As A Man Thinketh
Assessment by Teresa Maina (Rwanda)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
Proverbs 23:7 “As a man thinks in his heart so is he”. The author tries to show us how we are as we are as a result of our thoughts. It explains the idea that our thoughts are what make us or break us. We thus have immense power to change our life, character, health, current situations through our thoughts.
We are ultimately responsible for your life through our thoughts and thought process”. James Allen’s presents his idea to us in a way that we are able to reflect on our inner self in order to understand our outer circumstances. He shows us that there are no excuses for our current circumstances as we are solely responsible creating them.
This book made me think about the excuses we give ourselves, the complaints and the justifications we give for our circumstance. What I find intriguing about it is that all of us have such powerful inherent potential and yet we cut ourselves down and undermine our own efforts with useless and defeatist thinking.
So next time we find yourself in circumstances that we are not pleased to be in, I can surely promise you that 99% of the time, it will be because of you and nobody else.
We need to really take responsibility for where we fail so that we can change it and improve that particular weakness, I am amazed at how powerful our minds are and how they shape us, how much power we have yet we spend so much time blaming others and justifying ourselves. We have all it takes to make the best out of ourselves.
James Allen puts in as:
“A noble and God-like character is not a thing of favor or chance but is the natural result of continuous effort and right thinking, the effect of long-cherished association with God-like thought.”
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.
The seven ideas that are most important to me are:
i. Character is a sum of a man’s thoughts.
A man’s thoughts shape who he is and who he becomes. He is literally a sum of his thoughts. With his thoughts a man can make or break himself. He has all the power to make use of all the God given gifts to, make a beautiful life for himself and others. James Allen says that he has the tools to build himself heavenly mansions of peace and joy.
Man is therefore a master and maker of his character.
I have learned that I hold the power and have control of every situation in his life. I must therefore watch, control and alter my thoughts – tracing their effect on myself, others, and my life and circumstances. In doing so I will prove to myself that i am the maker of my own character, life and destiny.
ii. Man is a creator of his circumstances.
Man is a master and director of his circumstances. Whatever circumstances a man is in, poverty or riches, he is the sole creator of that circumstance through his thoughts. Every man is where he is in his life as a result of his thoughts. Man attracts that which they secretly harbor in their thoughts, the outer world; his surroundings thus shape themselves to the inner world of his thoughts. A man is dominated by his innermost desires, aspirations, thoughts which bear fruit to be seen in his outer circumstances. This shows us that there is no fate in a man’s life, that whatever a man finds himself in, may it be poverty, wealth, crime, noble, unemployment/s employment are all as a result of thoughts that are secretly gathered in his heart waiting to be revealed. Man does not attract what they want as what they want may be wishful thinking, instead man attracts what he is and what he is a sum of his thoughts. A man may be present himself as a virtuous person on the outside appearance but if what he harbors in his thoughts are thoughts that contradict, thoughts of evil, malice etc, and then we should not be surprised that his circumstances respond to him in the same measure of his thoughts. Mental in harmony causes suffering to man, blessedness comes as a result of good thoughts.
I easily identify with this second principle in that through my observation of the world, I have come to a conclusion that mans thoughts determine his circumstances. Poverty and poor people focus so much on poverty such that poverty shows up over and over again. I agree that some people are poor as a result of lack of opportunities but then again i look at how they live their life, complaining, blaming others for their predicament etc instead of focusing on how and what they can do to improve their circumstances. It matters what kind of thoughts one entertains, when we entertain good thoughts no hard fate can bind us down.
I have realized that the moments i have encouraged good thoughts are the most fruitful moments of my life. I have tried to be so positive even in the hardest circumstances and it has paid of. I believe that we are creators of our circumstances.
iii. The body is a servant of your mind.
As James Allen puts it there is no physician like positive, cheerful thoughts. Clean thoughts make clean habits. People who think strong and pure thoughts are able to keep away from impure foods. Most people die of depression and stress related illnesses because they entertain thoughts of anxiety and inadequacy. Depression and anxiety causes people to eat impure foods and drink impure drinks in an effort to sooth their inadequacies. In the long run they distort their health and eventually die.
iv. Thought must be linked to purpose.
The ultimate purpose of life is to manifest our highest talents in a way that adds value to the world and makes it a better place to be.
The purpose of thinking, paradoxically, is to arrive at a state where thinking is no more necessary at all. In other words, thinking starts with a problem and ends in a solution. Thus, thinking is a tool for adapting ourselves to the physical and social environment in which we are in.
Every man should conceive a legitimate purpose in his life and link it to his thoughts and seek to accomplish it. It’s only when man identifies his purpose that he is able to focus, gather and develop his energy, and not wonder and worry. He is able to gather self control and overcome his weaknesses in his pursuit to attain his purpose.
Without a purpose it’s not possible to identify which pathway one should follow. Is not possible to attract people who will hold in achieving ones purpose. How else can we add value to the world without having purpose? It’s impossible.
v. All achievement is a result of thought.
