The Five Agreements That Help Me to Change the World
Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz April 1, 2010I invite you to participate in a new dream for humanity, one in which all of us can live in harmony, truth and love. In this dream, people of all religions and philosophies are not just welcome, but respected. It doesn’t matter whether you believe in Christ, Moses, Allah, Brahma, Buddha, or any other being or master: Everybody is welcome to share this dream. Each one of us has our own beliefs, our own point of view. There are billions of different points of view, but it’s the same light, the same force of life behind each one of us.
If you feel the truth in these words, then I invite you to open your heart and help me to change the world. Of course, the very first question is: How are you going to change the world? The answer is easy: By changing your world. When I ask you to help me change the world, I’m not talking about planet Earth. I’m referring to the world that exists in your head. You will not change the world if you don’t change your own world first. The change begins with you. You will change the world by loving yourself, by enjoying life, by making your personal world a dream of heaven. And I ask you for your help because you are the only one who can make this change.
If you decide that you want to help me change the world, the easiest way is by practising five agreements: be impeccable with your word; don’t take anything personally; don’t make assumptions; always do your best; and be skeptical, but learn to listen. These are the tools to change your world, to change the world, and they are nothing but pure common sense. If you practise these five agreements, if you make them your way of life, there won’t be any more war in your head. There won’t be any more war with your loved ones. There will be peace.
You deliver a message every time you speak. The question is: do you deliver the truth, or do you deliver lies? When the message you deliver comes from truth and love, you are happier. And just by being happier, everyone benefits because your joy, your happiness, your heaven is contagious. When you are happy, the people around you are happy too, and it inspires them to change their own world.
We represent a whole legacy, and when I say “we” I’m speaking of all humans. Our legacy is love, it’s joy, it’s happiness. Let’s enjoy this world. Let’s enjoy one another. We are meant to love one another, not to hate one another. Let’s stop believing that our differences make us superior or inferior to one another. Let’s not believe that lie. Let’s not be afraid that our different colours make us different people. Who cares? It’s just another lie. We don’t have to believe all the lies and superstitions that control our lives. We can return to the truth, and be messengers of truth. We can change our whole way of thinking, and have a wonderful love affair with life. It’s incredible what we can do if we really want to do it. All we need is to be aware of what we are doing, and to return to the authenticity we were born with.
This is an invitation to be authentic, to follow your heart, to be free of superstitions and lies. And I’m not asking you to try to change the world. Don’t try – just do it. Take the action today. By adopting the Five Agreements, you will create peace in your head, in your own world, and thereby help to create peace in the entire world.
THE FIVE AGREEMENTS
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.
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.
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.
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 when you are sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.
Be Skeptical, But Learn to Listen – Don’t believe yourself or anybody else. Use the power of doubt to question everything you hear: Is it really the truth? Listen to the intent behind the words, and you will understand the real message.
Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz
don Miguel Ruiz is a renowned spiritual teacher and internationally bestselling author of the “Toltec Wisdom Series,” including “The Four Agreements,” “The Mastery of Love,” “The Voice of Knowledge,” “The Four Agreements Companion Book,” “The Circle of Fire,” and “The Fifth Agreement.” The Toltec Wisdom books have sold over 12 million copies, and have been published in 46 languages worldwide. His newest book, THE ACTOR, is part of the Mystery School series written with Barbara Emrys, and was published in November 2020. don Jose Ruiz was born in Mexico City, Mexico and was raised in Tijuana, Mexico. When he was 21 he came to live in the U.S. with his father, don Miguel Ruiz. In his early twenties, don Jose lost his eyesight. In his process of surrendering, he learned the value of learning to listen. Like his father, combining new insights with ancient wisdom, don Jose Ruiz is dedicating his life to sharing the ancient Toltec wisdom by translating it into practical, everyday life concepts. don Jose teaches and lectures across the United States and around the world. For more information on the father-son duo, visit <a href="https://www.miguelruiz.com">www.miguelruiz.com</a>
Whatever works. And this works for me
My 5th agreement is:
Mind Your Own Business!
This makes the other four agreements easier to follow without distractions that are really not your concern.
It’s about believing in yourself
My maker
Almighty Father God
My Lord & Savior Jesus Christ
Question.. how does this hold up to law making or politics and Justice for that matter. I do believe this works on the individual level. But what about things like that.. with what’s going on to women’s rights… I’m not a feminist nor do I want/need to get an abortion.. but this crazy. What makes me question this so much is due to the lax laws towards sexual abuse compared to how heavy they are on the women and practitioners that do the procedure… Do you mind sharing some thoughts about this please.