Don Miguel Ruiz

I've read quite a number of books by Don Miguel Ruiz but The Four Agreements is the core of his teaching. If you live by these four principles you can live a happy, rich, harmonious life. It's simple, although not that easy to do. Don Miguel Ruiz was born in rural Mexico in a family of healers who introduced him to the Toltec knowledge. Ruiz decided to study medicine instead and became a surgeon. Later in life he went back to the teachings of his family, distilled it from its supertitious aspects and now teaches and publishes his philosophy of life in a clear and poetical style. Here are the 4 agreements as explained in his own words on his website:

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.

I find them beautiful and I try to apply them to my life.