As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Owolabi Owoyemi Emmanuel (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
According to the Author of the text “As A Man Thinketh” the author is trying to tell us that we are the Master of our life, the way we want it to be, depends on what we think of. We are the Master planner or Builder of our life. We can be anything in this world provided we used the tools given to us which are; our brain, knowledge pertaining to that thing, our mind and so on in a rightful manner which is the way man thinks. Mind and Thinking works hand in glove; pure heart and happy thoughts are the elements that build up the body. Out of a clean heart comes a clean life and a clean body. Out of a defiled mind proceeds a defiled life and corrupt body (Negative or Positive attitude); one has to choose one from it. Our thought is the fountain of action, life and manifestation; make the fountain pure, and all will be pure. What you think so be it. Our thinking must be pure so that we can have a good result.
“Change of diet will not help a man who will not change his thoughts.” To me, continuous eating of diet can only makes one fat but as long as you can change your thought, things will work out which can cause a total transformation of life. Mind is the most essential things that we need to take note. Out of mind that is where thought of malice, envy, disappointment, despondency, rob the body of its health and grace. From the mind, thinking occurs which is thought; after that it result to the purpose which is the outcome of the imagination you have in mind. Purpose should be driving innate in what so ever your want. This is the royal road to self-control and true concentration of thought. Even if he fails again and again to accomplish his purpose (as he necessarily must until weakness is overcome), the strength of character gained will be the measure of his true success, and this will form a new starting point for future power and triumph.
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.
As the physically weak man can make himself strong by careful and patient training, so the man of weak thoughts can make them strong by exercising himself in right thinking. To put away aimlessness and weakness, and to begin to think with purpose, is to enter the ranks of those strong ones who only recognize failure as one of the pathways to attainment; who make all conditions serve them, and who think strongly, attempt fearlessly, and accomplish masterfully.
i. Purpose in one’s heart
Good and evil thought great purpose. Good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bad fruits. Man should make his purpose the centralizing point of his thoughts. Be it Spiritual idea or it may be a worldly object, according to his nature at the time being. But whichever it is, he should steadily focus his thought forces upon the object which he has set before him. We need to make our purpose the supreme duty, and ones attainment, not allowing thoughts to wander away into ephemeral fancies. Until your heart is pure, your life, body through the manifestation of your fountain remains weak and dirty.
ii. Idea of doubt and Fear
Doubts and fears should be rigorously excluded; they are disintegrating elements which break up the straight line of effort, rendering it crooked, ineffectual, useless. Thoughts of doubt and fear never accomplish anything, and never can. They always lead to failure. Doubts and fear are the great enemies of knowledge, and he who encourages them, who does not slay them, wandering in the pity of loss and unhappiness. Doubt and fear leads to anxiety which quickly demoralizes the whole body and the complete permanent state of worry in ones’ life.
iii. Idea of Achievement
Achievement can be link to the success of man’s kind in moving to higher level. It’s what you have that you can give. The level of your thinking and what you have in mind will leads to your achievement. A strong man cannot help a weaker unless the 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. Age has anything to do with achievement; one needs to achieve first before we can now talk on how to distinct yourself from others. Hardworking and happiness are the prerequisite for achievement. What you think as positive in mind brings the outcome of success to you.
iv. Idea of Sacrifice
There can be no progress, no achievement without sacrifice. A man’s worldly success will be in the measure that he sacrifices his confused animal thoughts, and fixes his mind on the development of his plans, and the strengthening of his resolution and self reliance. And the higher he lifts his thoughts, the more manly, upright, and righteous he becomes, the greater will be his success, the more blessed an enduring will be his achievements.
v. Idea of Dream
Dream should be meant by what you desire in your heart which aspires to achievement. Your point of view in becoming great in life depends on the condition you placed your life, it may be at risk or danger but your determination helps to build your dream. Vision is what you see in the spiritual realm and the dream is what you think of and what you have been longing for to become in future. The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream.
vi. Idea of Vision
How can you transform the world through what you have and what you can do to help the people around you? Helping the less privilege has been the way I have been working towards. We need to cherish our vision. Vision is like music been played, the more you listen and cherish it; the feelings you get. Desire stirs in one’s heart like music. Your Vision is the promise of what you shall one day be. Your Ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil. Purpose, a man should mentally mark out a straight pathway to its achievement, looking neither to the right nor left. Every normal human being has a vision to become something. The ability to carry out the vision might be engulfed by the environment through what the person is facing; but the moment the person realized what it takes to arouse, he become active human.
vii. Idea of self-analysis
The fact still remains that we need to evaluate ourselves before we can say this is what we want or what to do. Man is the maker of his character, the molder of his life, and the builder of his destiny, he may unerringly prove: if he will watch, control, and alter his thoughts, tracing their effects upon himself, upon others, and upon his life and circumstances. Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself. We all know that bad thought brings out bad result while good brings good result. Self-control is strength; Right thought is mastery; calmness is power. Say unto your heart, “Peace be still!”
