As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by: Elizabeth Anne Hauck
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the boo?
“They themselves are makers of themselves” by mastering thought is the idea in James Allen’s “As A Man Thinketh”. There are several ideas at play in this manifesto of controlled and right thinking, and all of them are directly related to a man’s thoughts. Everything is related to one’s thoughts- circumstances, achievements, successes and failures. It is the control over thoughts and whether thoughts are good or bad that determines a man’s position in life.
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.
One idea that is presented right away is the idea that man is his thoughts. Man’s thoughts weave his inner character with his outer circumstance. Man can make himself or break himself. He can use his thoughts to build weapons to destroy or make art to inspire. The idea is that man must think right thoughts in order to have good results. I can understand this, as keeping good thoughts does affect my mood and my attitude towards a task. A happy thought and a happy mind will bring many happy things.
That the mind is a garden is a second thought that Allen imparts. If our minds are gardens, then we can either tend to them or let them grow wild and full of weeds. It is mentioned that seeds must be planted for thoughts to grow, and the seeds that one plants are the thoughts that one has. A well-tended garden will produce bountiful, floral, fruitful thoughts. A mind that is allowed to run wild and grow full of weeds will only bring ill thoughts. One must tend to his or her thoughts as a garden, exerting control over what the mind is thinking. Having control over thoughts is essential to success in life. A man must be in control of his thoughts in order to reap the rewards. This is very true, because if I focus my mind and meditate to clear my thoughts, my rewards are always very clear. I can finish the task at hand, or plan out a task to do. If I allow my mind to become cluttered, a wild, untamed garden of random ill thoughts, I cannot focus on any task, and nothing gets done. Meditation is what I use to cultivate my mental garden- good way to clean out the weeds.
The idea that man is where he is at due to his thoughts is also revealed by Allen as proof that thought is the ultimate power in man’s life. Man cannot blame his thoughts on his circumstances; he must blame his circumstances on his thoughts. While man cannot directly choose his circumstances, he can control his thoughts. Allen lists several examples of people in poor circumstances changing their lives by changing thought. Good thoughts bring good circumstances and bad thoughts bring bad circumstances. In order to bring the world right, man must first right his thoughts. This, to me, means that I must always keep my thoughts strong and good, no matter where I am. If I am in bad circumstances, I can change my thinking in order to change the track of my life. By controlling my thoughts and keeping the thoughts I have rights and pure, I can change the direction my life is taking.
The idea that thoughts control the body is also presented. Those who have weak, sickly thoughts end up weak and sick. Pain and misery is a result of man’s negative, impure thoughts. I must meditate and guard my mind, in order to keep my thoughts healthy, because with impure thoughts comes ill health.
Thought and purpose must be linked in order for there to be any intelligent accomplishment- another idea that is presented and explained. Man must have a purpose, because without a clear purpose man becomes aimless, and aimlessness brings bad things. A man with no purpose has no life. A man must have a clear, strong purpose and a mental path to get there. Doubt and fear are the enemies of knowledge. In order for my thoughts to be pure and good, doubt and fear must be conquered. Once I have conquered that duo of negativity there is no failure. I must not doubt the path that I have chosen to follow. I must walk along it, clear and strong, in order for me to achieve my goal.
All achievements and successes are the result of thought. This is an idea that Allen presents towards the end of the book. Through out he examines the rich who are bad, or the poor who are good, but it is the real thought of a man that controls how his life is lived. Everything that is achieved or is not achieved is directly resulting from thoughts. In order to reach success, I must follow the rules and the law of thought- right thought brings right action brings achievement and successes. If I can keep strong, positive control over my thoughts, then I can completely change my situation in life. That is the power of thought. If I want to work for an aid organization, if I want to work in the field, if I want to travel, I will adjust my thoughts accordingly. To have good thoughts is to make good things happen, and to have good thoughts I must control my mind.
The idea that I found most powerful was the idea that the dreamers are the saviors of the world, and without the artists and poets and music and entertainment, man would not survive. If one cherishes a beautiful vision, that vision is what one should strive to achieve with positive, strong thought. The beautiful vision should be cherished because that is who one will be one day. Allen says to build and glorify a vision of yourself in your heart, and to keep this vision pure, because this is who you will be. This is very heartening for me. If I cultivate a beautiful vision of my future, and I keep strong control over my thoughts and cultivate my garden, then I will one day be where I hope to be.
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?
