As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Nicholas Yates (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
I believe that the idea James Allen was trying to make is that Life is a practice. That our outer worlds are reflections of our inner ones. I think he was trying to say that this is not a life of circumstance, but of opportunity to magnetize our circumstances.
2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
i. We create Ourselves by way of thought.
This idea gives us the opportunity to seize control over a life that is seemingly uncontrollable. It gives ownership to take responsibility for who and all that we are.
ii. Pain and Pleasure are the same.
This is an idea that has been very present in my life recently. I Believe that the opposite of pain is not pleasure, or vice versa. It is the inability to feel. Pain and Pleasure are polarizations of the same feeling. Care. To seek pleasure is to seek pain. To reject pain, is to reject pleasure. If I have the ability to practice my thoughts, and perceive the world in this way, I believe I will open the door to invite pleasure into my life, without rejecting the pain that comes of it.
iii. Tend to the Gardens of our minds
If we are practicing our thoughts, we have an important responsibility to tend to our minds like gardens. To carefully examine the land of our thinking, to decide what may grow corn for us, and what may just be a pest to our fruit.
iv. We are not creatures of circumstance, but manifestation of our inner worlds.
We may ask for a better environment or circumstance in our lives, but if our very being is not in alignment, then we may create an accidental contradiction from our lively desires. We must first work on ourselves to change the outer world.
v. Imbalance and sickness are a part of life.
I’ll Quote the book on this one. “A man may rise to high success in the world and even to lofty altitudes in the spiritual realms, and still again descend into weakness and rechodness by allowing arrogant, selfish and corrupt thoughts to take possession of him.”
Now tell me, who can’t relate to that one?
vi. The dreamers are the saviors of the world. The world is beautiful because of them.
Thank you John Lennon and River Walker, for being the dreamers of the world. It is a bit heart breaking when dreams die, particularly from childhood. Than God for those of us that hold the dreams, morals and ideals to make the world a better place.
vii. Lives are too complex to judge at surface level.
We may judge others only because we judge ourselves, to condemn the same thing we see in others that we hate about ourselves or to even be jealous of other people’s sovereignty and aloud freedom, because we never gave it to ourselves. When I judge others, because I am human and I do, I ought to remember how little I know.
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?
Well, these ideas will help me in the most practical of ways. They will lay the foundation of my very being, in order to practice life. The deeper I go, The better I’ll become for myself and hence the rest of the World.
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.
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is”
Our inner and outer worlds are an equal exchange. I’ve really come to appreciate this idea in my life. And I even quite remember the moment it really clicked for me, while hiking with my brother.
“If a Man’s mind hath evil thoughts, pain comes on him as comes the wheel the Oxs behind. If one endure purity of thought, Joy follows him, as his own shadow.”
Our thinking is as a seed that grows and flowers into pain or pleasure. May we sow the “Right” seeds.
“Man is made, or unmade, by himself. In the armory of thought he forages the weapons in which he destroys himself. He also fashioned the tool in which he builds for himself heavenly mansions of Joy and thought and peace.”
Our thoughts are our tools. And they are great tools to Destroy, or to build.
“He that seeketh findeth and to he that knocks the door shall be open.”
We will be granted Grace and Fortune if we have the willingness to seek this. That is a relieving thought. I’m knocking on Grace’s door, and it shall be opened.
“The Soul attracts that which it secretly harbors. Which it loves and also, which it fears.”
All things are magnetized into our very being. It is important to recognize when fear comes up. I wonder though, for those who are afraid; is this good advice? Will it only hinder them further?
“Circumstances are the means that which the soul receives its own. Circumstance does not make the man, it reveals him to himself.”
Whoa. This one is powerful. This is an idea in which we must take total responsibility for all that we are. That what we are, is the circumstances we find ourselves in. It seems so simple, yet so profound.
“We do not attract that which we want, but that which we are.”
Who we are, is what we get. Our “wants” are always answered by who we are.
“Blessedness, not material possessions, is the measure of right thought. Rechodness, not lack of material possessions, is the measure of wrong thought. A man may be cursed and rich, a man may be blessed and poor.”
