As A Man Thinketh
Assessment by Emenike La (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
Who we think ourselves to be creates who we are. Thus, thought is the cause of all circumstance and events. In other words, we are what we think. The book is based on the concept of natural law applied to the mental domain. The premise is that through understanding the law of nature and the law of mind, anything is possible and the pathway to create results is set and straightforward. A subtheme of the book is the consecration of thought to achieve higher reaches of power and authority, riches, and saintly character.
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.
a. Thought is the organizing principle of reality. Consecration of thought is the pathway through which results manifest. Developing strength in the mind is the determining factor in resulting success as determined by the inner harmony, vision, and desire of the soul.
b. Knowing how to think is the ability to access the Mind of God. The mystical aspect of knowing the thoughts of God stands in contrast to believing in the stories, testimonies, so called laws, dictates, and rumors of followers of a belief system. The book essentially points to knowing, not belief, as a determining factor is delivering power and creating desired results. Albert Einstein said, “I want to know the thoughts of God, the rest are details.” To know the thoughts of God is to become God, and thus to remember that there was never a time when one (I) was not being God. What makes this a powerful premise is that it is based on the natural law of symmetry between nature and mind. Thus, it is a means to personally and empirically determine the scientific validity of ones declarations of being. Put another way, this is a process of proving and truing to oneself (me) the who and what God is, and creating results based on that knowledge.
c. To know how to think is the mind’s greatest weapon and comfort in a reality of lies, illusions, and mass insanity. The world and circumstances can seem like a war when the soul or being is not the active determinate in creating meaning, determining thought, and directing thought towards a purpose consecrated to the Most High. The key aspect of the philosophy presented is that what seems to be so is not always so. The mind can serve illusion or it can serve truth. The law of the mind states that whatever is at the core and center of the mind; yes, that which resides in the soul, is what the mind indirectly generates as circumstances to reflect the state and status of the soul. As such, the mind is a vehicle, a tool, and if need be a weapon to employ the evolution of the soul.
d. To know how to think is a rare skill and the secrets of knowing how to know are shared with those who ask and are willing to accept they do not know. This is important because often those who want to assist others will want to do the soul work for the person. In the realm of the law, a person does not suffer by circumstances alone. A person must consent to attaching a meaning to a situation then proceed in naming that situation: suffering. Thus, the process of naming a circumstance or an occurring reality is the process of recreating the circumstance or situation in the words, thoughts, and perceptions of God. To create this in a harmonious way, one must accept the law of the mind, the law of God, and purify the thought like a clean mirror, so that it reflects the light or the thought of God into any circumstance and situation.
e. The straight pathway of purpose is the way of the powerful, authentically rich, and saintly. When one chooses purpose; that purpose is a straight pathway. There is no interference or distraction in this purpose unless the soul allows this to come to be. This is a première Medicine of focus for me. I declared I was dedicated to my purpose but needed to put my being in it and this study gave me the “mojo” to do it.
f. Intellectual achievements are the results of thoughts consecrated to the search for knowledge. The global status of education is set to achieve the result of mediocrity and adequacy. In other worlds, the world over, education is designed that people become good workers. Yes, they may become skilled and even highly skilled, but the result is just the same, to become workers. This is not the original purpose of the law of being, which is coded in the overlooked aspect of the name human being. A being is not a doing or a worker. A being is a being; a perfect expression of the Most High. Thus, intellectual achievements in authentically communicating the nature and law of the mind to people so that they may become actual persons or beings or free people, only comes through the processes of consecration which is a different process for each mind.
g. Slaves and Oppressors are part of the same coin. When confronted with war and injustice it is easy to choose sides. The truth the author elucidates is that both are participants who choose their roles in the battle. There is a third option of being that accesses freedom, peace of mind, and personhood.
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?
It is no secret I am a philosopher. While most people would suggest philosophy distinctly unpractical, I have always seen the furthest and highest reaches of thought as necessary to the survival and evolution of the planet and the web of species. What has been missing for me in my philosophical studies is both the commitment to and structure to ground the information I originate. For instance, one of my passions is assisting people to develop the capacity for original thought. I have not been successful in this by my standards because my thinking was not on what needed to be done. I basically wanted to keep traveling/thinking because it was an escape not to take my commitment seriously and respond to the reality in a serious way.
What we think we are is what we are. Who we are is an expression of what we are. Thus thought is at its essence the prime creative source from which what we call ourselves emanates. This study has propelled me into learning what thought is and how I use it on a daily basis. This study also reminded me the value and the benefits of incorporating learning as an essential part of my path. Before reading this book, I would discuss topics with people and I would listen well: repeating, taking in, and recreating what they shared from my soul. If not that I, my soul, would hear them. However, something was still missing.
Like any person, I love being right about everything and even with superb listening stills I was listening but not creating. This study suggested that seeing my life as learning instead of competition, striving, or reaching a career goal could create who I am in conversations in a way that is divinely nourishing and fun to everyone in the conversation. I declare that conversations in the future with anyone will produce different results. I want to leave whoever is in conversation with me with a sense that all things are possible. Learning is a key aspect of this; as from this place my intent in the conversation is not to prove anything or to create harmony in order to promote my objectives, but rather to explore, adventure, journey, and develop new path ways of thinking that have both of us inspired by who we are. I declare that inspiration is a form of nourishment and I declare I am now taking responsibility for being a Presence that reliably delivers this in every conversation. Clearly there is more learning to do, and certainly more personal transformation.
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.
“A strong man cannot help a weaker unless that weaker is willing to be helped, and even then the weak man must become strong of himself; he must, by his own efforts, develop the strength which he admires in another. None but himself can alter his condition.”
“The truth is that oppressor and slave are cooperators in ignorance, and while seeming to afflict each other, are in reality afflicting themselves.”
“Having conceived of his purpose, a man should mentally mark out a straight pathway to its achievement, looking neither to the right nor to the left.”
“Seeing a man grow rich, they say, “How lucky he is!” Observing another become intellectual, they exclaim, “How highly favored he is!” And noting the saintly character and wide influence of another, they remark, “How chance aids him at every turn!” They do not see the trials and failures and struggles which these men have voluntarily encountered in order to gain their experience; have no knowledge of the sacrifices they have made, of the undoubted efforts they have put forth, of the faith they have exercised, that they might overcome the apparently insurmountable, and realize the Vision of their heart. “
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 am clear about the book, but what there is more for me to understand. The measure of understanding for me is to authentically articulate the concepts in a way that transforms and enlightens. I am clear about the process (the straight pathway) to achieve this.
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?
No, but there is work to be done to fulfill on the principles delivered in the book for me.
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.
No
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? 9
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 5
D. Would you recommend it to others? 8
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 7
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Emenike La (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
Thought can do anything and at its higher reaches appears divine. Both learning and thought is like flying, and to really be good at it, one must be willing to train hard and to sacrifice being liked.
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.
a. Going against the cultural grain is leadership coordinated by evolution and the Divine. It is what will offer continuity to the tribe, nation, family, or community. I have went against the grain my entire life, though it wasn’t until reading this that I could stop resisting it and to keep going to the highest reaches. In other words, I can own not only being Outcast, I can take the responsibility of being Leader and Elder.
b. Thought can move, breathe, and flow through matter. Thought is the organizing principle of reality. It can flow through water, rock, earth, and over any distance. This is the accessing of the innate genius of in being human. This is the process of becoming a genius.
c. Most people see geniuses, genies, or jinn as devils. Some see them as divine. The truth is that they are both and neither. I have been called all of these things and these are projections from gulls that would rather focus on survival than learning what a gull really is. Ultimately, these gulls will not survive and this is the case for most people. Jonanathan is involved the process of accessing new and underutilized dna or genius. He is also in the process of teaching this is possible anyone if they are willing to try.
d. Community shaming is a ritual of cursing. This stands out to me because I am a gatekeeper by birth, a priest, and an Elder. Until reading this, I wasn’t willing to walk in this knowing because of the responsibility, time commitment, and certain fears and doubts from projecting past stories into the future. Elders value continuity, change, and evolution. They also value soul and do not publically condemn or shame. Shame works on the soul like a toxin causing erosion of preciousness from within. To shame publicly is not wrong, but has be used with absolute and extreme caution. It brings tears to my soul to know that so many Outcast are experiencing this and will experience this. Yes, it is true with strength they will triumph, but this happens for a select few. As an Elder, I dedicate my life to holding a safe sanctuary where people, especially Outcast, can feel, hear, and see the perfection within their souls.
f. Anthropologically, we could say that this story represented the evolution of tribal people, as tribes are organized with Elders as the supreme authority. Psychologically, however, the obeisance to Elders is encoded into the DNA, thus in all communities and nations, the youth who are the promise and fire of the future, head the call of the Elders and in worst cases the call of the media, political leaders, and corporations. Going against these voices does result in being Outcast and shaming. But it also results in securing the evolution of the soul and possibly the evolution of the specie. When the soul chooses to evolve and move on into the realms learning, no force, voice, institution, or authority may hinder it. The soul is the active Presence of the Most High on Earth and anywhere else in the space of All There Is.
g. This book was true for me in every word. It shows that at the higher reaches of thought, there is neither time nor place, to think is to be, and to go is to arrive. I have always loved the stories of genie who could travel anywhere on a whim. With the blueprint of concepts presented in this book, I have access to this story. Ultimately, this teaches me and eventually humanity through my model, that travel anywhere is part of what it means to be a being, a luminous human being, homo lumunius sapien sapien. The specie is clearly moving towards interplanetary travel and thought is the first leap.
h. The process of death is the actuality of moving into other dimensions for learning. When this is done consciously it is shamanic. When it is not it is ordinary. What Jonathan is suggesting is this is available to anyone who wants to try in this time. The process of becoming light and disappearing is an invitation to everyone. In other words, shamanic thought up this point in the myth of humanity has been restricted to a few. What is different about our times is that the consciousness coming forth, which is to say the expression of latent DNA coming forth, is essentially shamanic and open to anyone willing to travel. True everyone will not go but there are some here that will and that is why some gulls fly back.
i. Heaven is not a time or place, it is being. When thought is consecrated it becomes being and being is neither time or out of time. It is already there. It is being here.
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?
Storytelling. I never developed the gift of storytelling mostly because I didn’t know what to say and where to take my audience. After reading this, I have more than enough to say and more than enough stories to entertain. I think that telling this story in my words and rhythm is a great attraction device to beginning this type of work.
This book also inspires me to fly faster than the speed of light. I have always known I can do that, but I was never satisfied with simply being extraordinary. Plus, did not believe in perfection. Only perfection would satisfy me and I see that I now know what perfection is. To know what perfection is relieves my soul on every level, for now I know who I am and that it is ok to be perfect, just as I am, and just I am not.
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.
“Don’ believe what your eyes are telling you. All they see is limitation. Look with your understanding, find out what you already know, and you’ll see the way to fly.”
“That the hardest thing in the world is to convince a bird that he is free, and that he can prove it for himself if he’d just spend a little time practicing? Why should that be so hard?”
“A seagull is an unlimited idea of freedom, an image of the Great Gull, and your whole body, from wigtip to wingtip, is nothing more than though itself”
“ You will begin to touch heaven, Jonathan, in the moment that you touch perfect speed. And that isn’t flying a thousand miles an hour, or a million, or flying at the speed of light. Because any number is a limit, and perfection does not have limits. Perfect speed, my son, is being there.”