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 is tendency in the cause of achievement, doubt and fear rise so to disturb the destiny of man in achieving a greater high. What we think in our heart spring forth like a seed that germinate immediate when there is a source (water): so also in mind, what you think in mind ruminate in your heart before you will know have the outcome of your thinking which is your thought. I dream about a lot of things on how to achieve things that will be valuable for the living being but how to achieve it is the problem. Sometimes money and time serve as constrain to the belief some has in achieving their dream; whereas those that have more than enough don’t even care about others. We find it difficult to sacrifice ourselves for those that need our help. I played a risk in achieving my aims on how people around me can live a better life.
Just as a gardener cultivates his plot, keeping it free from weeds, and growing the flowers and fruits which he requires, so may a man tend the garden of his mind, weeding out all the wrong, useless, and impure thoughts, and cultivating toward perfection the flowers and fruits of right, useful, and pure thoughts, By pursuing this process, a man sooner or later discovers that he is the master gardener of his soul, the director of his life. I cannot but say 90percent of people living were suffering from a traits of anxiety and fear which cannot be considered as a good thought but failure lazy hateful and condemnation in the mist of many people which can affect the believe one has in creating a better life for a living.
4. Quotes: – Are there any statements which the author made that particularly got your attention? If so, please quote them and comment as to why they were important to you.
“The wheel the ox behind. If one endures in purity of thought joy follows him as his own shadow sure.”
Whatsoever we do in life “right or wrong” shall be either recorded or documented in human’s memory as achievement in life. Even when we are no more, our past still speaks a lot when we have gone to another world.
“He who would accomplish little must sacrifice little. He who would achieve much must sacrifice much. He who would attain highly must sacrifice greatly.”
The greatest support one can offer in life is given; the more you give, the more abundant you get in replace.
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?
“The truth is that oppressor and slave are cooperators in ignorance.”
We cannot limit ourselves so low in the hands of tormentor which is oppressor and slave. To me the statement is not clear enough. But I think through the conversation of the elites one can still discovery what had been covered by his fate. But ability to activate the potential or what had been thought might be the problem on how to overcome the power of oppressor and slave.
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?
Not really but it good when reading the book because something’s that I need to know concerning the text was been mention by the author. The text really helped in terms of thinking and reasoning; which serves as open door for thinking in human as a whole in order to become a well established, energy with intelligence and fashioning the character in man through self-analysis and experience.
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 the spiritual aspect of the book should be mention or discussed. We cannot live in this world without the control of the Holy creator who controls the whole universe; in which He was the one that gives the knowledge and the power of the pen. The language is very simple and straight forward even the less privilege can read and understand the book without the help of the people around him/her.
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? 7
D. Would you recommend it to others? 8
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Owolabi Owoyemi Emmanuel (Nigeria)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The author is trying to tell us that there is an innateness ability in which human being posses irrespective of gender identity, challenges, discrimination, loneliness, discouragement, problem faced, difficulties; we need to stand on our feet. In accordance with the life of Jonathan Livingston seagull, the seagull were family who live together as one but the level of discrimination and the spirit of fear as been established among the elders in which it has restricted the level of their achievement through the rules of three thousand year beliefs which they had stood upon and Jonathan Livingston seagull have thought of broken. The author is trying to establish some facts that one need to be focus in life because we have the potential ability in us which God has deposited in us. As we can see, Jonathan Livingston seagull was a practicing seagull who does not subjected himself into the hand of the evil seagull he was living with and also to the spirit of limitation and frustration among the Elders and his parents.
