Ruiz’s explanations of Toltec-based cosmography got a major boost recently when publishing pooh-bah Oprah Winfrey mentioned his work on her TV show. Ruiz, whose workshop teachings are distilled here, was born into a Mexican family of traditional healers, became a surgeon in adulthood, then underwent a near-death experience that made him reexamine his life, his beliefs. Like the popular works of the late Carlos Castaneda, Ruiz’s teachings focus on dreams and visions. “Dreaming,” Ruiz argues, “is the main function of the mind.” A series of four “agreements” are detailed, which make up a larger picture of unconditional human faith. Despite the New Age- sounding language, Ruiz is refreshingly clear in the presentation of his ideas. Reading aloud, actor Coyote sounds every bit the enthusiastic old hippie, genuinely excited by the concepts he is spinning. Based on the 1997 Amber-Allen edition.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. –This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Featured in the premiere issue of O: The Oprah Magazine and on Oprah’s Favorite Things 2000 segment, The Four Agreements reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob people of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, the Four Agreements — be impeccable with your word, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, always do your best — offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform life into a new experience of freedom, love, and true happiness. This jacketed linen-bound hardcover gift edition features two-color printing and a silk ribbon marker.

Peter Coyote gives a straightforward, even narration of this compact writing on the limitations we impose upon ourselves. The four agreements provide a different way of thinking about a life with fewer limitations and more opportunity for joy and wonder. At times Coyote has the tone of a teacher, at other times that of a stern parent, and at other times that of an understanding friend who wants only the best for you. He speaks with quiet authority, setting out this set of clear principles. Listen as Coyote advises you to set aside assumptions, open your mind, and prepare for your way of thinking to be transformed. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine– Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine –This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Short, yet powerful, March 22, 2010

This classic book is short in pages, but contains a lot of strong ideas from old Toltecs, which have both soothing and empowering effect. The four agreements (there is no need to repeat them here as it has be done in many other reviews) together make compact package and I believe they create a very solid foundation of a philosophy for whole life.

- How our opinions are formed during childhood and how we grow up used to doing things to please others and forgetting about our own desires.
- Clear communication (I want this, you want this, let’s solve it) solves most of (all?) problems.
- Our harmful words damage more us than they damage those for whom they were intended originally.

If the topics were discussed a little more deeply, I would give it 5 stars…this way I give four.

This fantastic, easy-read, book is a simple guide to personal happiness. It reminds me (in an opposite type way) of one of those diet books that you have to read cover to cover and when you’re done you still don’t understand what you’re supposed to eat.

You read it, it gives tells you these four, simple agreements you have to mI knew something was amiss when I saw how tiny the book was. I liked it well enough, though. The author put a novel spin on some common sense ideas. I would encourage my teenagers to read it because its short and they are not searching for self-help or spiritual truths at this point. BUT, what it has to do with some ancient Toltec wisdom tradition – absolutely nothing! Other than some loosely presented ideas about life being a dream, it is not mystic in any way and even references the Bible (that ain’t Toltec tradition). It’ll speak to some people and others might wish they’d gotten a little more for their money.ake with yourself in order to just be happy. Then in not-too-verbose detail, it explains these four agreements.

I loved it. As you can probably tell, I’m happy most of the time, too.

Liked it OK, but “Toltec Wisdom”, I don’t think so, March 3, 2010