The Four Agreements from The Toltec Book of Wisdom

The Four Agreements, The Toltec Book of Wisdom: Don Ruiz


"Everything we do is based on agreements we have made - agreements with ourselves, with other people, with God, with life. But the most important agreements are the ones we make with ourselves. In these agreements we tell ourselves who we are, how to behave, what is possible, what is impossible. One single agreement is not such a problem, but we have many agreements that come from fear, deplete our energy, and diminish our self-worth."

The Four Agreements®
1. 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.


2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

*As I am learning the true importance of communication more and more through my new job, I want to pass on these agreements which I feel are a fine replacement for the 10 Commandments I was raised on.
If we always say what we mean and mean what we say, not taking things personally while doing so, and not assuming or judging in doing so then we will always know that we did our best!
Imagine what can be accomplished personally and professionally if these agreements are part of it. It takes practice and persistence to put the agreements into play. Just try it and see how your life and your outlook on life will change. Your guilt will be gone when you learn to not take actions of others personally. By not speaking harm of others, you will know that your word is impeccable and so will others. Your ability to communicate your true wants and needs will be strengthened. And then there will be no doubt that you are always doing your best which will change from day to day...but it will still always be your best!