Serena—I read the website. Partly, it means to have integrity but not to expect it from others because they will filter through their own egos, I think. I remember the first time I had a bicycle stolen. I was in college and it was my only source of transportation. It was the first time I can actually remember being disappointed in a total stranger. Family disappoints too easily; they know one too well. But a total stranger—I was never so disappointed before that. Since then I have learned. But when I was young I had the illusion everyone went by a set of rules, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t copy my art project. … It has been decades and i still mourn that bicycle. It was a symbol to me.

I read the “Four Agreements” and they sound like just plain common sense to me. I did not read anything about the concept you were citing. Perhaps Mr. Ruiz has written this elsewhere, but from what I did read the “reality” bit doesn’t fit with the simple agreements set forth.