No comments about Mystical Traveler: How to Advance to a Higher Level of Spirituality.

5 comments about Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life.

1. My shrink suggested I read this book so I bought it and tried to read it. I've only been able to get through a quarter of the book so far because the main message seems to be: "It's not what happened to you, it's how you look at what happened, so forgive the person who hurt you and let it go."
   
   I guess that's a nice idea but I don't think that works under all circumstanaces. I mean if somebody hurt you very badly, it may be nice to forgive them but I'm not sure that helps to keep it from happening again.
   
   I would like to make sure I take better care of myself by keeping it from happening again and just looking at something differently doesn't really seem to do that. I've forgiven myself for letting it happen but I want to make sure it doesn't happen again. How does looking at something differently do that?



2. I first read this book some years ago and was quite struck with it, and for a while I was enthusiastic about using the four questions. The problem was that after a while I knew that I was really getting anywhere because there would always be more thoughts to be questioned and I simply didn't have the time or space to spend my life scribbling away day after day. Also the turnarounds felt a bit forced and nothing much changed in my life. The problem with this 'system' is that it isn't practical and that it seems to offer some vague hope of enlightenment; that one day you will find 'the ultimate' turnaround and then you will be just like BK, on cloud nine, never getting angry, at one with everything. This is totally unrealistic and not actually desirable. Maybe I approached it the wrong way because I wanted to 'get something out of it'. The point though, is that the four questions miss the point - whether a thought is true or not isn't the point, and nobody can live not believing in anything and turning everything back to themselves, and that's why I think the work is a bit silly and possibly a bit dangerous. If you want to read something more balanced and sensible, and in my experience a lot more effective, please try Come to Your Senses by Stanley Block. His theory is a step up from whether something is true or not,because we are so much more than just a set of beliefs or non-beliefs.



3. This book helped to change my life in such a positive direction, I've bought it on CD (something I don't normally do because I can't stand audio books) and now, in paperback form. I've checked it out from the library many, many times. It really is *that* good.
   
   I can't say I've actually done The Work on paper. I do it in my head (not something she recommends, I don't think), but it's just as effective for me. You don't have to read this book from cover-to-cover to reap benefits. You don't have to devote hours to doing the introspection. If you want to leave your past in the Past, but practice thinking in ways that improve the Present and Future, this book is just as useful.
   
   I am truly grateful for this book's existence. It's one of the three books I'd take with me if I had to escape my burning house, simply because I sometimes need gentle reminders and it is very good at being just that. I have recommended this book to several friends (and burned copies for them) and they've all felt it helped them.
   
   I hope it benefits you, as well.



4. I have been working to become more present in my life for the last six years, ever since reading "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. His books, "The Power of Now" and "The New Earth", have led me to powerful insights into how I create pain in my life, but it wasn't until being introduced to Byron Katie's book, "Loving What Is", that the pieces really began to fall into place.
   
   I began doing "the work" three weeks ago, shortly before my daughter went off to college, leaving my husband and me with an empty nest. From the first day on, I was able to challenge my thoughts of grieving and loss and see where I could go from this point on. I have been greatly energized by the process.
   
   I also found it helpful to listen to the audio book in conjunction with the written format. I learned more from hearing Katie do the work than by reading it. [...]



5. For me, I found this book helpful. Her 4 step process has stuck with me, and I hear her voice asking those questions in my head.
   I feel the book has helped to bring me peace. Hope it may do the same for you.

5 comments about Get the Life You Want: The Secrets to Quick and Lasting Life Change with Neuro-Linguistic Programming.

1. At last! The simple straight forward book that we can all follow, from the man who gave us the techniques in the first place. This site is chock full of other potentially good books on personal development, but so many while being based on Richard's work give him no credit. In this easy to read easy to follow book Richard discusses and lays out the exercises that we can practice in order that we can all develop the life we want and create the happiness we deserve.
   
   The book ably serves many purposes, firstly it is the transformational book that it promises to be, secondly it serves as a great introduction to how NLP can be used for those who might be interested in further study and thirdly it is a great refresher/reference book for those who have gone through practitioner training. In fact in many ways it could be seen a an NLP practitioner manual. I would say, based on personal experience, that the book however good is not a substitute for attending a live training session as it cannot (and is not intended to) replace the benefits of personal interaction with trainers and other participants.
   
   If I were to have one criticism it would be the references at the back of the book that appear to suggest that one should only learn NLP from an SNLP approved trainer as this may limit the number of people who might otherwise recommend the book to their students.



2. I was on a conference call with Richard about a week or so ago and we talked about this book and the upcoming release of his hypnotic language patterns book (coming out November).
   
   Here is what I can say from my heart about the man and about this book: Richard loves life, he loves people, and you get that in this book. He doesn't see any need for suffering over time. Whatever is not working for you in your life, Richard knows that you can get through it, over it or to it without suffering over time. He is not about doing it one way, the right way, his way - he is ALL ABOUT doing what works, doing it fast, and creating shifts in your life that impact you immediately and generatively. A generative shift is one that self adjusts over time, giving you access to more freedom, self expression and power in your life.
   