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?
No, but there is work to be done to fulfill on the principles delivered in the book for me.
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.
“Don’ believe what your eyes are telling you. All they see is limitation. Look with your understanding, find out what you already know, and you’ll see the way to fly.”
This is an important quote for me. It reminds me that I already know everything that I need to know and that I am the content for reminding others who they are. It is also the basis for businesses that I model after. The essence of these business theories is delivering overwhelmingly large volumes of value rich content as advertisement through mostly free information products such as blogs, videos, articles, podcasts, webinars, teleseminars, ebooks, e-course, and programs. This is the M.O. of social media. What this quote brings to the table is how to access the wealth and richness of the content. Often, I thought, I have lots to share but I just can’t put it all together. Reading this reminded me that, it is already put together, because my soul communicates authentically, it only lives in the now. When I am grounded and standing in this place, teaching is like the stream of water flowing down the mountain, effortless, streaming, abundant, rich, clean, prosperous, beautiful, elegant, joyful, and rejoicing in the bounty and beauty of the Lord.
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? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8
Keys to Success
Assessment by Emenike La (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
People who are successful develop habits based on defined principles that are part of the culture of success. The culture of success starts with the mind and is not an exclusive club, but a domain of concepts, ideas, values, and principles that can be incorporated into anyone with the desire and the willingness to achieve high standard goals.
2. What are 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.
a. Respect your time. This was one of the primary lessons that came
up for me in my reading. In the past I have allowed people to eclipse my desires, times, and energy to highlight there own. I really didn’t have a problem with this as it allowed me to hide. But when I had definiteness of purpose and a burning knowing that I had to fulfill this purpose, I needed this message and these affirmations to create a new way of handling time for myself: I respect my time and my personal initiative for the world. My personal initiative is holy, attractive, comprehensive, thorough, curious, engaging, directive and amazing. I can be responsible for this in my walk and now that I am in this place meeting others is a pleasure, an opportunity, a privilege, and a desire. Networking is a natural expression of the beauty of nature, ever present and growing, constantly replenishing and moving with unseen grace, harmony, and respect for the diamond jewel of existence. I wait for no one nor do I change in secret. What is seen and said is what is present. My declaration is change, the cosmic force of word and gold.
b. Harness the force of Habit. Sharing is a habit. Successful people
share passionately, involving others in the world they have created.
This is a characteristic that has attracted and repelled me simultaneously, primarily because I didn’t want the responsibility of having someone’s attention at all times. I released that during this reading because that belief was not in service to my purpose. I created these affirms to support the integration of this concept: I install the creative habit of declaration, distinct from processing, storytelling, possibility creation, and service through listening and advice. I install declaration as a moving force, perfectly balanced on the wings and forces of the unexplainable cosmos. My declaration is a matter of fact. What I say matters; what I say is already being and so it is fact, complete, a success, and forthright. What I say is the essence of change and solidified motion of the natural force of Mountain expressed in simple dogmatic postulation of the once possibility now seat of the Divine.
c. Control your enthusiasm. One of my passions is for turning words
that have a tradition of being used to hurt into words that nourish.
That which was once unattainable became available in my opening through the faculty of soul to nourish the barren, relieve the oppressed, and restore the heart to the powers of Shine. The language that traditionally hurts is external-not a part of what “I” know myself to be. When internalized or integrated, it nourishes.Compassion becomes present for those whose focus is located externally. Thus, I can say with renewed wholeness and expansive embrace of a larger segment of humanity: I am dogmatic, fundamentalist, American, religious, demanding, exacting, and amazing. All that was set aside and set outside is now coming within. As it happens within me, so does it happen in consensus reality. This is how I take controlling my passion; instead of focusing outwardly in rage or explosion of personal power, I increase my personal power, compassion, and knowing.
d. Harness positive mental attitude. Every change, transformation,
and reformation of power has an immediate positive reward. The purpose of change is not reward, it is change. As I change what is wrong into what is right the world comes into order and all comes into health.
e. Employ self-discipline. This is my favorite. I absolutely love
religion, law, courts, regimen, order and authority. I choose to create my world where these facets serve me. I employ them to constitute a character, rock solid in knowing and integrity, delivering that which is most useful, vital, amazing, and complete in return for that which is most beautiful, most holy, most compelling, and most gracious. That which has been ordered without is now ordered within. The power and the force used to oppress a part of me is now at the employ of Me with a capital M. I am clear Purpose distinguishes that which is little me from that which is capital Me. I am clear Purpose is that which connects, installs, directs, and consoles and I become the meteor trailing the planetary groove of prosperity, openness, and freedom for all the minds of the good.
f. Employ creative vision. This was a super profound thought to
ponder. I loved the distinction between creative vision and imagination. I saw that I needed to reach further into Infinite Intelligence to create solutions that impact my life and the world and so I created this for myself: I create with words that create energies and images for maximizing my primary objective. I am in serve to man and my own serves me. I create conversations that install energy at every increasing spirally energies of beauty, accessibility, and truth. I generate or energize the law, principle, dominion, power, and perspectives of the Firth Inward Inner Circle, The Firth Sacred Thing, or The Fifth Dimension. My words and my directive of thought leads all in my sphere to harmony in the Fifth Dimensional Calling. I am the holiness being charged by day, the new beginning of the cosmic night reached the mountains of Ashe, the prayer as regular word, conversations spewing forth into global creative play. I am the conversation the Earth is having with the edge of human knowing and culture. I am the gateway to the time of the Earth Blessing. I am the fortitude ability of the midnight knowers coming to Purpose. We are an army of a Blessing that has come to know it’s success.
g. Be Attractive. Basically this is what is what is being said when
the authors recommend having an attractive personality. I find it comically that all of these books focus so much energy on teaching people they should look good, but it doesn’t hurt to understand how important this is relative to achieving goals that involve public opinion.
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 like I literally have keys to success. What’s comical about who I was before, was I believed I could never get my hands on them and that I would never have the luck to have someone give them to me.
Now I can own all circumstances surrounding the matter. The keys are both within me and what I create. The luck is both within me and what I express.
4. 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.
Your achievements…correspond unerringly to the philosophy with which you relate to others. If you follow through on your willingness to deliver something useful in return for what you seek, the world will be compelled to reward you on your own terms.
This was an important insight for me. It highlights a law or principle at work in the global market; one that I have sought to master for while. It is essentially an equation:
Achievements=Something Useful(Delivered) + exchange sought=exchange delivered/integrity of terms=Powerful Relationship with Word, Respect, and Money
This is analogous to the idea Be, Do, Have instead of Have, Do, Be.
Through creating the terms on which I want the world to reward me and the creativity that delivers something of value, I earn thee world’s respect and the opportunity to be in a fulfilling, reciprocal, conscious, relationship with the world. After that, I get the money, but the journey was the beautiful ride that made me into someone who carries that consistent glow, like the glow of being in a good relationship. I always saw the world as something to change, protest, deny, or deconstruct. It never occurred to me to stop fighting and to create a beautiful relationship based on the eternal current moment, the grace that holds it, and all the possibilities that activate it.
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 useful?
Yes, No, 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?
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? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 5
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8
Psycho-Cybernetics
Assessment by Emenike La (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea of Psycho-Cybernetics is the subconscious image we create or choose to take on for ourselves governs how well we achieve our goals. The book gives numerous techniques, strategies, case studies, and exercises to overcome limiting beliefs and create an image that transforms self-esteem for high level performance and excellence.
2. What are 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.
a) Writing goals versus imagining goals: This was a big one for me as
I would rather not write goals. I discovered that I resisted this because writing goals forces me to put them into practice and create ways to accomplish them, instead of being stressed out when things don’t go my way. This is also a good metaphor for use with clients.
I work with clients in a spiritual field. Many would like to do things energetically and mentally, even when I suggest doing something more hands on. Maltz discovered that in athletics, the team that practices versus the team that imagines practices and the team that does nothing, succeeds. I find this to be true for any area of life even in the spiritual domain, when taking a pilgrimage physically may impact one’s experience more than taking a pilgrimage in the imagination.
b) Release other people’s scripts: Although this is not a new idea
for me, it is appropriate this lesson comes around full circle.
Another way of saying this is releasing other people’s stuff. I discovered while reading this that respecting that other people’s stuff–their realities, projections, thoughts, in congruencies, beliefs, and opinions-is theirs and not mine, relieves me of the responsibility I was taking on. I had done this before but not to the degree that granted me totally autonomy. Freedom is both a choice and a responsibility. What is most inspiring about this idea is how deep the scripts of groups are in my psyche. As I began to release the programs of groups I belong to, I began to question my belonging. As a chiding, I needed to belong, like all humans. As I grew stronger, I realized I can belong on my terms, and my terms are to show up in community as a complete and whole person, with all of my gifts and all of my flaws. I was afraid to do this because I didn’t want to be abandoned. But being connected to a true purpose that is not sourced in any man or group, rather sourced in something inexplicable, I have the courage and the power to move on in which ever my purpose dictates.
c) Create an archetype of success: Maltz doesn’t use the language of
archetype, however, images as he discusses them are just that. What I found is that these images were already available in my consciousness and all I needed to do was evoke them and empower them. Through the processes in the book as well as processes I learned from other trainings, it was easy to assume the energies of those archetypes that nourish my upward mobility, and starve those images that restrict my freedom.
d) Plan your work and work your plan. I do not know if Maltz or
Steven Covey said this first but it never hurts to hear it again,
especially when there are a number of large projects on the line. I
am learning to use goals to detail everything. It is painful because I have to give up complaining and judging myself, but the rewards are immediate and astronomical.
e) Complete Psycho-Cybernetic Blueprint. The idea of any type of
blueprint excites me. When the concept of blueprint is applied to psychology or product development I am even more excited. Maltz suggests that a psycho-cybernetic blueprint contains a toolbox of beliefs that engender possibility and imagination, relaxation techniques, and goals with comprehensive procedures. The next step for me is in constructing something that looks like a blueprint. That communicates an essential foundation to me as well as order.
f) Self-Concept Autonomy. This is the idea that regardless of what
someone says, the self-concept controls how a person responds to what is said. This is an extension of the idea of other people’s stuff being theirs and takes it to another level. In this level, it is evident that whatever is within the scope of the self-image/self-concept occurs. In other words, this is the crux of the mantra, “you create your reality.” Our reality is conceived and energized within our self-concept, an aspect of our self-image.
g) Self-Acceptance. As I read about this in the context of how I
picture myself to be, I realized that I am a small part of the whole.
I realized that everything I have in my life is due to grace and that I accept this grace and my part in it, I am healed, strong, and ever more present in the Creative Vision of the universe. I realized that as I accept the image I create of myself, I am comfortable, willing, and ready to show my audience who I am in all of my insights, gifts, and limitations.
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 am stronger because I choose to see myself as stronger. I am good at what I do because I choose to see that. I receive through direct evidence at this moment that the way I choose to see myself in this moments rallies to forces of grace, love, and mercy to facilitate and open doorways in the world on my behalf.
4. 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 most miserable and tortured people in the world are those who are constantly straining and striving to convince themselves and others that they are something other than what they basically are. And there is no relief or satisfaction like that that comes when one finally gives up the shams and pretenses and is willing to be himself.
