We cheerfully accept very
large Donations. Not tax deductible. Not yet. Send
money anyway. We really need it.
THE
4 AGREEMENTS OF NATIVE
AMERICAN SHAMANS
There are many "great"
books that deal with your expanding human potential. This is one of the most
spiritually powerful texts, packed into 138 pages. Rules simple enough for
"ignorant savages" to understand and honour for a few thousand years. This one
is the clearest, cleanest and simplest you can read and then put into
practice.
Be Impeccable With
Your Word. The broad scope of this concept is to avoid sin against
yourself by what you think. Sinning against the self takes many forms:
such as, putting yourself down, gossiping, or putting anybody else down because
you don't agree with what they think. Actions and words need to be
consistent as part of being impeccable with yourself.The other side of the coin is the smoky
mirror concept.Ruiz makes the
point that our perceptions of others are merely reflections of ourselves.Therefore, to put another down or
project negative words or energy towards another person, is to lash out at the
other person because of our own insecurities.
Don't Take Anything
Personally. There is an awful lot of negative energy out there and some
of it is directed at us by other people. If you take it personally and
take on the poison of another's words, it becomes a very negative agreement you
have with yourself. What anybody thinks about you, or says about you, is
really about them. Not taking it personally allows you to be in
relationship with anyone and not get trapped in their stuff. This
agreement can also pertain to things that we take personally that cause us to
go into upset.
Don't Make
Assumptions. What we think we understand about what someone says,
how someone looks at us, what someone means by what they do, etc, may often not
reflect reality at all, and more often than not lead us to think badly of
ourselves or of others, and reinforce not being impeccable with our
word.
Always Do Your
Best. Your "best" is a variable thing from moment to moment. "When
you do your best, you don't give the Judge the opportunity to find you guilty
or to blame you.You can always
say, I did my best." There are no regrets. (p.80) The
other key to doing your best revolves about being in action. "Action is
about living fully. Inaction is the way that we deny life. Inaction
is sitting in front of the television every day for years because you are
afraid to be alive and to take the risk of expressing what you are.
Expressing what you are is taking action. You can have many great ideas
in your head, but what makes the difference is the action. Without action
upon an idea, there will be no manifestation, no results, and no
reward."
Source: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel
Ruiz Amber-Allen Publishing, San Rafael, CA (1997)
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS
OF NATIVE AMERICAN
PEACEMAKERS
Treat the Earth and all
that dwell thereon with respect
Remain close to the Great
Spirit
Show great repect for your
fellow beings
Work together for the
benefit of all Mankind
Give assistance and
kindness wherever needed
Do what you know to be
right
Look after the well-being
of mind and body
Dedicate a share of your
efforts to the greater good