P.D. Ouspensky's In Search if the Miraculous is the most in depth modern book of mysticism that I've read to date. It's not from the pen of the leader of that branch of mysticism (G.I. Gurdjief), but it is a great exemplar of a common formula in 20th century sales pitches/mystical gurus' self-presentation: create a crisis, explain how it can be overcome and weave what you're selling into that explanation.
Though Don Miguel Ruiz has some good things to say in his The Four Agreements, this same formula can be found all over its first two chapters. Even on a paragraph by paragraph basis. Take for instance, his explanation of the word "impeccable:" He states outright that it means "without sin," then gives a sound etymology and definition, and restates its definition clearly. Adding those two latter steps makes the revelation of the word's meaning more dramatic, but are unnecessary.
The first agreement itself ("be impeccable with your word") is a fine thing. However, while explaining the concept, he refers to how your word can be damaging to yourself as well as others. Again, this is quite all right, but in the previous chapter he strove to show that people do not know their true selves. Therefore, defining how he is using "yourself" in his explanation of the first agreement would help to clarify it further. And, for a book that's been about putting things simply thus far, clarity is essential.
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