There is a lot of value in the idea that Blessedness does not come from our material possessions. That we may be blessed no matter what resources we have, solely by the way that we perceive ourselves.
“You will be, What you will to be.”
Will is a virtue that exercises possibility. And we have our will. I’ve kept my will close at hand, and do not always remember the power which it holds. This is a very well said statement.
“He who would accomplish little, must sacrifice little. He who would achieve much must sacrifice much.”
I often hear about how little I am responsible for, by those who are responsible for much. Do they think that I have not sacrificed enough? But from the same people, they will recognize my accomplishments. Maybe it is not so clear, this idea that it takes much sacrifice to accomplish much. This is something I will try to remember.
“Peace be Still.”
This is the phrase that ends the book. And what a gracious command it is. It is a clear visualization in my mind when reading this phrase, and is something to remember.
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 can’t say for certain that we are truly the creators of our own lives. There are two beliefs I may go off of. I may believe totally in the single path. I may believe that the future is predestined and there is no such thing as control over it. I may also believe in the randomness and chaos of life. That I have the will to make for myself anything in the realm of possibility. And each of these ideas are valid. It is possible that maybe our lives lay somewhere in the middle.
This idea that the universe is governed by law and not chaos. Justice and not unfairness. It seems that this is true with the right perspective. But also that the opposite is true. That they are the same, just different polarizations of the same spectrum.
There is a part of the book in which the author states that a Man is “unmanly” when succumbing to wrong thought. I must say, even the very worst of man’s virtues and acts are still manly. No matter the Man, good or bad, a Man is still a Man.
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?
Other than to practice thought and thereby life itself, the book did not contain any particular 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? If so, please comment.
Well I would like to say that I have found this book incredibly inspiring and have actually used its ideas in my own life. It is a relief to give myself the room to practice my thoughts. And practice this life. I’ve even suggested this book to a few friends. I am grateful to have read this one.
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? 7
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Nicholas Yates (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
To me, I’d say that the Author’s main point is to have readers understand the simplicity of Greatness. That Greatness is a practice. That we are all practicing, everyday. Jonathan is a symbol of the Messiah, or enlightened being. Jonathan also makes clear his own faults, he makes clear that he is no different than any other Gull. Just that he simply chose the path that led him to greatness.
2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
i. Be different than the rest of the other Seagulls, Stand out.
This idea is an important one for each of us. Every person in the world shares the same humanity, but carries personal individual traits that have us stand out. We can be proud of who we are, and respect one another’s differences. May we fly high and follow our passion, no matter what others think we ought to be doing. Even those as close to us as our parents.
ii. There is so much to learn, especially from our failures.
Jonathan keeps learning, keeps practicing, Especially when he fails. This is the key to growth, for what would our growth be without setbacks? I myself am not perfect, nor have I ever experienced perfection in anyone else. Though I do believe there is a certain perfection in imperfection, and this is in our trails. I’ve fallen more times than I can remember, yet here I am.
iii. Oftentimes, the answer comes as soon as we let go.
Jonathan’s experience with terminal velocity left him hopeless. He began to question his own limits in his own body. His questioning led him to give up on changing his physical body and give up on Terminal velocity. He felt ready to throw in the towel, yet as soon as he truly let go, the answer came to him. Sometimes my best ideas come straight out of nowhere, when I least expect it.
iv. You can’t please everyone, no matter how well you do for them and
yourself.
When Jonathan had finally come to understand flight, he thought the Sea Gulls had gathered to congratulate him on his success, but instead received shame for what he had accomplished. And had not only accomplished for himself, but a secret to flying that could bring new quality and value into everyone’s lives. I try to remember when I’m honest about my path in life, that there is no way that I may please everyone for how I move in the world. I have old friends, who now I don’t see eye to eye with. It hurts, but pain is a part of growth. Just as sickness is a part of life.
v. Life is a series of past lives and experiences. We are here to learn a
lesson.