All human achievements and progress are simply the products of thought. The evolution of culture, art, literature, science and technology are all the results of thinking. By our thoughts alone we can be able to rise above, conquer and achieve the highest level of our ability. A man’s measure of success his ability to sacrifice ……and concentrate on developing his plans, strengthening his resolution and self reliance. The higher a man lifts his thoughts, the grater his successes and the more blessed and enduring. Whatever achievement a person gets it’s a result of effort and his thoughts
vi. Dreamers are the saviors of the world.
This can be proved by looking back in history it’s only the men who had big dreams that changed the world. Everything that a human being puts effort in there is results that are achieved. It’s those dreams or visions that we hold in our mind that eventually crystallize to be our surrounding, our character our achievements and they define us. The bigger the dreams the greater the impact in the world.
vii. Calmness of mind is a beautiful jewel of wisdom.
Although this is the hardest thing to achieve; we learn that man can only be calm to the extent he understands himself. It’s about self acceptance. A calm man learns how to relate with him and others. This kind of man masters to seek higher things in life other than mere money, fame that society praises.
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 a society likes to place blame on everyone but oneself, if one is poor, it is because of the economy. If one is rich, it is luck. There is no dependence on self-reliance; too much emphasis is placed on success in monetary forms rather than of personal respectability. I have learnt that I am the sole creator of my circumstances and character and not the society. That the society is a reflection of who I really am. I like the features of this book that discuss personal responsibility and positive attitude towards one’s circumstances. I plan to change my thoughts and focus more on positive thinking, on higher thoughts and thoughts that will help me move forward and achieve much more. I am more determined more than ever that with the right attitude and with God on my side, everything is achievable.
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.
“Self-control is strength. Right thought is mastery. Calmness is power.”
This teaches me the important virtues in life that I should adopt.
“A person is limited only by the thoughts that he chooses.”
I feel that by channeling my thoughts in a higher purpose I can achieve anything. That I, have the power to limit or not limit myself as he thinks, so he is; as he continues to think, so he remains. This teaches me that my thoughts determine the person I am.
“He who would accomplish little need sacrifice little; he who would achieve much must sacrifice much. He who would attain highly must sacrifice greatly.”
This quote teaches me that in order to achieve much more in life, I must be willing to sacrifice more and work hard towards my goal.
“The dreamers are the saviors of the world. As the visible world is sustained by the invisible, so men, through all their trials and sins and sordid vocations, are nourished by the beautiful visions of their solitary dreamers.”
This encourages me to keep dreaming of greater things and never to give up as that’s the only way I can make a difference in the world.
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 only disagree with the fact that the book does not mention the importance of God in our life. The bible says. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all other things shall be added unto you. At the end of the day God determines everything in our life, the most we can do is ensure we have the right thoughts that drive us in the right direction and hope that God mercy and grace see us through all things.
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?
None
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.
None.
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? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 9
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Teresa Maina (Rwanda)
1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?
The main idea conveyed in this book is that there is a greater purpose for every person and that we should not be caught up in doing and living in the ordinary. To be able to separate ourselves from traditions and society’s beliefs is the first step towards discovering our purpose. The book demonstrates that discovering our higher purpose is the only path to freedom and perfection. However this comes with a price, and we must be will to pay the price to attain that freedom. We must continually desire and work towards personal development and self growth against all odds that we might face in life. Jonathan Seagull shows us that with hard work and perseverance you can overcome all obstacles and achieve our goals.
The author illustrates that we should always strive for perfection and that there is no limit to what we can achieve except that limit which we put on ourselves. At the end of the day we are what we think we are and can achieve that which we think we can achieve. The book also illustrates that we should never forget where we have come from no matter how further or higher we go. That true happiness is only achieved when we give back what we have learnt and help others achieve what we have achieved. That through finding a path and the secret to achieving much we must return and teach the ones we left behind so they can learn too and this can only be achieved through forgiveness, love, respect and enlightenment. The author is trying to teach us that we should try and look further and see further because what our eyes see are only limitations.
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.
The seven ideas that are most important to me are:
i. Self perfection.
Self perfection leads us to freedom. In the book, we see that, as the bird reaches new heights in his own existence. Jonathan stretches his world far beyond the basic needs of sustenance and the constraints of tradition to pursue his dreams, then reaches out to others to share the beauty and fulfillment he has discovered.
This part is most important to me as it illustrates that we should seek perfection and self actualization other than living in a routine life, doing ordinary things yet we are never really happy. It’s at the point of self perfection that true happiness is found. I feel challenged to pursue self perfection in my life. Jonathan seagull summarizes this as; “You will begin to touch heaven, Jonathan, in the moment that you touch perfect speed. And that isn’t flying a thousand miles an hour, or a million, or flying at the speed of light. Because any number is a limit and perfection doesn’t have limits. Perfect speed, my son, is being there.”
ii. We all have a higher purpose than we can imagine.
