The Four Agreements is a book that has been influential since a college teacher mentioned it when I was 18. It talks about self-limiting beliefs and the agreements we make with ourselves, that are not based in truth and are often the cause of unnecessary suffering. The author Don Miguel Ruiz shares ancient Toltec wisdom as he explains four agreements we can choose to make with ourselves that will reframe the way we live.

In my experience, the agreements open possibility and have given me an opportunity to move toward an authentic freedom from learned limitations. My understanding and interaction with the agreements changes as I become aware of choice points and act in a way that no longer reinforces the narratives that do not serve me. When I miss or ignore choice points, I can normalize being human and give myself compassion. The agreements are simple and not easily applied in our complex world.

I enjoy sharing the thoughtfulness provoked by this book. I have cards that give short thoughts from the book sorted into each agreement. Using the cards as a coaching tool leads to valuable discussions about the challenges in changing our thought patterns . This reflection can be uncomfortable, especially when the present is difficult and it is worth it. I find it worth it when the self discovery helps me understand my potential from an inner perspective. These four statements can lead us to honour ourselves by opening to ideas that can inspire change that moves us toward the priorities in our life.

Don Miguel Ruiz has a newer book, The Fifth Agreement, written with his son. I am reading it now and I like the way it revisits the four agreements. I am only part way through, but I would recommend it as a ‘shortcut’ if you aren’t someone who easily makes time to read, and you are interested in understanding all five agreements without reading 2 books.

The Four Agreements is a small book full of wisdom, reflection, and transformation. Below are the agreements I learn more about as I do my best to live them and share my experience of the assets that practicing them has given to my life journey.