   During the call, Richard shared that the idea for the book came to him while he was cooking. He thought about all the folks who will never walk into a certified NLP training, who may be intimated to delve into Hypnotic Learning Patterns or The Structure of Magic. All at once he knew that after nearly 40 years of change making with people from all walks of life and all parts of the world, that he was the one, (and I say the ONLY ONE) who could write a workable book where foundational NLP techniques and DHE tools are as easy to follow as a recipe for baking a chocolate cake.
   
   He achieved his goal. As soon as I am out of the swimming pool, I am sending you a postcard, dear friend! (Swimming phobia from age 8, professional lessons, prior hypnosis, even a Tony Robbins phobia session did not work; what it took was this book!)
   
   Buy the book. Put your skepticism in your closet long enough to read it. Choose one place in your life where you would like more freedom, power, joy and full self expression. Then take it on. Follow the directions and go for it. There's more than one technique to choose from, so no worry if the first one doesn't get it, go for the next one. My personal favorite, spinning the feelings in opposite directions. This is a big part of what smashed to pieces the real physical phobic responses my body experienced whenever I tried to swim.
   
   If you want to have a life that works in a world that works, this is the book to buy now. No NLP experience required.



3. I just finished reading Get The Life You Want and what is there not to love. The only thing that could be better is if there were volumes more material to purchase. Being a master practitioner of NLP, I appreciate how Dr. Bandler simplifies his techniques.
   
   Bo Page in Florida and Connecticut



4. This book is a great read. Richard Bandler is a genius, and his book is filled with his great insights and easy to follow steps to make changes so that you can have more freedom in your life. I trained as an NLP Practitioner with Richard, Paul McKenna and Michael Neill - what an awesome experience! I think that this book is great for anyone, whether new to NLP or already a practitioner.



5. I recommend this book strongly to anyone who wants to productively develop themselves in every way that counts. Now sure, the title sounds like a standard title that would put you off, but the information (which is what counts the most) is amazing, yet the most simple, time-tested and powerful principle in the world that works, God's/Existence's Supercomputer: The Mind and how to use it right. So, let it be said here, I fully and wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who genuinely wants to better their lives in any way that is rationally possible to them.
   
   Josh Clayton.

5 comments about Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out.

1. I have known for along time that money or things won't bring you happiness. If you are an unhappy person you will likely be even more unhappy if you some how happen to stumble on more money. Being happy is a choice and is sometimes easier said then done.
   
   The importance of choosing happiness can not be underestimated because it is the only true path to a wealthy, healthy and inspired life. Sorry to be the Grinch that stole Christmas but the new Mercedes and big house just isn't going to do it for you. That's the bad news.
   
   The good news is that choosing happiness will in fact increase your odds substantially in drawing to you anything you desire in life and that is why I love Marci's book. Happy For No Reason gives you the tools and strategies on how to choose and remain happy.
   
   I think a book like this should be included as mandatory reading material for any college or university courses. Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all had to study happiness?
   
   I get happier just thinking about the possibilities.
   
   Bob Burnham co-author of 101 Reasons Why You Must Write A Book: How to Make A Six Figure Income by Writing and Publishing Your Own Book



2. Easy read and inspriational. Another book on this topic that I recommend is Living The Secret Everyday: My Secret Workbookgiving you all the tools to find the happiness you want. Also a must read!



3. Wonderful book showing you all the steps to find happiness...definitely reminds me of Living The Secret Everyday: My Secret Workbook also guiding you to finding happiness thru the Law of Attraction.



4. 'Happy for no reason' has to be the best motivational/self help book i have read in ages. Besides 'Feel the fear and do it anyway' by Susan Jeffers, Marci Shimoff get's right to the point. Happiness comes from within. I like a lot of people i know have never looked at happiness in this way.
   
   I asked a friend if they were truly happy and they gave the answer i expected, "Yes I'm happy because i have.........." It's the same with work collegues.
   People are living unhappy lives and masking it with external things. They're happy because they have a pretty girlfriend, handsome boyfriend, nice house, money, nice job, designer clothes etc.......... but what if those things were taking away from them?
   
   Happiness is internal and Marci breaks this down perfectly in 'Happy for no reason'. Her study on the 100 happy people was interesting. The one negative thing about this book was the input of 'Rhonda Byrne'. I think 'the secret' was a fantastic marketing and money making tool, it was designed for unhappy insecure depressed down on their luck individuals who cannot for the life of them understand how they got into the situation they are in.
   Louise Hay's 'Heal your life' and 'The secret' are dangerous in the wrong hands. Both Louise and Rhonda (and her entourage) are about blaming yourself and beating yourself up for the stupid situation you're in today, you asked for it and you manifested it into your life.
   I don't know how a rape victim manifests that into their life.
   I don't know how a child chooses to have abusive parents.
   
   You can read 'Happy for no reason' and close the last chapter feeling no shame or blame. You can look at your life now and make gradual changes everyday to feel happier from the inside out. She informs you of the power of forgiveness, passion and purpose.
   
