The Four Agreements
The Four Agreements introduces the readers to the Toltecs, an indigenous group from Mexico, to showcase their tradition and how we can utilize their teachings to revise our teachings and agreements with ourselves.
“You will find that you don’t need to trust others as much as you need to trust yourself to make the right choices.”
After having a tiring day of traveling around Venice, Italy, I was heavily fatigued. I wanted to return to the hostel and sleep again, but something was pushing me to read this book. There was an inkling I had throughout the day that told me, “Hey, even though you’re reading one book, read this book and see what happens!”
After returning to the main terminal of the water ferry, I went to a neighboring park in the water city. I chose an empty bench with shade from a neighboring tree and opened up my Kindle. The book showed 1148 as the total “Location.” A location is a tool used to keep track of your progress, and 1148 was much shorter than the other books I read.
I started reading, and within minutes I was hooked with the Toltec’s culture and their view of life. I resonated with their lessons all the way through. I told myself I would finish the book before I left the park. One of the concepts the book talks about is being “impeccable with your word.” This was the first step to that. I was met with obstacles such as mosquitoes biting my arms and legs, miscellaneous noises around me, and a need to use the restroom; however, in the end I was able to finish the book in about two hours.
The book has concepts and lessons that ground me. I will look back at this book’s quotes multiple times, and I would suggest this book for anyone looking into reading to better understand themselves.
Top 3 Lessons
The biggest challenge in life is transcendence of the soul - to reach your full potential
You have the courage and tenacity to overcome your past and create a better future
Always give your best and a new world of dreams will open up
Lesson 1: The biggest challenge in life is transcendence of the soul - to reach your full potential
The only person in control of each one of our actions is ourselves. No one can make that choice other than us, not our family, our friends, our coworkers, or random strangers. Only you will know your full story as you are always present with yourself in your thoughts, in the restroom, and on wild adventures. Many obstacles will come into your path to sway you from finding transcendence; however, you are always in control and you know your body the best. In other words, always trust your gut and you will find a way to make it happen. Keep going.
Lesson 2: You have the courage and tenacity to overcome your past and create a better future
When we are a baby in the womb, we absorb everything that is happening to our mother. We enjoyed eating what they ate, we enjoyed the music we listened to, and we felt their emotions. These experiences continue to shape who we are as we grow into children, into young adolescent teenagers, and finally adults. The past is what leads us to have these different thoughts that may put us down: “You can’t do this!”, “You’re too sensitive,” “What is wrong with you!”
These words we are told do not define us today, and as we continue to overcome those put downs, we continue to build our courage and tenacity to release those agreements we made with ourselves. The agreements that we believed those thoughts were true. The process continues to take time and it doesn’t happen overnight, but as we continue to give it our all and address these words one at a time, experiences will fall into place.
Lesson 3: Always give your best and a new world of dreams will open up
Every day and every moment we have is another present moment we have of feeling alive! Dreams we have require a ton of present moments to reach. It is a difficult journey and many obstacles will arise such as others who do not believe in you, including yourself at times. Trying your best is the active pursuit to show those obstacles they have no control over you. Your emotions don’t define you, but your actions do. When you give your best, you make that statement a reality.
Conclusion
The Four Agreements is a book that dives into the Toltec's culture. The book dives into four agreements for yourself to continue navigating this world and overcoming past obstacles. The book breaks down each agreement and opens you up to an understanding of your emotions and your past to provide you the tools needed to overcome in the next present moment. Above all else, try your best, and experiences will fall into place.
Want to dive into the four agreements?
Read the book here: Kindle | Hardcover | Audiobook
I’d love to hear your learnings from the book! Tag me on an Instagram story once you finish at @kevintptran.
