The Four Agreements

1. Domestication shapes our beliefs and limits our freedom

The dream you are living is your creation. It is your perception of reality that you can change at any time.

Society's dream. From birth, we are domesticated into a collective dream, absorbing beliefs, rules, and expectations from our family, society, and culture. This process shapes our perception of reality and often limits our freedom to be our authentic selves.

The Book of Law. Through domestication, we internalize a set of agreements that become our personal "Book of Law." This internal judge constantly evaluates our actions, leading to self-judgment, guilt, and fear. We learn to seek external validation and suppress our true nature to conform to societal expectations.

Key aspects of domestication:

• Absorption of beliefs from family, society, and culture
• Creation of an internal judge and victim mentality
• Development of fear-based emotional responses
• Suppression of authentic self to gain acceptance

2. Be impeccable with your word to harness its transformative power

Your word is the power that you have to create. Your word is the gift that comes directly from God.

Words create reality. Our words have immense power to shape our reality and influence others. Being impeccable with our word means using language consciously and responsibly, avoiding gossip, self-deprecation, and harmful speech.

Positive self-talk. By speaking positively to ourselves and others, we can break free from limiting beliefs and create a more empowering reality. This practice helps us cultivate self-love and respect, which naturally extends to our interactions with others.

Ways to be impeccable with your word:

• Avoid gossip and speaking ill of others
• Use positive self-talk and affirmations
• Speak with integrity and kindness
• Keep your commitments and promises

3. Don't take anything personally to achieve emotional immunity

Nothing others do is because of you. It is because of themselves.

Others' actions reflect their reality. When we take things personally, we become vulnerable to emotional manipulation and suffering. Recognizing that others' actions and words are a reflection of their own reality, not ours, allows us to maintain emotional stability.

Emotional freedom. By not taking things personally, we free ourselves from the need for others' approval and validation. This practice helps us develop a strong sense of self and emotional resilience, enabling us to navigate relationships and conflicts with greater ease.

Benefits of not taking things personally:

• Reduced emotional reactivity
• Increased self-confidence and self-worth
• Improved relationships and communication
• Greater inner peace and emotional stability

4. Don't make assumptions to avoid misunderstandings and suffering

We have the tendency to make assumptions about everything. The problem with making assumptions is that we believe they are the truth.

Clear communication. Making assumptions often leads to misunderstandings and unnecessary conflicts. By practicing clear communication and asking questions, we can avoid many of the problems that arise from false assumptions.

Open-mindedness. Letting go of assumptions allows us to approach situations and relationships with an open mind. This practice encourages curiosity, empathy, and a willingness to understand different perspectives, leading to more harmonious interactions and personal growth.

Strategies to avoid making assumptions:

• Ask clarifying questions
• Practice active listening
• Seek to understand others' perspectives
• Verify information before drawing conclusions

5. Always do your best, adapting to changing circumstances

Under any circumstance, always do your best, no more and no less. But keep in mind that your best is never going to be the same from one moment to the next.

Embracing imperfection. Doing your best doesn't mean striving for perfection, but rather giving your full effort in each moment, acknowledging that your capabilities may vary due to circumstances. This approach allows for self-compassion and continuous growth.

Adaptability and presence. By focusing on doing your best in each moment, you cultivate adaptability and presence. This mindset helps you navigate challenges more effectively and find joy in the process of living, rather than fixating on outcomes.

Key aspects of always doing your best:

• Accepting that your best varies with circumstances
• Focusing on effort rather than perfection
• Cultivating self-compassion and avoiding self-judgment
• Staying present and adaptable in each moment

6. Break old agreements to reclaim personal power and freedom

The real you is still a little child who never grew up. Sometimes that little child comes out when you are having fun or playing, when you feel happy, when you are painting, or writing poetry, or playing the piano, or expressing yourself in some way.

Identifying limiting beliefs. To break free from domestication, we must first become aware of the limiting agreements we've made with ourselves and others. These agreements often stem from childhood experiences and societal conditioning.

Reclaiming authenticity. By consciously challenging and replacing these agreements with new, empowering beliefs, we can reclaim our authentic selves and personal power. This process requires courage, self-awareness, and a willingness to embrace change.

Steps to break old agreements:

• Identify limiting beliefs and agreements
• Question their validity and origin
• Replace them with empowering beliefs
• Practice new behaviors aligned with your authentic self

7. Embrace death as a teacher to live fully in the present

The angel of death can teach us to live every day as if it is the last day of our lives, as if there may be no tomorrow.

Death as a motivator. Contemplating our mortality can serve as a powerful motivator to live authentically and prioritize what truly matters. By embracing the reality of death, we can cultivate a deeper appreciation for life and focus on the present moment.

Letting go of the past. The concept of death teaches us to release attachments to the past and future, allowing us to fully engage with the present. This mindset promotes forgiveness, gratitude, and a more profound connection with ourselves and others.

Lessons from embracing death:

• Prioritize authentic living and meaningful experiences
• Practice forgiveness and gratitude
• Let go of past regrets and future anxieties
• Cultivate present-moment awareness

8. Create a new dream of heaven on earth through self-awareness

Just use your imagination and a tremendous thing will happen. Imagine that you have the ability to see the world with different eyes, whenever you choose.

Conscious reality creation. By becoming aware of our power to shape our perception and experience of reality, we can consciously create a new dream of heaven on earth. This involves reimagining our relationships, purpose, and daily experiences through a lens of love and awareness.

Cultivating love and bliss. Through consistent practice of the Four Agreements and embracing a new perspective, we can transform our inner world to perceive love and beauty in everything around us. This shift in perception leads to a state of bliss and harmony in our daily lives.

Steps to create a new dream:

• Practice self-awareness and mindfulness
• Cultivate a perspective of love and compassion
• Reimagine your life purpose and relationships
• Consistently apply the Four Agreements in daily life

Last updated: November 3, 2024