Rating: 
Summary: A trusty companion.
Review: There are certain books I like to have around that I think of as companions in my daily practice of living life passionately. Don Miguel Ruiz' "THE FOUR AGREEMENTS" is one of those books. It is written in a gentle, compassionate way and each time I pick it up to read a passage, I feel supported, not chided or berated. The four agreements that Ruiz sets forth are simple ideas that provide a structure to avoid the pull of getting lost in one's mind and self-doubts so that one can keep coming back to living in the moment. The moment is where all the magic of life is. Ruiz describes our life as dream - it can be beautiful or it can be a nightmare. With awareness, just being with yourself in each moment, you can stop being a victim of your own judgments and become the master of your own dream: "Dream masters create a masterpiece of life; they control the dream by making choices. Everything has consequences and a dream master is aware of the consequences."Of course, you can never have too many trusty companions, so I recommend you get a copy of "WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK" by Ariel and Shya Kane. The authors of this book tried just about everything to change themselves into something new and improved only to discover that they were already enlightened and there was nothing to fix. What an incredible relief! Read the book and discover this for yourself - I feel more clear and alive every time I pick up this book. These two books are friends for the playful being you really are.
Rating:
Summary: Simple and helpful
Review: The Four Agreements is a simple book which guides you to live authentically and optimally. As an Optimal Thinker, I particularly relate to the fourth agreement, "Always Do Your Best." I agree with Dr. Rosalene Glickman, author of Optimal Thinking - How to Be Your Best Self who says "The purpose of life is to be your best self, regardless of the circumstances" and "How quickly you optimize any situation is what counts." Read both of these books to understand how to live your best life and take the most constructive steps.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your time.
Review: Not only don't waste your time, but don't waste your money. Anything that you need to know about the four agreements can be read on the inside flap of the front cover. That about covers it and the rest of the book just embellishes in a mundane, repetitive and simplistic manner, the same theme. Go to the bookstore, read the cover and move on. The rest is not worth the effort. I struggled through half the book and found the reading cumbersome.
Rating: 
Summary: Simple Yet Profound
Review: The Four Agreements is a lyrical, breezy read, easily completed in a sitting or two. However, the simplicity of the language belies the depth of material. Much "newage" (rhymes with "sewage") writing is utter dreck. Not the case here. Simple yet profound is the leitmotif: 1) Be impeccable with your word. 2) Don't take anything personally. 3) Don't make assumptions. 4) Always do your best. Simple, right? We tend to forget that words are only symbols we use to try and convey our experience and not the experience itself. Thus, truth has always been relatively easy to express in words but difficult to "get" for ourself because one can only get the truth of something by living it. Read and live the four agreements to test their veracity and consequences, and see for yourself. While the four agreements may sound simple, the consistent daily practice of them makes for some real work. With patience and persistence the rewards are remarkable. Contemplative experience is what converts mere intellectual beliefs into direct "knowns". Living the four agreements is a straightforward cure for two of the most prevalent mental frames of the day: the victim and the cynic. Wouldn't you agree? Come see for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Simple Yet Profound
Review: The Four Agreements is a lyrical, breezy read, easily completed in a sitting or two. However, the simplicity of language belies the depth of material. Much "newage" (rhymes with "sewage") writing is utter dreck. Not the case here. Simple yet profound is the leitmotif: 1) Be impeccable with your word. 2) Don't take anything personally. 3) Don't make assumptions. 4) Always do your best. Simple, right? We tend to forget that words are only symbols we use to try and convey our experience and not the experience itself. Thus, truth has always been relatively easy to express but difficult to "get" because one can only get the truth of something by living it. Read and live the four agreements in to test their veracity and consequences, and see for yourself. While the four agreements may sound simple, the consistent daily practice of the makes for some serious work. With patience and persistence the rewards are remarkable. Contemplative experience is what converts mere intellectual beliefs into direct "knowns". Living the four agreements is a straightforward cure for two of the most prevalent mental frames of the day: the victim and the cynic. Wouldn't you agree? Come see for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Emotionally Resourceful
Review: I had this book recommended to me by a good friend. I have now ordered it for my sister and my mother. When reading, keep the concept in mind the message that it's trying to portray, less the religion aspect. It is very helpful in giving you a 'reality check'. Thank you Mr. Ruiz~
Rating:
Summary: I Agree
Review: This is a simple, straigtforward explanation of human psychology and social relationships by Ruiz, from his own point of view, gleaned from his own experience and personal journey. It's beautiful, clear, and easy to understand. The writing style is very friendly and comfrtable - I felt as if I was sitting, talking to Miguel over tea as I read it. The wisdom here is easy to miss in reading the book; it's so simple, and in it's "my two cents" presentation, it's easy to just say, "Oh, this is what he thinks, I see." But it goes deeper than that - Miguel's insights are those of a man in touch with humanity and all its faults, and to consider them, and apply them to your own life, is to change the world. Wise words from a good man. Thanks, Miguel!
Rating:
Summary: This book has changed my life...for the better.
Review: I was told about this book by a friend who was told about this book on an airplane by a passanger sitting with them.
Once I got my hands on it, I couldn't put it down.
This book "The Four Agreements" said so much that I knew... I just needed someone to plant that seed to wake me from the posion I had in my head.
I didn't think very well of myself nor others for that matter. I know now what it is that I need to practice daily to be much happier with me and others.
I know now what it means when someone says, "You will not be loved until you love yourself".
How simple it really is if you had just known it really means.... It means so much more when you do love who you are.
I can now say, I understand and I am HAPPY with ME. :)
A great read. Please don't think twice, buy it when you see it. And you will see it.
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: Don Miguel Ruiz reaches into your heart and pulls out four agreements you can use to transform your life into a truly rewarding and happy existence. I am a member of twelve step groups and have been working on bettering myself for 2 years now. i have read a number of books, so called self-help books, that read like the bible and have no practicle value, in my humble opinion of course. i came upon this book a year ago and it has catapulted me into a world i never dreamed existed. if you truly want to change your life, READ THIS BOOK... it probably saved my life, mabey it will save yours.
Rating:
Summary: Life changing
Review: I met this book at a time when my life was at a cross-roads. My marriage was falling apart while my career was soaring. I realized that there was a huge disconnect between my apparent happiness at work and the malnourished soul within. I read this book in a period of 2-3 days, underlined key phrases, and went back to it during times of self-doubt, like many put their faith in religious texts.
The first aggreement, Be impeccable with your word, is the most powerful one of them all. It has changed the way I conduct internal dialogue with myself and my relationships with friends, family, and even strangers. I have abandoned gossiping about others and taking pleasure in hearing scandolous stories. Now, I am more honest with myself and the world I live in. I am happy and fulfilled and this little book continues to inspire and guide me. A MUST READ! The only pre-requisite is that you have to be willing to change.
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