More than the word, I enjoy the spirit behind this message. I think it is an important message and spirit for all people to receive.
The illiterate of the future are not those who can’t read and write but those that cannot learn, unlearn, and re-learn.
This is one of the anthems of learning in the 22nd century. The growth of civilization from its inception has been grafted with lies on top of illusions empowered by pyramids and nations of socially permissible mental illness. We are living in an age where learning and education are at the forefront of healing the cause-the mental illnesses-of most social injustices.
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 generally like to keep criticism to myself unless I can find a way to forward progress. There are a number of stylistic concerns I have with the book. Although the book delivers in contact, the way the content is organized and presented, the cover, and lastly the name undermines the books core central message to put forth a good image. I critique this as an author who works incredibly hard to ensure my products are market worthy i.e. they look and sound attractive and communicate in an easy, wholesome, inspiring way. To recreate this in a way that serves my goals, I choose to use this book as a stellar example of amazing content and to combine the content delivering with other writing styles I think is more palatable to readers. Lastly, this shows me when too much is really too much. I know in writing this current book I want to impress and prove that I know what I am talking about. Through accepting the image that I am really am someone who is authentic and knows what they are talking about, I can leave out all the extras, proving, and impressive techniques to deliver both the facts and great content, but more importantly, to deliver me.
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 useful?
Yes. Not all. They were useful.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions?
No
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? 4
B. How helpful were the contents? 6
C. How easy was it to understand? 5
D. Would you recommend it to others? 1
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 5
Success through Positive Mental Attitude
Assessment by Emenike La (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The mind is a powerful attracting device. Viewing the mind as a device allows for an objective perspective in using to functions of the device termed in this book Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) and its
opposite: how most people automatically think. The choice to completely use and live in the world that PMA creates is the secret key to success that millionaires and world changers have used throughout the twentieth century. The seventeen principles are the foundation for American High Standard Achievement and are universal to all people.
2. What are 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.
a. Anything can be achieved when a person sets their mind to
something. I have always wanted to travel the world but believed I would need to wait on certain realities to manifest. When the young man set his mind on travelling the world on eighty dollars, it was clear to me that I already knew how to do it.
b. What happens in the mind is not always a reflection of what is
happening in the circumstances. This is pivotal for me, because it taught me to respect the mind and the circumstances of a person before judging them or myself. When the young boy was thinking about his heroes he became them in a fight, showing that setting his mind on what most interested him was his greatest strength. This is infallible proof that we are more than situations and circumstances do not have to determine who we choose to be.
c. Definiteness of purpose. As I read this I made up my mind to truly
live in my purpose. As I focused all of my energy into this, my relationships changed and adjusted. What was most startling was that my sex appeal dramatically arose. I was clear and continue to be clear where my energy is going at all times, not looking to the left or the right. I know everything I need to know to create in this moment, and all that matters is that I create and continue to create. My purpose is not to continue to gather techniques or to incorporate the opinions of others into my vision. My vision is guided by something far expansive than any human intelligence ever to exist. Creation is how my purpose is expressed.
d. There’s money for everyone. The author calls this other people’s
money (OPM). For me this evokes a feeling of coveting what is not mine, so I choose to correlate this with the vision and value at the core of who I am which is: there is money for everyone. Once upon a time I believed in disadvantaged people and historically marginalized groups. While these are agreed upon circumstances by large groups of people, that does not make it true, particularly when balancing factors include Infinite Intelligence, the innate abundance of earth, and the immense goodness of human will. These are the invisible values and intelligences that have not gotten much play. This is an extraordinary time, because those who have not had access can now have access, not just because there is such thing as karma and justice, but also because they are good people with good medicine.
e. Act motivated. Although I don’t have to fake enthusiasm, this is
valuable for me as it gives me the courage to step out when the people are not being accountable for living in a miraculous universe. I choose to remain focused on my intention and step into any energy, emotion, thought, and paradigm, attitude that serves this intention with the soul approval of the power that runs my being. I am only accountable to this Power and to no one else.
f. Develop a magnificent obsession. This idea first came to me
through my favorite author Octavia Butler in the Parable of the Sower.
In the novel, a young heroin developed a magnificent obsession that saved her life, the life of others, and built a community that ultimately went into space travel and exploration as a mature specie. Through definiteness of purpose I establish the foundation of being a success in whatever doorway I walk through and every conversation I initiate or engage. Through harnessing an attuned PMA, what I establish is the highest level of integrity worthy of shaping the vision, value, and culture of worldwide consensus perception. I am established, and the major pillars of my character are clear, defined, and ready to be seen by all. In the seeing of who I choose to represent myself as, the world gets to experience their goodness, love, appreciation, generosity, and abundance in a way that affirms the magnitude and magnificence of the universal order and design in which we live.
g. Attract wealth. Set the device to attraction and keep moving in
that direction as it is already so. PMA is a personal, momentary application and a future application. There is no place for the past in the present or the future. I choose to attract wealth, in all of its glorious facets and I know my life is about giving, for I am one to whom the world and the heavens have been given. As I discover more and more the awe of what I have received, I position and posit myself to attract the maximum levels of wealth, financial success, power, control, intelligence, light, and love into the world I choose to be.
h. The bibliography is resourceful for me. This study is in
developing a foundation for communicating the achievement meme that is relevant to persons who find it difficult to engage these principles due to a number of collective and personal concerns. This book is foundational in the field of self help and for me to have the sources of the source, it is value to know how thought was developed so as to communicate this in a beautiful and exciting way, touching the hearts and minds of those that would shy away otherwise.
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?
As I write, I ground and establish the changes I choose to be. As I write, my intention already is. I am the consensus world and I am the world behind this world, emerging as the consensus world passes. This book is a part of the consensus world that has passed. It holds some very important principles, values, and concepts that need to be preserved through integration through another medium. I am really inspired by the introduction when the authors clearly wrote for the not yet born. Because this book came before I am born, I choose to create that they wrote this book for me, those coming of age/leadership in the global society.
This is important for me because it grounds integrity in accurately, intelligently, and artfully communicating these ideas with gratitude, respect, and knowledge that all is already right with the world, and nothing stops that which God has put into motion.
4. 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.
I found most of the book things I have heard a thousand times and needed to hear them that one extra time to put it to work. There was one quote that spoke to me:
What! Giving again? I ask in dismay.
And must I keep giving away?
Oh no, said the angel looking me through, Just keep giving till the Master stops giving to you.
This really calls up gratitude for me. As I prepare to give much, I know that I am receiving at a higher rate I can give. I know there is never any stop to the reception, and thus it is only right to give the generosity, love, intelligence, abundance, and power bestowed onto me.
There is not an once that is not immediately replenished when given.
There is not a drop of inspiration, original thought, or art that when given does not immediately refill with the Presence of the Almighty.
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 do not disagree with the principles or the major thoughts presented. My work is translating this information for people who need something more lively, culturally relevant, and spiritually relevant to where they are.
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 useful?
Yes.
No.
No.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions?
No.
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? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 1
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9
The New Dynamics of Winning
Assessment by Emenike La (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
Winning requires skills in leadership, coaching, and championship. To win is to develop the skills of each of these three sectors through effort and organizing achievement plans.
2. What are 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.
Denial of a well deserved raise: Waitley gives the reader a list of negative thoughts that hinder success. This was one of the ones that struck me. I have received raises materially and invisibly and most of the time I try to hide both because I don’t want to attention from others who say I’m lucky and project their insecurities. I saw from this that stepping into being a leader, not just philosophizing about it, requires that I honor all the blessings that are sent my way or that are sent through me. I will no longer deny the goodness that works in my life and works through me. I have a way to stay connected to others who do not have access to these blessings, but not being myself and respecting my abundance and connection is not the way I choose to do that. I choose to remain connected through my love and exhalation and exaltation of the creator. Like a tree, if people want the fruit they can come and get it, but I’m not going to fly into a situation to give fruit to someone hungry in some hero fashion or go to the market and sale my fruit like someone competing for money. I know my fruit tastes good and has miraculous powers and I don’t need to tell anyone, they can see for themselves. This ties into what Waitley suggests about Self-Worth, Self-Trust, and Self-Confidence.
Spontaneity is learned. Effortlessness is the play back button of a well-rehearsed performance. This is something I needed to hear because this is the foundation for performances that touch the heart and soul of others. I create these types of things but don’t give credit to the entire process because of thoughts of sustainability. In other words, I want to keep the great feeling of the performance going and I assume that something will happen where I cannot. I now know that things do not happen to me, I cause them to happen, and therefore I cause the great energy raised in performance to continue, build, plateau and repeat the process and I honor my body in the process, sustaining the energy of high performance with beautiful rest and rejuvination!
Thinking too much of the out come and not about the process. The way I do business now is in the ancient tribal way of living, the Beautiful Way of walking the Earth. The way I DID business was result oriented and sometimes performance based. Now I will do business as a way of being and a way of living, giving beauty and expanding the beauty to cover more and more people, as an umbrella. This is a shift to being fully engrossed and present to the process and honoring that the process or the journey is really all there is. The journey is the reward and the treasure.
Self-Statement movies where you are the star: This inspired me to remember one of the things Louise Hay wrote about certain illnesses and aches being caused by the movie we play in our heads. This is a reminder that everything is movie. As many Indigenous people’s say, everything is a dream. Conceptualizing that We are the Star of our Movie is exactly the right brain connection to the Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) idea of definiteness in purpose. It gives me the perception of myself as being larger than life, as being someone organized from the stars and someone who lives among the stars. It communicates to the Earth, the Market Directories of the Mineral Gateways of the Teaming Mountain of Group Process of Market Goals, Expectations, and Divine Services, and the Roads of Delivery and Communication that I am a star among stars vibrating at the frequency, value, and mission of stars experiencing the energy of stars. *a code. When published anywhere on the internet, programs the holographic universe of the internet to manifest my impression.
Self transformation. Other’s notice when someone carries the power of self transformation. This plutonian energy exists in my first house and I have known for sometime I can literally become another person or an animal if I choose. Now that I have proper context, I can let this energy flow. Not having a context or a container for this energy is like a leader who wants everything to be about him or her.
Focus on teaching effective habits and skills, not in reacting to mistakes. This is a skill I want to develop. There are many effective habits and skills I want to teach others. What this book indicates is being present for the opportunities and teachable moments to provide the teaching in a positive way so that others are left feeling energize and expressed.
Who are the people looking to me for leadership. This is something I needed to get present to so that I am clear about who I am and who I am being in community. There are people looking to me for leadership and by denying that I deny them, myself, and beauty we are being guided to create. From this I see that I need a clear list of roles and people in my life so I can be on point at all times. This is in essence a performance but a relaxed/restful performance as the tenants of the Tibetan warriors would say. There is also something to maintaining my boundaries and honoring that they have nothing to do with anyone else but me. It feels great to have something completely for me and it feels a little strange, but it is necessary if I am to show up valuable, self-respected, and confident in the value I translate and communicate to others through being a model.
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?
This helps me to finally step into being the leader I was meant to be. I am Leo and something about my aura radiates positivity and blessing to others. It was not until reading this that I got that this is something I can not only not help doing, but something that can be strengthened so that people get the full benefit of “my” energy. I know the source of this energy and it ain’t me. Deepak Chopra in How To Know God, suggests that on the journey of knowing God we get to the point were we know that the state of being human is a blessed state. I now know that I am in a blessed, unshakable state and that I am a blessing—that the blessing of God is streaming, dreaming, filming, and playing through me and my job is to enjoy the Heaven and trust in the unshackableness/peace of the Heaven.
