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Book Review: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz



After a life threatening experience, Don Miguel Ruiz devoted him self to the study of the ancient wisdom of his ancestors, studying with his mother and learning from a powerful shaman in the Mexican desert. In his book, Ruiz takes us on a spiritual journey through our own version of the world we exist within. In a simple conversational language, he reveals the traditional Toltec wisdom beliefs in four simple agreements that will pave the way to personal freedom – he promises.

To be completely free, you must accept and embrace death. It is only then that you can be truly alive”. The book paints a simple picture of what freedom is and explains that freedom, the essence of what we all desire, is only possible by letting go of the one thing that hold us back – Fear.


Be implacable with your words, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions and always do your best. These four agreements are based on a previous pledge of stopping, taking a step back and reevaluating habits and priorities.


Ruiz’s voice and ideas on the Toltec wisdom is a delight to read. Yet our worlds differ, our version of human-packed skyscrapers and the demanding way of life replaces the world Ruiz lives within. This makes me wonder how extreme is this simple “practical guide to personal freedom” and whether its applicable in our own everyday life. It is or not, I’m yet to find out.


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