Though I’m not totally convinced that past lives are the way that we operate in the universe, I see the value of the idea that we will live again and again in order for our own Soul Growth. Life is a mystery to me, and I love it. I Do feel as though that I am here to learn and experience what this life has to offer. Death will be the ultimate accomplishment to send me on my next journey.
vi. Those of us who give up on perfection travel slowly, those who believe in it, travel
instantly.
We are on a course of roads. Each one leads to the same place, which ultimately is death. We have the awareness to “Choose” our road and turns. Some of them are harder than others. And some will take us places we never thought imaginable. I believe in an imperfect perfection. I believe that with the ability of awareness that I may be able to structure my life in a way that I travel instantly. That I manifest all that I desire through values such as awareness of cycles in nature and gratitude.
vii. There is a Messiah living in each of us.
Each of us are complex creatures, with the potential for the best and the worst. Every possible quality of life already lives within us. Each of us are a living Messiah… and Devil.
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?
Each of the ideas listed here will be helpful for the way I experience the world with an open mind. They are ideas to be practiced. And practice is something that may take lifetimes. The more I think about these ideas consciously, the more they will incorporate into my very being. And in return, I may be able to reflect back into the world all that I am. Even if it only makes one person open their hearts and minds. That’s where I will start.
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.
“There is no way around it, I am a SeaGull. I am limited by my nature.”
We are all inside of our own bodies, succumbing to the form of a mysterious universe. While I do believe it is important to understand where we are, I also believe we may find value in the idea that nothing is as it seems.
“One school has finished, and it is time for another one to begin.”
We are in the school of life. Our graduation is Death. In between we will learn many lessons in the curriculum we have. Seasons and cycles are ever present in the role of growth and learning.
“In Heaven, he thought, there should be no limits.”
I can only imagine how boring heaven would be without limits. Without any room to grow, where would we be? What would we have to do? A single moment would be an eternity. Everything would have already been done.
“Heaven is not a place and it is not a time, heaven is being perfect. Perfection doesn’t have limits, perfection is being there.”
We must have a long way to go before we reach Heaven. Or maybe Heaven is already here.
“The Gull sees farthest, who flies highest.”
The further we are ahead, the further others get left behind. We may see what others do not, but is it on our shoulders to carry them there?
“The Son of the Great Gull. The Price of being misunderstood, they think you’re either a Devil or a God”
It is a price to pay to be Great. The opposite of Love is not Hate but indifference. So as long as people care, so long as they love you, they will hate you also.
“Your whole body, from Wingtip to Wingtip is no more than thought itself.”
What a powerful statement. That what we even experience in our bodies is just another illusion of thought. And if that is the case, What are we really? What are we really capable of? Is there a limit?
“To fly as fast as thought, to anywhere that is, you must begin by knowing that you have already arrived”
This here may be the very key to manifestation itself. Not to believe in our abilities but to know for certain that we are 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?
One idea in the book I tend to disagree with is how in the beginning of our story, Jonathan chooses to practice flight over his parents advice to eat. While I see there is much more to life than just eating for a Sea Gull like Jonathan, I also believe it is important to take care of our physical bodies, so that we may have the stamina to practice our life’s work.
A Question that I have for the story, Where did the Elder Sea Gull go after his disappearance in the second world? Did he go off to heaven after being enlightened? Or did he go to another Third World to keep practicing perfection? Or maybe he simply became one with all things and went nowhere else, for he was already there.
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?
Well I don’t think the book had any exercises specifically to complete, However I do believe the book’s purpose is a lesson in practicing life. And that is what I am doing. Practicing.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
I guess I want to say that we are Not SeaGulls. Haha. We are Human, and so much more than that even. May we remember that this story is very fitting for each one of our lives without binding ourselves to believe that this is really how things function. May we practice.
Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.
A. How interesting was it to read? 7
B. How helpful were the contents? 8
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9
Keys to Success
Assessment by Nick Yates (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
I believe that the Author’s main purpose for writing this book is to give folks direction on how to live a meaningful life and how it may bring them success. To use our time tactically to pursue and create what we want in life. He instills great values. I truly believe that the author cares about human potential, and would like to see the human race thrive.