Jonathan Livingston seagull was a great Researcher, Discovering hidden things, An Instructor and his own way of demonstrating love was to give something of the truth that he had seen to a gull who asked only a chance to see truth for himself. His thinking was different from every other seagulls, he planned not to waste any seconds from his time just because he want to help his fellow seagull. Most seagull don’t bother to learn more than the simplest facts of fight, they believe that shore to food and not flight shall be their primary assignment; but Jonathan Livingston seagull stood on his feet and said, eating does not matter to him but fight. He loves to Fly. This type of thinking has made his parents to dismayed Jonathan Livingston so also the Elders because it is against the rules of the seagull.
“I just want to know what I can do in the air and what I can’t;” this type of expression needs to be put in place in terms of clarification among being. Most of us didn’t believe that we have innate ability in us which we need to exercise in order to have a valuable result that will also be useful to people around us.
Also ones success lies in the hands of learning things in hardship because the result will be fantabulous; Jonathan Livingston seagull was able to triumph in the expense of difficulties. He had a breakthrough and was able to set a world records among the flock due to his personal decision, the spirit of excellence, intelligence and innate skills.
2. What were the seven ideas which were personal 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. Idea of Freedom and flight
Freedom is the condition of being free from bandage. I just want to know what I can do in the air and what I can’t, that’s all. This statement is being uttered by Jonathan Livingston just because of his self-confident of not been a failure among the seagull and also the ability to move forward. When one tries to be free, hunger will be his best friend, so also happiness because he will be free from dictatorship and also he will be able to learn at his convenient time. When you are free, you will be able to learn things speedily.
To me personally, I think Parents have been the causes that stand for the limitation of their children. Freedom should have been a way of detecting the potential ability in a child but because of the fear that have being imbued in them; they subjected themselves in moving toward what they want to do.
ii. Idea of friendship
Jonathan Livingston seagull was able to inculcate the spirit of forgiveness and friendship he has for his people even in the detriment of disgracing him in the guarding of Stand to Center for Honor which was turn to Center for shame; but he has the feelings of his people in mind of coming to earth because he believes that one or two seagull will try to learn from him. Friends add and also subtracted to my life in which I was able to learn from the beat of the pain in one way or the other. Personal example to back this point; I have a two close friend; we are walking beside the road one day, when we saw a policeman discussing with a lady, after that I just heard one of my friend interrupted to their conversation without being call to; immediately the policeman stood on our way and continue to say; who said that? To my surprise, my friend couldn’t identify himself; but what I can decode was that they focus their attention on me; thank God for the lady that stood beside the man, she tried to note him and pointed to my friend as the traitor; Immediately the policeman asked him to come so that he can discipline him but we begged on his behalf. A friend in need is a friend indeed; I can be of help to him and he can be of help to me.
iii. Idea of Encouragement
Jonathan was there at any time, space in demonstrating, suggesting, pressuring, and guiding his students. He flew with them through night, cloud and storm. Relaxed with them and in time they listen more closely to Jonathan just because of his crazy ideas. Kirk Maynard Gull was about to collapse at Jonathan’s feet, but the word of encouragement had helped him to stand fame. Also a words to Maynard Gull, you have the freedom to be yourself, your true self, here and now, and nothing can stand in your way,“Are you saying I can fly?”
Through the words of Jonathan, Maynard Gull spread his wings, effortlessly, and lifted into the dark night air. “I can fly! Listen! I Can Fly!” Jonathan Seagull spoke of very simple things – that, it is right for a gull to fly, that freedom is the very nature of his being, that whatever stands against that freedom must be set aside, be it ritual or superstition or limitation in any form. I have served as a broad of encouragement to people in so many ways. Encouraging youths, the less privilege ones and also my mates which had help them and serve as a stepping stone to their greatness.
iv. Fear of Learning
Learning should be able to take place at anytime and everywhere. Wherever we might find ourselves, we should be able to prepare and make ourselves available to those that we see as a leader. “How do you expect us to fly as you fly?” For someone to ask this type of question, it means the person wants to learn and the answer given to that question will determine the responsibility of putting that person into right part. Can we see the response of Jonathan Livingston Seagull; “You are special and gifted and divine, above other birds.”
So also we can help those that want to learn in one way or the other by enlighten or educating them. Jonathan served as a good example for everybody; he learns when it’s convenient or not in hunger, happiness. In the process of his learning, he was able to learn on speed within a week and he also set a world record for the fastest seagull. We can also learn from our mistakes so that we can have a good result.
v. Never stop practicing
The word “Practice” is a Systematic training by multiple repetitions and also a word of encouragement to a weak soul. Jonathan saw a lot more to learn every day by day without wasting a day or time with other seagull. But when he was not on earth, he was able to meet those that want to learn and also he serve as an instructor to his student;
“For each of them, the most important thing in living was to reach out and touch perfection in that which they most loved to do, and that was to fly.”
