As A Man Thinketh
Assessment by Jami Alexander (Kenya)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The author is revealing to us the power that we have in shaping our lives and destiny. This power is our mind and is shaped and moulded by our thoughts. He correlates our thought and character, thought and purpose in life, thought and circumstances, the effect of thought on our health, on achievement, on our visions and ideals and finally on calmness of our minds. We are manifestations of our thoughts on the inside and outside since our environment too is extensively shaped by the product of thought.

The author is also putting it to us that we are the masters of our own destiny. The power to think is therefore our biggest gift and tool we employ to either damn ourselves to 'hell' with or to take us to the heavens.

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.

* For every cause there is an effect - It is indeed true that for every commission or omission there is a consequence. This is important as it advices one to think through before acting.

* Man is made or unmade by himself. The choices that we make in life reverberate hard in our lives. These choices must therefore be carefully made in pursuance of the desired ends.

* Nothing comes only by chance or luck ("How chance helps him at every turn!" They do not see the trials and failures and struggles which these men have encountered in order to gain their experience.).There is no shortcut. we must all work hard and smart to achieve the desired goals

*The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good.

* Keep your hands firmly upon the helm of thought .- When we do have direction in our thoughts then it would be all, which we need to be on the right path in life.

* Thought directly affects the body. What we think we eat. We should therefore think to eat healthy food and keep fit to stay in good health. Happy thoughts uplift the spirit and improve our immunity to disease.

* Achievement is first impressed in the mind and put into action. Negative thinking or pessimism springs forth negative results. Positive thinking or optimism creates a good environment for progressiveness. Once I was out of school for a while and almost quit. It took extra courage believe in all that I had earlier on desired for myself and that quitting school would not see me achieving that end. I encouraged myself through keeping an optimistic frame of mind and fighting on.

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?

These ideas are important as they will assist me in improving my quality of life, to set and achieve my goals and to learn to live harmoniously in the community. Idea number one (as above listed) invites me to think before acting and therefore make an informed choice while fully aware of the consequences or effect. The second idea posits that I am my own builder and destroyer and this is varied by the thoughts and actions that direct action or omission. The third idea reminds me not to be lazy, to depend or believe in shortcuts and that in pursuit of desired ends there will certainly be temptations challenges and failures and many other hurdles to overcome. Fourthly inner peace is an ultimate end for a battle deservingly won. Calm and tranquility is a reward that pacifies and makes us strong, better and wiser. Fifthly is to mind my thoughts, to exercise caution and restraint in keeping the mind clean, that thought directly affects my body I must therefore use it to stay healthy and fit in mind, body and spirit. Lastly is to keep a positive mind that promotes optimism and to support action through positive thinking and self believe that I able to achieve my goals as I set out.

All these ideas will assist me in pursuing my professional career the direction with and end goal of promoting sustainable development efforts and uplifting the living standards and harmonious existence of communities and societies. Having read these two books I can already feel the impact on my behavior and way of thinking throughout the festive season. I made a new friend while journeying upcountry and ours was a powerful and uplifting interaction. We both crave at improving ourselves, our friends and family. Important to me is to start by improving relations within and amongst by extended family which has an extreme mix of successes and failures. It is my belief that thought and attitude has largely contributes to the wide differences ( and therefore the power of thought...)

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.

Man is a growth by law, and not a creation by artifice, and cause and effect are as absolute and undeviating in the hidden realm of thought as in the world of visible and material things.

COMMENT: we are responsible for every choice that we make. Each of these choices have consequences attendant to. We therefore must be keen in what we wish for through the choices that we make.

When he begins to reflect upon his condition and search diligently for the law upon which his being is established, he then becomes the wise master, directing his energies with intelligence and fashioning his thoughts to fruitful issues.

COMMENT: in whatever situations or in whatever circumstances we are in we should search within and without ourselves and bring the best out of ourselves.

A 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.

COMMENT: We must be properly cultured and grow good habits. Whichever way we reap what we sow in our minds and hearts.

So true is this that when a man earnestly applies himself to remedy the defects in his character, and makes swift and marked progress, he passes rapidly through a succession of vicissitudes.

COMMENT: This could not be said in better words.

Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself.

COMMENT: One should never let himself be led by situation or conditions. Instead use the same to steer yourself in the right direction.