2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
i. Having
“A definite Major Purpose” in life, something that we can turn to and always
remember our Path. This idea gives life true meaning and direction. My “Definite
Major Purpose” is step by step being fulfilled everyday. I walk towards it. It
is to be a Witness to this world and myself. To live out my Destiny and feel
what it has to offer.
ii. Our relationship to the conscious and the unconscious mind.
The way he describes it in the book is as if the subconscious mind is metaphorically a car, and the conscious mind as the driver. While the driver controls the vehicle, the car
itself truly carries all the momentum. I often feel like my subconscious mind is
doing all the work that really needs to be done while I steer my conscious mind.
Like for example, as I dream, It is a direct illustration of the unconscious
mind the conscious mind navigates. What an incredible work of art that we create
without even intending to, and even if we don’t remember them, the work is
done.
iii. Leadership
Being a leader not only means leading those around you, “your Master Mind
Alliance,” but leading yourself throughout life. It means to find harmony in
your relationship with others and yourself and maintaining and pursuing that
Harmony. It means generosity towards your peers. We are only as strong as our
weakest link.
iv. Positive Mental Attitude.
The author mentions this idea over and over throughout the book. The concept is key to him. It’s the same idea that we always have tomorrow. It’s the same idea that leads people to contentment in their lives.
v. Discipline.
Our discipline is a measure of our will to follow through. It is what creates
Greatness. And every moment counts. Every single one. The choice we make in the
moment leads to the choices that we’ll make next. From Moments to minutes, to
hours, to days, months and years to come. The moment we choose Discipline is the
same moment we change our lives.
vi. Money is great, but there are other forms of compensation.
There is exchange in all interactions, no matter how great or how little the cost. No matter whether we notice or not. Exchange can be measured by money. Money is a symbol for the exchange that already exists, however we may be able to remember that there is
more to life than the exchange of money when dealing with equal compensation.
For example the joy we get out of helping a friend or volunteering at a Food
Pantry to receive food.
vii. Health.
Health in all aspects of our lives, physically mentally and spiritually. To find
meaning and purpose to keep us in a healthy mental space, to treat our bodies as
the gifts they truly are, to acknowledge what we don’t understand and trust in
it. Health is all that we have at the end of the day, and without it we have a
limited life until death.
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?
Well all of these ideas are truly to help me create a better life, and in turn create a better world. In my practical life, I believe that these lessons will teach me to chip away at my desired life through Discipline. The knowledge of this book gives me the power to strengthen my will to accomplish. This book teaches me the value of life’s riches. From Money to Health. It teaches me to Trust in Infinite Intelligence, so that I may not waste my time here on Earth and that I may find a purpose in life. And I will do just that.
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.
“If you can see an opportunity as quickly as you can see the faults in others, you will soon succeed.”
This quote reminds me how quick I can be to judge. It’s a consistent practice to see opportunity in others, rather than condemning them for what they lack.
“The only thing over which you have complete right of control at all times is your mental attitude.”
Let us remember that “Right of Control” means that we can control it and not that we do control it.
“Your best motivator, Wealth, must be willingly, fairly, and generously divided among your team.”
Wealth stands for many things; money, resources, access to and opportunities to. This we must allow for ourselves as well as those who we are loyal too.
“That which you share will multiply, that which you withhold will diminish.”
This reminds me of another quote actually. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Our generosity is made up of seeds to fruit.
“Any adversity carries a seed of equal or greater benefit.”
Well this is hard to remember in the moment of my struggles. But I must admit, when I look back into my memories, all those struggles were well worth the experience.
“Positive Mental Attitude influences your tone of voice, your posture, your facial expression. It modifies every word you say and determines the nature of the emotions you feel.”
Wow. Is that not powerful, just to consider how meaningful positivity is in each aspect of our lives. I’ll have to always consider my attitude and outlook when I think of other things happening in my life.
“Tact is an invaluable skill, just as noticeable for its absence as its presence.”
What a practice tact is for me, a practice that I will use my entire life. And boy what a difference it makes.
