The irony of deeper meaning
Some people know they want freedom, but what they mean by that word is basically, "I want whatever I want with no repercussions." The first step in the book is to reveal a deeper meaning of the word freedom, so that one can correctly deduce what it is they actually want. Ironically, the word fits because of our language, but in order to make that word into a reality in one's life, one must evaluate what freedom really is and how one can actually attain it. It is far more than just getting whatever we want, says the book.
Fate and environment
By being born in ancient Rome, isn't one's freedom severely limited? An ancient Roman might desire flight, but he exists in a time before the invention of the airplane, so shucks to him—he isn't free to fly. We are similarly bound, says the book, although dramatic irony keeps us from seeing that clearly. The first obstacle of freedom is the fate that is implied in one's environment. Imagine a person being born into a strict religious cult who says, "I want to be another religion." Just by being born into a community, similar binds are placed on us and on our perception of self, according to Four Agreements.
The irony of personal life
When a person desires freedom, Ruiz argues that they are implicitly requesting a new relationship to other people, because people affect each other's perception of reality. If someone says to another person, "You're the ugliest person I've ever seen," that constrains the other person's perception of self. If they want to feel beautiful, they will have to navigate the painful waters of self-esteem and independence. What does it mean to feel beautiful in the first place? Isn't that desire for certain emotions another obstacle to true freedom? Again, this irony points the reader toward a deeper understanding of the word freedom.
Time as irony
In the third lesson, Ruiz elaborates an irony related to time. Although one wants freedom from their external environment, Ruiz points to ways that freedom is available internally, although people tend not to notice. Forgiveness is the element here; by using forgiveness, one can free their self from the binds of their past. This will seem ironic because of dramatic irony. Before forgiveness occurs, it seems like it will do one thing, but what it does instead is grants a person freedom.
Expectation and irony
This is another essential irony about the human experience. By limiting one's expectations, one drastically limits freedom. Just as forgiveness led to an ironic breakthrough in the last example, removal of expectation brings another kind of freedom that desire obscures. Ironically, a person can become enslaved by specific desires for outcomes that are not within their control. By renegotiating one's relationship to desire, Ruiz suggests that another kind of freedom could be attained.
