Shuvra Deb: With You

5. The Four Agreements

Episode Summary

Today, I discuss the powerful teachings embodied in Don Miguel Ruiz’s acclaimed book, The Four Agreements, which is a Toltec Wisdom Book. I talk about what Ruiz means by “Agreements”, which is broadly, the self-limiting beliefs that we hold about ourselves, and about events that happen in our lives.

Episode Notes

Today, I discuss the powerful teachings embodied in Don Miguel Ruiz’s acclaimed book, The Four Agreements, which is a Toltec Wisdom Book.

I talk about what Ruiz means by “Agreements”, which is broadly, the self-limiting beliefs that we hold about ourselves, and about events that happen in our lives. These can be self-limiting beliefs that are sometimes buried deep within us. Ruiz describes in The Four Agreements how those self-limiting beliefs come from “agreements” that we have made with ourselves due to what we have been taught, often as children, by our care-givers, teachers and society. Ruiz states that these internal self-beliefs that many of us hold are agreements that go against ourselves. 

By making new agreements with ourselves, we open ourselves up to the possibilities of receiving and experiencing joy and happiness, and of there being less suffering in our experience of life. 

The Four Agreements are:

  1. Be impeccable with your word.
  2. Don’t take anything personally.
  3. Don’t make assumptions.
  4. Always do your best.

I then take you through some of the suggestions made by psychologist and author, Ethan Kross in his book Chatter, where he provides a toolkit to deal with and stop negative internal mind chatter. By stopping internal negative self-talk, we give ourselves the opportunity of being able to put into place Ruiz’s teachings in The Four Agreements. I truly believe that Ruiz’s book provides us with a really good starting block from where we can start to transcend our egos. And once the ego has been transcended, we start to live in a more fulfilled way, and we start to live from a place of love.

 

Online resources:
Infinite Mindcare, Cayman Islands: https://www.infinitemindcare.com
Alex Panton Foundation, Cayman Islands: https://alexpantonfoundation.ky
Loud Silent Voices, Cayman Islands: http://www.lsv.support
Frederik Imbo, Tedx Talk, How not to take things personally?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnJwH_PZXnM
David Melzter: https://www.instagram.com/davidmeltzer/?hl=en
MIT Global Studies and Languages, Freewriting: https://writingprocess.mit.edu/process/step-1-generate-ideas/instructions/freewriting
Oprah Winfrey, Super Soul Conversations: Ego, Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/70XUh85WUoQszlfsTDyCYq

 

Books:
Ethan Kross, Chatter
Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements 
Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now

 

Note:
Whilst this show is about raising mental health awareness, I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to give mental health advice. If you are experiencing any mental health issues, please consult a qualified professional. 

 

Contact: 
Reach out to me with your comments on my show here: shuvradeb82@gmail.com