   The exercises are good too. She doesn't spend pages trying to get you to buy any additional products.
   
   This book has made a big impact on me. I look forward to more books by this author.



5. I got this for my sweetheart because she was a bit down. She saw that it I meant well by it but has not read it probably because the last thing you want to do when your depressed is see that other people have noticed it too. If I ever get the chance to read it I'll let you know.

5 comments about Think and Grow Rich: The Landmark Bestseller--Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century.

1. No doubt before The Secret ...before the books on The Law of Attraction...there was Napoleon Hill in 1937. I have read this book 3 times and it is the book of books in helping you transform your life by seeing your purpose, developing faith anf belief and then getting out of your own way. He may use different words but its all about asking, believing and then receiving to get all you want. Combine this with a fabulous workbook I discovered :Living The Secret Everyday: My Secret Workbookthat guides you thru all his principles and you can't lose. These books have truly transformed my life!



2. While the book's concept intrigued me, it also lost me when Hill started talking about the "ether fields" and telepathy. No amount of "magical thinking" can make someone rich--the best sections of the book are the ones that talk about setting and meeting goals. Even when Hill wrote the book in 1937, pseudo-science such as telepathy had already been debunked. The 21st century updates add new stories but fail to address Hill's unscientific notions of "ether fields."



3. The book that I received has pages with different lengths. So, it doesn't look like a brand new book.



4. I just wanted to warn you that after buying this particular copy published by Tarcher I found it to be very cheaply made and very hard to read because it has tiny print. I have since purchased a different copy by BN Publishing which is great.



5. This book is exactly what the title says. Your life becomes what you want and think it will. This is another of my core principle books that I have based my entrepreneurial life.

5 comments about The Magic of Thinking Big.

1. I listened to this on unabridged audio, and I loved it! The narrator's voice is charged up with enthusiasm and is very engaging, and the tips and tricks are basic but very powerful. If you are just beginning a new venture and suspect that your mind may not be in the right place - read this book.
   
   I loved the simple exercises and tricks for engaging your passion and excitement about what you do. One trick I tried that I really liked was that I defined what service I was really providing to people. I am a landscaper, so instead of saying "I trim people's gardens and keep them neat", I said "I help people take joy and pleasure in their home and outdoor spaces, and make it easy for them to connect with nature and our awesome outdoor world. I also help them achieve all that they can in their own lives by providing a relaxing and beautiful space for them to unwind and think clearly in."
   
   Do you see how the second one makes me feel charged up every day to go to work? And what an impact that has on my employees, to know that they are in the business of helping people connect with the environment and achieve all they can in their lives, through the enjoyment of their outdoor spaces?
   
   These kinds of small tips help you wrap your mind around making your job your life's work, and help you take things to the next level. I think people hire me over my competitors because I love what I do and it shows in my voice and actions, and this book really helps me keep that passion alive even on the rainy days or when I get bit by wasps.
   
   There were a lot of great small tips like that about how to have the right attitude to enable success. I'd really recommend it to anyone stuck in the doldrums of their work or just beginning a new venture.



2. This book seems to be one of the pioneers to the current trend on learning and applying The Law of Attraction principles. Here the author shows you how to believe to succeed. Excellent book and similar to my favorite, [[ASIN:1419674609 Living The Secret Everyday: My Secret Workbook]which gives you a current approach and application to find what you are looking for.



3. This is a great book, and one of the handful of 'fundamentals' books that should be read by people of all ages, regardless of profession. The earlier in life this book can be read (or listened to) the better, as it is critical to the building blocks of positioning life for success. It is easy to follow, understand, and has excellent tools/techniques that can be applied immediately. Probably a book that should be reviewed again every couple years. Along the lines of the 7 Habits of highly effective people by Covey, this book is another key read for strategy of life.



4. This book has been one of the biggest influences for me in my life. "Thoughts, positive or negative, grow stronger when fertilized with constant repetition." Readers quickly begin to see the connection between worrying and actual misfortune as something they have control over. Thinking positively and not letting yourself be limited by negativity and skepticism has amazing effects on your life and who you see youself as, and it affects who you will become. Read this book if you at all concerned with achieving your goals no matter how BIG they are.



5. I'll keep it simple. I took the advice 'Be a Front Seater' from this book, and went from being a sit-at-the-back, never-volunteer guy to becoming a person consulted by government on legislation affecting private investigators; writing two books; getting the job I always wanted; and many other things.
   
   If that one piece of advice can have such impact, imagine the effect of the rest! BUY IT - and live a new life by taking action on the content.

5 comments about Leadership and Self Deception: Getting Out of the Box.

1. This book is extremely valuable and will benefit just about anyone who reads it. If the priciples are taken to heart and used in the workplace, some very positive shifting can occur. Reading it will give hope to many who work in an environment that has many human obstacles to progress and success (and aren't they all human?). Read it on your next plane ride - it's even entertaining!!



