The Four Agreements with Companion Special Edition

by Miguel Ruiz, Janet Mills (Editor)

Since 1997, The Four Agreements has transformed the lives of millions of people around the world with a simple but profound message. The Four Agreements provides the foundation for breaking thousands of agreements that create needless suffering.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Leadership, Spirituality

Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Miguel Ángel Ruiz Macías is a Mexican author known for his teachings on Toltec spirituality and neoshamanism. Best known for his 1997 bestseller The Four Agreements, Ruiz's work is embraced by the New Thought movement and has influenced many seeking spiritual enlightenment. His books, including The Mastery of Love and The Voice of Knowledge, have helped spread Toltec wisdom worldwide. Ruiz was named one of the Watkins 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People in 2018. He also co-authored The Fifth Agreement with his son José Ruiz and has continued to write and teach on personal freedom and love.

Reviews

[Alaase Mahalah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Struggling on the journey to your greatest good? READ THIS BOOK!I am extremely grateful for the writer of this book. Don Miguel Ruiz is truly a spirit guide! I first encountered the 4 Agreements as a image on Facebook around the end of last year. The simple truth of the agreements resonated with me instantly. 1. Be Impeccable with Your Word 2. Don't Take Anything Personally 3. Don't Make Assumptions 4. Always Do YOUR Best. I was hooked. I read several articles about the agreements and brought them home to my family. We begin practicing them. Taking one agreement into focus each week. It's still a journey. Living simple truths can often be complicated in the Matrix. My summer reading listed was loaded (I enjoyed every book I read). But I knew I needed to read this book to get a full understanding of the agreements and utilize them in my journey to my best self. Boy was I ever correct. The book helped me to see a clearer picture of the transformative power of the 4 agreements. I could see how the mitote of the world had clouded and distorted my vision of myself and misshaped my reactions. The companion guide provided exercises to help me master the agreements and my personal dream of reality. I am still on the journey to mastery but I hope sharing this helps to start someone else on their journey to their highest self!

[Maggie Strate · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a lot of common sense about how we should treat the world and ourselves. But I think we all need a little refresher. It was news to me that I don't have to harshly judge myself all the time because my idea of perfection is not real. It's my nightmare. Great book and the information was well presented.

[Anastasija Tamule · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but good

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t typically read any self-help books however, my therapist recommended this one some good valid points not a terrible book…..

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will definitely be coming back to this. This book makes you rethink some of your more inauthentic moments, and encourages a more honest and responsible way of acting in the world.

[Precious · Rating 1 out of 5]

By seeing my 2 star rating you might think I hated this book...I didn't enjoy it very much but it's extremely open to interpretation and I can see others benefiting from it. I thought the basic principles and ideas were great to live by, however, I could have done without all of the mysticism and changing names of basic concepts ("the dream".... or idk...worldview?). I felt that it was fairly simplistic and there was quite a bit of repetition of ideas. I think it would be better suited for someone who was in an earlier walk of life who has never questioned their beliefs or values before. I will keep these 4 agreements in mind and probably write them somewhere to remind myself of them, I found them to be valuable. It's worth reading once, form your own opinion about it.

[Daron Yondem · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, its a full length 100x repetation of common sense... Usually, my perspective about reading books is that you might just benefit a single line out of a thousand pages long book. So, you should just keep reading and try your chances. Unfortunately this one was a pretty tough read and I was barely able to get to the end of the book. Did I get that golden line? I did not, but who knows. You might...

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

this is just another example of someone making money on common sense and mysticism. Not worth the time.

[Lisa King]

live by these agreements everyday!

[Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is an entire self help industry which has spent the better part of four decades trying to help people improve their lives by thinking positively and shaking off bad habits. Unfortunately, The Four Agreements falls squarely in that category. In 2005, the sociologist Christian Smith coined the term Moralistic Therapeutic Deism to describe the religious attitudes of American teenagers, and this book is very Moralistic Therapeutic, a tad light on the Deism, but it's there.

The problem that this type of book runs into is that it presents a faux spirituality, divorced from any reference to a spiritual life, properly speaking. The advice, or agreements as Don Ruiz calls them, are certainly good advice, but they are focused on improving our attitude and disposition in our every day life rather than seeking the things that are above, or growing in wisdom. Time would be better spent reading Aristotle or Cicero, St. Athanasius or John Climacus, for actual instruction in wisdom and spirituality. This is the spiritual equivalent of cotten candy, tastes good, but no substance.