4. 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.
“Meryl can actually vanish into another person.” This was the most impressionable quote because it spoke to the crux of the magical ability to self-transform, an essential trait for leaders.
I also liked that the author broke down the athletic development process into training, practice, performance, peaks, and plateaus. I am grateful to have this in front of me so when I get going I don’t have to worry and trust the process of the natural cycle.
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 useful?
One 21 day plan. I highlighted the days of the plan that were beneficial to me and will be answering some the questions as I work over the next couple of days.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions?
No
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? 10
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
Real Magic
Assessment by Emenike La (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea of this book is that magic, or the miraculous, is possible for every person if they are willing to look within and shift their consciousness to perceiving the magical aspects of existence and creation. A subtheme of this book is that anything can be created, miraculous results achieved, and a life beyond expectation lived if one shifts consciousness in favor of the inner laws of abundance, miracles, success, health, and happiness.
2. What are 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.
The seven most ideas which applied to me came from the author’s exposition of real magic applied to prosperity in chapter five.
a) You have to believe that you deserve wealth. This is an example of one of the things I thought I had mastered and upon a deeper investigation found I carried a belief that I did not deserve to have the magic, luck, and success I had been born to live into. After sitting with this and doing the work to replace this belief, I found that I had more energy and a stronger, positive outlook on creating how my day goes.
b) You are the observer, the observed, and the thing observing. This was not new to me however what reading this gave me was the opportunity to take a look at where in my life I was not allowing the divine to enter. From the programming of growing up Christian, I was taught to put the body and material desires away and focus on the invisible. Along with this came that subtle admonition to focus on the emotional satiation of others before mine. It is the idea of service as an ultimate calling. Within this paradigm of thinking, it is possible to acknowledge that there is no need for this service, that I am already whole, perfect, complete, and one with the divine. This is the foundation for the miraculous.
c) Experiencing ecstasy is a natural gift that pinpoints I am on the right track. I have experienced this all my life and did not have a spiritual mental framework to address and shape this experience. Even when I release many of the old beliefs, I could not experience the ecstasy flowing through me because I wanted agreement from the outer world. Even from people who have read this book and shifted their consciousness, they are still completely clueless in the face of real and immediate magic. What this as taught me is to keep this experience of bliss to myself and focus on creating more options and choices for my life.
d) Allowing a peak experience without striving. I am happy I read this because in this culture, most people are striving for something they don’t necessarily agree with. For a subset of the culture, there has been a rebellion against this striving and a move towards the observer. What is missing is the ecstatic experience of being the observer observing the observed. This is a peak experience and is an expression of authentic integration. This portion gave me the tools to communicate with this aspect of the culture from a place that facilitates their journey.
e) The other idea that flows from this is peak prosperity. This is prosperity in the flow and naturally how my mind works. What I find is that I am naturally more intelligent that the majority of the population in that I can access faculties of my mind that are not yet widely known. I have went through many shadows in seeking to integrate this in an authentic way and this showed me that being in the flow and being intelligent is something that is natural and is my birth inheritance.
f) I have spent my entire life in service to others. It came as an automatic response to the conditions around me, the shadow being rescuer, hero, savior, redeemer, and healer. Although I brought much light to the world, there was a part of me that needed this same type of time and consideration. To that extent, operating from a place of complete service to community is inauthentic for me. Through this book I accepted and surrendered to the process that I cannot change the world nor is it my job to do so. My job is to exactly what is authentic for me to do in any given moment.
g) I am clear the manifestation of what I want will only come through my effort. I will continue to benefit from the kindness of others, however, this is not how I want things to go for my life. What is viewed from the outside as luck in my life, is actually an integrity issue of not wanting to put the effort into showing up in my life in a completely responsible way. There were things I just didn’t want to put the effort into because I felt it was extra work on an already overburdened workload. I see now, that workload seemed overburdened because I was trying to save someone whose time it was not to be saved. So I got out of the savior business and went into business savoring God.
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?
These ideas help shift the way I do business and the way I cause the miraculous. The way I did business was in complete help of those who needed it without concern for my needs. The shadow of the way I did business was in giving only an aspect of my best to a given situation and expecting a higher acknowledgement. It was also in hoping for more clientele. The shift causes me to clearly define in an expert way what I can do for others, demonstrate it, and place the responsibility of payment at my price on my clientele. It is also a shift to seeing an abundance of ideal clientele and using expert communication skills to set up initial presentations of what I do.
4. 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 crux of each of the ideas, statements, lessons, and beliefs shared in the book is to integrate the primary idea of Being. This is that idea that God is incarnate and that authentic expression is an expression of the Most Holy. The poem by Kahlil Gibran sums up this entire process when he says, “And there are those who have little and give it all. These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty. There are those give with joy, and that joy is their reward. And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism. And there are those who give and know not pain in their giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give mindfulness of virtue; they give as in yonder valley the myrtle breaches, its fragrance into space, through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes he smiles upon the Earth.”
This poem speaks to me that I no longer need to try to explain the inner workings of God. The tree does not explain how its flowers bloom or how its fruits or sleep. Yea, if a tree blooms overnight, they look and wonder, how is it that a tree was yesterday bare and today so full of life. The tree does not respond to wonder, but behold the presence whereby wonder may arise. The tree is the gift of wonder, and this is why awe is but the fruit of God.
This gives me the courage to be silent in the face of curiosity, doubt, and other people’s consensus realities knowing that all of them are the One and none of them are my One. My acknowledgment is of the bounty of life, the joy giving, the baptism by pain, and the pure expression of the Almighty. My allegiance is to mine and mine alone.
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 useful?
No, more suggestions than exercises.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions?
No
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? 10
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
Giant Steps
Assessment by Emenike La (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
That any individual can achieve extraordinary results and make leaps in life changes when they use the tools, questions, and exercises in the book to expand potential into their daily lives.
2. What are 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.
Dreams: The first month this book focuses on his dreams. From the first page on I was really connected to living my dreams as if they are present right now. This was something that I needed to do to ease the harshness of so much striving and work. I really appreciated the exercise and it really did work for me immediately.
Goals: This section helped me to clarify some of my goals and gave me the confidence to claim them without discussion from the iddy bitty little voice committee. From this discussion I became clear I am in power to condition my brain to be informative but not authoritative in causing reality to occur according to my command.
Once we put a label on something, we create a corresponding emotion. This is one of the important aspects of thinking. So many people underestimate and underutilize the power of labeling and calling. This statement suggests that attaching a label is more than calling a name we learned, it is attaching energy and that energy being emotion. If the energy is not compatible with the end result then the language used does not inspire or support creation. This is also valuable because of the way Robbins explained this. He introduced this idea in an easy way that immediately applied to actions that create results. I find now in my life that through changing simple statements my subconscious has about money, I change the future I vision, and what shows up in the future. Language thus orders reality; it calls reality into being. But better than that, it calls our values, identity, and desires, our essential experience of being divine, into being.
Global Metaphors. This is the important concept of creating metaphors that speak to the totality of an experience. When one has a metaphor for an experience that seems overwhelming or out of control, the metaphor, like picture puts it into perspective. Once the situation is seen, then it is possible to change or have a say in how the picture, like a movie, develops.
Your imagination is ten times more potent than your willpower. Unleashed, it provides a sense of certainty and tenacious vision that goes far beyond any limitations of the past. There is a magical power to the imagination. From Nevelle to Dyer, authors have documented the miracle producing qualities of these otherworldly waters. This is what poets have called bring the invisible into the visible as gift. This is when the individual discovers the imagination is more power
Values. Being clear about our values is being clear about what we want at the level of the universe. Values are the deep structure of the universe that organizes things bellow the subconscious. This portion of the book helped me to see what my values were. When I got what they were I saw why some of the things that were showing up in my life were not because of my beliefs but because of my values. I found from this set of reflections that I was proud of myself for manifesting what I manifested because they were consistent with my core values, even if momentarily they felt like failure. After that, it became clear how goals facilitate these deeper values and gave me an additional means to manifest things in my life. One of the new ways of saying thins for me that have shifted how I manifest is instead of saying how I want things to go, I say, I call my life how I value it to be.
Putting it all together. This is a place where I have often struggled. Many times I contain lots pieces of a puzzle and don’t have the picture. I think multidimentionally, so most of my puzzle pieces incorporate many dimensions. So at the end of the day, I am mostly scattered, still curious, happy, and exploring, but scattered with respect to ordering my life how I value it to be. Through valuable what and how my life is, I have access to experiencing my life as whole and put together, instead of really interesting fragmented parts
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?
There are a lot of changes happening to me as I apply this book to my life. For one, I have finally given up the struggle against goals. I used to carry the belief that goals were valuable in other peoples’ professions, but since mine is spiritual I have to rely on guidance. In actuality, a core value of mine is constant, continual creation. Reconciling with this value it became clear that another way of elevating my frequency is to enter a creative state, where I am creating with everyone and everything in an extraordinary festival, where everyone will experience as much joy and delight as I am experiencing.
Part of this is releasing the old patterns of behavior and training my brain to work in new ways. The automatic behavior is really based on fear and is something outmoded I learned from leaders in the past. At this time in my life, I am the leader I most need to follow and that means taking new directions. The direction of pure joy, openness, and creativity is where I want to go. I have done this before and did not use as much discernment as necessary, so I went into a space of holding back. Now, I see I can be open about who I am and what I do and perceive everything I need to see to maintain the continuity of the high feeling of festivity, community, fun, and new relationships.
4. 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.
Quite simply, the words we attach to our experience become our experience. Language is beautiful in that it can both give us everything we want or repel everything we want. What I am learning is how to be honest and clear with myself for exactly what I want and continue creating that knowing that the vibration I want is installed and will continue.
If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves. Thomas Edison This is a serious quote I’d like to write down and put under my pillow.
A powerful agent is the right word. Whenever we come upon one of those intensely right words…the resulting effect is physical as well as spiritual, and electrically promote. Mark Twain
I really feel like language is magical and one of the reasons I named myself la was that I wanted to cast a trigger into the collective memory so that people would remember how magical and spiritual their language is. I had this idea that if we could sound magical when talking to each other and experiencing our lives this we could probably create paradise.
The important things are not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity. Albert Einstein
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 useful?
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?
I like the way the book is organized. It gives me ideas about how to create a similar type of book. This is one of three types of books one of my mentors suggested I create. This example makes it look doable and the structure lets me know how to organize it to communicate effectively.
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? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10
The Law of Attraction
Assessment by Emenike La (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The Law of Attraction is a universal law that states that whatever vibration we are offering, by giving more of this vibration it continues. Another way of saying this is whatever is going on in my life is the experience of what I offer my energy, focus, and attention to. This book is about getting present to the how the law of attractions is at work in our lives and honing a toolbox that can cause the law the work in our favor by our wills.