“Those who have faith in Infinite Intelligence, faith in themselves and faith in others inspire others to have faith in them.”
Faith will surely take us a long way. It’s taken me through incredible and long journeys. I hope to let it lead me through this life. I appreciate the reflection given here, to be inspired is to inspire others.
“A person with uncontrolled temper has a tongue that is mounted on ball bearings and swinging widely and freely, with an edge as sharp as a Blade.” May I be mindful of my words, Not to use them as a weapon, but rather for tact.
“Natural law endures and obtains everywhere. Such order, such continuing adherence to law, clearly implies intelligent planning and definiteness of purpose.”
I often wonder who or what came up with this design of a human body, design of a world, of a Universe. It’s quite curious and I really appreciate how certain the author is to find meaning and purpose in that curiosity.
“Take a complete inventory of every asset you possess. You will discover that your greatest asset is a sound mind in which you can shape your own destiny.”
Well said. What would I be without the health of my mind? Sure I am Glad for that.
“The Best way to receive love is to give it.”
This is fun, I used to say these same words over and over again through my teenage years.
“History and Folklore are full of people whose will alone triumphed over Death and other incredible adversities. Who remembers the people whose weak wills kept them mired in mediocrity?”
Though comparing ourselves to others can be a very self destructive path, It is important to recognize the significance of this statement. We all want to feel important.
“When Defeat overtakes you, don’t spend your time counting your losses. Save it to count your gains and assets and you will realize that they are greater than any loss you have suffered.”
This perspective on defeat requires the idea of defeat its self through gratitude. What a powerful tool Gratitude is.
“Understanding the way in which you can maintain a sound mind body, depends therefore on the way nature works. You must learn to work with natural forces, not fight them.”
With this single practice, we have the potential to give up fighting all that we condemn ourselves too.
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?
There is a comment the Author makes referring to death that I must say I disagree with. “Recognizing this allows you to right off the fear of Death. You don’t discuss it, you don’t think about it, you simply realize that at some point or another you will face it.”
In my life, the idea of death is a fascinating thing. I think about it. I talk about it. I invite it in the way that I may not run from it, but do not necessarily seek it. We all cope with the thing that we must all face. And cope in different ways. This is not the way I will be coping with my Death or the Death of others.
Another statement made by the author that doesn’t sit well is the idea that a “Negative Mental attitude equals A wasted life, nothing to help better the human condition.” We need not be scared of negativity or negative thoughts, nor condemn ourselves for having them. They have their place and with the right perspective we may find meaning in it. Which then may transmute our negativity into positivity.
And I guess the last thing I particularly disagree with is the author’s view on “Doers” vs “Drifters.” In his perspective drifters are leading a useless life, one without any direction at all. But I must say, those moments in my life in which I was directionless has been a crucial part of finding myself. We must allow others to move at their pace, whether they find success or not. In many ways, the drifters may lead simpler lives. The simpler we live, maybe the more we can trust in infinite intelligence.
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?
There are many exercises the Author offers to us as tools throughout the book. Many of them I did not complete, such as writing down my Definite Major Purpose or writing down the value that a Positive Mental Attitude will bring to my life. However there are a few exercises the Author suggests which I already currently practice such as taking time each day to contemplate my relationship with infinite intelligence or Writing out my future goals and Daily tasks.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
I want to give props to the Author for not viewing our Egos as our enemies and not Attacking it. He instead describes it more like a tool which needs to be feed and used.
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? 6
B. How helpful were the contents? 7
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 7
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 7
PsychoCybernetics
Assessment by Nicholas Yates (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
Maxwell Malts. What a Man. This totally righteous Author conveys the principles of How to be a Human 101. The title at first seems a little wacky until I learned the meaning of the word “Cybernetics,” the study of Operations. And “Psycho” having to do with the mind. This entire book is simply an expression of the mind, which states how the mind works. Which is pretty ironic considering we come in with a blank slate. Birthed into a world with a mind and body which is designed not to understand its own functions and makeup. Maxwell presents some incredible ideas and practice, which has truly inspired my imagination and ability to receive understanding of my own mind.
