For example, the act of just being impeccable with my word made such a big difference for me. I told someone I would go to an event but felt
like giving an excuse and not going. However, my better side won out and I stayed the course, kept my word and had the most marvelous time! Also, a few things neatly resolved themselves while I was away. If I hadn't left the house, I would have just sat at home and sulked about the situation. The universe does indeed provide!

Other authors I highly recommend are Ariel & Shya Kane who have written Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment, and Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: A Book About Instantaneous Transformation. The Kanes also have a few simple principles that when applied can shift your life dramatically. Their books belong on every spiritual seekers' bookshelf!

This book is lovely written and broken down easily. This is a book that you can give to a child or to an elderly person. It's very easy to read! If you're interested in living a better life this is a good way to start. The agreements have opened my eyes to see how we are; and I quote from the book "domesticated!". I like that word because it puts into prospect how much work is needed for you to be free-minded and the author shows how you can acheive that freedom. Overall excellent book!!

One of my favorite gifts for those I love is The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, A Toltec Wisdom Book, Don Miguel Ruiz's wonderful guide for living. These simple agreements: be impeccable, don't take things personally, don't make assumptions and do your best are framed by a bounty of common sense thoughts that help you to understand how your life actually works. Over the years I've given copies of this little treasure to my wife and to each of my children and to several others who I have considered to be special from time to time. 'Agreements' is just 150 short pages and if you are like me, you will pick it up again and again to ponder those snippets of simple wisdom that pop out at you. It adds for you a new dimension to peaceful contemplation and I highly recommend that everyone pick up a personal copy to read.

I absolutely adored this book!
Don't be decieved by the simplicity of the wisdom presented in this book; when a friend first introuced me to his teachings - the 4 rules seemed too simple...but once I started working with them and trying to apply one a day, or one at work..etc. I really started to realise the power of the four agreements.
This book is a must-read for anyone who has realised that they have certain beliefs or 'agreements', in their head that they feel no longer serve them or limit them in some way.
As an artist, I have long held onto many self limiting ideas about my potential as an artist as a by-product of having a non-artistic and conservative family. I believe that many people, indeed most people, have probably taken on other peoples beliefs that have limited them similarly. I'm not saying that its easy to let go of these beliefs, but I promise that if you try it does get easier. I also realised that choosing your own beliefs and thoughts in life, doesn't mean giving up relationships or hurting people you love.

It hurts to realise that the critical voice in your head that has encouraged you to take things personally and make assumptions your whole life (that you have trusted) has not been a trust worthy voice, but it is worth it, to let go and become free.
I'm not saying that this book is for everyone, but I do believe that it has the power to help many!!

I must be getting cynical in my old age, but I just can't accept this as anything more than four bits of common sense advice (like "Always Do Your Best") couched in a lot of New Age gobblygook. Don't get me wrong -- I **AM** a "new thought" believer and have a large collection of New Age spirituality and self help books, but this one is all hype and no substance.

And sorry, but if the author is the chosen transmitter of ancient Toltec wisom, then I'm a Vestal Virgin. Be sure to buy my book on ancient Eqyptian wisdom (Rule one: Never kill a hippo on the Nile). Just $14.00, as seen on Ophra.

I loved this book and have used the four agreements with great results in my life. I, therefore, bought it for my three daughters.

Practiccal, down to earth, applicable, efficient and philosophical advices on habits to follow to live a life with less worries. Recommended.