By Since 
I received so many great comments on last week’s blog on Physics of the Future: How Science will Change Daily Life by 2100, I thought I’d share another book I recently re-listened to; The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.
Don Miguel was born into a family of healers and raised in rural Mexico by a curandera (healer) mother and a nagual (shaman) grandfather. Although the family anticipated Miguel embracing their centuries-old legacy of healing and teaching, and carry forward the esoteric Toltec knowledge, he chose to attend medical school and become a doctor instead.
In the early 1970’s he had a near-death experience that changed his life. Late one night, he awoke suddenly, having fallen asleep at the wheel of his car. At that instant the car careened into a wall of concrete. Don Miguel remembers that he was not in his physical body as he pulled his two friends to safety.
Stunned by the experience he began an intensive practice of self-inquiry. He devoted himself to the mastery of the ancient ancestral wisdom, studying earnestly with his mother, and completing an apprenticeship with a powerful shaman in the Mexican desert. His grandfather, who had since passed on, continued to teach him in dreams.
In the tradition of the Toltec, a nagual guides an individual to personal freedom. Don Miguel Ruiz is a nagual from the Eagle Knight lineage, and is dedicated to sharing his knowledge of the teachings of the ancient Toltec.
In the theme of Leaders are Readers, I think the inspiring message in this book on wisdom provides a great outline on how to transform your life into an experience of freedom. The book itself goes into much more depth about each of the Four Agreements but here is a brief overview:
The Four Argeements:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
If you’re interested in checking this book out, you can find it on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, or download it from iTunes.