2. I think I've read most of the top dozen or so best sellers on leadership. They all have wonderful advice. But there's now also a new kid on the block, a new book, that is probably the best-kept secret on leadership and HUMAN RELATIONS. It's a book called "Going Beyond Leadership of Character" by "West Point" author, Norman Thomas Remick. It goes beyond all the wonderful books like "Leadership and Self-Deception" because it gives you something special that the others do not give you. I consider it to be, as I do "Leadership and Self-Deception", a must read. Like the book "Good to Great" tells you why some companies go from being just good to being great, the Remick book tells you how to make the leap from being just good to being great as a leader.



3. This is a wonderful book that really makes you see that each person can make a change within themselves to make the world around them a nicer place to be, even for themselves.



4. This is a great book. It is easy to read and held my interest. Many of the principles included are those we already know, but have never seen them explained or really examined them ... Although it is not a Christian book, I found this book to be full of truth.



5. A great read. If your organization is a learning organization and is interested in finding a book that is a page turner for those who do not normally read then this is a book for you. The authors found a way to present the concepts of the next generation of leadership in an easy to understand easy to follow dialoge. The next generation of leadership in my opinion is idea that empathy and social understand are crucial to being a leader. This book will help give an organization a common vocabulary to discuss issues.

5 comments about Personal Development for Smart People: The Conscious Pursuit of Personal Growth.

1. It looks like others have covered most of the content in Steve's book but I have to take a second to give it two opposable thumbs up as well.
   
   A couple of years ago I became aware of an online blogger who really had some interesting ideas. His name is Steve Pavlina. As a matter of fact, his rss feed is still on my home page to this day because there is always something to challenge my current mind set there.
   
   What makes him interesting is that the ideas he puts out are his own and it's quite fine if you don't agree with them. The thing with the field of personal development and self help is that it's quite a lot like organized religion. The blind lead the blind. Ideas and protocols seem to get regurgitated without any original thought or questioning on the part of the seeker. Actually without much thought or questioning on the part of the teacher for that matter. Now this does not mean the ideas are false or the teachings of no value but without questioning, growth and development can be slow.
   
   AND SO WHAT?
   
   My usual protocol for reading personal development books is to pick my favorite highlighter (pink or yellow depending on the mood) and highlight some of the more outstanding concepts that I run into. That way once I finish the book I can look back and mull the ideas around a bit more to see how they might help enhance the lives of this blogs readers as well as my own.
   
   It's kind of funny but after a couple of pages I realized that Steve doesn't seem to believe in adding filler to important concepts just to flesh out a page. I ended up with a lot of yellow highlighting and very little white space which is fantastic. It means that Steve Pavlina's "Personal Development For Smart People" is a book that I need to keep on the shelf to use instead of pulling out only a concept or two and throwing the rest away.
   
   Another thing I appreciated as I read through the book was the fact that his ideas where not full of "intangibles". What I mean is that often times, books from the self help genre have ideas that are so spiritual it seems that unless you own a set of white fluffy wings and have the ability to see auras, then most of the stuff is pretty hard to put into practice for any length of time.
   
   Steve Pavlina's "Personal Development For Smart People" gives you the principles of growing yourself and explains how to implement them into your life and why you would actually even want to do such a thing in the first place.



2. Steve Pavlina's book is pretty darn transformational. I put some of the core concepts about reality creation into action. This book motivated me to write out my goals, change my mindset, and take massive action to achieve financial freedom. I'm reaping the rewards already.
   
   The book takes some of the concepts from those airy new age books and easily grounds them with practicality and ideas that are easily digestible.
   
   All I know is that when I learned to provide value to others my wallet and self esteem have never been the same.



3. There are plenty of reviews of Personal Development for Smart People out there already. If you want to read a straightforward review of the book, look elsewhere.
   
   I'm only going to review the parts of the book that brought tears to my eyes.
   
   There are sixteen of them, so this tear-centered focus won't even make the review any shorter. (;
   
   Before Page 1
   
   The dedication is the most beautiful dedication I have ever read. It's to his wife, and it reads:
   
   "For Erin.
   Thank you for teaching me how to love.
   Our souls are dancing."
   
   Sheesh, I'm crying again as I write this. We'd best get used to it, because we're in for quite a ride.
   
   Page 22
   
   "Now look at each area of your life again, and ask yourself, What do I truly want? What is my dream, my grand vision? What is the deep desire I've been longing for, the one I hesitate to admit because I don't think I can have it? What path do I most want to experience? Accept that you want what you want, and stop living in denial of your true desires."
   
   Wow. These are powerful words. They're similar to the words that moved me to quit my job, to follow my heart's desire and do what I love for a living. In fact, if I hadn't already done it, that paragraph probably would have moved me to do so. But that's not enough for Steve. (; He challenges me to look at each area of my life and ask myself the same powerful question.
   
   And you know what? Once you ask yourself that question, really ask it, it can never be unasked. You'll feel forever restless if you continue to ignore your deep desire. And that's awesome! Don't rest if you're unhappy! Start poking around and figure out what you can do to improve your life! Don't let your dreams sit on that dusty shelf for one more day! Even if you're not in a situation to make your goals a reality this very day, you're in a situation where you can make the first step. Take your heart's desire off that dusty old shelf, and put it in front of you, where it belongs. See the path from the present to your heart's desire. Take that first step on the path.
   
