As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Eliud K. Cheluget (Kenya)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The author in the book is trying to convey a message to readers that personal responsibility is the doctrine that an individual has substantial or total responsibility for the events and circumstances that befall them in their personal life, to a considerably greater degree than is normally thought. Strong adherents of responsibility assumption consider that whatever situation they find themselves in, their own past desires and choices must have led to that outcome. With the power of thought, It shows how, in his own thought the world, each man holds the key to every condition, good or bad, that enters into his life, and that, by working patiently and intelligently upon his thoughts, he may remake his life, and transform his circumstances.
2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from our own life.
i. Men do not attract what they want, but what they are
In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of the effort is the measure of the result. Chance is not. Gifts, powers, material, intellectual and spiritual possessions are the fruits of effort; they are thoughts completed, objects accomplished, visions realized. The Vision that you glorify in our mind, the Ideal that you enthrone in our heart this you will build our life by, this you will become.
ii. A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.
One’s circumstances may be uncongenial, but they shall not long remain so if you but perceive an Ideal and strive to reach it. You cannot travel within and stand still without. A man should conceive of a legitimate purpose in his heart and set out to accomplish it. He should make this purpose the centralizing point of his thoughts. It may take the form of a spiritual ideal, or it may be a worldly object, according to his nature at the time being; but whichever it is, he should steadily focus his thought-forces upon the object, which he has set before him. He should make this purpose his supreme duty, and should devote himself to its attainment, not allowing his thoughts to wander away into ephemeral fancies, longings, and imaginings. This is the royal road to self-control and true concentration of thought. Having conceived of his purpose, a man should mentally mark out a straight pathway to its achievement, looking neither to the right nor the left. Doubts and fears should be rigorously excluded; they are disintegrating elements, which break up the straight line of effort, rendering it crooked, ineffectual, useless. Thoughts of doubt and fear never accomplished anything, and never can. They always lead to failure. Purpose, energy, power to do, and all strong thoughts cease when doubt and fear creep in.
iii. Cherish our visions.
Cherish our ideals. Cherish the music that stirs in our heart, the beauty that forms in our mind, the loveliness that drapes our purest thoughts, for out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all heavenly environment, of these, if you but remain true to them our world will at last be built. He who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realize it. To desire is to obtain; to aspire is to achieve. Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Our Vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; our Ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil. The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn; the bird waits in the egg; and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities. Our circumstances may be uncongenial, but they shall not long remain so if we but perceive an Ideal and strive to reach it. You cannot travel within and stand still without.
iv. Attracting self-love.
The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors, that which it loves, and also that which it fears. It reaches the height of its cherished aspirations. It falls to the level of its unchastened desires and circumstances are the means by which the soul receives its own. man becomes calm in the measure that he understands himself as a thought evolved being, for such knowledge necessitates the understanding of others as the result of thought, and as he develops a right understanding, and sees more and more clearly the internal relations of things by the action of cause and effect he ceases to fuss and fume and worry and grieve, and remains poised, steadfast, serene. The calm man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to adapt himself to others; and they, in turn, reverence his spiritual strength, and feel that they can learn of him and rely upon him. The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Even the ordinary trader will find his business prosperity increase as he develops a greater self-control and equanimity, for people will always prefer to deal with a man whose demeanor is strongly equable. The strong, calm man is always loved and revered. He is like a shade-giving tree in a thirsty land, or a sheltering rock in a storm. It does not matter whether it rains or shines, or what changes come to those possessing these blessings, for they are always sweet, serene, and calm. That exquisite poise of character, which we call serenity is the last lesson of culture, the fruitage of the soul.
v. Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves, they therefore remain bound.
As the visible world is sustained by the invisible, so men, through all their trials and sins and sordid vocations, are nourished by the beautiful visions of their solitary dreamers. Humanity cannot forget its dreamers; it cannot let their ideals fade and die; it lives in them; it knows them as the realities which it shall one day see and know.
vi. Every action and feeling is preceded by a thought.