2. What are 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.
Offering. This is really great because I get to experience this like it is my first time creating. All the energy from first being able to create something based on my will is here. I am clear that I am not using a forth of the potential in my life and this book is telling me its time to get excite for no clear reason, just out of the blue. I love how this book speaks about the law of attraction as something out of the blue. To me, blue is a spiritual vibration and suggests coming into harmony with a higher spiritual source in every activity. The other thing I love is that what we offer our energy, focus, and attention to expands and continues. This is the tenant of so many religious systems that offer candles, prayers, devotions, meditations, declarations, crystals and so forth. Now I can take this energy and amply it to a level that really makes me come alive and fertilizes the ground of my experience of reality with motivation for excitement.
As I read about the law of attraction as essentially based on offerings. Everything became clear to me, there are more offering for me to make in many areas of my life. My toolkit is extensive and ever expanding. What if I was to use all of my potential in every moment. How would that affect others? I say that affect this will have on others is they will get to experience much of the magic I have to give. That really excites me because I know how exciting it is to collectively watch magic grow and grow. Now I get the opportunity to expand, wield, and grow this magic myself. I get to seriously express my heart, my fire, my excitement, and my value of just being with people that will expand their frequencies and everything and everyone in the world. I get to express the things I have sat on for so long and be excited because I have followed through and I am dancing with the rhythm of all of my creations in the hands of others causing them joy beyond what they can express. I get the cause to secrets of the universe to unfold before the eyes of others and yes it is time to immediately cease holding back. I now allow this to come to be and I restrict nothing any longer. I know that whatever comes is good for me and I know that I am causing good sent out into the world to grow stronger and stronger.
The good I send out into the world is an applied by every tree, every stream, every road, and every mountain to echo the call for humanity to come to the ancient memory and joy of being at one with the magic of that that is the cause of all things divine and holy. I am excited I am finally at a place where I can let it all go. This is befitting because I have been building this power for nine years and I am ready to burst. Completing level one is my new year and this is an exciting opportunity to let my love for humanity finally express just like other young people do.
In no way do I doubt the highest vibration of my love will continue and the intelligence, spirit, power, virtue, dominion, will and understanding of my love constantly move through me around me and touch every person I think of, see, touch, or experience in some way. I now claim my prize at the end of the rainbow of immediately connection with all the forces of the rainbow and all the people gathered at the end waiting to experience the transformation and the tradition the earth itself engendered from its beginning, the tradition of the deepest love jumping, and joyfully excited in ecstasy.
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 am not at a place in my life where I can express myself perfectly. I can now let myself go and create on my own without being tied down to a tradition or a group or a place or a certain way of activating to control my mind and body. I can now be free and I know that I am already saved in the glory of my pleasure, prosperity, happiness, abundance, festivity, magic, possibility, and presentation of my skills.
I am in a place where speaking to others about magic or showing it to them does not seem like a burden or I am overcome with extreme paranoia. I am in a place where I know whatever I say, give, and show will amply more and more love and I know just within a short will my love will apply to the planetary level. I know that everything I want to do this year will be done and it will be done effortlessly and for that I am excited, grateful, and fully receiving the intuitive excited of the future transferred interdimensionally through my soul ashe cast into parallel time streams of the future space time fold. I am grateful I get to also offer tools for other to increase their vibrations.
For instance, in addition to the linguistic tools presented in the book for increasing vibration, tools of which are invaluable. There are more practical, down to earth methods as well.
One such method is the pouring of water and intending in a verbal declaration that the feeling that is being felt, the current vibration continues, grows, and expands into perpetuity. Another way to amplify this is to add flower essences or actual flowers to the water for poring and speaking the intention. Other offerings include cornmeal for the same purpose of continuity and elevation of frequency. As the cornmeal interacts with the intention, whether one is cooking a meal or spreading it own the grown, the circumstance is granted continuity by the forces of the law of attraction. These methods have worked for me over and over again and are the reason why others often exclaim to me how luck I am. I will not hide these things any longer because I want more and more people to feel excited and at ease by the myriad of things that can be done to shift their reality for the better in just a matter of seconds, enough time to feel the love in their hearts and to speak an intention into existence.
When I first began this journey I began it with a calling. I knew I can a calling and I knew that calling was to be a name. But not like any name every heard, the calling I was to call was a special name, and important name, one that could not be stolen or dishonored or lost in any way, it was a tongue from the original tongue, a tongue from the true source of universal ecstasy. So I wrote that name into the wall of my being, I called it from the depths of my soul and implanted it on the psyche of humanity. It was never mine to hold alone. It was a collective name. I did not rename myself, I took on the collective energy of a memory that was forgotten, but a particular memory that would cause other memories of divine ecstasy to spring up and would forevermore remove all forgetting from the human galactic circle forever.
4. 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.
Everything.
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 useful?
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?
No.
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? 10
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
How To Win Friends
Assessment by Emeneke La (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
My youngest sister posted on facebook: Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.
This describes perfectly what this book is about. It is about winning friends and influencing people through showing up to people as a value to them, not because you want something, but because you are a good person. The stories and principles in this book illustrate that being a person genuinely interested in the best in others will cause them to like you.
2. What are 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.
Be genuinely interested in people. So much of this book is common sense and course work in how to be a good human. It is not about winning friends, winning people over to a point of view, or controlling people, although that makes for a compelling title. It is actually about nurturing and honestly developing the inherent traits in being human that makes being human an authentic, true, valuable, and unique occurrence in the universe. To be genuinely interested in another is one of the first steps. The book is based on the golden rule and when that is taken to its depths, it is about giving people exactly what they are looking for up front without any hangups, hidden agendas, and in the case of business, hidden charges. People want to be seen, acknowledge, loved, appreciated, respected, and acknowledged that their emotions and experience and point of view is valid. Being genuinely interested in people is about giving this to people first hand, on first impression. To make a positive impression on people is about making the intent to show up as the best of themselves reflected to them, from a silent position. When people get the experience of who they are for others on a profound, human, and just plain good level they are freed up to open opportunities and possibilities that are the best for their lives and anyone who has interests.
Be interested in what interests other people. People love to talk about their interests and they love to hear their name, so why not let them and why not speak it. If their name is honey and their interests really buzz them up, why not give that to the encounter. The aside is that yes, a person may get what they want, but the deeper value is something heals and becomes more golden in a person when their name is acknowledged and the interests are taken seriously.
Critique people indirectly. This is fun and magical to me. All of my elders do this, which make them superior leaders. They are able to see a problem and speak to it, without anyone telling them the details of the problem. When they speak on the problem they simply say someone or so and so or rap it inside a deeply magically tale that captivates and dramatizes so that the person gets the message but there is absolutely no shame attached.
Let the other person feel the idea is theirs. Let others contribute as they are experts in something, is what this boils down to. Others have key insights to contribute and when other are respected as givers, teachers, experts, sovereigns, powers, principalities, and people who have dominion over some domain of knowledge and experience, it comes out of them and the results increase for everyone. This is the heart-centered value of community.
Listen more than you speak. This is something I do, but still I can do better. I can really listen like I care. I always care, but there is a depth and magic with which I can care that can really heal and support someone else. I have been trained in multiple technologies to do so and instead of tooting my horn and putting my mastery of these technologies in another’s face, I can simply step back and listen and let them get the experience they need, which is really the experience of being loved, expressed and being heard.
Actually like people. This is a hard one for me. I simultaneously absolutely love people and like them and there is a part of me that does not like them. I know that this is a shadow part of myself and I know it is due to ignorance and confusion. I see that investigating and transforming this shadow is the keep to actually experiencing people just as they are and are not. I can do this with reality is most cases, but when it comes to people, it is difficult for me to except them just as they are. To do so is to give the gift of home and home is where the heart and soul is. If I can do this, I am the possibility of endless healing.
Try to see things from the other person’s point of view. This is also really hard for me. I want to think that I’m right but when I step into another’s point of view something in me expands even if it is painful. To see from another’s eyes why they think and feel things to be the way they are is heart opening, eye opening, and soul expanding. It is the experience that everyone seeks when they go to movies or to a bar or to a community gathering. They want to experience the ultimate kindness and wealth of what it means to be human. That wealth is our soul and can only come through stepping outside into the wilderness and unknown territories of another. This is so difficult because we fear we will loose ourselves or discover that we are not right. The truth is the we can never loose ourselves and loosing that right to be right makes room for what we want be are unconscious we want to shine and come forth.
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 way this really impacts my life is that I am more conscious of my will and intent to serve. I can now see the distinction from responding and reacting to crisis and actually giving people something to value and something of real value and importance to them. This is the step of getting out of the way so that they can get what they want, value, and need. The payoff for me is I get to experience the energy coming their way and the certitude that it is doing the utmost good to and for them. This is the step for me to elevate into a whole new chakra system of motivation, being, and respect.
This is the heart-centered value of community. I have been looking for the written manual this and I am not surprise that I overlooked it because it didn’t speak directly to what I wanted it to. This is a lesson to acknowledge and remember everything I read, even if I know more than when I read it the first time. When things are read again after many deep personal changes, then the material can have its intended benefit. The intent of this book was so good it came directly from the heart and core of mankind. It is actually golden and needs to be taught, read, discussed, and developed in schools. This is why my little sister in all of her brilliance and wisdom knows that this whole this about drawing out the best in another. It is not about leadership or being on top, it is about being who we really are and rejoicing in the collective responsibility and collective prosperity of who we see when we see our selves shining, golden, in another.
4. 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.
No.
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 useful?
No
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions?
no
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? 10
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
The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People
Assessment by Emeneke La (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
Let me say this is one of my favorite books of all time. It is one of the first leadership books I’ve read that really impacted my life. In fact, before this book I had not read a selt-help book, so when I read it, I drunk the koolaid, so to speak. I lived and talked and breathed this book for about a year and encountered people who were trained by Covey and taught courses in his methods. They were my mentors. I also wrote papers on this book and presented ideas from the materious in classes and workshops. I say that to say the main idea expressed in this book is that when people are being who they are and know what really matters they can achieve any matter of greatness. This is how I say it, after many years of integration and working with the principles. Lol, this is the book that taught me what the word paradigm meant, and after I learned, I couldn’t get enough.
2. What are 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.
Circle of Influence: This is the best concept in the book. The circle of influence is the things in life that we have direct control or influence over. Most of the time we do not work in this circle, instead we work on problems and issues that are not ours to solve or cannot be immediately solved by us. Michael often quotes Byran Katie when she speaks about the three types of business: personal business, other people’s business, and God’s business. The circle of influence is personal business.
Circle of Concern: This is the circle where most of the world operates. This is a way of not dealing with what can be dealt with and looking like we are handling things. We all do this and this is why our lives look like they do and why the world looks like it does. One of things we can influence is our point of view. Through being willing to shift the paradigm we are rooted in to see and get another person point of view we can direct influence in that point of view. This happens because as souls we share. To be in community means to share and community is about souls experiencing and exchanging.
Think Win Win: This is a powerful concept. Most of the times when working on problems it becomes about competition or unavoidable losses. Thinking win win is about looking out for the good of everyone concerned. What I love about these books as that they are really about community, being a good human, and being the best person one can possibly be. The win win concept supports community in its essence because it relates to the idea that we do not win unless we all win. When something is not working for me, it is likely it is not working for another person. To address that, focusing on creating what works for both people is a solution that affects the two and the joy of everyone concerns. Win win to me is about creating joy and abundance, which I believe is what being human is about, what we are designed to do, what we are wired to do and their wiring is the way the earth speaks. I think this is important to acknowledge because this is how the earth communicates traced from a corporate concept to show that in corporate paradigm memes each thought has a root in either that which is essentially human, the planet, or that which is not, something else.
