As a Man Thinketh
Assessment by Kadogo Mongeli (Kenya)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
As a Man Thinketh by James Allen is a deep dive into the power of thoughts and how they influence every aspect of our lives. The book stresses the simple truth: A man is literally what he thinks. This central idea builds the foundation for all the wisdom in the book. Allen begins with the idea that thoughts shape character. Everything we are today is the result of past thoughts. Men do not attract what they want, but that which they are. If your mind is filled with virtuous, strong thoughts, your life will reflect success and happiness. On the contrary, negative and weak thoughts will result in difficulties. You can cheat the system, Allen emphasizes our thoughts are the cause, and our circumstances are the effect.
Thought and character are inseparable. According to Allen, good thoughts bear fruit in the form of good character, just as bad thoughts create a morally weakened character. The famous quote “Watch your thoughts, for they become words; watch your words, for they become actions; watch your actions, for they become habits; watch your habits, for they become character; watch your character, for it becomes your destiny captures the essence of how thoughts govern everything.”
Think of your mind like a garden you can cultivate it or you can let it run wild ⇒ You have a choice: Either 1) remove your useless and immoral thoughts or 2) let them take over.
Your outer life (circumstances) is related to your inner state (character).
You are where you are (circumstances) because your thoughts (character) have brought you there (There is no such thing as a chance?)
You are the cause of your circumstances, whether it is conscious or unconscious if you explore this through reflection deep enough, you will see the truth of this concept. This concept can be proven with self-experimentation ⇒ try radically altering your thoughts for a period of time, and see what happens with your circumstances.
Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results.
When you believe your circumstances are the result of outside forces, you are controlled by them.
When you believe your circumstances are the result of your thoughts, you control them.
This requires self-control and intention when you alter your mind, you can alter your circumstances.
Improved thoughts = Improved character = Improved circumstances.
Your circumstances flow from your nurtured thoughts. Thoughts lead to actions which lead to circumstances.
You learn who you are (character) from experiencing both bad circumstances (suffering) and good circumstances (happiness) and how those experiences affect your thoughts.
Your thoughts and actions can be your enslaver or rescuer; You attract what you think about (fear attracts fear, love attracts love, hate attracts hate)
You only get what you want if it aligns with your thoughts and actions ⇒ If you want to change your circumstances, you must start with your thoughts.
You must make personal sacrifices to change your circumstance. (e.g. If you want to be healthier, you must eat less.)
Suffering is the result of wrong thought is suffering is a signal that you are out of sync with yourself ⇒ the entire purpose of suffering is to help you realign.
If your thoughts are pure, you cannot suffer.
Mental order leads to happiness; mental disorder leads to suffering (e.g. indigence and indulgence).
You can either complain about your circumstances or use them to aid in your progress.
Thoughts cannot be kept secret ⇒ they reveal themselves in habits that affect circumstances.
Good thoughts turn into good habits which turn into good circumstances. And bad thoughts turn into bad habits which turn into bad 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. “As he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”
This is the central theme. Your thoughts are the root cause of your actions, habits, and ultimately, your character and destiny. By controlling your thoughts, you can shape your life. I usually try to control my thoughts even before I speak
ii. Thought and Character are Inter-twined
Your character is the sum total of your thoughts. Consistent good thoughts lead to a noble character, while harboring negative thoughts leads to a degraded one. This emphasizes the importance of cultivating positive and virtuous thinking. You can judge me from my way of thinking and the reflection of my thoughts
iii. Circumstances Grow Out of Thought
Your external circumstances are a reflection of your inner world. By changing your thoughts, you can change your circumstances. This doesn’t mean that external factors are irrelevant, but rather that your response to them is determined by your thoughts.
iv. Achievement is Born of Thought
All achievements, whether great or small, begin with a thought. By focusing your thoughts on clear goals and pursuing them with unwavering focus, you can manifest your desires into reality.
v. Vision and Ideals Shape Your Destiny
Cherishing noble visions and ideals provides direction and purpose in life. These mental images act as a compass, guiding your actions and shaping your future.
vi. Suffering is a Result of Wrong Thought
Allen suggests that suffering is often a consequence of negative or disordered thinking. By aligning your thoughts with truth and harmony, you can minimize suffering and experience greater peace and joy.
vii. Self-Control and Self-Discipline are Essential
Mastering your thoughts requires self-control and self-discipline. This involves consciously choosing which thoughts to entertain and which to reject. It’s a continuous process of mental cultivation.
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 ideas will help me expand my thinking ways and make me venture in to new me and self awareness.
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 the plant springs from, and could not be without, the seed, so every act of a man springs from the hidden seeds of thought, and could not have appeared without them.”
