What are the 4 Toltec agreements that release childhood beliefs?

This is the book of Mexican shaman Don Miguel Ruiz published in the United States in 1997 which makes known to the whole world “The Four Toltec Agreements”. What is it about ? What are the benefits if we apply them? Discovery.

Definition and origin: what are the Toltec agreements?

“The Four Toltec Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz is based on the principles of life of Toltecs, a people who appeared in Mesoamerica around 800 (year of Charlemagne’s coronation in France). Around the year 1000, they created their capital in Tula (north of Mexico) and their empire lasted two centuries. The Aztecs took over from 1300 and claimed to be descendants of the Toltecs. The Toltecs were known as men and women of “knowledge.” Don Miguel Ruiz is a Mexican shaman, descendant of the Toltecs, born in 1952 in Mexico. “HASformerly a surgeon, he experienced a near-death experience. On his “return” he shared with the world the wisdom as well as the knowledge of a whole lineage of men and women doctors called the Nagual (of the “Masters” among the Toltecs)” explains Christine Magat, psychologist and hypnotherapist. These simple principles are rules of life aimed at exempting us from beliefs adopted from childhood. “We are living beings in a social environment (family, friendly, community, national, cultural, etc.). Very early on, we are domesticated and we will give our consent to a whole bunch of thoughts and beliefs” explains the psychologist. “We will, for example, learn what it is good to dream and fantasize or not. These beliefs – sometimes unconscious – can be at the origin of our suffering“continues the specialist. “The Toltec agreements propose to free ourselves from this web and to be ourselves“. They must help us to free ourselves from all agreements previously contracted.

What benefits?

The Toltec agreements invite us to observe a healthy lifestyle and cleaning up our way of thinking. “They help us develop internal ecology (in our inner world) and in our relationships. They free communication from emotional biases that could clog it” explains Christine Magat. The practice of Toltec agreements is therefore beneficial in the family, personal or professional context because they harmonize social contacts. “This allows to free yourself from polluting emotions for yourself and for his relationship with others.

List of 4 Toltec agreements to repeat every day to be well

1. “May your word be impeccable”. The idea is to be aware that our words have extraordinary power. “Olivier Clerc – the translator of Don Miguel Ruiz’s books into French – draws an analogy between the Toltec agreements and chivalry. He considers the word to be like a sword” indicates the psychologist. With our words, we can do harm or good. “There are sentences that hurt and which stay with us or, on the contrary, sentences from a teacher or a professor, for example, which have galvanized us, influenced and inspired us to the point of having an impact on our journey” points out Christine Magat. This agreement encourages us to become aware of the power of our words and to be attentive to the way we use them. “Speech is a tool that we use in contact with others but also for our inner dialogue. It’s important to keep this in mind when communicating with people or yourself.”
2. “Whatever happens, don’t make it personal.”. It is a mindset that allows us to protect ourselves and be safe by not making criticism personal. “If speech is the sword, “don’t make it personal” is the shield” explains the professional. “When someone talks to me – even if they say my first name – whether to criticize and devalue me or to tell me that I’m great, in both cases, they only talk about their world“notes the psychologist.”If I make a friend’s or colleague’s comment personal, it’s because there are holes in my shield.”. This second agreement suggests developing a certain immunity to the emotional poison that some people can spread. “Faced with this kind of people, it is important to hold your shield firmly“.
3. “Don’t make assumptions“because it can cause suffering.”Our brain is a guessing machine. If I call someone and they don’t answer, that’s a fact but it’s hard to leave it as is. I’m going to immediately imagine that she doesn’t answer because she doesn’t want to talk to me. And I’m going to stop at this assumption which will probably make me sad” underlines Christine Magat. This assumption is a reflection of our way of thinking and our history. It is not about reality. To experience the agreement “Don’t make assumptions“, the psychologist advises to identify when we make assumptions. “For example, when we think “He didn’t say hello, it’s because he’s making fun of me”, the assumption will probably generate feelings that will come into this relationship in the future while ‘this is just speculation ” indicates the professional. “The idea is to immediately dump this assumption of his energy by immediately making a second guess such as ”He didn’t say hello to me. Maybe it’s because he didn’t see me.’ For her, “this reframes”. “If I stay with my first assumption, I will embrace it as a reality and multiply the assumptions.”
4. “Always do your best“, suggests taking a kind look at yourself by dealing with the energy of the moment and your environment.”This is an agreement that protects against exhaustion – particularly parental and professional – but also against procrastination. to be in a fair balance. As long as I do my best, it’s OK.” advises the hypnotherapist.
5. “Be skeptical, but learn to listen“. In 2010 with his son Don José Ruiz, Don Miguel Ruiz added this fifth chord to the list. He advocates taking the information and listening while maintaining our filters. “Our differences and our divergences are extraordinary nourishment. It is therefore important to cultivate this openness. However, we must cultivate doubt. Whatever we are told, whether it comes from a teacher or any other person in a position of authority. We are not baby birds with open beaks waiting to drink words!”

Thanks to Christine Magat, occupational psychologist and hypnotherapist.