In the book The Four Agreements (Amber-Allen Publishing 1997) Don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of happiness. The four agreements are presented as a “code of conduct” that will help change our lives. They are:
- Be impeccable with your word.
- Don’t take anything personally.
- Don’t make assumptions.
- Always do your best.
While reading this book I experienced another “V-8 moment”. WOW! If you lived by this code it could remove fear and suffering from your life.
This sounded almost too simplestic. But sometimes the simpler the better…The basic idea that I got from the book is that we have learned our belief system…the messages of what is good, bad, etc. as children from well intending parents who learned it from their parents. In order for these lessons to become beliefs we had to “agree” with that information. Many of us learned our beliefs via a system that taught through rewards and punishments. The author states “…we form an image of what perfection is in order to try to be good enough. We create an image of of we should be in order to be accepted by everyone.” The author proposes if we don’t like our life, we need to change our agreements (code of conduct) using the four “agreements” listed above in order to create energy, happiness and freedom.
I intend to provide you with some additional personal insight into each one of the agreements in upcoming posts.