Put First things first: Covey gives an impressive four square tool for organizing what is most important and basically things that distract or eat of time. One of those things is responding to emergency. When a person has been traumatized they are often always on alert. This book gave me the idea and now is the time to put it into practice.
Be Proactive: I like this. In my work, I prevent crisis before it begins if I can. This is done through being proactive. Granted I have not done this everywhere and I am certainly not all powerful, but over the things I can influence that I am aware about, being proactive has saved me countless energies.
Synergize: When all of these creative ideas come together we get synergy. Synergy is the energy when skills and energy combine to create miraculous workspaces. This is also the energy of peak performance that popular psychologist speak about.
Begin with the End in Mind: When the goal is in mind then any obstacle to the goal is easily processed and maneuvered. When I combine this concept with goal setting I see an even more powerful synergy, because this is a principle and the goal setting is a method. Through combining the two I can put even more power behind what I want to do.
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?
This is a really interesting reread. I get to see how far I’ve come and how far I am needing to go. This book puts things in terms of people who are have a life different than mine. It is interesting how normal this is and how radical it was when I first read it. Still all of the principles and ideas are applicable even if I live a nonordinary life.
4. 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.
But I believe in the higher use of imagination is in harmony with the use of conscience to transcend self and create a life of contribution based on unique purpose and on the principles that govern interdependent reality.
If you want to study love, study those who sacrifice for others, even for people who offend or do not love in return. If you are a parent, look at the love you have for the children you have sacrificed for. Love is a value that is actualized through loving actions.
Principles are deep, fundamental truths, classic truths, generic common denominators. That are tightly interwoven threads running with exactness, consistency, beauty, and strength through the fabric of our lives.
I’m convinced that too often parents are also trapped in the management paradigm, thinking of control, efficiency, and rules instead of direction, purpose, and family feeling.
Difficult circumstances often create paradigm shifts, whole new frames of reference by which people see the world and themselves and others in it, and what life is asking of them. Their larger perspective reflects the attitudinal values that life and inspire us all.
Through imagination, we can visualize the uncreated worlds of potential that lie within us. Through conscious, we can come in contact with universal laws or principles with our own singular talents and avenues of contribution, and with the personal guidelines within which we can more effectively develop them.
And I can change. I can live out my imagination instead of my memory. I can tie myself to my limitless potential instead of my limiting past.
By centering our lives on timeless, unchanging principles, we create a fundamental paradigm of effective living. It is the center that puts all other centers in perspective.
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 useful?
In a way.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions?
What always interested me about this book was how Covey always comes from a Christian perspective and translates Christian principles into corporate and popular psychology language in a way that has people excited, moved, touched, and inspired. This suggests that he’s in touch with a deeper core. Just like the core of the earth, the core of humanity is something we all have in common. Covey teaches me that even coming from an nonChristian place, I can speak to the core and be heard, because the core always recognizes the core.
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? 10
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
Leadership for Dummies by Marshall Loeb
Emenike La (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
There are certain known strategies for becoming a leader or improving leadership. Instead of taking the natual born make it look effortless approach to leadership, the authors compile advise, techniques, and power tools for the leader to develop his or her own toolkit and leadership style.
2. What are 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.
Embrace responsibility. This has been the single most challenging hurtle of accepting my role as a leader and someone who has a distinct and effective leadership style. What I really like about this advice is the idea of promising little and delivering a lot. I like the idea of simply doing what is necessary without making a big fuss about what I did or expecting something for it. From a responsible place if I am qualified to do something that is important, then its better for me and anyone concerned if I just make it happen. Responsibility is one of my core values but where I have been out of integrity is in doing the work that is required to make things happen according to my style. From this new perspective, I can do the work that is required, bring elegance, grace, and excitement and fullment to the game, and increase my stamina to accomplish more with less time and less effort. It basically comes down to taking responsibility on as an attitude. As I do so, I can feel myself becoming more and more like the earth and I feel my value increasing. There is something about this attitude that enables me to mirror the earth in important aspects that support the survival and continuity of humanity.
Visions. This is an important aspect of my style. I communicate through visions, unseen or unconscious knowledge that empowers and enlivens people. There is a greater subtlety and degree to which I can do this that requires that I take responsibility for inducing visions in others, sort of like being a living, breathing, psychedelic.
Preparation. I love how this reminds me that so much of leadership is about preparation and not just the performance and first impressions. Sometimes I worry so much about the end result that I slack on the preparation, which creates a loop that doesn’t work.
Have adequate resources. This is something that falls in the world preparation for me. The being that I approach this with is not a survivalist mentality but something that wants what I am working on to be complete and of the best benefit to the people I am working for. When things are adequately prepared, I can enjoy a simple grace, peace, and elegance in the way I present and share my relationship with something amazing with others.
Break my mission into steps. This is something I needed to hear as well. I often start a task and do a lot at the beginning and sleep through the middle and do a lot at the end. This doesn’t work for me. What is missing is responsibility for the preparation stage and a thorough assessment of what needs to happen to have the mission or project complete.
Actually like people. I laugh every time I hear this and I need to hear it often because sometimes I let my judgments and assumptions get in the way of feeling good about people. Naturally, I like people, and when I express this life goes smoother and I have more friends and interesting people about me.
Assess your strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats. This is a really good exercise for me. One of things I now accept is the competition of the marketplace and what I need to do to be successful. One of those things is understanding competition as opportunities, assessing that there is a threat aspect in that it is connected to my livelihood and understanding how my strengths and weaknesses meet the challenge. When I first encountered this I didn’t take responsibility for my life so it was easy for me to push aside the idea of assessing threats and weaknesses, the shadow side. As I began to take more and more responsibility, eventually getting to the place complete authority, a certain relaxation took hold of me. It was the knowing that even my weaknesses are my support and even my threats are my nourishment. It was the knowing that even my strength is but a measure of my true beauty and mostly that beauty is only experienced as truly beautiful when it is shared the eyes and soul of another or a community. Some will have visions; some will have dreams. Those who speak dreams, wish visions into being. And visions are those dark matters that are seen the light of the other sight and those matters are the cause of the matter we see in the day.
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 recently had a friend share with me that I have lots of valuable tools and I have done tones of experiments and tests to test my effectiveness in my field and as a leader in my field. He then adds that what is missing, and my source of frustration is my personal way of going about leadership.
I think he was right, so as I integrate that with the message from this book, I am finding a new pace in my body and the integrity in my bones. Things seemed to have slowed downed and yet I am more productive, like I am in a type of naturally induced trance pulsating with the life force and power of the unseen part of nature.
4. 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.
Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distast, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy. Kahlil Gibran
Your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. Joel 2:28 I always wanted to know this verse. I would sometimes chant it over and over, lol, and it actually induced visions.
You’ve got to prime the pump. You must have faith and believe. You’ve got to give of yourself before you’re willing to receive.-The Ballad of Desert Pete
Oft expectation fails, and most oft there. Where it promises. William Shakespeare
I am learning not to make promises, but to make preparations instead. The unspoken ground work that comes before a proposal or opportunity is so much more an expression of the love of the craft and the willingness to make a difference, than the actual fine tuned, brief delivering of a beautiful vessel of wisdom and magic.
In dreams begins responsibility. William Butler Yeatts
Jobs should be selected, not accepted. Lester Korn
The Moving Finger Writes; and having writ, Moves on. Omar Khayyam
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 useful?
Yes, some
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions?
The first time I read this book I was in college. I was rebellious against most of the teachings, preferring to explore the philosophiscal ramifications of certain small tips of fine points. Upon my second visitation of this work, I find it more pratical. Perhaps, I am ready for it or ready in a different way I suppose. The energy and the means to integrate it is much easioeur, effortless even, as those I am reading a resport of what I just accomplished. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised at how refreshing a book with such a crass title can be. I could just accept this is where I am now and this is the form the confirmation came in.
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? 10
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
Unlimited Power
Assessment by Emenike La (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main point of unlimited power is it is possible for life to be lived completely free. This includes taping into the source of unlimited power, possibilities, and completion with the past. As this work is done, the experience of unlimited power becomes a foundational aspect of one’s life.
2. What are 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.
Language is the most important organizing principle in creating and facilitating a healthy life. How we communicate with people is how we create healthy relationships. At the root of most of our issues, and by our I mean my family, culture, and tribe, is unhealthy communication. As Robbins puts it, it is essentially lazy communication. The act of investing time, energy, and money in healthier ways of communication seems ludicrous to many people. Ironically, it is this type of investment that will pay off in the way they live their lives. Another way of saying that is it will pay off in the way saving lives, though that is a way of saying it that no longer works for us.
What is the Being of Excellent in Human? I have discovered the science of being effective in being person. Persons are essentially mystical aspects of the mystical universe that can be communicated and expressed in an infinite variety of concrete and poetic/artistic ways. The being of excellent in human is actually about the body, health, healthy relationships, healthy thinking, and healthy growth of being. These are the areas of the science of maximum achievement or true frequency operate. The integrity part for me is acknowledging these are important areas and make my personhood and gate work that much faster and more effective.
Robbins spends considerable time on the important of the body and receiving information through the body. A part of me embraces this fully and another part does not. What I am learning is that what I seek to give to others it is best to give to myself to ensure that I am not projecting a gift and the gift is actually something they are calling for. What I have integrated of this book so far is present in my new affirmation:
My new value affirmation is I am militant, ruthless, intentional, and self-directed in the maintenance of all the things in life that make my body and my mind feel good, extraordinary, and relaxed. I regularly prepare the blessings and gifts I offer in community space with grace and eternal love that always knows. I act on the blessing of eternal love that already calculated what is needed and sent it forth to be given at the proper time and in the proper way. I do these things in grace and they are received with pleasure, power, delight, and understanding1222.
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?
This is an excellent book. I see places where I can create and riff like a jazz musician from everything he says. This is my third time reading the book and I have only begun “to do” the book. This is the type of reading that requires real labor in thinking, communication, and the inner work of personal transformation. What I am reminded of as I do this work is all the issues I have about other people are really issues I have about myself, when I acknowledge, authentically, that these issues are mine and mine alone, I feel a sense of safety and completion that no one outside of me can provide. It seems elusive and down right terrible at first, but taking it from this perspective I get to take mazimum responsibility for myself and let others have their responsibility and let their relationship with the universe do it’s thing. My relationship with the universe is mine and no one can facilitate that for me, only I can come to a place of healing within myself to make the change that nourishing me. Through doing this book I realized there is no me that is self-ish in the egoic sense. Who I am is a good human and a good person. What this book is helping me to discern is the science of what a good human is and what a good person is. I could say more about that but that would turn an assessment into a book. lol
4. 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.