I feel that this reading is going to help me in my personal and my professional life. Thought has power over circumstance, health and success. If I continue to train my mind with gaining knowledge and continue to control my mind with meditation, then my circumstances will change, and I will find myself living the life that I want and that my thoughts deserve. I can pass this knowledge along to others, planting positive seeds in their mental garden, and giving them the tools to cultivate it. Thoughts are a reflection of who I am as a person, and actions are represented in thoughts. With enough good thoughts, one can change the world. Allen says that the vision that you build of your self is the one you become, so I must build a vision of myself that I can be proud of.
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.
In the book, Allen has a quote that says “As he thinks so he is, as he continues think, so he remains.” This is a very powerful quote, and it struck me right away on several levels. On a personal level, it touched on the fact that I sometimes get bogged down in a day-to-day rut of negative thinking. My situation will never change until I change my thoughts. The changing of thought pattern is such a strong action that it can bring about momentous shifts in life. On a larger scale, this quote can be applied to a country post conflict. Does the collective national mind reset, forgive and move on to peaceful resolutions to future conflicts, or will it revert to civil war? This quote stuck in my mind, and I feel that I will carry it with me, to remind me of the power of my thoughts. Another strong line from the text, for me, was “Not wishes and prays for does a man get, but what he justly earns”. This is striking to me, because it goes in the face of the conventional religious belief of prayer, and says that you get what you earn. What one earns is related to the control and the content of thought. One gets the outcome that one earns, by cultivating and controlling thought.
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?
I must say that while I agree with the power of thought, I think that on a global scale it is almost impossible to comprehend. When I think of myself, I can say that my negative thinking and my lack of mental control has lead to mistakes, but how do I apply that same thinking to a child who is starving in a camp in Somalia? Or to a young girl that has been denied any opportunities due to her gender? How do the thoughts of a five year old that is dying from lack of basic care control his situation? I feel that Allen is speaking that if everyone in the world had right thoughts, then there would be no injustice because the world would be right. It seems a phenomenal undertaking, to change the opinion of the world. This will be something that I think over for a very long time, especially in my professional career in conflict resolution. To change one mind is to set off a chain of changing minds.
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?
The book contained no exercises for the reader, other than the challenge of controlling one’s thoughts.
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.
I have no other comments on James Allen’s book at this time. I feel that I understand his idea of man being his thoughts, and that good thoughts bring good things.
A. How interesting was it to read? 7
B. How helpful were the contents? 7
C. How easy was it to understand? 6
D. Would you recommend it to others? 5
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 6.5
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by: Elizabeth Anne Hauck (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The story “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” is a short story with a very deep meaning. It is the story of a seagull that sees himself as more than a seagull and attempts to achieve perfect flight. The main idea of the story is that to be true to one’s self and to seek out knowledge and accept change is the path to achieve enlightenment. There are several ideas in the story that support the main idea, and there were a few in particular that stood out to me, and hold use in my life experiences.
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 example from your life.
One of the central ideas to the story is the need for a goal, and to never stop learning. Jonathan is not content with his life as a simple seagull, one of “The Flock”, and he shows this by not caring for food, but for flight, and his perfection of it. Jonathan never stops and says “good enough”. He constantly pushes himself to fly faster, soar higher, and dive deeper. This is important, to me, because it shows that to have a goal is very important. Without his goal of achieving perfect flight, Jonathan would have never reached his enlightened state. I must set goals in my life, and continue to adjust my goals as I reach them, in order to achieve inner peace and mental clarity.
A second idea that is clear throughout the book is the idea that to be an “Outcast” or not a member of “The Flock” is not a bad place to be. His flock and his family ridiculed Jonathan, and it was not until he was banished for “recklessness” that he began to reach a state of higher awareness. Unhindered by the restraints that society placed upon him as a seagull, he was free to push his limits, open his mind, and achieve a higher place. Society, from the national idea down to the inner family, reflects on each person and the way he or she lives life. Jonathan does not care about what society thinks of him. From this, I can take the lesson that I should not worry about what society thinks. If I am pursuing my goals and reaching for knowledge, I cannot let the fear of being a ‘social misfit’ stand in the way. In my area of “peace studies” there are many skeptics, and I must not let the standard, sometimes skeptical, idea of the world stand in the way of my achieving enlightenment, or let it stop me from working towards a better future.
The drive to succeed is also an idea that is carried through out the story. If it is one thing that Jonathan has, it is the drive and will to succeed. He pushes himself to amazing heights. No dive is too high; no speed is too fast, no turn too dangerous. Jonathan tries and tries again and again to reach what he considers perfection. Even when weary and hungry, he is happy as he attempts his feats at flight. This takes him to a higher place, where he meets others like him. From Jonathan, I can take the lesson that I must have the drive within myself to reach my goals. I must take burning passion and turn it in to real action.
