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