Making an assumption is the mark of a lazy communicator. It’s one of the most dangerous things you can do in dealing with others. Anthony Robbins
Much of our language is nothing more than wild generalization and assumption. That sort of lazy language can suck the guts out of real communication. If people tell you with precision what specifically is bothering them, and if you can find out what they want instead, you can deal with it. If they use vague phrases and generalization you’re just lost in their mental fog. The key to effective communication is to break through that fog, to become a fluff-buster. Anthony Robbins
People are not lazy. They simply have impotent goals—that is, goals that do not inspire them.-Anthony Robbins
There is no expedient to which a man will not go to avoid the real labor of thinking.-Thomas Edison
In the right key one can say anything. In the wrong key nothing: the only delicate part is the establishment of the key.-George Bernard Shaw
Human language is like a cracked kettle in which we beat out tunes for bears to dance to, when all the time we are longing to move the stars to pity.- Gustav Flaubert
To effectively communicate, we must realize tat we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.-Anthony Robbins
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?
Yes, there are quite a few things I am unclear about how I am going to integrate them into my community work. This book, for me, is more of a manual to be worked through consistently than a simple book with key ideas. What Anthony Robbins is communicating is something my people need and it will take some time to fully translate it in a way they can hear it.
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 useful?
Yes and not all.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions?
I would love this to have been a normal assessment but these are not normal times. I have to write from what I feel, my knowing, my bones, my core. That is what my family, my people, my friends and colleagues need right now.
Actually, this is more along the lines of the type of assessment I need to write. This is actually an assessment, not a book report. It actually analyzes, creates, integrates, and forecasts in the way a consultant would if hired for a business.
More than ever am I clear about what my job is and that I am the only one who can do it right now. What most people who look at IIGL from the outside say about our processes and procedures is that we are reading redundant material, outdated material, boring material, and we are writing reports analogous to high school reports. To this claim I submit the words of Thomas Edition, “There is no expedient to which a man will not go to avoid the real labor of thinking.”
One, these are excuses for not want to get the work of what we do because they might get confronted about the work they are not doing. The second is that the accountability for whether we transformers and achievement specialist rests solely on us, not the institution. This is a different model of education that confronts most people and they therefore want to deconstruct the way we do things to make it look more like something they are familiar with. Yes, what they are familiar with does not require them to think in the way that produces magnificence, excellence, power, understanding, and love.
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? 10
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
Goals
Emenike La (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
Goals are a powerful organizing principle that is underutilized in the world. When goals are employed in any undertaking, the success of the undertaking is amplified and the possibility for reaching full potential is present.
2. What are 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.
a. Reasons why people don’t set goals. One of the reasons why people don’t set goals is they fear failure. As I read this book, I realized this is one of the thoughts that come up when I resist setting goals. Most people do not write out their goals either. I was very skeptical about this at first but as I began to write out my goals they manifested much faster and they always manifested to way I wanted them to, so it seems that my skeptism was more of a superstition.
b..The three keys to peak performance. Performance is really important to my business and my life. Basically, because of not setting goals I saw that I was not completing tasks that I started. In essence, I would complete most of my work that directly affected others but when it came to work that I am passionate about I eclipsed my passion with fear to avoid responsibility. The three keys of peak performance are commitment, completion, and closure. Now that I am clear that these are the elements needed within any goal, I can make sure it will flow due course.
c. The keys to confidence and courage are knowledge and skill. This was one of those simple things I know that I need to be brought to the front of my mind. It was clear that what I was avoiding was the preparation and time necessary tot develop the knowledge and skill I needed. It never occurred to me to incorporate this in the overall plan. I simply knew it was one of my goals, but there where so many goals that I lacked priority, organization, and measurable deadlines.
d. Putting a plan together. This is a really important step for me because I can get bogged down in details and this help me to see the vision with the plan and to articulate my new business plan in a clear, concise and comprehensive way. This is a list I will be taking into multiple projects:
Develop clear vision of an ideal end result based on values. Values express what we want and why we want what we want.
* Write out goals.
* Organize goals by priority.
* Select major definite purpose
* Create measures and standards to track progress.
* Set deadlines and sub-deadlines.
* Identify obstacles, difficulties, and constraints
* Identify essential knowledge and skills required to achieve goals
* Organize these competencies by priority and develop a plan to learn what is needed.
This is the value of the book for me. It may sound a little over the top but I think that with this I can accomplish anything. It becomes really clear to me what the path is and how to achieve what I need when this plan blueprint is laid out so thoourouly.
e. Activating superconciousness. Tracy suggests the superconcioncious mind is stimulated by clear, written, specific goals, intensely desired, visualized regularly, and constantly worked toward. Superconcnciousness can be described as many things. I really like Napolean Hill’s terming of it as Infinite Intelligence. Tracy suggests that the blueprints of goals worked through this formula activated infinite intelligence and creates circumstances favorable to the ideal outcome of the goal.
f. Adding value is the new wealth. This is something I have taken a hard look at and one of the basic premises of my new business. I need to hear his to really get into the energy it takes to constantly add value. This is a higher level of commitment to having an excellent business than I originally anticipated but it is clearly the right way to do it.
g. Do something everyday. This is something I am doing my best to practice in my life now. I am more productive than ever and each day I learn new skills for being more productive. I think this book set me over the edge and my ability to now organize and plan my goals is really going to bring my productivity to a higher level.
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 really get why the topic of goals is so important and like the author, I now wonder why this isn’t taught in schools. After reading this, I realized that I need to read this in middle school and I needed counselors who could have coached me with the principles in the book. I cannot change the past, but I can now see the value of goal education in schools and be clear that everyone in my life gets this level of education.
In my arrogance, I totally overlooked the value and necessity of this subject. Because I am reviwing this curriculum to teach to others, I see this as a bedrock of what I will teach.
4. 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.
When you have clear goals…you trigger your conscious, subconscious, and superconcious mind for generating a continuous flow of idea for goal attainment. p230
This to me is a formula for creating a structure of flow in life. So many people speak about flow as elusive, however, I am finding that the tools for plugging into higher reaches of coconsciousness are available in plain sight for any one.
Few things are impossible to diligence and skill; great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance.-Samule Johnson
This is no other way to get things done without diligence and skill. When I went into business for myself I learned that the same diligence was required as when I worked full time. What came was both the skill of self-discipline and unique skills that keep me competitive in the market.
Make everything thought, every fact, that comes into your mind pay you a profit. Make it work and produce for you. Think of things not as they are but as they may be. Don’t merely dream but create!-Robert Collier
This is a good foundational idea. There needs to be a value to every action, thought, fact, and energy for magnificence in navigating each encounter of creativity in the universe.
The subjective mind is entirely under the control of the objective mind. With the utmost fidelity, it works to its final consequences whatever the subjective mind impresses upon it.-Thomas Troward
Time slips through our hands like grains of sand, never to return again. Those who use time wisely are rewarded with rich, productive and satisfying lives. _Robin Sharma
Thoroughness characterizes all successful men. Genius is the art of taking infinite pains…All great achievement has been characterized by extreme care, infinite painstaking, even to the minutest detail.
This is the crux of what this book communicated to me. Genius, though shining and glaming, is the art of giving and being. It is a leadership road. Not a popular road. As I dance, there is precision, care, detail, nuance, and love that goes into the steps to make the dance more than the movement of a body; to turn the dance into a force of nature requires going where others have never been before. This is leadership; pioneering.
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 useful?
Yes, no
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions?
I was originally turned off by the subject of goals because it seemed like an overused subject in self help literature. What I realized is I never fully gave my attention to perfecting this process and making it one that is actually enjoying.
I believe this is one of the books, simple in its delivery, that facilitates the success of the curriculum as a whole. I only wish I had a read it sooner.
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? 10
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
Maximum Achievement
Emenike La (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The primary idea of this book is to give the readers all the tools, techniques, and methods developed through popular psychology and ancient teachings that radically and dramatically shift the reader into the highest levels of achievement.
2. What are 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.
a. Level of self-esteem. Tracy suggests self-esteem is determined by two factors: how valuable and worthwhile a person feels about themselves. The second level of self-esteem is the feeling of self-efficacy-the feeling of competence and capacity in whatever one’s chosen area of performance is. The measure of self-esteem is how my you like yourself.
b. The seven laws of mental mastery are: the law of control, the law of cause and effect, the law of belief, the law of expectations, the law of attraction, the law of correspondence, and the law of mental equivalency. The are four basic sub-laws of the law of expectation which include expectation from parents and bosses, and expectation of anyone who looks up to you and yourself. One of the valuable things in this section that jumped out at me was the author’s discussion on the need for control. He suggests that the level of stress is directly proportional the degree of control of the area of life the stress is coming from. I found this to be very true for me and it helped me to gain some clarity in the areas of my life where I am experiencing stress. The law of expectation also really spoke to me. I am starting to notice how expectation and belief are powerful expressions of energy. Energetically speaking, expectation has almost a magnetic pull and a stabilizing mechanism and belief has a charging aspect to it.
c. Seven ways to control your mental life are: visualization, affirmations, verbalization, acting the part, feeding the mind, associating with positive people, and teaching others. Well of course this was right on time after I identified my need for control to be a primary focus in my life right now. It is the organization of the tools and not so much the tools that help me. I have encountered almost each of the tools but they are so numerous it’s hard to remind myself when I need them, so these seven sets help to serve as memory references to large bodies of awareness and information.
d. The law of subconscious activity. This law states that any idea or thought that you accept as true in your conscious mind will be accepted without question by your subconscious mind. Your subconscious will immediately begin working to bring it into your reality. For whatever reason, after all the books on this subject, I needed to really anchor this principle into my body. I think its because for the first time in my life I am taking goal setting seriously, and now that I am, I am also taking the formulas and suggestions of self help authors, who each say the same thing and who give examples of the same thing more seriously, including the stuff about imprinting and coding the mind for success.
e. The law of relaxation. Tracy did not underline this one in a major section, so it was easy to breeze by in reading. It caught my eye because I needed to be reminded of the value of being in a relaxed state at all time. Tracy suggests that on the physical plane the procedure of driving a nail into wood works, so it is valuable to continue to drive until the task is finished. The mental domain is different, where relaxation and not trying as hard gives rise to more information and flow from the subconciousness and a more well rounded way of being a good person and getting things done.
f. The principles of goal setting are matching goals with values, operating in your area of excellence, success is closest to home, and balance of goals in each of the six areas of life. The six areas of life are: family and personal goals, physical and health goals, mental and intellectual goals, career and work goals, financial and material goals, and spiritual goals. Tracy suggests have two or three goals in each area to be busy towards achievement at all times.
g. The twelve step system for maximum goal achievement: Develop intense, burning desire, develop belief, write it down, make a list of the ways you will benefit from achieving your goal, analyze your position, your starting point, set deadlines, make a list of all of the obstacles that stand in between you and your goals, indentify the additional information you will need to achieve your goal, make a list of people whose help and cooperation you will require, make a plan, visualize consistently, and persist. This was a really valuable formula for me. All of them were valuable and this one made my life completely simple. I like how the last two principles where added from Tracy’s goal setting book and it does make a difference when that’s what I am doing. I could say its repetitive but it’s not really if I’m not doing it and even if it is when I am doing it, if it produces results then maybe I need to hear it again.
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?
These ideas help me to organize the techniques and methodologies for achieving goals. They also taught me the subtle, yet valuable lesson, to respect my needs for rest and relaxation and to balance hat with the drive for higher degrees of excellence.
Many of the things in the book I thought about but could not articulate and did not have in an organized, numerical format. With the format now in place, it is easier for me to look at each process as though it is mathematically instead of getting caught up in the feelings, emotions, and meaning concerning the issue. For instance, with self-esteem, I knew the components but also knew I needed higher self-esteem to get to where I want to go. So reading basically a formula for self-esteem development, I can just do what comes naturally.