   Page 73
   
   "Oneness makes compassion unconditional. It doesn't matter what race, religion, sexual preference, or lifestyle people have. It doesn't matter if they behave hurtfully toward you. You are connected to everyone. No one is undeserving of love."
   
   Steve's message of oneness and universal love touches me deeply. I feel my heart and my soul resonate when I listen to these words. There is some part of me that fears I'm undeserving of love. But then Steve reminds me: We are all connected. We are all one. All we need to do to receive love is to give love -- no, not even that, simply to remember love as a part of our connected wholeness.
   
   Page 80
   
   Steve talks about "Oneness World", an imaginary world where everyone is aligned with the principle of oneness.
   
   "In this world of oneness, you can always expect fair treatment, regardless of race, gender, or sexual preference. If you need help with anything, you can approach anyone at any time, and you'll be treated like family. The very notion of individual advancement at the expense of others is completely alien. This world's mantra is: "We're all in this together."
   
   This new world has no weapons, no prisons, and no national borders. There's no violence or war. People still have differences of opinion, but they settle them by cooperating to discover the truth while treating every individual with compassion and fairness.
   
   Allow your mind and emotions to roam freely through Oneness World. Think about what it would be like to actually live there. Pay attention to how it makes you feel."
   
   Steve just put my dream into words. It was my dream. It was in my head. And here it is on this piece of paper, on page 80 of this book. Steve calls this principle "oneness" and we call it the connection paradigm, but it's the same thing. Oneness World is a world aligned with the connection paradigm instead of the control paradigm.
   
   This vision is what drives us. Kyeli and I are working to make the world a better place, and this is the better place we envision. This is the goal toward which we move, one step at a time. And here it is, lifted right out of our hearts and plopped down as ink on paper.
   
   Oneness World isn't just our vision, it's our home. It's our expectation. It feels like where we belong. We're constantly surprised when people are mean or hurtful, when people treat us badly because of who we are or what we look like. We feel a wrenching dissonance. In our hearts, we feel like this is the way people are deep down inside, if they wouldn't be too scared to let it out. It's like we're visitors in this world -- it's Oneness World that is our home.
   
   Page 81
   
   Steve continues to talk about oneness, and I continue to cry.
   
   "A very pleasurable way to experience oneness is to put yourself in loving physical contact with another willing person. Snuggle your mate in a spooning position. Hold a child in your lap. Cradle a baby in your arms. Say nothing at all -- just enjoy the silent recognition of the connection between you.
   
   As you both maintain physical contact, imagine your consciousness expanding to encompass the other person's body. In your mind, hear the words I am you. There is no separation, no boundary between you. You both dissolve into each other and share a singular consciousness. Enjoy this feeling of pure connectedness, free of all thoughts of separation. Don't merely think you're one; know you're one."
   
   Just... beauty. I have no words.
   
   Page 82
   
   "Incidentally, did I mention what a beautiful, brilliant, and loving person you are?"
   
   I think this is my favorite sentence of the entire book. It moves me to tears every time I read it. Here is Steve, writing a book, and gushing out unconditional love to every single one of his readers. And here's the thing. He means it. He's not just writing that to be cute or encouraging or inspiring. He's writing it because he loves you. He feels connected to you, even if he doesn't know you yet. He takes time out each day to send out love and gratitude and positive vibes to all of his readers. He means it.
   
   Page 101
   
   ""Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.""
   
   Okay, so Steve was quoting Helen Keller here, but every tear counts, so I include it for completeness' sake. (:
   
   Page 102
   
   ""Before you embark on [any path] ask the question: Does this path have a heart? If the answer is no, you will know it, and then you must choose another path.""
   
   This chapter is full of tear-inducing quotes. This one is from Carlos Castaneda, but Steve really makes this one his own. He comes back to the question "Does this path have a heart?" over and over again, and each time it's amazingly powerful and heartwrenching for me.
   
   Page 146
   
   "My family and I once did a 30-day trial with no TV. It worked well because we spent time talking to each other, playing games together, and going on family outings."
   
   This image makes me so happy and joyfully teary. I imagine the Pavlina family with the TV off, with the soft blanket of quiet broken only by their laughter as they play games and enjoy each other's company. Then I imagine hundreds of other families turning off their TVs and turning to each other -- connecting with one another.
   
   Giving up TV was one of the best things I ever did to help me live an interesting and happy life, so this story connects with me deeply.
   
   Page 166
   
   Here he talks about one of my favorite things: how to discover your life purpose in about 20 minutes. Basically, you start with a blank sheet of paper (or an empty text file), and brainstorm answers to the question "What is my true purpose in life?" until you find one that makes you cry.
   
   It works.
   
   It works really well.
   
   And of course, Steve talking about crying makes me cry. (;
   
   Page 167
   
   Steve shares his own results from the figure-out-your-life-purpose exercise:
   
   "To live consciously and courageously;
   To enjoy, increase, and share peace, energy, passion, and abundance;
   To resonate with love and compassion;
   To awaken the great spirits within others;
   And to fully embrace this present moment."
   