The calm man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to adapt himself to others; and they, in turn, reverence his spiritual strength, and feel that they can learn of him and rely upon him. The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good.
vii. Right thinking begins with the words we say to ourselves
The world is our kaleidoscope, and the varying combinations of colors, which at every succeeding moment it presents to us, are the exquisitely adjusted pictures of our ever-moving thoughts.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in our daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?
These ideas will help me understand that every action and feeling is preceded by a thought and that the circumstances which a man encounters with suffering are the result of their own mental in-harmony. Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results. This is but saying that nothing can come from corn but corn, nothing from nettles but nettles. People understand this law in the natural world, and work with it; but few understand it in the mental and moral world.
4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got our attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.
Yes. Every man is where he is by the law of his being; the thoughts which he has built into his character have brought him there, and in the arrangement of his life there is no element of chance, but all is the result of a law which cannot err. Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound. The man who does not shrink from self-crucifixion can never fail to accomplish the object upon which his heart is set. This is as true of earthly as of heavenly things. Even the man whose sole object is to acquire wealth must be prepared to make great personal sacrifices before he can accomplish his object; and how much more so he who would realize a strong and well-poised life.
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?
No. All ideas are true and are practical in the present life. It is a good book worth reading.
6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?
Yes. The author gives a practical approach to current life. People have got to move out of their comfort zone, into the change zone. It’s not easy. But it works.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
The book is quite interesting to read. It helps upcoming readers understand strictly the values embedded in insightful thinking. James Allen, can as well write on cognitive behavioral therapy.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 10
B. How helpful were the contents? 8
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Eliud K. Cheluget (Kenya)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The author, Jonathan Livingstone Seagull believes that dreams are a part of human nature. Through them we better ourselves, push our limits and free our spirits from the chains of a normal life. Through our dreams we are free, we can reach the sky, touch beauty and bare the soul. Dreams are the engine behind human existence and its greatest accomplishments. Not every dream is the same. Some are unreachable, while others are reached by simply opening your eyes. They are all equally valid though some may be harder to achieve than others. It’s fair and human to ask about them, want to know others’ opinions or debate their possibilities. But sometimes others’ opinions on our dreams can put us in a prison from which it’s very hard to escape. Over the years there has been a never-ending debate between those who claim that everything is predetermined at birth and those who think that we write our own future and determine our own lives with every step we take. It’s an endless debate since it’s impossible, at least in this world, to find the answer. Despite this unsolvable debate, it is possible for us to control what’s within our own reach. We can guide our steps and lead our lives towards the destiny we desire. Dreaming is free and if we pay attention to the goals these dreams set for us, like a destiny we must fulfill, these dreams could help us achieve that little thing called happiness. The finish line is as important as the journey it takes to get there. Enjoying the view while traveling to a desired destination. Enjoying someone who makes us consider the idea of a relationship. Watching a seed blossom into a beautiful fruit. The nap after a great meal. The little steps taken towards a goal no one would have bet on. Enjoying everyday moments is essential. Jonathan Livingston Seagull taught us that there are no limits to our dreams. And be wary of your fears, they love to steal dreams.
2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
i. Frustration.
The book talks about frustration with the meaningless materialism, conformity, and limitation of the seagull life. He is seized with a passion for flight of all kinds, and his soul soars as he experiments with exhilarating challenges of daring aerial feats. Eventually, his lack of conformity to the limited seagull life leads him into conflict with his flock, and they turn their backs on him, casting him out of their society and exiling him. Not deterred by this, Jonathan continues his efforts to reach higher and higher flight goals, finding he is often successful but eventually he can fly no higher. He is then met by two radiant, loving seagulls who explain to him that he has learned much, and that they are there now to teach him more. This is a story for people who follow their hearts and make their own rules, people who get special pleasure out of doing something well, even if only for themselves, people who know there’s more to this living than meets the eye: they’ll be right there with Jonathan, flying higher and faster than ever they dreamed.
ii. Confidence.