“Act is the blossom of thought; and joy and suffering are its fruits.”
“Man is made or unmade by himself.”
“Man is the master of thought, the molder of character, and the maker and shaper of condition, environment, and destiny.”
“Man’s mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed-seeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind.”
“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.”
“The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors; that which it loves, and also that which it fears; it reaches the height of its cherished aspirations; it falls to the level of its unchastened desires and circumstances are the means by which the soul receives its own.”
“Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself.”
“Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound.”
“Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results.”
“Law, not confusion, is the dominating principle in the universe; justice, not injustice, is the soul and substance of life; and righteousness, not corruption, is the molding and moving force in the spiritual government of the world.”
“The world is your kaleidoscope, and the varying combinations of colors, which at every succeeding moment it presents to you are the exquisitely adjusted pictures of your ever-moving thoughts.”
“A sour face does not come by chance; it is made by sour thoughts.”
“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.”
“Doubt and fear are the great enemies of knowledge, and he who encourages them, who does not slay them, thwarts himself at every step.”
“He who has conquered doubt and fear has conquered failure.”
“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.”
“By the aid of self-control, resolution, purity, righteousness, and well-directed thought a man ascends; by the aid of animality, indolence, impurity, corruption, and confusion of thought a man descends.”
“He who would accomplish little must sacrifice little; he who would achieve much must sacrifice much; he who would attain highly must sacrifice greatly.”
“Many give way when success is assured, and rapidly fall back into failure.”
“Humanity cannot forget its dreamers; it cannot let their ideals fade and die; it lives in them; it knows them as the realities which it shall one day see and know.”
“To desire is to obtain; to aspire is to, achieve.”
“Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.”
“The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good.”
“People will always prefer to deal with a man whose demeanor is strongly equable.”
“The strong, calm man is always loved and revered. He is like a shade-giving tree in a thirsty land, or a sheltering rock in a storm.”
“Only he whose thoughts are controlled and purified, makes the winds and the storms of the soul obey him.”
“Self-control is strength; Right Thought is mastery; Calmness is power.”
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?
The book is written clearly.
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?
Our brain is the engine of everything so there is unlimited exercise in this book that will shape my life
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.
It is well covered.
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? 8
C. How easy was it to understand? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 8
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Kadogo Mongeli (Kenya)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
Jonathan Livingston Seagull follows Jonathan, a seagull who strives to transcend ordinary life by mastering flight. This parable is divided into sections that trace Jonathan’s journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth. Jonathan starts by focusing on perfecting flight, unlike his Flock, which uses flying solely for survival. His determination creates tension with the Flock, and he eventually faces exile. Freed from traditional constraints, Jonathan advances his skills alone. Later, Jonathan meets two ethereal gulls who take him to a higher realm. There, he meets mentors Sullivan and Elder Chiang, who guide him toward understanding freedom beyond physical limits. Jonathan learns teleportation and expands his spiritual knowledge.
Equipped with new wisdom, Jonathan returns to teach others. He mentors Fletcher Lynd Seagull, sparking a community interested in breaking through personal limitations. Jonathan’s teachings on individuality and freedom gain traction. After an important moment with Fletcher, Jonathan leaves, passing the responsibility to Fletcher. As Fletcher and his community continue spreading Jonathan’s message, they pursue ongoing enlightenment and personal excellence
In Jonathan Livingston Seagull, the theme of freedom represents both physical and spiritual liberation. Jonathan’s flights symbolize breaking away from tradition and constraints, reflecting the joy of self-expression and the risks of challenging established beliefs. His journey goes beyond survival instincts, serving as a metaphor for self-actualization and the search for deeper meaning. Innovation against tradition stands out as Jonathan experiments with new flight techniques. This underscores the spirit of progress amidst stagnant conventions. The narrative demonstrates that true progress often requires defying established norms.
In Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Jonathan seeks personal mastery in a conformist society. His dedication to flying surpasses the Flock’s focus on survival and routine. The Flock adheres to uniformity, while Jonathan aims to surpass limits in his search for self-discovery. Initially rejected for his pursuits, he joins a community of “Outcast” gulls who value his individuality and innovative spirit. This community shows that individual creativity can drive collective progress. Diverse perspectives form the basis of a supportive community. When Jonathan returns to his original Flock, he challenges its rigidity. His teachings encourage others to explore their potential, expanding beyond imposed boundaries. This shift indicates that a community thrives on its members’ diverse strengths. True collectivism flourishes when individual brilliance and diversity are valued.