   Wow. Before I read this, I knew Steve Pavlina was a good person and someone I greatly admired. Now I know that he is a kindred spirit. I not only got teary when I read this, but I also felt a chill run up my spine.
   
   Steve, I feel called to get to know you better. I'm feeling the tingles of a kind of connection that isn't simple admiration or friendship or a sharing of common goals. I'm not sure what it is, but I think it merits exploration.
   
   Page 168
   
   "You deserve to have an empowering career, but that won't happen until you fully commit to it. The obstacles and setbacks you encounter aren't intended to keep you from reaching yor ultimate goal. They're merely part of the training course you must complete in order to prove you're strong enough to hold on to your dream once you reach it. Demonstrate by your actions that you're 100 percent committed and the obstacles will tend to recede on their own."
   
   Whoa! Didn't I just say that myself? Why, I do believe I did, and I may have even quoted Goethe, don't ya know.
   
   Earlier this week, Kyeli and I had a conversation about fears, roadblocks, stress, and money. At the end of the conversation, we realized something amazing: success is inevitable. Since we are 100% committed to succeeding, since we are ridiculously passionate and tenacious, it's like we've already succeeded. The only question remaining is how long it will take us to reach our goals. Reaching them is no longer up for debate; it's only a matter of time.
   
   It's always amazing (and sometimes tearworthy) to see words you were just thinking appear on a page written by someone else.
   
   Page 169
   
   "Your career is your primary outlet for contribution. Do your current choices honor the fact that we're all connected, or do you live entirely for yourself at the expense of others? It isn't enough to do no harm. You must commit to doing good."
   
   You must commit to doing good! It isn't enough to do no harm! *mind blows*
   
   Hey Wiccans! Hey pagans! Hey neopagans! Steve Pavlina is calling you out! "An it harm none, do what thou wilt" ain't gonna cut it any more. It isn't enough to do no harm. You must commit to doing good.
   
   Hey desk workers! Hey food service employees! Hey IT professionals! Hey marketers! Hey small business owners! I know you're probably doing no harm. But are you committed to doing good?
   
   This is one of the reasons I needed to change my career. I was doing no harm (well, not a lot) at my old job, but I wasn't doing good. I had a story in my head about how I was doing good, but my head wasn't enough to warm me, wasn't enough to fire me up. I wasn't doing the kind of good that fed my heart.
   
   Now I am, and let me tell you, it makes all the difference.
   
   Page 191
   
   "To sacrifice myself to help others without receiving fair value in return is to enter into an abusive relationship."
   
   That finger of yours, Steve? It's pointing at me. I've been fighting a case of what Steve calls "lightworker syndrome": the tendency to devalue myself and to try to help everyone without receiving anything in return. It seems kind and altruistic on the surface, but it's actually not, because it's completely unsustainable. If you don't take good care of yourself, you won't be able to help others. But if you set good boundaries for yourself and stick to them fiercely, you will be sustainable, as well as setting a good example for others.
   
   This comes up for us over and over when we talk about how much of our work we want to give away for free and how much we want to sell. Our #1 goal is helping people, and sometimes we lose sight of the fact that that goal is strengthened, not weakened by our #2 and #3 goals: enjoying the journey and making money. After all, the reason we're making money is to feed it back into more of #1 and #2.
   
   I'm going to print out Steve's quote and put it on our wall so we can be reminded of it during future business planning conversations.
   
   Page 221
   
   Steve says lots of sweet things about Erin. (:
   
   Page 253
   
   "Remember that you're always loved."
   
   What a beautiful way to conclude this review of joyful tears.
   
   In summary, this book is one of my five favorite, most life-changing books of all time. I highly recommend you buy a copy, or if you're local, I'll be happy to let you borrow one of mine. (:
   
   -Pace (of Pace and Kyeli)



4. Steve Pavlina has a very popular personal development website, www.stevepavlina.com, and this is his new book.
   
   
   In a nutshell
   
   This book takes a new approach to personal development. I've read numerous books on goal-setting, relationships, career, finances, etc. and 99% of them focus on the practical things you can do in order to achieve success in whatever area you'd like to. "Personal Development for Smart People" is unique in that it tries to establish a set of core principles that form a foundation of all personal development, rather than just focusing on what you should try to DO. Steve Pavlina believes that it is acting out of the 7 core principles of Truth, Love, Power, Oneness, Authority, Courage, and Intelligence that guarantees success. Just like how there are universal laws of physics, he believes that he has discovered the universal laws of personal growth.The first half of the book explains the 7 core principles, and the second half of the book discusses how to apply them.
   
   
   How different is "Personal Development for Smart People" from other personal development books?
   
   It is extremely differernt- sometimes too different for my comfort. Of course, Steve Pavlina is very different from your typical self-help book author. He starts off the book by describing how he was arrested for felony grand theft as a 19 year-old, and subsequently got kicked out of college. He enrolled in another college and graduated in THREE semesters, while double-majoring in computer science and mathematics. Now, he is a vegetarian, and eats only raw food. He is also married to psychic medium/intuitive counselor.
   