The other way this book simplifies things is in the way I communicate advice to others. Now that I have a very comprehensive set of formulas and laws, it is easy to automate the advice in any given circumstance. In other words, I can now see clearer and quicker routes to obtaining a desire when other people are seeking my advice.
4. 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.
Opportunities come dressed in work cloths.
Children are born with two remarkable qualities. The first is that they are born largely unafraid. They come into the world with only two physical fears, the fear of loud noises and the fear of falling. All other fears have to be taught to the child through repetition and reinforcement while the child is growing up…the second remarkable quality of children is that they are completely uninhibited.
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 useful?
Yes, no
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions?
The great thing about approaching this book is I had some goals already in mind. So as I read it was really clear what I needed to hear at that moment to achieve my goals. I felt the full force of what is talked about as the talisman of positive mental attitude as a new type of energy swirled with velocity around me as I read. I could feel and see the concepts being applied in real time because there was a channel for the energy to flow into the physical plane through goals.
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? 10
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
Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg
Emenike La (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The purpose of this book is to teach skills in fostering harmony, connection, and understanding in human language. Language is the most accessible area of human creation. So much of human creation in the area of language has been for destruction. The subtitle of the book is a language for life. To create and train for a language that makes things grows, that fosters growth in people, and that reproduces life in governmental sectors is the type of sweet gift each family and community needs across the planet.
2. What are 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.
a. The Nonviolent Communication Process is: The concrete action we observe that affect out well being; how we feel in relation to what we observe; the needs, values, desires, etc, that create our feelings; the concrete actions we request in order to enrich our lives. I love how one story in the book is of a man who at the beginning of learning the process carried a note card around with him to stop and observe and listen to what is occurring before making judgments. Many people were concerned this would take to much time and the man reported it only took a little extra time but the benefits that he, his coworkers, and his family, especially his children, received from his diligence was phenomenal.
b. Rosenburg spends quite a bit of time helping the reader distinguish between observation and evaluation. Evaluation is simply a judgment. While I have heard both people who are for the idea of being completely free of judging others, I have heard others use mental and linguistic processes to communicate “their truth” and their judgments in a clear way. What I saw as I stepped into the role of simply observing, and it takes practice, is that I could simply be with another person without getting caught in emotional drama and story or creating and projection an emotional drama and story.
c. Feelings are so important. Most people are not trained in identifying feelings nor are they in touch enough to communicate what they are feelings. Other times there are cultural and environmental taboos that restrict the communication of feelings. Rosenbuerg suggests conflict diffuses when we get in touch with and express our feelings and hear others when they do this. Behind the evaluations are actually feelings that are being masked. When the feelings are expressed the possibility of empathy is present.
d. Needs. This was a powerful piece for me to read. I have done similar processes in a variety of settings before. What is different about this book is that I will be teaching and innovating new systems of teaching these tools, thus reading this was also readying with the needs of many other in mind. As I thought about the needs of many people and not only my needs, something ver deep in me began to expand and there was a central knowing that I could describe none other than a core, but a central core, not a personal core, one that would be called Jesus if seen by some other perspective, but as I saw it it was simply the core of humanity. This opened as I got in touch with this aspect. I suspect this will open up in every communication as I practice and reaffirm my commitment to honestly and empathically communicating life.
e. Making powerful requests is a function of empathy. I say powerful because with honesty and empathy, expressing feelings and needs, there is a stronger chance in getting what is wanted. This is an area where I am working because so many times my judgments are communicated via requests. To create requires that give life and even open the way to celebrating life is to enter into a new state of being, a state of creative being. So as I listen and watch the two commitments in reading this book that arise for me to make is to always communicate from and for life and to be responsible for everything being a creation. From this place this first commitment seems daunting because of all the training and the second seems exhausting but this definitely helps me to get clear about my spiritual goals right now and I suppose this could be a type of request I am making of myself.
f. Self-compassion. So many authors over the course of the curriculum speak about self-concept, self-image, self-love, and self-esteem. This is the first time I’ve heard an author speak about self-compassion and the access to that compassion being empathy with others. I find that as I practice, I am compassionate with more parts of myself. It almost feels like a discovering of great parts of myself, like I am always shocked at how big I am.
g. Nonviolent communication with and on self. I thought one of the most useful portions of the book was when the author gave examples of how people process internally with nonviolent communication. The violence that is done to others and nature is an expression of the violence we do ourselves. As it is said, as within, so without. The example of this process helped me to smooth out my internal processing, to give myself grace and compassion and personal development and to open to each part I do not know yet or am ready to remember.
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?
One of the ways I tried getting present to my observations, feelings, needs, and requests was with a person whose “energy” annoys me. Instead of focusing on how this persons “energy” annoys me, I simply observed what they were saying, feeling, needing, and requesting. I felt I had a greater autonomy and that my simple being with them and observing was perfect in that moment. I felt like I was more of a structure of the universe then an tiny ant running around in a crisis. I felt solid, yet mobile, stable, present, aware and immensely powerful. Of course that was just a flash as this work requires consistent practice and a commitment.
The piece of about commitment is really important. I found in the process of integrating this book that the commitment to communicate are a form of life is a beautiful choice to make. This is an autonomous, and ontological decision that impacts the soul for the rest of eternity as well as the universe. It is no wonder that the power of the world and one’s word is held as sacred in many circles. What this book is about is saving humanity’s life and the life of life, but not through outside intervention, through the genuine, care, awareness, and appreciate that already relaxes and rests in our souls.
The other I found in the city is a group of people who meet and train with these methods. I had a friend a couple of years back who trained with NVC and he told me about it but I never picked the book up till now. They meet about twice a month so it is good to know there are people here who can help me integrate this book’s teachings further.
4. 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.
Depression is the reward we get for being good.
Vague language contributes to internal confusion.
Making requests in clear, positive, action orientated language revels what we really want.
Requests may sound like demands when unaccompanied by the speakers feelings and needs.
To bring a conversation back to life: interrupt with empathy.
We are compassionate with ourselves we are able to embrace all parts of ourselves and recognize the needs and values expressed by each part.
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 useful?
Yes, no
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions?
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? 10
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
Loving What Is
Emenike La (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea of the book is a four-question methodology for getting to the truth or reality of any situation or circumstance that opens the realm of what is for human being. The questions are an ontological exercise in determining what is so distinct from stories and emotions about what is so.
2. What are 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.
a. The four questions for determining what is presented in this book are:
i. Is it true?
ii. Can you absolutely know that it is true?
iii. How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought?
iv. Who would you be without that thought?
b. The method consists of these four questions. Katie suggests participants write their answers to the questions to circumvent the minds tendency to leave out important details in the process of unraveling truth. She suggests this type of investigation is an inquiry into finding what is true for the participant.
c. The last and most important step of process because it is where transformation and revelation of truth occur is the turnaround. The turnaround is when the participant gets how what they are projecting is true about them in their life. Through giving examples of how it is true in their life, the participant can go deeper into revealing to himself the truth in any situation. This results in increase power, clarity, love, and the ability to withstand any situation just as it is. This also results in a greater sense of freedom, ease, and peace of mind.
d. Katie suggests there are three kinds of business: your business or personal business, other people’s business, and God’s business. Most suffering, she suggests, is the result of leaving the realm of personal business and investigating other people’s business or God’s business. The later cannot be controled, regardless of the mind’s tendency to delude itself into thinking that it can.
e. Katie uses a sophisticated facilitation technique that includes the four questions sometimes stated in different ways so that the participant can hear them. Each question makes little sense when they are simply given as a formula, however, when they are placed in the context of someone’s life, they are given life, and it becomes evident why each question is present and how it supports the process.
f. The process is unique and whole in and of itself. The tendency of the mind is to attempt to circumvent the process itself, sometimes creating stories and judgments to justify not delving after the truth. What often comes up in the case studies given in the book, is that people resist the process, the questions, only to find at the end that the revelation was much easier and painless than imagined. This is often the case about what is. The hidden aspect or the most important aspect of the concept ‘loving what is’ is the loving piece not the what is or reality piece. The truth or the reality piece is often a breath of fresh air to accept because what is present meeting that reality is a deeper and more expanded wisdom. This is really ‘the’ truth that Katie is getting at. Each person has their own truth, however, the methodology opens a gate whereby the personal truth that someone experiences in the midst of completing a turnaround is something common to everyone. Each person temporary breaks into the realm of the collective, another way of saying each person breaks into the realm of the limitless. This is the source of the love, freedom, joy, and peace of mind people experience in doing this type of inquiry.
g. For this method to work it does not require agreement or trust. It does require consent, conscious consent to enter into this process. In other words, if these questions are asked, there has to be a clear distinction that the conversation has shifted from what a normal conversations of opinions, emotions, and projections to an inquiry after a deeply personal truth. This requires that both parties are clear about the methodology and the roles. Otherwise, the methodology fails to reach its point because when the questions are asked in normal conversation they occur as weird.
The next thing that is needed to ensure the effectiveness of the process is the commitment of both the facilitator and the participant to complete the process. Of course, this work can be done alone, in which case the commitment and awareness is self evident. This is primarily noted her because Katie reveals quite a bit of detail about her facilitation style and the type of things that needs to be said to create a comfortable environment where people are safe to reveal to themselves deep truths and insights. What is considered normal conversation basically keeps people at a frequency that blocks this level of inquiry, thus blocking the possibility of deeper truths emerging in regular conversations. If this happened when everyone talked, the species would radically transform and the world would not be able to complete business as normal for a number of different factors. The short term effect would be chaos and the long term effect would be a return to the spiritual commonality that unite, sustains, and connects all life. In this scenario there would be a dramatic and radical access to higher levels of thought, because the language we use to communicate becomes language the language of the truth itself. The truth for most of us does not have language, it exists in a dimension behind this dimension speaking in parables and dreams. When it is given language it is a hotline to God. I bring this up to contemplate the implications of more of this work being done the world. If more of this work were being done in the world everyone about the world would dramatically shift. This is not the only way that can or will happen, but it is one of the ways it can or will happen.
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 most practical way in which this book impacted me is in using the questions to take a look at the areas of my life that are not working the way I would like them to. Especially when I used the process to take a look at my anger and judgments of other people, I would get an insight into my behavior and make up.
The other way this work impacts me is I can get a glimpse of how this work effects the totality of the globe. I can see how this work opens or rather makes apparent an additional dimension that supports life, making it easier for people to access fullness and additional resources for peace of mind. To the extent that humanity is referred to as man and the root meaning of the word man is mind, to open global portals to peace of mind is to open portals to global peace through wisdom, understanding, and awareness of an original intent from outside of time.
4. 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.
No.
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 useful?
Yes, the book offered a process for the reader to inquire into. I did this with remarkable results.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions?
After reading this, I understand why some people like Katie and other’s don’t or disagree. My personal opinion is neutral. I have been around the work long enough to distinguish when something comes through someone, something is a part of the time, place, and space of the conversation between peoples, and when something is unique to the facilitator. In this case what came through Katie is not necessary her or hers any longer. The process has a universal quality at this point like other similar processes such as nonviolent communication, the three laws of performance, shadow work or four quarters communication.
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? 10
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