The willingness for self-transformation is also an idea that is seen through the three parts of the story. First, Jonathan must accept that he is different from the others, and not a part of “The Flock”. Then, he accepts that he can achieve anything through opening his mind and making an attempt. In Jonathan’s final transformation, he teaches another young seagull to take his place, as he finally reaches love and enlightenment, reaching the highest understanding. This is something that I can practice in my life. I must be open to what is around me and open to self-transformation. Without the will to change, nothing will come of any of my actions.
In the later part of the book, the idea of perfection being inside all of us, and attainable by all of us, is presented. While training Jonathan learns that the only limit to his ability is what he places on himself. When he allows his mind to be apart from his body, he learns that physical limitations are the only thing that holds back his mental progress towards perfection. This is an important idea- we can all both be trapped in a cycle of blindness and restricted by society’s “grand design”, or we can open our minds up to transformation. In order for me to achieve my goal of becoming someone who changes the world and makes it better, I must first open myself up to inner change. Once I have opened my heart and mind, I can then begin to spread my knowledge.
This leads to the idea that to learn we must first teach others. Jonathan is at first an eager self taught flyer, then a very willing student, and finally a teacher himself. It is when Jonathan becomes a teacher that he truly reaches the perfect flight, or enlightenment. As a teacher, Jonathan learns that love is the ultimate goal, and he must teach the young “outcasts” to still love “The Flock”, because you cannot hate the individual, who is blinded by ideology and self-limitations. To make an impact on my world, I must teach those around me the path to enlightenment and love. I can study, take tests, and write papers, but in order to learn on a higher level, I must teach others what I know.
The final idea that stood out to me is the idea that love is the goal of transformation. When Jonathan’s teacher turns to golden light, he tells him that love is the goal. This idea struck me, because even though Jonathan was thrown out of his flock, he returns to help his kin. He tells his student “Forgive them, and help them understand.” He also says that “you have to practice” and “see the real good in every one of them, and help them see it in themselves.” This is because Jonathan understands that each one of “The Flock” has the inner ability to achieve true perfection, knowledge, and enlightenment through the act of love. This stands out strong to me, because I hope to work in Conflict Resolution, and Peace building, and this idea shows me that I must be able to love even those who work against me in order for me to achieve a higher level of inner peace and strength.
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 better word? If so, how?
The seven ideas that I have just summarized are all ideas that I can take and use in my personal and professional life. As someone who hopes to work for world peace, the idea of inner peace is important to me. Jonathan achieves his inner peace through flight. That is how he reaches his enlightenment. With inner peace and enlightenment, comes outer peace. The willingness of self-transformation, the understanding and love for others who may not understand me, the drive of will, and the motivation to succeed at a goal of personal achievement are things that I can use to make my life and my world better. Jonathan is a metaphor for the inner transformation that anyone can make, if the mind and the heart are open to change.
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
One quote that stuck me in this story was the following, taken from part three, as part of an inner monologue that Jonathan was having with himself while speaking to a student: “The price of being misunderstood, he thought. They call you devil or they call you god. “ This is a powerful line in the story to me. Jonathan returns to his flock to teach them and to help lift the ridged grip society has on the idea of learning and transforming. Like other figures that came and brought a higher lesson with them, he faced either love or persecution. Either way, it was a lack of understanding in what he was teaching. One never stops learning. One should always be on a quest to gain knowledge and insight to the world around them. This part of the story shows to me the level of maturity that Jonathan has reached, because he understands why he is misunderstood.
Another set of quotes that I thought set up the idea of the story is the exchange that Jonathan has with his mother, in part one, over the fact that he is different that the others: ““Why, Jon, why?” his mother asked. “Why is it so hard to be like the rest of the flock, Jon? Why can’t you leave low flying to the pelicans, the albatross? Why don’t you eat? Son, you’re bone and feathers!”
“I don’t mind being bone and feathers mom. I just want to know what I can do in the air and what I can’t, that’s all. I just want to know.” This set of quotes is so powerful, because at first, Jonathan does not know that he is out on the path of enlightenment. He is simply driven by the urge and desire to learn how to fly. This is important, because as the story progresses, Jonathan comes to understand that it is knowledge that is the key to understanding and love, and he shows here that he always had the desire to know, even when it was against the social norm.
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?
The book is very clear in its goal of leading one to the path of knowledge and inner peace with oneself. I enjoy the ideas presented very much, and agree with them.
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?
The book contained no exercises for the reader, other than the idea of opening mind and heart to the joy of learning the path to enlightenment.
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.