Continuous practice will make someone look magnificent in all areas. It also makes someone to detect an unknown place and hidden things. Practice takes time; in difficulties, pains, loneliness, anger but it has the most powerful, the most fun of all which is joy at the end. I learn how one can engage in acrobatic display; one of my Elders came around to teach me some skills; after that day, I tried to practice it but it doesn’t work for me. The following day, due to my commitment, I was able to conquer the spirit of fear in me. Today, I was opportune to display in the face of well known people which had been a great joy for me.
vi. Idea of Perfection
Perfection of works or anything worth of doing never has a limit. You have to work so to attain perfection. The more you practice, the more perfect you are; i.e. never strive to understand more of the perfect invisible principle of all life. In life, you may be thinking that you are perfect but we still have some that knows more than us but the opportunity are not there.
vii. Idea of keep working on love
Jonathan Seagull serve as a good example for all the living being, he was born to be an instructor, and his own way of demonstrating love was to give something of the truth that he had seen to a gull who asked only a chance to see truth for himself. The more Jonathan practiced his kindness lessons, and the more he worked to know the nature of love, the more he wanted to go back to Earth. No matter the hatred of someone towards you, love can still bring you together. God has given me the reason to Love everybody around me. Love overcomes all things.
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?
In references to the book; Jonathan Livingston Seagull, I have been able to deduce some facts which everybody needs to know and which will be of help to many people. No matter the circumstances that might warrant the steps of our greatness, sometimes the idea of freedom works than anything. Looking at the life of some people in another countries, we have guys of age 30years and above living with their parents just because of the economic instability, low standard of living of some nations; but ability to reason and to move away from them will surely makes differences in life.
When we keep working in love, it gives room for forgiveness and friendship which I have been able to inculcate in my daily life and it has helped me a lot. Practicing and perfection are paramount in one’s life when we think of something, but some have the challenges of continuity because we did not take the cognizance of it. Whenever I have the idea of doing something, I always put it into consideration so that positive perfection can be the result. Ability to practice what you have learn will surely bring a good result. For me to create a better world, I need to take the cognizance of everything that happens around me, whatsoever things that I learn today, I have to put it into practice every day for perfection because perfection does not have limit that is when I will be able to say “it works.”
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.
“Beside, if there’s a fight we’ll be a lot more help there than here.”
In this statement, to me no matter the forsake or forbidding of people towards us, it shouldn’t be an obstacle for our living; we need to reach some life and help them with what we have learn which we know it will be valuable to their life so that they can stand on their own without depending on anybody. We have to think twice because God has commence so many life into our hands which they might need our help in one way or the other; getting to where they are but things like discouragement, frustration, evil thought and so on might happen but we need to break the chains of our thought and mind, stand fame and be ready to help the less privilege.
“Who is more responsible than a gull that finds and follows a meaning, a higher purpose for life? For a thousand years we have scrabbled after fish heads, but now we have a reason to live to learn, to discover, to be free! Give me one chance; let me show you what I’ve found.”
The connotative mean of this statement says that; the potential ability in Jonathan Livingston seagull which he wants to show his family because of the like-minded heart he has for them. He was able to discover the undiscovered things which will be of help to them now and useful in future.
There is a saying that said;“Don’t give me fish but teach me how to fish.”
Most people want to live the way they are without thinking for once and not knowing that they can do extra-ordinary even more than the person that taught them. In the gathering of elders, I discover that we are not given chance to display our innate ability in us because they have the fear that we can do more than them.
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?
“Life is the unknown and the unknowable, except that we are put into this world to eat, to stay alive as long as we possibly can.” There is a reason to life, being on earth as a meaning. We walk towards our fate just because life is the unknown root we all pass every day except for God intervention for greatness.
Also the Author made mention of Heaven. I don’t really understand the meaning of Heaven? Is it the one we read about in bible?
6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?
Yes. I tried to read and read again before I could understand the text, though the text is straight forward, but it’s good and interesting. It also help my reading and ability to reason and think fast.
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.
Nothing much but why is it that when someone want to help or think of how the people around him/her can be great so that they can stand on their own; evil people decided to act on the ignorance of the people.
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? 9
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