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Rating: 
Summary: Words have the power to create, as this book explains
Review: "Be impeccible with your words" is one of the four agreements -- and it's worth more than the price of this book itself. Words have the power to create new worlds, but we're just learning that now. For decades, we've been studying the fact that "our thoughts create reality." Now, a new teaching that "our feelings create reality" has been added to give us a broader understanding of the creation process -- and words play an important part in this new teaching. Words carry the power to "animate" thoughts and bring thoughts to life. Give it a try. Do you want more success or prosperity? Are you going after love and appreciation? Look up the word that describes your desire in a dictionary. Read the definition. You'll feel as though the word has come alive -- because it has. That's the power of words, and this book is a great place to start learning about that. Review by Mary Anne Thomas, author of "Ask and You Shall Receive," email Mindletters@aol.com.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm in agreement
Review: After reading several reviews on this book, I wondered if I shouuld even write a review. What can I possibly say that hasn't already said? But hey, that thought did not keep RUIZ from writing an entire book. (ha-ha)I actually like this book. I agree that it did not hold any surprising revelations that completely altered my life. What it did do is provide a good reminder for ideas I should be practicing, but have been slacking on. Most people with any self-awareness probably try to practice these agreements. They are common ideas to any religion. Ruiz just worded things in a slightly different manner, providing a little freshness. But for some reason, I rushed through this book. Yes, it's a light read, but was I looking for something meaty? Those who buy this type of book are usually on some type of spiritual quest. Having high expectations, looking for something profound that can solve all of life's problems is unreasonable. This little book was just a reiteration of a lot of common sense. But hey, with all the negativity in this world, I need that sometimes!
Rating:
Summary: Is this a book for everyone? Yes. And no.
Review: I was on something of a spiritual quest when I came across don Miguel Ruiz's book at a local store. I looked inside the front flap and found 4 very simple statements, the truth of which were obvious: 1. Be impeccable with your word. 2. Don't take anything personally. 3. Don't make assumptions. 4. Always do your best. They resonated with me: I'd been trying to live my life by those four concepts for years, but had never seen them stated so succinctly. They were so plain to me that I actually considered not buying the book. I'm glad I did, though, because I now have the opportunity to share its ideas with others. The greatest misfortune of this book is that it's not really written for those who already understand what it's driving at; its congenial second-person style can come off a bit high-handed and superior at times, sort of an "I've discovered this but you haven't" tone. If you live by the second agreement, this isn't a particular problem, though. But as nice a read as it is for those who understand its concepts, I have to wonder if the tone isn't a bit off-putting to those who have yet to overcome the stumbling blocks of their own negative agreements. I tell people to pick up the book and read the inside front flap--if the text there resonates with them and they feel they can gain something from this book, they will. If the agreements read like gibberish, or they're attempted to dismiss the book out of hand as yet another handful of spiritual SRIs for the spiritually depressed, I recommend they steer clear from it. There are things in this book that can sting those who are unprepared for the spiritual path beyond its gates. For those, I recommend Robert Fisher's THE KNIGHT IN RUSTY ARMOR as a gentler introduction to what is, after all, a difficult but truly satisfying road to travel.
Rating:
Summary: Feeling is Believing.
Review: I've been poring through books about personal growth for years and I've found that if a book doesn't touch me, as in actually make me feel more alive, then all the words and ideas are just words and ideas. So when I read a review of Don Miguel Ruiz's "THE FOUR AGREEMENTS" where the reviewer actually said it felt good to read, I knew it was a book for me. The book is like taking a walk with a compassionate shaman who describes and lives simple truths. I particularly liked a passage on the third agreement ("Don't make assumptions") in which Ruiz describes a husband and a wife who fall out of relationship not because they don't love each other, but because they make assumptions such as the other member of the couple should be able to read their mind if they really loved them. How familiar! It really underscored the value of truthful communication for me. The same reviewer also recommended "WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK" by Ariel and Shya Kane. This is an excellent book about REALLY living your life fully. And a perfect example of how the words are secondary to the feeling of well-being that jump off this book's pages. Thank you, kind reviewer, for two great gifts.
Rating:
Summary: Short yet powerful
Review: THE FOUR AGREEMENTS (see also Section 11) by don Miguel
Ruiz is a short yet powerful book that contains useful advice
about how to recognize self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and
create needless suffering . . . based on ancient Toltec wisdom, the
agreements seem to be so basic to apply--but in reality they
are much more difficult to implement. Nevertheless, I still find myself thinking about them and how
to relate what they say to my daily life . . . should you want
to join me in the task, consider how you can: 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 endless 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-judgment, self-abuse
and regret. Also, I very much liked this one other passage:
Making assumptions in our relationships is really asking for problems.
Often we make the assumption that our partners know what we
think and that we don't have to say what we want. We assume they
are going to do what we want, because they know us so well. If
they don't do what we assume they should do, we feel so hurt and
say, "You should have known."
Rating:
Summary: Simple, Straightforward and Sticky
Review: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is a short book that has the possibility of effecting people for a lifetime. Ruiz reflects upon and applies the wisdom from the Toltec people-scientists and artists who make it a way of life to simultaneously explore and continue the spiritual, sacred practice and guidance of their ancestors. He explains that we unconsciously "agree" with the information, the cultural beliefs and training, that is handed to us by others which we then make into our own personalized paradigm which Ruiz refers to as "The Book of the Law." This "Book of the Law" shapes "Your Dream" which is what you experience in day-to-day life. The way to break the disempowering bonds of your life is with these simple four agreements which he sets out like this: 1.Be Impeccable with Your Word
2.Don't Take Anything Personally
3.Don't Make Assumptions
4.Always Do Your Best My favorite quote from the book, to sort of give you a flavor for the writing is this: "Just to breathe is enough for us to always be happy, to enjoy life." Implementing the Four Agreements is when you will realize it is NOT as simple as it seems. An excellent, thought provoking book which you can take as deeply as you desire. It WILL change your life if you are willing to stick to the Agreements.
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Summary: Wonderful Agreements for Life
Review: This is a beautifully written book coming from the sincere and simple yet profound wisdom that will help many people if applied. I found this to be among the few books I have purchased where the solutions for humanity are filled with compassion, inspiration and expansive wisdom as well as compassion.
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