The Four Agreements Toltec Wisdom Collection

1. Become aware of your domestication and the dream of the planet

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

Understand societal programming. From birth, we are domesticated by society's beliefs, rules, and expectations. This "dream of the planet" shapes our perceptions, behaviors, and self-image. It's a collective dream made up of billions of smaller personal dreams, encompassing everything from social norms to religious beliefs.

Recognize your personal dream. Within this larger dream, we each have our own personal dream - our individual perception of reality. This dream is shaped by our agreements with ourselves and others, often based on fear and limiting beliefs. By becoming aware of this dream and its origins, we can begin to question and change it.

Key components of the dream:

• Social rules and expectations
• Cultural and religious beliefs
• Personal agreements and self-talk
• Fear-based limitations

2. Be impeccable with your word

The word is not just a sound or a written symbol. The word is a force; it is the power you have to express and communicate, to think, and thereby to create the events in your life.

Harness the power of language. Words have immense creative power. They shape our reality, influence our emotions, and impact others. Being impeccable with your word means using language consciously and responsibly, avoiding self-deprecation, gossip, and harmful speech.

Practice positive self-talk. Start by examining your internal dialogue. Replace negative self-talk with affirming, loving words. This shift in your relationship with yourself will naturally extend to how you communicate with others. Remember, your word is a direct expression of your personal power.

Ways to be impeccable with your word:

• Speak with integrity
• Say only what you mean
• Avoid using words against yourself or others
• Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love

3. Don't take anything personally

Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves.

Understand others' projections. When someone criticizes, insults, or praises you, it's a reflection of their own reality, dreams, and projections. Their opinions and actions are based on their personal agreements and beliefs, not on you.

Develop emotional immunity. By not taking things personally, you become immune to the emotional poison of others' words and actions. This doesn't mean you become indifferent; rather, you maintain your peace and self-worth regardless of external circumstances. This agreement liberates you from needless suffering and drama.

Benefits of not taking things personally:

• Reduced emotional reactivity
• Increased self-confidence
• Better relationships
• Freedom from others' opinions

4. Don't make assumptions

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

Cultivate clear communication. Assumptions are often the source of misunderstandings, conflicts, and drama in relationships. Instead of assuming you know what others think or feel, practice asking questions and expressing what you really want.

Challenge your interpretations. Recognize that your perceptions are filtered through your personal beliefs and past experiences. Before jumping to conclusions, pause and consider alternative explanations. This practice can prevent unnecessary suffering and open up new possibilities in your relationships and life.

Steps to avoid assumptions:

1. Ask questions for clarification
2. Express your own wants and needs clearly
3. Listen actively without interpreting
4. Verify your understanding
5. Be open to different perspectives

5. Always do your best

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.

Embrace imperfection. Your best will vary depending on your circumstances, health, and emotional state. Accepting this variation prevents self-judgment and regret. By always doing your best, you avoid self-criticism and enjoy the process of your actions rather than being attached to the outcome.

Live with intention. Doing your best means being fully present and engaged in whatever you're doing. It's about the quality of your attention and effort, not perfection. This approach naturally leads to personal growth and satisfaction, as you're constantly giving your all within the context of your current capabilities.

Benefits of always doing your best:

• Increased self-acceptance
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Greater enjoyment of life
• Continuous personal growth
• Freedom from self-judgment

6. Break free from old agreements and beliefs

If we can see our state of mind as a disease, we find there is a cure. We don't have to suffer any longer.

Identify limiting beliefs. Our minds are filled with agreements we've made with ourselves and others, many of which limit our potential and happiness. These agreements often stem from fear and past experiences of domestication. Recognizing these limiting beliefs is the first step to freedom.

Practice new agreements. Replacing old, limiting agreements with new, empowering ones requires awareness, willpower, and repetition. The Four Agreements provide a framework for this transformation. By consistently practicing these new agreements, you can reprogram your mind and create a new dream for your life.

Steps to break free from old agreements:

1. Become aware of your limiting beliefs
2. Question the validity of these beliefs
3. Choose new, empowering agreements
4. Practice consistently
5. Be patient with the process of change

7. Embrace death as a teacher for living fully

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.

Live with urgency and appreciation. Contemplating death can paradoxically teach us how to live more fully. By acknowledging our mortality, we can prioritize what truly matters, express our love and gratitude more freely, and live with greater authenticity and purpose.

Release attachment to the past. The concept of death as a teacher encourages us to let go of past hurts, regrets, and outdated beliefs. It prompts us to forgive, to live in the present moment, and to create a life aligned with our true selves rather than societal expectations.

Lessons from embracing death:

• Prioritize what truly matters
• Express love and gratitude freely
• Live authentically
• Let go of past hurts and regrets
• Embrace the present moment

8. Create a new dream of heaven on earth

Imagine that you have the ability to see the world with different eyes, whenever you choose. Each time you open your eyes, you see the world around you in a different way.

Reimagine your reality. You have the power to create your personal heaven or hell through your perceptions and beliefs. By consciously choosing to see love, beauty, and possibility in the world around you, you can transform your experience of life.

Practice spiritual perception. Developing the ability to perceive love and beauty in everything, even in challenging situations or difficult people, is a powerful spiritual practice. This shift in perception can lead to a state of bliss and deep connection with life.

Steps to create your heaven on earth:

1. Cultivate awareness of your current perceptions
2. Choose to focus on love and beauty
3. Practice gratitude daily
4. Imagine and visualize your ideal life
5. Take inspired action aligned with your new dream

Last updated: January 22, 2025