In Jonathan Livingston Seagull, flight symbolizes freedom and self-expression, representing transcendence beyond societal constraints. Jonathan, the central seagull, challenges boundaries to find deeper meaning in his existence. His journey is not just about physical skill. It serves as an allegory for self-realization and enlightenment. The story uses flight to convey breaking free from conventional expectations. Jonathan’s pursuit of mastering flight reflects his desire to overcome societal limitations and reach his full potential. For him, flight signifies individuality and a path to spiritual growth. This underscores Bachs’ message: pursuing personal development and freedom is meaningful, despite the obstacles encountered.
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. Richard paints a glorious picture of what most of us would see when they view a flock of seagulls.
But then he takes us right into the lone seagull ripping through the wind learning how to fly with accuracy and precision. But this story is way more than that. It is all about our lives, not the flock of seagulls.
ii. Not only does Jonathan love to fly, he has pushed himself to new limits by experimenting with flight.
Not everyone will understand what your passion is. Not everyone will understand the need to push yourself through challenges and to new opportunities. In my burning desire this book awakens me to push more in life until I achieve my goals.
iii. Not everyone will be comfortable with leaving their comfort zone.
Some people are just destined to split off from the norm and challenge themselves.
iv. In the pursuit of the dreams, in leaving behind people who just don’t fit into that dream, you will always find like-minded people who are as passionate as you.
I have in life parted ways with people who don’t have my way of mind set because all along they have been dragging me behind but in that journey I have made friends with my way of thinking making us uplift one another.
v. Your Path
If you need reminding that the path you are going on (no matter how crazy or lofty) is worth going on, Jonathan seagull gives me a reason as to why i have to keep on pushing on whatever I want.
vi. Practice makes perfect!
Also, we hear this ALL the time. Practice makes perfect. Practice gives you the ability to teach others. Practice makes you a professional. Usually i do a lot of practice no matter how many times I fail.
vii. Patience
If you feel like the skill or passion you’re going after is something that is taking a long time to learn, be patient with yourself. Keep practicing. You will only get better with practice. This has been my spirit and with time I do achieve what I want.
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 book is more of a metaphor but speaks to us on how to be determined in life.
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.
“Why, Jon, why? His mother asked. Why is it so hard to be like the rest of the flock, Jon? Why can you leave low flying to the pelicans, the albatross? Why don’t you eat? Son, your bone and feathers!”
“The Flock values conformity to such an extent that even Jonathans own mother chastises him for his love of flying, outright asking him to be like the rest of the seagulls. Her remark that Jonathan is bone and feathers is especially noteworthy.”
“In context, it seems to be a comment about Jonathans weight; Jonathan, she implies, has neglected eating to pursue flying but its also a broader statement about the nature of the self. To Jonathans mother (and likely the rest of the Flock), seagulls are physical beings made of bone and feathers.”
“It’s all so pointless, he thought, deliberately dropping a hard-won anchovy to a hungry old gull chasing him. I could be spending all this time learning to fly. There’s so much to learn!”
“Unlike the other seagulls, Jonathan is not content with a purely physical existence centered on fighting for small pieces of fish. Although he tries to obey his parents and fit in with the Flock, he’s unable to suppress his urge to fly, which is itself symbolic of his desire to learn and grow beyond his prior limits.”
“We can lift ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence and skill. We can be free! We can learn to fly!”
“From the beginning, it’s clear that Jonathan’s interest in flying is about more than simply the physical action itself. Rather, as the above passage indicates, he sees perfecting his flying skills as a way of unlocking or discovering his true nature of excellence and intelligence and skill.”
“We’re from your flock, Jonathan. We are your brothers.”
“When two perfect seagulls arrive to escort Jonathan to the next world, he first tests their abilities and finding that they match his own asks who they are. Their response surprises him, because, having been exiled by his former Flock, Jonathan has grown used to seeing himself as a solitary being. However, much of the rest of the novella will demonstrate that an individual can only reach their highest potential via connection with others.”
“But you, Jon, he said, learned so much at one time that you didn’t have to go through a thousand lives to reach this one.”
“As Jonathan’s new teacher Sullivan explains it, the place Jonathan now finds himself in isn’t so much an afterlife as it is another form of life a level of existence that becomes accessible to gulls only once they have learned to look beyond their basic physical needs.”
The passage is one of the clearest examples of the influence of Eastern philosophy and religion on Bach’s thinking, as what Sullivan is describing is similar to the process of reincarnation as it’s understood in Hinduism or Buddhism: a journey towards greater enlightenment.
5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or are unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?
The book is well articulated.
6. Did the book contain exercises for the reader to complete? If so, did you complete all of the exercises and did you find them helpful?
The book contains life skills exercises which I will do on a daily basis to master my goals and dreams.
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.
It’s well covered.
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? 9
C. How easy was it to understand? 9
D. Would you recommend it to others? 9
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9