Hello and welcome to our first post!
Over the past few months, the concepts of stripping back the superfluous, simplifying and pulling apart the true meaning of integrity have been strong personal themes. For many people, there’s a drive to again inspect old patterns that continue to run happily in the background despite years of self-examination. Perhaps under the direction of a new global energy, there’s a sense of being able to lovingly let go of those things that have served us all well on one level, yet have offered excuses to stay small on another.
I came across Don Miguel Ruiz’ “The Four Agreements” the other day and it strongly resonated with this desire to pare back; to simplify; to become more real as a participant in this world and begin operating in a more authentic way.
With these 4 simple tenets, we could literally change the way we as humans operate in this world. How do they resonate with you? Please feel free to share your thoughts, we’d love to hear from you.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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. ~ Don Miguel Ruiz
Kate
Thanks Kate. Excellent article.
A combination of being present, not making assumptions and not taking anything personally, has gotten me through pretty much every difficulty I’ve ever encountered. And generally made life more harmonious for myself.
Energetically it feels like I keep my energy within myself when applying these ideas. So I tend to feel more grounded.
Thank you Kate for this reminder of useful techniques.
One of my daughters introduced me to the “Four Agreements” and I have found them useful particularly when I want to deal with challenges in a more present way.
Don Miguel Ruiz also published “The Fifth Agreement”, the fifth tenet being “be skeptical but learn to listen”. In the words of Don Miguel: “The fifth agreement is ultimately about seeing our whole reality through the eyes of truth. The result of practicing this agreement is the complete acceptance of ourselves just the way we are, and the complete acceptance of everybody else just the way they are. The reward is our eternal happiness”.
Thanks for the addendum Patou, rounds it off beautifully x
Thanks for reminding me about The Four Agreements! I also found it some time ago on Amazon and have it on Kindle. Love your site! Looking forward to reading your Blog now too. Have recommended the site to a friend in Melbourne.
Thanks Lyn, glad you love the site, we love the feedback
x
Thank you for reminding me about Don Miguel Ruiz’ wonderful book. I read it years ago when it first came out and though it was excellent. Now, after having done a great deal of work on myself, I think reading it again will be of even more benefit than it was the first time.