Overall, I enjoyed the story of Jonathan, the seagull who reaches enlightenment. I agree with the way the story is presented, and I enjoy the metaphor. I had not read this story since my years in middle school, and it was a breath of fresh air, reminding me that goals are achievable, it simply takes drive and determination, and that I can reach inner peace and enlightenment as long as I never stop learning.
A. How interesting was it to read? 9
B. How helpful were the contents? 7
C. How easy was it to understand? 9
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9
Keys to Success
Assessment by: Elizabeth Anne Hauck
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea presented by Napoleon Hill’s book “Keys To Success” is the idea that one can follow the seventeen principles of personal achievement to reap rich rewards of success, health and wealth in his or her own life. Hill presents seventeen principles and expects the reader to take the knowledge and apply it to his/her life. Out of the seventeen principles, there were seven that stood out strongly to me, and that I feel I can use to better my situation in my life.
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.
There are seventeen principles that Hill discusses in his book. All seventeen of these principles must be followed and adhered to with absolute devotion in order to achieve success, but seven in particular stand out as important to me personally. The first is the first principle of definiteness of purpose. Without a set purpose, man has no drive to achieve. To have a burning desire and a positive mental attitude with it is to have success. To have a definiteness of purpose is to have the “right of control” over one’s mind. Nothing can be achieved without a plan, and if a plan cannot be put down in writing, the goal is not as clear as it seems. In order to have any success and forward motion in life, one must have an absolute plan written down, so that the mind can constantly focus on the goal. This is very interesting to me, as Hill discusses that without a purpose, one who comes to money without working for it will quickly become broke again, due to lack of purpose and poor mental attitude. This resonates with me because I inherited money, and had no purpose in life, and I became broke very quickly. Now, I am broke, but I have a purpose. This is a purpose that I can put down in to words: I want to work in the field of conflict resolution. I want to work for an NGO that is based in Africa that helps resolve conflicts and build peace. I want to start my own NGO that focuses on local issues and helps communities keep peace. That is my definiteness of purpose. I only must take the other sixteen principles and use them to reach my ultimate goal.
The third principle that Hill presents is the second idea I found important. Attractive personality is based on having a Positive Mental Attitude, or PMA. PMA is center to every other aspect and principle of success. One must have positive thoughts and a positive outlook for one to reap positive rewards. This idea of positive personality takes 25 aspects of personality and combines them. These areas include flexibility, sincerity of purpose, prompt decision-making, controlling ones tone & facial expressions, being versatile and practicing emotional control and humility. One must practice being courteous and tactful, along with humor and smiling. One must be frank and honest, and practice tolerance. Faith is important for shaping ones PMA, as is a keen sense of justice and fondness for ones fellow man. Active listening is crucial to an attractive personality. Showmanship and fair play are characteristics of PMA, as is effective use of words and control of speech. Handshakes and personal magnetism are the final areas brought up as being vital to being attractive. This is very important to me, professionally, because my goal is to work to resolve conflict. This is a field in which I must have a very attractive personality to those that I am working with. In order to resolve disputes I must work with opposing sides, and my personality and how legitimate, caring, and understanding I am must come across as honest and real in order for me to advance and make real progress towards peace.
The fifth principle of going the extra mile is the third idea that I can apply more in my life to achieve the results that I want. This is the principle that one must work harder and better, not for any immediate reward, but for long term benefit. By having a positive mental attitude and by going above and beyond what is expected of one, an impression is made on people. The Law of Increasing Rewards and the Law of Compensation set one up to reap great benefits in the future. By having a happy heart while working towards one’s goal, no matter the hardship or sacrifice, the reward will come back greatly multiplied. This gives me heart, because I know that in my studies I will have to travel away from my children, and while it will be hard, when I succeed in my purpose we will all reap the rewards of a more peaceful, caring world. It also sets a good example, and acts as a shining light of selflessness in order to make a dream a reality. It also reminds one to be self-disciplined, and not act as a doormat. I must recognize my value and make others see it, but not be used by others because I lack personal integrity or self-confidence. It is an idea of making oneself indispensable, which is very important in the field of peace studies and conflict resolution.
This seventh principle of building a positive attitude is the cornerstone for every other principle in the book. The idea of having a positive mental attitude is central to the entire concept of personal achievement. Every other principle relies on this one. This is the idea that one is the master of his/her thoughts, and that positive thoughts are the way to positive rewards. This is helpful to me, in such a great way. It gives clear instruction on how to build a positive attitude, with goal setting, driving desire, control of thoughts, self-discipline and humility. When I have my positive mental attitude, even my failures are successes, because I can build off of the knowledge I gained. A positive mental attitude transforms every area of one’s life, and I can incorporate this idea of positive thinking in to my every day tasks, which will eventually lead to my larger goal of peace, both inner and world wide.