A man only begins to be a man when he ceases to whine and revile, and commences to search for the hidden justice which regulates his life.

COMMENT: I have known close members of my family and friends who find everything and everyone to blame for their shortcomings and failures. Nothing in their lives improves. It is like a disease that eats you up slowly and surely.

And he adapts his mind to that regulating factor, he ceases to accuse others as the cause of his condition, and builds himself up in strong and noble thoughts; ceases to kick against circumstances, but begins to use them as aids to his more rapid progress, and as a means of discovering the hidden powers and possibilities within himself.

COMMENT: We only have ourselves to blame for what is our own creation. when we are handed lemons lets make some lemonade.

The will to do springs from the knowledge that we can do

COMMENT: Believe in yourself. Like J. Seagulls... think you are there (perfect speed...)

As he thinks, so is he; as he continues to think, so he remains.

COMMENT: One must think the best of them self and therefore keep on evolving in thought to his betterment

He who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realize it.

COMMENT: Optimism.

Your circumstances may be uncongenial, but they shall not remain so if you only perceive an ideal and strive to reach it. You cannot travel within and stand still without

COMMENT: Improving in thought promises and finally manifests improvement in surroundings, circumstance, quality of life, fulfillment achievement etc.

The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart -- this you will build your life by; this you will become

COMMENT: self -explanatory

A man's weakness and strength, purity and impurity, are his own and not another man's. They are brought about by himself and not by another; and they can only be altered by himself, never by another.

COMMENT: No man can blame another for responses arising from heir own thinking and judgment.

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 very clear in its temper and teaching and could never be clearer than it already is. The only disagreement I have with the author is the assumption that everyone aims to be perfect, morally and spiritually. I know of deranged people who find a kick out of bringing misery to themselves and others; however I wish there could be a better exposition on the differences between the soul and the mind. Are they separable, distinguishable from one another? Are thoughts processes of the brain, the mind or the soul?

Does the heart (soul) do some thinking? The opening Sentence reads;

The aphorism, "As a man thinking in his heart, so is he," not only embraces the whole of a man's being, but is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition and circumstance of his life.

Lastly I would imagine that thought can be perfected or that there exists perfect thoughts and therefore perfection existence whether physical or spiritual. What is the standard of perfection? Can it be qualified or quantified? Can the thought process be affected in any manner by the environment or culture that an individual is bred in?

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?

No exercise but there is a lot of food for 'thought'.

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 whatsoever

Please rate the following questions on a scale from 1 to 10. Ten is good and one is poor.

A. How interesting was it to read? 10
B. How helpful were the contents? 10
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 10
E. What is the overall rating you would give it? 10

Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Assessment by Jami Alexander (Kenya)

1. What is the main idea that the author is trying to convey in the book?

The author is inviting us to insight and self analysis. He believes we are not to limit ourselves to what we see or witness with our eyes but to see things with a deep sense of purpose, direction and this by trying to understand ourselves and practicing it. In the process, through selfless service we are to help others...

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 Self belief and direction
Jonathan knew that what he really wanted to do was to learn how to fly and do what an ordinary gull would not be able to do. He believed in his ability and he went out there to practice and learn. When we embark on a journey without knowing why and where we wish to arrive then they surely shall arrive (nowhere).It is important as it remind me not to waiver in the direction which I wish to steer my life in.

II. Commitment and perseverance
Jonathan failed many times to gain the desirable speeds, sometimes crashing into the waters and hurting him. He persevered through these experiences. There were several attempts to dissuade him and he tried to take some different advice. In the end his commitment and perseverance prevailed and soon he was back to what he loved and enjoyed most, flying and improving on technique.

III. Courage and determination
It is never easy to achieve set goals. Setting goals is like having expectations and so it goes that big expectations make the biggest failures. Most of the times we set goals but forget to take into account the challenges that we are likely to face as we grow. Sometimes we give up, never realizing that resolve and determination are there because they are just but challenges not obstacles and an important mechanism that strengthens and preparing for the ultimate destination. Well I have been in situations that seemed so impossible to overcome. Some I did while others I could not. I now realize that what made the big difference is courage and determination to face the unknown.

