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The Four Agreements - 5/14/2006 9:56:56 PM

ArchangelMichael

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There is something I've come across in my studies that has seriously helped me get a better understanding of the way I relate to the people in my life. I'd like to share these with all of you because I think realizing these things can help clear up much miscommunication in a medium where miscommunication runs rampant. I now present to you, The Four Agreements. They were developed by Don Miguel Ruiz and the original can be found here: http://www.miguelruiz.com/teachings/fouragreements.html

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 oftheir 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.

< Message edited by ArchangelMichael -- 5/14/2006 9:58:04 PM >

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"Open up your mind; Let your fantasies unwind." -The Phantom, Phantom of the Opera

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RE: The Four Agreements - 5/14/2006 9:59:33 PM

yourMissTress

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From: Nashville, TN
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I have read this book more than once. I recommend it often. Great read, awesome concept and incredible principles.

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Tress

"If you have to tell people that you are a lady, you are not." My Grandmother

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RE: The Four Agreements - 5/14/2006 10:03:22 PM

ArchangelMichael

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From: New Orleans, LA
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I gave my copy to a friend after I read it. I really need to get another copy because it really is amazing. I find myself re-posting these to my Live Journal every so often to remind myself of them.

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"Open up your mind; Let your fantasies unwind." -The Phantom, Phantom of the Opera

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return." -Toulouse-Lautrec, Moulin Rouge

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RE: The Four Agreements - 5/14/2006 10:44:55 PM

MistressLove999

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From: Daytona Beach, Florida
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Thank you for your thoughtfullness and sharing.

< Message edited by MistressLove999 -- 5/14/2006 10:45:49 PM >

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Play nice & Be Well,

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RE: The Four Agreements - 5/14/2006 11:48:40 PM

ArchangelMichael

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You're welcome.

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"Open up your mind; Let your fantasies unwind." -The Phantom, Phantom of the Opera

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return." -Toulouse-Lautrec, Moulin Rouge

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RE: The Four Agreements - 5/15/2006 12:38:42 AM

UtopianRanger

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quote:

There is something I've come across in my studies that has seriously helped me get a better understanding of the way I relate to the people in my life. I'd like to share these with all of you because I think realizing these things can help clear up much miscommunication in a medium where miscommunication runs rampant. I now present to you, The Four Agreements. They were developed by Don Miguel Ruiz and the original can be found here:

Thanks for posting this. Really. Don Ruiz is an exceptional writer. While I have not read the book you have mentioned, I have read {and have had read to me} The Mastery of Love. This guy speaks to the heart and gets it right every time. I'll be at Powells' tomorrow and look for a copy.

- R

< Message edited by UtopianRanger -- 5/15/2006 12:41:01 AM >

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"If you are going to win any battle, you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do... the body is never tired if the mind is not tired."

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RE: The Four Agreements - 5/15/2006 1:18:44 AM

Termyn8or

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While I have read it I agree. I would like to add one thing. My own personal development has lead me to understand this:

Nobody can make you feel anything. No exceptions.

Fancy this, you get hit in the face. It is not pleasant.

In a dark parking lot you might get angry and assail your attacker, which is really the right thing to do. Any able bodied person should try to discourage criminal activity of course. Anger is not needed whether it is present or not, but then consider if you are sparring in the ring, wrestling, slapboxing whatever.

If somebody gets the drop on you, gets over, basically slaps the shit out of you let's say. Where is the anger ? Because of the venue you have decided not to feel anger, you are in a way detached from it. Even the rising BP and your response has nothing to do with anger. This is a competition.

The flipside of this is that once this is understood, love takes the same backseat. You must realize that there was nothing magic that attracted you to your mate, even if the match seems made in heaven. Say you wanted her she wanted you. You form a union and love grows out of that.

The thing YOU have to realize is that the love you have grew in your own mind. It doesn't make it less real, and it comes full circle, maybe it is MORE real.

Marriages and all that shit obscure what is real. Our society is based on nature, when two of us of opposite gender get old enough we start having sex and form a union, no contract with the State is needed. A real Man says "That's my boy" or "That's my girl". A real Man does all he can to make sure his progeny grows up to be a good Man or Woman.

Sadly they got it all screwed up, even workers within the system can do nothing, and there are people who like it that way.

If one steps back and looks at the big picture it is clear that the world is run by our enemies. They take and take. If you get depressed we got drugs for that.

I submit that i is natural to get depressed once in a while, given the state of affairs. Get depressed ? OK you got a handle on reality, nothing more. Nothing that I or your therapist says changes reality. Nothing.

The closest thing I ever had to a personal hero was Mr Spock, of Star trek. I submit that even though he claimed to have no emotions he had them, all of his kind did, but they acted on their intellect instead. They decided to act 'logically'. Others percieve this differently.

See for me it is not the Spock who saved the Earth countless times, and/or the crew of the Enterprise, it is the Spock who could keep a level head in times of extreme trouble.

In no way do I want to hijack this thread into a Trek thing, but I thought I would say that. BTW, if we kids didn't shutup during Star Trek's first few seasons, we got locked in closet. We watched with Dad in silence.

We could've gone outside or something. Remember there were no VCRs yet. Only Mom and Dad were allowed tro talk or make noise from 7PM to 8PM on that day. The original, created by Gene Rodenberry is probably the best thing you could ever show kids.

So much for that.

Thing is, I bet everyone who understands this shit is probably over 40. Why couldn't we know this when we were 20 ?

T

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