This book transcends into a society where all the gulls enjoy flying. He is only capable of this after practicing hard alone for a long time and the first learning process of linking the highly experienced teacher and the diligent student is raised into almost sacred levels. They, regardless of the all immense difference, are sharing something of great importance that can bind them together: “You’ve got to understand that a seagull is an unlimited idea of freedom, an image of the Great Gull.” He realizes that you have to be true to yourself: “You have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way.’
iii. Hard work.
Jonathan transcends into a society where all the gulls enjoy flying. He is only capable of this after practicing hard alone for a long time and the first learning process of linking the highly experienced teacher and the diligent student is raised into almost sacred levels. They, regardless of the all immense difference, are sharing something of great importance that can bind them together: He realizes that you have to be true to yourself: You have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way.
iv. Working on love.
Through his teachings, Jonathan understands that the spirit cannot be really free without the ability to forgive, and that the way to progress leads—for him, at least—through becoming a teacher, not just through working hard as a student. Jonathan returns to the Breakfast Flock to share his newly discovered ideals and the recent tremendous experience, ready for the difficult fight against the current rules of that society. The ability to forgive seems to be a mandatory passing condition. The idea that the stronger can reach more by leaving the weaker friends behind seems totally rejected. Hence, love, deserved respect, and forgiveness all seem to be equally important to the freedom from the pressure to obey the rules just because they are commonly accepted.
v. Trust yourself.
Most gulls don’t bother to learn more than the simplest facts of flight how to get from shore to food and back again. For most gulls, it is not flying that matters, but eating. For this gull, though, it was not eating that mattered, but flight. More than anything else, Jonathan Livingston Seagull loved to fly. This kind of thinking, he found, is not the way to make one’s self popular with other birds. Jonathan tries to behave like other gulls, screeching and fighting with the flock around the piers and fishing boats, diving on scraps of fish and bread. His resolve not to pursue what he loves and to act like the rest of his species has some benefits: “He felt better for his decision to be just another one of the flock. There would be no ties now to the force that had driven him to learn, there would be no more challenge and no more failure. In the end, however, he finds the mundane life of the average gull meaningless and goes back to his flying, trying to perfect his technique, sometimes failing, sometimes experiencing great success.
vi. Forgiveness.
The importance of forgiveness, and a refusal to hold grudges, resentment, and other negative emotions is also a fundamental lesson that weaves it’s way throughout most of the book, hinting that greater truths are unobtainable until we are willing to forgive the wrongs that are done to us.
vii. Obsession.
Seagull is obsessed with pushing the limits of everything he knows about flying. Every day he learns more and more. We, as human beings, would be well-served if we were willing to push against our own personal boundaries and discover what lies beyond. It is refreshing and insightful to learn more, grow more, open ourselves to truths we have not yet learned.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?
Jonathan Seagull is a story for one who knows that somewhere there’s a higher way of living than scuffing the tracks of others, someone who yearns to fly the way their own heart yearns to fly. It’s a reminder, this little fable, that the path for us to follow is already written within, that it’s for each of us to find our own loves, and live them brightly for ourselves. Others may watch, they may admire our resolution or despise it, but our one freedom is for us to love and to choose every day of our lives, as we wish.
4. Quotes: Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.
“The flight of a bird is often equated with freedom.”
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach is the story of one seagull who seeks to get the most out of that freedom. Jonathan Livingston Seagull wants more than the other seagulls. He sees other birds that fly higher or in different ways and he wants to try it. He observes the different bird species that he sees and tries to imitate their flight patterns. Even though he frequently fails to get the results that he wants, he keeps trying. He does all of this without the support of family or friends. This book is about what Jonathan learns and how he comes to teach it to others.
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?
No.
6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?
Yes.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
Yes. How to build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete during change management.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 8
B. How helpful were the contents? 6
C. How easy was it to understand? 6
D. Would you recommend it to others? 6
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 6