IV. Overcoming our fears, freeing our minds and directing our thoughts
The fear of the known and unknown is quite enslaving. Developing a brave and optimistic attitude with an open mind may be a beginning to freedom. Having and open mind opens up to new information and knowledge while giving enough leeway for critique and assessment. Freeing our thoughts opens us up to a world of possibilities and tramples fast and hard on any sort of indoctrination in the face of it.

V. Learning is an endless process
There is always new and interesting things to learn. We learn through our own experiences and interaction with others.

VI. Forgiveness, Kindness, love and selflessness
These are great attributes and virtues that in the story seemingly transcend emotions. From the story it seems that it is an ultimate thing to possess and spread it around. Jonathan Seagull sorrow for example “was not solitude, it was that other gulls refused to believe the glory of flight that awaited them; they refused to open their eyes and see”

VII. There is a bigger purpose to serve
Our existence I pick from the story is that our lives are not a simple existence to live eat work play sleep and all the day to day simplicities that a living being has undergo but to also better and improve this existence and make the world a better place to be in within and without.

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 am reminded once more of Abraham Maslow's pyramid that depicts human needs where at the bottom side is the basic needs for survival and at the top is self actualisation. From his discussion he argues that humans will live through a number of stages and only through satisfying their needs at each stage are they able to climb up the echelons to a better and higher standard if living. Looking at Jonathan's life I gather that from the start he did not make his basic needs the only need at any one moment but found a blend between that and what he really wanted to learn a and to be. He defied some odds and we see the same thing happening in the next level where he meets with Chiang his fellow students are amazed. The reason for this is that he was equipped with so much knowledge having picked so much from his days on earth that the learning process fro him was made much shorter and easier than the rest of his group ("But you, Jon." he said, "learned so much at one time that you don't have to go through a thousand lives to reach this one.”)

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.

"Poor Fletch. Don't believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding, find out what you already know, and you'll see the way to fly."

That it is right for a gull to fly, that freedom is the very nature of his being, that whatever stands against that freedom must be set aside, be it ritual or superstition or limitation in any form.

COMMENT: These quotes encourages an open mind and attitude
.
"Look at Fletcher! Lowell! Charles-Roland! Are they also special and gifted and divine? No more than you are, no more than I am. The only difference, the very only one, is that they have begun to understand what they really are and have begun to practise it."

For most gulls, it is not flying that matters, but eating. For this gull, through, it was not eating that mattered, but flight. More than anything else, Jonathan Livingston Seagull loved to fly.

"I don't mind being bone and feathers, Mum. I just want to know what I can do in the air and what I can't, that's all. I just want to know."

The gull sees farthest who flies highest.

COMMENT: Every one is equal in gist and talent. However to discover oneself and go on to exploit ones gifts and talent is the mark of distinction

And so he shut his eyes.

It happened that morning, then, just after sunrise that Jonathan Livingston Seagull fired directly through the centre of Breakfast Flock ticking off two hundred twelve miles per hour, eyes closed, in a great roaring shriek of wind and feathers.

The Gull of Fortune smiled upon him this once, and no one was killed. Ten times he tried, but all ten times, as he passed through seventy miles per hour, he burst into a churning mass of feathers, out of control, crashing down into the water.

COMMENT: The sheer determination, perseverance, inner strength and faith that Jonathan summoned was quite amazing indeed. I am reminded that he didn't eat as much as he ought to.

Jonathan Seagull spent the rest of his days alone, but he flew way out beyond the Far Cliffs. His one sorrow was not solitude, it was that other gulls refused to believe the glory of flight that awaited them; they refused to open their eyes and see.

"Jonathan," he said, and these were the last words that he spoke, "keep working on love."

COMMENT: The first quote depicts the spirit of Jonathan. He so much wanted the rest of the flock to be emancipated. The second quote reminds us to be mindful of others. This was the last teaching that Chiang gave Jonathan.

5. Is there anything in the book that you do not understand or is unclear about, or are there ideas which you disagree with and, if so, why?

I disagree with Chiang's argument on faith. I do not think that without faith Jonathan would have achieved all that he had up to that point.

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?

No exercises to complete.

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? 8
C. How easy was it to understand? 10
D. Would you recommend it to others? 8
E. What is the overall rating you would give it 8