   So... you would expect Steve's book to be a little out-of-the-ordinary, yea?
   
   Indeed it is. For example, in illustrating the "connection" principle under his core principle of Love, he asks you to imagine an everday object like a pen. He asks you to feel the connection between you and the object, to imagine that the object is part of you. He asks you to send your love energy toward the object and say "I love you," and "You're beautiful."
   
   I don't know about you, but I didn't do that exercise, and I don't ever plan to! It's far too strange for me!
   
   "Personal Development for Smart People" has many other strange exercises, like "Time-Travel Meditation"... I think that the name would tell you that it's another rather unusual exercise?
   
   
   How practical is this book?
   
   Despite the many weird things that Steve writes in his book, there are many insightful things that he mentions, too. In the second half of his book, he discusses how you could apply the 7 core principles in the areas of Habits, Career, Money, Health, Relationships, and Spirituality. He has many interesting views on everyday issues. For instance, he says that the 2 components of career are its Medium and its Message. Its Medium is what it is, eg. you're a doctor, a salesman, a teacher, etc. while its Message is what beliefs/values you communicate through your Medium, eg. compassion, love, curiosity, enthusiasm. He says that often, we focus too much on the Medium, when it is the Message that really brings you fulfillment in career. He says that in order to build an authentic career, you must ask yourself 4 questions: 1) What must I do? 2) What can I do? 3) What do I want to do? 4) What should I do? When you find that the answer to the 4 questions is the same, you're on the right path.
   
   He mentions a lot of other practical things you can do to improve your relationships, finances, health, etc. - and his advice is all based on his 7 core principles.
   
   All in all, I would say that "Personal Development for Smart People" is much more belief-centered than action-centered- unlike most other personal development books.
   
   
   Bottomline
   
   My personal belief is that being should precede doing. I've heard it said before: "Being precedes doing, that's why we're called human beings, not human doings." Steve Pavlina clearly believes this too, which is why he focuses on principles rather than actions.
   
   However, there are just some weird things (spritual and philosophical in a strange sort of way?) that Steve writes in this book that just give me goosebumps. I think this will be the case for the average reader... but there are definitely a lot of interesting perspectives and useful information presented in "Personal Development for Smart People". But I could never fully subscribe to his beliefs/core principles, even though everyone could benefit from a lot of the practical applications he suggests.



5. Steve Pavlina is the author of "Personal Development for Smart People (the Conscious Pursuit of Personal Growth, and the author of the website http://www.stevepavlina.com. There's even a brief Wiki article on him at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Pavlina. I don't know about you, but the book title scared me to death. I had visions of Mensa International members sipping tea, and playing the Chinese game GO. Or equally as bad visions of Ivy League members drinking espresso, playing chess, and discussing the latest articles in the magazines Scientific American, and The Economist. But Steve laid my mind to rest, when he said that "intelligence is alignment with the principles of truth, love, and power."
   
   Steve's book is divided into twelve chapters, centered on the themes Truth, Love, Power, Oneness, Authority, Courage, Intelligence, Habits, Career, Money, Health, Relationships, and Spirituality. Now this also scared me. Will I be reading some philosopher talking like Aristotle and Plato? Will I be reading a book that's as difficult to read as Immanuel Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, or James Joyce's Finnegan's Wake? Actually no! This is where Steve surprised me. His writing style is very easy to read, and reminds me of the simplistic - yet lovable style - of Nobel prizewinner Ernest Hemingway.
   
   Here is the biggest surprise of all! Steve bares his soul in this book, and you actually develop a liking for him. You think of him as a long lost friend, whom you haven't seen in years. He has much to share, starting with his early teen years, where he was arrested for theft - yet the judge was wise, and gave him a chance to perform community service. Steve shares his triumph over academic hurdles, where he triples his college course load, and ended up with majors in math and computer science. We live through his entrepreneurship in the computer gaming industry, where he loved the field, but failed miserably financially. Then we realize his career switch to personal growth, with no background in psychology, or career coaching. Yet despite his early failure to generate income - he "kept on Truckin" as a Grateful Dead song reminds us - and became very successful.
   
   There are a lot of wonderful quotes in this book, and folks I can relate to. I like him sharing quotes by Swami Vivekananda (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Vivekananda) and Carlos Castaneda (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Castaneda). Carlos - like Steve - overcame hurdles in his academic discipline to obtain a PhD in anthropology, and write about a magic man, that "has a path with a heart." And this becomes a guiding point for Steve as well. But what makes this book special is the interjection of practical exercises. This is something missing from classical self-help books, like Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, or How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. One of my favorite exercises is the one where I envision myself five years from now, coaching my present self - I think it was the time travel exercise. And there are exercises to envision everyone as one. Now these exercises are NOT pie-in-the-sky - far from practical - exercises in frustration. They are real, down-to-earth, but practical endeavors. I sometimes have pictures of Sam Walton, driving his own pick up truck, and shopping in his own Wal-Mart, when I think of Steve. Even his experiment with vegetarianism I could relate to, and even embrace.
   