2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
i. We are designed to Forget.
This idea, forgetting, has become important to me in recent years. And I still feel like I’m only beginning to understand the significance and meaning forgetting has on each of us. Without this incredibly important mechanism, it might be rather difficult to move forward. Our Author makes a point, that in True forgiveness, we forget what has happened to the extent that there wasn’t anything to forgive any longer. Our old story is replaced by an ever evolving new one. Authentic forgiveness is interactive and takes time to redevelop our once destructive stories and ideas. Which brings me to our next idea.
ii. Human beings are Goal Oriented.
As much as I hate to admit sometimes, our work is continuous. We are Designed to keep moving forward. Which brings me to a Question I often ask myself. Are Human beings looking for Answers to Questions, or Questions to Answer? One could really answer the “Both” to the statement, however it seemed like I was always convincing myself that I was searching for Answers to life’s Objective Questions. When I look a bit deeper at my own Goal Striving Design, it now seems like I really have always been looking for Questions to Answer or looking for Problems that I could solve. Such a thing is rewarding.
iii. Imagination
This single mental tool or exercise is the single most powerful thing we possess in ourselves. It is the idea to which we perceive life and the world around us. It is the vision we hold of the past, present and future. It is the path to create and Destroy. We are quite literally doing it all the time, in a slew of different ways. I really enjoyed reading how the Author touched base on this and described imagination as the thing we use to tell the story of our life and self image. That through imagination we will build ourselves up and find peace or tear ourselves down into Disharmony, simply by which story is being fed. And boy do I carry a lot of different stories, many or all of which I am reminded to ask myself, “Is this story even true?”
iv. Practice.
Another key concept to the way we all function. As described in the book, we all are practicing this life by way of neural pathways and storytelling. The more we ingrain habit, the easier we find the thoughts and movements we have practiced. The miserable person has quite literally practiced their misery as well as the content or even happy, satisfied person. Less through what we have available physically and more do to what we practice internally, we will find that our habits have led us there. And the great thing about “practicing” we may allow ourselves the room and the Grace to screw up again and again, so that we may readjust our course. We certainly are not designed knowing perfection coming into this world, through practice we find our way.
v. The Hero’s Journey
This idea is not directly from the Author, however it certainly reminds me of what I have learned from this book. We all are on the Hero’s journey. And the Hero’s journey is one of challenge and trials, which inevitably create the Hero. Otherwise there would be no point to the journey itself. We live in an infinite world and experience the gift of life though our bodies, which seem to be learning their ways through life.
vi. Letting Go
Letting go is an essential part of the process, and what the Author calls our Automatic success mechanism. We are reminded to live in imagination for the future with the intended purpose that we plan and allow things to fall into place as they’re meant to be.
vii. The way we “look” and “the self Image,” are connected in some ways and different in others.
From the perspective of a Plastic Surgeon, I think we ought to heed the advice given about “The Self Image.” We look into the mirror and can’t tell where the body begins and the mind stops. They are one. Which means both are equally powerful in the way we operate. We may not be in control of our bodies or the way we look, however we have the ability to think any thought imaginable so that we can see ourselves in any way. From the very best version of self, to the worst. May we remind ourselves often that we and our bodies have the gift of life and experience all its righteous glory.
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 believe these ideas are relevant to the self image. The self image is The Law of Attraction, Magnetism, Quantum Physics and the like. With this idea, I may be able to consciously tell my own story. And if my truth is righteous, then so it is. God is.
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.
“You relieve stress by assigning problems to your automatic success mechanism, and letting go of them.”
This I believe is the Key mechanism not only to success and Stress Relief, but also manifestation. There is something very special about setting intention and then allowing things to be as they are. It’s not only honorable, but Powerful.
“Within you right now is the power to do things you never dreamed possible.”
We’re all truly much more than we think we are. We owe all experiences to this body; all thoughts and all feelings. The thing that we truly are, beyond this body, can not fully be thought and not fully be felt. The thing that we truly are, is infinite. “Realizing that our actions, feelings and behavior are the result of our own images and beliefs gives us the level that psychology has always needed for changing personality.”