The eighth principle of controlled enthusiasm is the fifth idea that I find important. Enthusiasm is vital for success, because it is a driving force. To have a PMA is to have enthusiasm for one’s goal. It must be controlled and focused, just as every other aspect of the principles. Controlled enthusiasm brings stimulation of the subconscious, which brings focus on the definite purpose. I must use my enthusiasm in a controlled way, focusing on my goal step by step, and not trying to over stretch my resources or myself. This is very important, as controlling my enthusiasm will bring productive positive results without any danger of burning out or losing sight of my goal.
Enforcing self-discipline is the sixth personally useful idea, and the ninth principle of personal achievement. In order to have a PMA and to reach a definite purpose, one must have self-discipline. Self-discipline is the process that ties the principles together. It takes effort to reach any goal, and it takes extra effort to reach one’s definite purpose. Life presents choices, and some are hard to make, and it is easy to lose sight and fall in to a negative thought pattern. If I master self-discipline, then all else follows- a clear, positive well-disciplined mind is the key to all achievement and success.
The seventh idea that is personally useful to me is the thirteenth principle of learning from adversity and defeat. If one has a positive mental attitude, one comes to see even failure as success, because one learns from failure. In my goals I will face many adversaries, and in working for peace and in conflict resolution, I will face many times when opposing parties have open conflict. I will face a hard road in reaching my degree, trying to travel and study with a family. I can look at these things and say “As a mother of two who is not financially well off and is behind in her studies I should quit” or I can look at my life and say “ I can and will achieve my goal of living and working for peace. I will make the world better for my children through my actions.” `My defeat will become my success, and I will gain a larger understanding through my failures.
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?
The seventeen principles that are the foundation for personal achievement will help me in a very practical way. If I apply these principles in my daily life, and if I follow the exercises in the book, I will build my mind, constructing a positive mental attitude that rejects failure, procrastination, fear and criticism. With the right PMA I will be able to achieve the goals that I set out for myself. The way is clearly laid out- write down your goal, develop a plan, have an attractive personality, and above all have a positive mental attitude. I am only limited by my own thoughts, and I can achieve only what I make myself achieve. To be a success I must surround myself with success, and see even my failures in a positive light. The work of achievement is never done, and I can never stop learning. To control my mind is to achieve my goals. To achieve my goals is to work towards building a more peaceful world. To spread positive influence and enthusiasm is to sow a rich garden, which will produce bountiful rewards. I have a desire to help as many people as possible, by working towards sustainable peace. If I take these principles and apply them, then I will reach my goal, and help make the world a better place.
4. Quotes: Are there any statements that the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.
“Get out of here, old man, and stay out! I don’t need you! Get out!” is such a powerful quote to me, because I have started my education in college much later than most people my age. At times, I allow myself to feel down, like I have let the best years of my life go by, when I could have made a difference. This is a mental block that I use as a crutch and excuse for inaction. My age is no block to me achieving any purpose that I set for myself,. I find myself saying that out loud “Get out old woman, get out!” to remind me that all I need is to have a PMA and follow the principles of achievement, and I can reach my personal and professional goals.
“Success attracts success while failure attracts more failure” is a quote used in principle seven, developing a positive mental attitude. This is such a simple, easy way to remind myself that if I think positive I will find success in all that I try, and that I must not allow myself to fall in to the cycle of negative thinking.
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
From the beginning, the book contains several exercises for the reader to practice. These range in activities of personality such as smiling, control of tone, and word use, to writing down exact goals and plans to achieve an ultimate purpose. One exercise that I found to be very helpful was the steps provided to clear your mind to faith. These three steps were very similar to meditation, and they helped me to lay out a spiritual aspect to my ultimate purpose. The exercise of continually reviewing the mindset for a positive mental attitude was very helpful with reshaping my mind and my attitude towards my situation and goals. The enthusiasm boosting exercises were useful in directing my energies. Each chapter had an exercise relating to positive thinking or mental control or attitude shaping. I did all exercises, and as I did them, I found that my mind and attitude changed a little more each day, in a positive way. With constant review and application of the exercises, I am building a powerful mental drive and desire to work towards a better world.
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.
I feel that the book is very clear in it’s point. Follow the seventeen principles and actively apply them to your life and you will have success. A problem that I have with the book is that it was complied after the death of Hill, and I feel that the modern examples used to illustrate the principles, while helpful in context, break the flow of thought. I also find it to be very repetitive, hammering the same message at the reader over and over- positive control over thought and a PMA. We each control our own futures by the thoughts in our own mind.
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? 7
B. How helpful were the contents? 8
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 7
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 7.5