There should be a higher purpose in life even if your flocks, tribe, society finds it threatening. All the characters in the book are referred to as seagulls. A seagull is a bird that flies only for the sake of food.
For most gulls it is not flying that matters but eating. But for Jonathan Livingston seagull, it was not eating that mattered, but flight. We see that the human spirit can achieve the seemingly impossible when one sets one’s mind to it, even at the expense of becoming an “outcast.” The book illustrates that there is a higher purpose for each of us than the ordinary or routine life. It encourages us to seek and follow that purpose as that’s the only way we can bring real change in the society we live in. Jonathan was not just a dreamer, a seeker, an achiever but also a true leader. Through his courage and perseverance, he inspired other seagulls to become greater than what they had been told they could be. The book challenges me to go beyond the “normal” standards and expectations that our society gives to us. It’s about daring to dream, to try, and to achieve to live life to our fullest potential as I step away from the jaded.
iii. Follow your dream even if others find it ridiculous.
The book illustrates that every desire is fulfilled by the will power within us. Every person has a dream in them, but most people are scared of pursuing their dreams because they want to fit in a particular type of setting or they are intimidated by the elders or those who have been there before. The book encourages us to follow our dreams relentlessly even if others do not approve of them. It is important that we believe in ourselves, and always do our best without giving up. Its only when we follow our dreams that we find true peace and happiness. We become truly free to meet our destiny. “Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding.” It’s all right to be different from everyone else even though we risk being called outcasts, we risk losing it all. The book indicate that it’s only when we dare to be different, when we cut ourselves from traditions it’s only then that we can see further beyond our current state. Most people are caught up in the ordinary life doing ordinary things in a routine way without questioning or daring to seek more. At the end this people live an unhappy and very frustrated life. Jonathan seagull leant that boredom and fear and anger were the reasons a gulls life was so short and with that in mind he lived a long life indeed.
iv. We must be willing to learn and lift ourselves out of ignorance.
There is always something great to be learned from trying new things. We must learn to question what we already know and seek to know more. Most gulls don’t bother to learn more than the simplest facts of flight – how to get from shore to food and back again. This illustrates that most people are caught up in dogma. It’s always safe to stick to what we know but remaining in our comfort zones makes us ignorant of the possibilities there is in life. They are content with what they know and do not seek to know more. We can lift ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence and skill, and we can be free! We can learn to fly!” His further illustrates that we have power to change our circumstances if we are willing to sacrifice more and learn more. I feel encouraged and challenged to get out of my comfort zones and learn more in life.
v. Freedom.
The book further teaches me about true freedom. That true freedom can only be attained if we are willing to risk, to learn, to resist pressure to be what we are not, to tolerate others, to be true to ourselves, to teach and share experiences, to forgive and to love.
If not, we will never be free. The sky is the limit once we begin to feel the freedom within us. There is nothing that is unachievable.
vi. We must never forget where we have come from.
We see in the book, that 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. He couldn’t help but think that there might be one or two gulls back on Earth who would be able to learn, too.
vii. There are always people willing to help us to the next level.
We see that when Jonathan was sent away by his flock, he continued practicing more and more, and eventually discovered that there were others who had been through his path before and had made it in life e.g. Mr chiung who helped Jonathan get to higher grounds and discover more about speed.
3. How will these ideas or lessons help you in a practical way, both in your daily personal life and in helping you to create a better world? If so, how?
I feel much challenged by the ideas in this book in that I have learnt that the limitations in my life are those that I put on myself. That I am capable of achieving much more than what I already have. I feel that I have been empowered by this book and through practical application of the ideas in this book I will achieve true happiness, freedom and perfection.
A little sacrifice in our life goes a long way in helping us achieve perfection. Reading the book opened me up to various information and insights about success in life; it showed me exemplarily well that it is not just enough to have a goal, dream, vision or an ideal relationship in ones subconscious. What one actually does with these is what is paramount. Think about our culture today, and you understand the courage it takes to do what is right. I liken today’s society with the flock of birds holding Jonathan back, wanting him to think only about his most base and superficial needs of eating in the way that expends the least amount of energy.
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.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull lives within us all: The author illustrates that we can all attain as much as Jonathan Seagull attained. That the human spirit is capable of attaining anything.
“Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding.”
This quote is most important since it tells us there is more than what our eyes can perceive. That we should not be limited by our current situations or circumstances.
“The only true law is that which leads to freedom,” Jonathan said.
“There is no other.”
This quote gives us insight that we should strive for freedom as that’s the only way to life and to happiness.
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 don’t understand where in the book they say there is no heaven, As a Christian I believe that there is heaven and though we may work very hard to achieve great things in life, we must acknowledge that God has the final say to what we may or may not achieve.
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?
None.
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.
None.
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? 8
D. Would you recommend it to others? 8
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 8