This statement reminds me of a blank canvas. One which we have the ability to continually create and destroy our own Masterpiece. May we remember our power to tell our stories as unlimited artists.
“A human being always acts and feels and performs in accordance with what he imagines to be true about himself and his environment.”
Our lives are such unique stories. These stories may define anything which is on a spectrum. Good or Bad can define the exact same story.
“For imagination sets the goal picture which our automatic mechanism works on. We act, or fail to act, not because of will, as is so commonly believed, but because of imagination.”
When it comes to surrender, acceptance and trust; our will to make these ideas true may hinder us. I won’t condemn “will,” but I will recognize that I have no control. Maybe my “will” to accomplish is an aspect of my own imagination. Imagination may be the monster powerful tool the human is designed to have.
“The Behaviorist, who understood neither the “man” nor his machine, and thereby confused the one with the other, told us that thought is merely the movement of electrons and consciousness merely a chemical reaction.”
The Man and His Machine seem to be one. The Machine is well designed. Look in a mirror and wonder where does the body end and the mind begin? The thing that we truly are seems to have been forgotten with purpose. A machine designed to learn and remember.
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, nothing in particular comes to mind.
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?
We are asked to create our own “Case Histories” from Imagination and Memory after each Chapter. To revisit the story of our own lives. I certainly and actively have done this. There were other exercises throughout the book that may have involved writing or rereading Chapters for an allotted amount of time, which I did not participate in fully, but did at times.
7. Was there anything you read in the book that you would like to comment on that was not covered in the previous questions? If so, please comment.
I think all I want to write in order to answer this question is a paragraph which inspired me immensely.
“Our errors, mistakes, failures, and sometimes even our worst humiliations, were necessary steps in the learning process. However, they were meant to be means to an end and not an end in themselves. When they have served their purpose, they should be forgotten. If we consciously dwell upon the error, or consciously feel guilty about the error, and keep berating ourselves because of it, then unwittingly the error or failure itself becomes the “Goal” which is consciously held in imagination and memory. The unhappiest of mortals is that man who insists upon reliving the past, over and over in imagination, continually criticizes himself for past mistakes, continuing condemning himself for past sins.”
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? 9
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Assessment by Nick Yates (USA)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
Dale Carnegie suggests many tactics and ideas in the book which help readers better understand Human Relations and Human Nature. The Title is pretty self evident. How I believe that value is Authenticity. At first reading the title I was a bit cautious that I might be reading another book about how to take advantage and control over people. But Dale wrote this book with the best of intentions, taking into consideration what the reader might gain from understanding what their counter-parts might want or need also. Overall this is a wonderful book for anyone who might need a bit of mindfulness in our Daily interactions with people. And I’m not sure I’ve ever meat anyone who couldn’t benefit from that.
2. What were the seven ideas which were personally most important to you and why? List these seven ideas followed by an explanation after each one as to why it was important to you. Use personal examples from your own life.
i.80% of success is owed to someone’s personality. What is the quality of a person, but by their personality?
There is a subtle aspect to is a subtle aspect of success which is touched on here. Making it very clear that human relationships are the most potential part of one’s outcome when working together to achieve something.
ii. Criticism doesn’t birth habits or teach people their mistakes. It may just create resentment and the need to justify their actions, rewards and kindness may work much better.
In my I’ve felt the need to justify my actions many times over due to criticism. I’ve been very sensitive to it. I imagine that we all can relate to that. May I always remember not to be so hard on others or on myself for that matter. Our psyche certainly responds much better to validation. Though it can be a tricky thing to feel the need to always validate another person, without some underlying agenda to get what you want.
iii. The only way you can make somebody do something is by giving them what they want.
People want to feel important. Appreciation vs. Flattery. Let us remember not to hold anything over someone for the sake of control. Perhaps the best way a leader may control is by all owing freedom. Freedom which is granted leads us to fee l valued. Not subject to some one else’s will. And it must be Authentic, then nuance between Appreciation for someone by giving them what they want and flattering them to get what you want will be obvious.
iv.. Call people by their first name.
