THE FOUR AGREEMENTS  - DON MIGUEL RUIZ

A few books speak of the connectedness of varied teachings and of the existence than propagating altogether a different agenda, four agreements is those books.

If we see closely a great deal of our being is rooted in agreements. What and how we talk, whom we talk to, our thinking, actions, soul contracts or perhaps even the ones we made before we came to this life. These contracts could be either fear based or love based (rooted in wrong ideas or originating out of deeper understanding that sees everybody looking for, asking for same thing in diverse ways).

Be impeccable with your words:  Using the words to pull people up than putting down. We have to use the words for guidance and encouragement of the self and others. Same can be said about the thoughts. This can be achieved when we consider life as a beautiful co-existence than as a competition because ultimately all are winners.

Don’t take anything personally:  When a person says or does something that you are not able to relate to we say it speaks about them not about you. It is not even this in fact. As it is momentary and resulting from a pre conceived notion or was never considered. Let go of what you can and should because it might be very negligent in this big picture.

Don’t make assumptions:  We tend to assume what others think, how everyone is even before knowing them, who can help us and often about our own strengths and capabilities. In its place we can always ask questions, get more information, look for assistance and speak our mind out.

Always do your best: That which we do at first may not seem very insignificant or something of less value but when we do it with a good intent and with the whole of our being to simply put will become a source of happiness and maintain the balance in life. There could be external limiting factors; it is about doing your best considering those factors.

These are the everyday things we can do towards personal freedom and to bring in more harmony and love because all wonderful goals become achievable with the little steps in the correct direction.

Six Thinking Hats – Edward de Bono

Very precise, practical and influential book at the same time in a great way, loved it, a must read for everyone!!

Take a ways:

1.     If we are used to thinking in one particular way in most of the situations say emotional thinking, cautious thinking the book challenges us to think in other ways that is needed for  complete planning and  right action

2.    Gives clarity of thinking by advising us to ask the right questions and by gathering all the elements like the information, emotion, creativity, blocking points etc. when you are thinking for yourself as well as in collective thinking (for each other and others)

3.  Reduces the time taken in conducting the meetings and coming to decisions as the direction in which we need to think is clearly defined and the thinkers are to switch the hats to alternative ways of thinking

4.   Evades arguments and clash of interest. Here all of the possibilities are laid in front of thinkers to clearly analyse in a one direction at a given time rather than in different directions

5.  Most importantly it is about this topic “thinking” which we fail to do when we should do in place of prejudices, impulsive, limited choices thus making us better thinkers and decision makers (also in discussions)

6.  The method suggested has a very broad scope as it can be implemented in varied fields as well as in personal life

7.  Human brain, even in daily situations is involved in a lot of thinking that is often not focused so can go astray if left totally without control. However in the book we are suggested to think about our thinking which is like reminding ourselves why we are thinking, what is it about, is it apt and what is the purpose

8.  Easy to remember and follow technique

The hen who dreamed she could fly - Sun - Mi Hwang

A deep desire to nurture and be with one’s child bosoms in every heart. When deepened by this longing, the same love gets extended to any/every (little) one the true spirit of love which knows no selfishness gets revealed.

Story of a mother finding a child and then dreaming of ways to live with the child…

The Kite Runner – KHALED HOSSEINI

Makes you cry, makes you laugh. Exquisitely written, thuds the readers heart. Brings the past kite running memories alive.

Amir, a cast one with a little insight would play of self-evaluation, transforms himself to a kite runner he always admired though envied in his childhood that was needed to liberate himself from the guilt of what ought to and ought not to be done in his past, Hassan the most idealistic role a man can enact upon and Shorba, uncovering the deep scar children in the war zone live through and it getting pacified. The heroes, in their own opulence.
The story is an insider to how gluttony ( which does not center on a co-operative and harmonious relationship) and self -proclaimed do –gooders can turn the life of the people in a country completely upside down. And post the avoidable war left alone to saving grace would have brought the living back to normalcy. 

Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master- A Yogi's Autobiography - Sri M

The power of positive thinking:  Norman Vincent Peale

A book that draws a lot from The Bible that one can refer to for answers. Simple yet a lot of reread able liners. Shared experiences of the people found throughout makes it even more richer.

Norman sums it up “You can have peace of mind, improved health and a never-ceasing flow of energy…your life can be full of joy and satisfaction of this I have no doubt at all…”

Quotations and author’s narrations tell us how faith, willingness, courage and positive attitude can touch us and give results in our relationships, business, health and wherever one feels the need for healing power. Surprisingly it even speaks of the dimension of life after life here on earth.

Oh and what a beautiful way to bring the book to and end again in his own words,

“We may never meet in person, but in this book we have met. We are spiritual friends. I pray for you. God will help you- so believe and live successfully.”