[Ellen Rennels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book a few times, starting in maybe 2002 when Kathy Carmody recommended it to the Velvet Hills Sweet Adelines choir, of which I was a part. At that time, I liked it but didn't really get it. Went back to it it 2018 and found whole new levels of understanding and meaning and it became a very important book to me. So I bought it and now go to it periodically. It's in the category of self-improvement books with a philosophy to follow. It's a bit New Agey with the background of Toltec shamans, but the wisdom seems so timeless and relevant, simple but not easy to follow. Definitely a book I recommend and reflect on often. How can you argue with the basics of: 1. Be impeccable in your word, 2. Don't take it personally. 3. Don't make assumptions. 4. Always do your best. Seems impossible to perfect but moving in that direction has to be a good way to go. But the only caveat to reading this book is that you really must read the Companion book afterwards to synthesize the info and help it make sense.

[Joseph Messing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains some very sound context for constructing a worldview that minimizes unnecessary chaos and focuses on honesty and love as the foundation of a meaningful, peaceful life.
The primary hangup is that the author portends that he is utilizing wisdom of the ancient "Toltecs"
In reality the Toltecs were a vicious warring culture that held cannibalistic acts in high esteem. All roads regarding the history of Toltec wisdom lead through.....
You guessed it, Miguel Ruiz. I don't know if he made up the story of where the ideas originated to provide some context, or truly has some relic source of information he's drawing from. Either way, he's the only one who seems to know about this ancient set of ideas, and that seems fishy.
Connect that to the first chapter of the book, which stresses the importance of being "impeccable with your word" and there's a paradox in this work that I just couldn't easily dismiss. That said, the core content is valuable, if you can interpret the whole Toltec narrative as allegory and see past its silliness.

[Bruno Rocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I see people giving one or two stars because this book is about "common sense". Yes, they are right. It is (and that in itself is worth at least 3 stars for me 😄).
Everyone should come to their senses eventually and books like this, unpretentious, direct and clear, are very helpful. People tend to be more open and attentive to what they read than to what they hear.
It was a great tool for my own self evaluation. Also, if you try to give the same common sense advices to someone, they will probably be defensive. That's when this book comes handy.

[Kelsey Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of self help books, and I’m still a little f***ed up but a little less beyond help. This is it. This is the only one I can remember and consistently come back to. The gist is this: you’re responsible for you. Good, bad, ugly, all of it. Your thoughts, your feelings, your actions. How you respond to the actions of others. You literally can only control yourself, so focus on that and do it well. Be kind to you and be kind to others. And be honest. The end.

[Trina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Big on motivational talk, little on substance. Maybe if it were the 1st book you'd ever read of this ilk, it would have some impact on you or your life. To me, it felt glib. Bought it at a used book sale for a dollar, and gave it away free.

[Ellie Búnny · Rating 3 out of 5]

“True justice is paying only once for each mistake.”


“Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves” - p.48

“You may even tell me, “Miguel, what you are saying is hurting me.” But it is not what I am saying that is hurting you; it is that you have wounds that I touch by what I have said. You are hurting yourself.” - p.51

The writing style is a bit pseudoscientific/woohoo but I true critical thinking means you can find value and read the true meaning of things if you can see past the surface xx

[Neeti Bharatan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book, very simple yet very profound. I remembered the four agreements very clearly in my head for a long time.

[ErikawithaK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect to learn how to take the power of others on you away from them. Taking it back!

[Lauri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely strong and positive words to live by!

[Tiffany Musica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loves it

[Catarina Romão · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, honest and powerful. This is the recipe for a happy and peaceful life. Enjoy the journey!

[Iri Iri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it! Easy but meaningful and deep. Simple acknowledgments which are so hard to bring to life.

[Madeline Luedke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate the moral, but the delivery could have been more concise.

[Letty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing advice that gives real life connections. Plus beautiful prayers at the end.

[S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet, thought provoking as your mind reviews your passing day. Keep it simple, stoopie

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third time reading this but first time reading the companion piece and it really helped me reflect on a new level. Highly recommend if you’re trying to build a more peaceful life for yourself.

[Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great guidelines on how to let shit go and live free of the noise in your head.

[Sandra Teixeira · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I ever read… it transformed my life for the better in every way 🙏

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

[Ms. · Rating 2 out of 5]

jerome says i got to read it