   If I had to rate this book on a scale of one to five, I couldn't do it. It would be above the five rating. Nor could I compare him to other growth artists, like Eckhart Tolle (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eckhart_Tolle), who has more of the "oneness message" in his writings. But unlike Tolle, Steve is grounded in the real world. Both the spiritual and the practical are bridged, in a cohesive whole - akin to the Zen saying that the "mountains are once again mountains." I'm already looking forward to a sequel! You can order this book at www.amazon.com - I do this all the time, and take advantage of free shipping, on orders over $25. You can find out more about this book at http://www.stevepavlina.com/personal-development-for-smart-people/. The only point that Steve and I disagree is the role of organized religion. I believe you can embrace both organized religion and the principles Steve writes about. But Steve isn't really a radical here, and this is a minor difference between us. Thanks again, Steve, for putting my mind at rest, giving me a great book to read, and getting to know more about the "real you."
   Randy Kemp

5 comments about The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, A Toltec Wisdom Book.

1. I had heard about this book a long time ago through a friend and teacher of metaphysics but only now I am mature enough and free from some of my own baggage to allow me to grasp the concepts in this book. Don Miguel is short and sweet. With precise and non-judgemental words, I felt as though he was talking directly to me, about my own relationship with myself.
   
   The book is structured around Four Agreements that we make with ourselves. Within these agreements are clues to how we sometimes tend to dishonor ourselves just to please other people. He says nobody abuses us more than we abuse ourselves and explains self-talk, or what I call self-sabottage -- how we doubt ourselves and feed our brains with negativity and limiting beliefs.
   
   THE FOUR AGREEMENTS:
   
   BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD -- Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
   
   DON'T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY -- Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.
   
   DON'T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS -- Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
   
   ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST -- Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse, and regret.
   
   I really enjoyed this book and listening to the CD was fun as I could carry on with my daily tasks and take in the wisdom at the same time.
   
   This book is written with love and honesty and it demonstrates Don Miguel's care and sincerity towards people. It reminded me that I am a higher consciousness living in human form and that being human sometimes means making poor choices. But with self-awareness I am able to transmute some of these choices into life lessons and therefore, free myself from limiting and self-destructive beliefs.
   
   If you are ready to be honest with yourself, look at your own stuff and make changes to how you operate in life, I really recommend you take a look at this book.



2. A short tome that is easily readable. Upon reflection, and a willingness to try the Four Toltec agreements, it could lead to change in your life. This book was brought to my attention by the interview in Esquire of Tom Brady. It is easier said than done to follow the four agreements put forth, but they are great guidelines to attempt to follow.



3. After reading this book I stopped drinking and smoking on the drop of a dime. Within several weeks I was a vegetarian. I have read "Conversations with God" that I loved, I read the "Celestine Prophecy" - so I have read several books in that genre. But I have never come across a book that packs this much of a spiritual punch. Did reading this book change my life? YES! People say that about books, but it is something else when it happens to you. This book has influenced my life more than any other book has. I can only say that the quality of your life will be improved after reading this book, it should be read again and again.



4. Ruiz has come up with four principles from ancient Toltec wisdom. If one adopts these four agreements, Ruiz argues, they will help bring a sense of peace and happiness to one's life. Generally the agreements sound reasonable enough: don't take things personally, say only good things about others, etc. So far, so good. But there's some serious theoretical problems that underlie Ruiz's plan. Ruiz seems to suggest that the self can determine the majority of one's experience outside of social context. He claims that society is composed of collective dreams. Even recognizing that Ruiz is infusing dreams with more importance than western culture generally does, it still strikes me that the message here is that if one has fortified one's spirit with these four principles, nothing anyone else says or does can strongly affect you. Maybe I'm too close-minded, but I just can't buy it. We all live in social and cultural worlds, and those worlds do shape our experience, whether we like it or not.



5. I have used this book over and over. It is an incredible resource and helps me to stay positive and focused no matter what life sends my way.

5 comments about You Can Heal Your Life (Gift Edition).

1. I absoulutely love this book. If you apply its principles in your life you will definately see a change. I have very little to say about it because it is such a personal experience for me. If you find yourself reading this review, buy the book you are meant to read it.



2. I love everything I have read from Louise Hay. She gives us all so much hope.



3. I bought this book yesterday and I finished reading it in one sitting. I could not put it down. I'll read the book again slowly and start to do the exercises today.
   
   Although this book was first published over 20 years ago, the message is still so relevant today, especially after the phenomenon of "The Secret".
   
   I recommend to read this book together with "The Sedona Method: Your Key to Lasting Happiness, Success, Peace and Emotional Well-Being".



4. This book was recommended by a friend who permanently keeps it on her bedside table. I am reading it now and without even finishing it, I have already purchased 4 others to give to family and friends. I like the author's straight forward approach of taking charge of your life. GREAT book!



5. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in helping himsef/herself improve their thoungts and positive energy.