It’s personal. It’s been a journey in my life to really remember people’s names. Yet I must say, it will always deepen the connection between me and strangers. First impressions are everything. The more I’ve practiced remembering people’s names when we first meet, the easier it has become.
v. People are more interested in themselves then in you or others.
Real friends are interested in each other and not themselves. Talk to a Man about himself and he will listen for hours. It’s true, we must meet our own needs to truly meet the needs of others. Something incredibly special about friends is that they seem to be the relationships we tend to have the most equal of partnerships, even more so than over romantic partnership or business partners.
vi. To be an interesting conversationalist is to listen.
Thistopiccertainlycorrelateswiththeoneabove.Peoplerespondtheirbestinaconversationwhentheytrulyfeelheardbyyou.Ittakespatience,especiallyconsideringhumanstendtoalreadyknowwhatwe’regoingtosaynextbeforethepersonhasevenstoppedspeaking.Conversationisapowerfulelementtohumanrelations.Wepenetratethelistener’smindwithaspellthatisactuallyvibratingoutofourthroats.Wild.Maywealwaysbegoodconversationalists.
vii. Actions speak louder than words. Smile.
A smile can ease someone more than an enormous combination of words. Sometimes the
Best way to “teach” or even to guide someone else’s feeling is to feel those feelings our-
Selves; to live the way in which the world needs, as we see fit. To quote Ghandi, “To be the change we wish to see in the World.”
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 see these ideas directly impacting my social life. But boy is it a practice. All of us seem to have som anychances in life to practice communicating and being in relationship. And there are times whereI learn more than others, but I’m hopeful that I will become a better man to my fellow men and women. These principles are a guide and even a foundation to that process.
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.
“God himself does not judge man until the end of his days; why should you or I. It is ironic isn’t it?”
That man might worship a figure that always gives us a second chance. It’s similar to how we can even be so forgiving towards others and be so hard on ourselves.
“Once I did bad and that I heard ever twice I did good but that I heard never.”
We’re such negative feedback systems that we often learn much much more from our negative experiences than we ever do from our positive. In the same way, we might hyper focus on someone’s faults or failures rather than their successes. A great example of this is a breakup, though the couple came together for are as on.
“If there is anyone secret of success, it is getting someone elses poing of view was well as your own.”
Understanding is the key that comes to mind here. All human quarrels seem to be because of a lack of understanding of one another.
“First arouse in another person an eager want, he who can do this has the whole world with him, he who cannot walks a lonely way.”
This quite speaks to the act of longing. A daring, righteous way. If we find ourselves and another in others a genuine want, then everyone wins. May we stay true to helping one another achieve our wants, so that humanity may do great things.
“When we have a brilliant idea, instead of making others think it is ours, why not let them cook and stir the idea themselves? They will then regard it as their own. Leave it to others to take action as their ideas stir as their own. What a brilliant way of following people feel in control while simultaneously influencing them. Some other great leaders
Have led from behind so that people can say we did it ourselves.”
“You can make more friends in 2 months by becoming interested in other people than you can in 2 years by trying to make interested in you.
Once again we’re taught to focus on the other people and their needs.
“Act as if you were already happy and it make you happy.”
This statement reminds me of as a simple yet powerful ways to use our imagination to manifest.
“We are gods in the Chrysalis.”
Enough Said.
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?
Bad people don’t criticize themselves fro the things they do wrong. For example, Gangsters of Chicago and New York; they consider themselves public figures. “I must say that while I believe what the author point is here, I also disagree with the “Bad” people in life whose actions have change the world don’t criticize themselves as much as the “Good.” Obviously these people had an air of self-righteousness to the maximum; but beneath all of that may lie something deeper. A childhood even of criticism which molded them into people who must prove something.
6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?
The Author certainly directed readers towards certain steps to take but not written exercises directly.
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.
This book brings up the question, does inspiration follow action or does action follow inspiration? This is a question which I’ve sat with for a long time and I still ponder. I must say that in many ways I do believe that both follow each other in a kind of circle.
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? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 7
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9