The Four Agreements - Book Summary, Notes & Highlights
- Jacelyn Chu
- Mar 12, 2022
- 2 min read
A powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love
Table of contents
🚀 The Book in 3 Sentences
From the moment we’re born, we are made to conform to society’s rules. This stops us from finding our true selves
We only see what we want to see, and hear what we want to hear. We don’t perceive things the way they are.
Understand our source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering, and use the four agreements as a guide to reach personal freedom and joy.
🎨 Impressions
It’s a concise book but a provocative one and is full of wisdom. It not only links back to your belief systems but gives you a practical guide to improve those belief systems.
🔍 How I Discovered It
Recommended by Youtuber Dinara Bach.
👤 Who Should Read It?
Readers who wish to learn
Why one should rebel against the collective dream of society, and what that even means
How to break away from your old, pre-programmed agreements and find true personal freedom
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☘️ How the Book Changed Me
“The Four Agreements” not only gave me the four agreements using which I have brought small positive changes to my life, but the book has also helped me understand the process of “Domestication” and how this “Domestication” has formed my belief systems.
It was a key learning for me that I don’t own all my belief systems. I am a product of my “Domestication” process, and so are you. Your belief system is different than mine, and hence we can’t, and should not judge each other.
✍️ My Top 3 Quotes
Nothing other people 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.
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.
Every human is an artist. The dream of your life is to make beautiful art.
📒 Summary + Notes
We are “Domesticated” — Social norms & rules are lodged deep within us.
Practice three skills to rebel against “Domestication.”
Awareness: Practice meditation and mindfulness
Forgiveness: Awareness brings forgiveness
Action: From forgiveness, you will receive the strength to Act
Set yourself Four promises and completely change your life
“Be impeccable with your word”: Impeccable = Without Sin, Say only what you mean.
“Don’t take anything personally”: Understand that other’s words are the product of their domesticated lives.
“Don’t make assumptions”: Be brave to ask questions.
“Always do your best”: Your best will change from moment to moment.
Good book.