Book cover of The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom

Book description

In The Four Agreements, bestselling author don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, The Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom,…

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Why read it?

22 authors picked The Four Agreements as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This book literally changed my life and my relationships with myself and others forever. Before this book, I was living my life through the filters of my stories of right and wrong, how things ‘should’ be done, and doing my best to trust my instincts and intuition. I underestimated the power of words, including my words. I made assumptions about people and situations, and autopilot guided my path through the best and worst of challenges and opportunities.

This book, along with the Fifth Agreement, opened my mind to the human condition of subconscious programming. I read the book, listened…

While I was studying the ontology of language, I worked with Miquel Ruiz. His work has a spiritual quality and also resonates with my studies. His four agreements lay an amazing foundation for becoming more aware of ourselves and our patterned interactions with others. His four agreements are: Be impeccable with your words, Don’t make assumptions, Don’t take anything personally, and Do your best. 

These teachings take the reader on a deep dive into how we show up in the world, focusing on the four simple yet profound practices for living with more integrity and confidence. In the middle of…

This book gave me an action plan for living the life I’ve always wanted. Looking closely at the hidden agreements that had shaped my life, I began noticing the words I used—with myself and others—and realized how often I had lived by expectations I hadn’t even chosen.

Ruiz’s simple truths gave me the space to breathe, listen inwardly, and begin accepting myself without apology. His work helped me remember that loving myself is not selfish—it is essential. I have since let go of judgment, both of myself and others, and found a peace I never knew was possible.

If you love The Four Agreements...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

I’m drawn to *The Four Agreements* every year because it’s a simple yet profound reminder to live with intention. Every time I read it, I discover new layers of its wisdom that help me break free from self-limiting beliefs and embrace a more joyful and authentic life. It’s a comforting guide that offers clarity and inspiration, helping me navigate life’s challenges with more freedom, love, and purpose.

I completely had my perspective literally turned upside down and reframed by this book. I could not stop thinking about how interesting the idea that everyone is yourself is. I learned about empathy and experienced a huge shift in my consciousness because of this book.

I also loved the spiritual adventure and the journey. I am always inspired by seeing other people’s perspectives, and this book is a whole deep dive into a better understanding of how to see them.

From Andrew's list on spiritual allegory.

This book is one of those I go back to time and time again, thanks to Don Miguel Ruiz’s wisdom on personal freedom and transformation. The clarity and simplicity of the agreements—being impeccable with your word, not taking things personally, not making assumptions, and always doing your best—really stick with me.

They resonate especially during periods of significant change in my life, offering invaluable guidance on living authentically and effectively. Ruiz’s insights reinforce my belief in the importance of mindset and self-awareness for meaningful growth. Every time I read the book, I am reminded of the power of intentional living…

From Mindy's list on being authentic and empowered.

If you love Don Miguel Ruiz...

Book cover of A Brush With Death

A Brush With Death by Jody Summers,

Former model Kira McGovern picks up the paint brushes of her youth and through an unexpected epiphany she decides to mix ashes of the deceased with her paints to produce tributes for grieving families.

Unexpectedly this leads to visions and images of the subjects of her work and terrifying changes…

This book does an incredible job of using ancient Toltec wisdom to unravel self-limiting beliefs and instead embark on the path of enlightenment. As someone who has done the deep work to uncover beliefs that didn’t serve me, I felt this book empowered me to take on a new approach to life very simply and straightforwardly.

His examples helped me understand the agreements, and I felt he did a great job of combining ancient wisdom with modern-day living.

From Finnian's list on living life with intentionality.

I first came across this book in a poster on a wall during a boring corporate training seminar and they just resonated with me. They were also markedly different from the other ‘platitude’ posters adorned those walls. I read this book on a fairly regular basis to remind myself of what these agreements are and what they mean.

They filter down into my therapy and coaching practice often (so does the advice from Yoda in Star Wars, but that is a whole other story!). This book is short, sweet, and very profound. If you follow its advice (based on ancient…

I love this book because it talks about the limiting beliefs that we as human beings impose on ourselves and the consequences of what happens when we don’t overcome them.

This book was eye-opening, and I had many “aha” moments while reading it. It made me question my own belief systems and how I could manifest the life I wanted by questioning everything and focusing on what brings me joy. This book is full of great foundational principles that have helped me shape my life.

From Chloe's list on manifestation mastery.

If you love The Four Agreements...

Book cover of Rescue Mountain

Rescue Mountain by Rebecka Vigus,

Rusty Allen is an Iraqi War veteran with PTSD. He moves to his grandfather's cabin in the mountains to find some peace and go back to wilderness training.

He gets wrapped up in a kidnapping first, as a suspect and then as a guide. He tolerates the sheriff's deputy with…

I read Don Miguel Ruiz's, The Four Agreements. I also listened to his book on tape and watched YouTube videos that further dive into the agreements we make with ourselves and others. 

This book reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, the book offers a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.

Don Miguel Ruiz has dedicated his life to sharing the wisdom of the ancient Toltecs. I initially started reading this book while…

If you love The Four Agreements...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

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