As A Man Thinketh

"Thought and Character”: Here the author stressed the law of causality: "Man is a growth by law, and not a creation by artifice, and cause and effect is as absolute and undeviating in the hidden realm of thought as in the world of visible and material things (pp.12 & 13). What means that man has the absolute control of what happens to him, yes, but it’s also true that man can be influenced by his environment as he does influence his environment and condition. It’s clear that usually for one to learn something new, someone else who did might inspire him. Is this an ordinary man and not a leader? What I also know is that, according to his beliefs, man can remain in blindness or remove himself from ignorance. This is not to attack anyone but it is an evidence for me that, with the principles of Heaven and the goodwill of God Christians are subject to support their conditions. And when they come into contact with another belief, they soon discover another reality. Is it a bad understanding of Christian’s thought? This was my case before converted in Buddhism.

For "The effect of thought on circumstances" what lacks here is the evidence that one has to protect his thought of bad influence from within or external. Because not any circumstances can be definitive. Even a well oriented mind can be diverted from his course if it’s not protected of the malignant. Protection here can be the worship of a good Faith or closer Contacts with those who are in the same mood and spirit. What I am saying for circumstances is valid for’’ health and body"

According to "The Thought-Factor in Achievement” as the man thinks, so he remains (p.51) but to continue to think in high spirit, we need to nourish our mind by learning. As we saw with Jonathan Livingston seagull, it is knowledge which make a man to became free. Knowledge can be understood here as training in anyway or just the reading of interesting books like the biographies of heroes and successful people. That’s why: "victories attained by right thought can only be maintained by watchfulness may give way when success is assured, and rapidly fall back into failure (p.56). In this part I strongly appreciate the notion of sacrifice which is also the fuel of success/victory.

For "visions and Ideals", I admire the position of the author. It is very important that in a weakest society like in Africa, this kind of position be largely diffused. Here went you have a vision of great achievements those surrounding you will but discourage you by saying "this is a DREAM". In our understanding means IMPOSSIBLE. Then we have to persevere to build our life by and to become like the dial that we enthrone in our heart (p. 64).

Above all that learn with this book the chapter on serenity gives a lot of lessons to me I will try to apply it in my belief no comment thanks to James Allen, thanks to Global leadership Institute.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

In part one of this book, the author shows how one has:

1 - To love what he wants to learn or his tasks " More than ... experimenting".
(PP.12 & 13)

2 - To determine a heavy objective than what others are doing usually whatever they can say: "I just want to know ... fly is to eat " (P.14).

3 - To always challenge our limits
Beside the attempts of his parents and those of the voice within him, Jonathan challenged his limits: " there’s no way ... as a poor limited seagull " (PP. 21 & 22). He found the limitless courage to go beyond” his vows of a moment ... that kind of promise" (P.27).

4- To change his mind
After one has challenged difficulties he will change his mind: "his thought was triumph ... to discover how to turn" (P.29).

5 - To figure out that knowledge means freedom
Jonathan soon realized that it might be another reason to living: "Instead of our ... we can be fee! we can be free! we can learn to fly ! " (PP. 30 & 31).

But Jonathan was wrong at this time with the behaviour of his fellows. It takes time to change the very old habits and traditions even with the full involvement of those who are concerned. Usually new ways or ideas are fought until the "leader" convinces others with evidences that these new ideas are profitable to them and their whole welfare. It takes time and creates misunderstanding.

The judgement of the Council Flock can only be considered here as an obstacle not as punishment. They were ignorant and wrong as Jonathan said: "centered for shame? Impossible! The Breakthrough! They can’t understand! They’re wrong, they’re wrong! " (P.39). That’s why the isolation (outcast) instead of disturbing or discouraging Jonathan, it reinforced his hungry to lean. And this give him the opportunity to discover "that boredom and fear and anger are the reasons that a gull’s life is so short; and with these gone from his thought, he lived a long fine life indeed" (P.41)

However, I disagree with the author about the exercise of P.52 namely the way it turns: "without a word... they rolls with him, smiling". I think there is confusion. Where and when these fellows learnt to fly so well? Whatsoever, I agree with the content of the last page of Part one (P.53) even though it’s songs like a HAPPY END before end: glory comes after tremendous experience.

Part Two
The part two starts with confusion for Jonathan and for me as well. As he approached the perfection, he was joined by two gulls (end of past I). He rose with these two star-bright gulls for another place. It seems certainly that this were not his former Flock. I don’t understand why the author chooses to present the issue in such a " biblical " or Heaven’s way. It looks like a change in mind, the outcome of the perfection, means also a change of the outer form. I think sincerely that it was not necessary. Therefore I should agree with the possibility for a better consideration from his former fellow gulls (of his old time). The readers should be more motivated to make such tremendous efforts / exercises by knowing that they don’t need and that they won’t have a change in their appearance while improving their wisdom.

Now, if the aim of the author was to show that if there is somewhere where people don’t like to improve themselves, there is also another place where people are hungry to learn, then it will be partly right.

In part two Jonathan remains very concerned with his mission to teach to others what he learnt: " As the days went past … to see truth for himself " (PP.84 & 85) despite the doubt of Sullivan

I also learned the advice of Elder Chiang:" He had been talking … principal of all life ". And his last words:" Keep working on love ". (PP. 83 & 84).

Jonathan puts this love and commitment in practice when talking with Fletcher
Lynd Seagull: " Don’t be harsh on them… and help them to understand. (P. 89)

Part Three
This part should be divided in two subsections. In the first one Jonathan went back to his former Flock and started to train some volunteer gulls who want to improve their skills (flight-students) even though these gulls known that they will be outcast.
I noted the important number of young gulls but also an invalid (handicapped) one named Kirk Maynard Gull. However despite the efforts of Jonathan to explain things very simple those of the flock who had not yet understand what they really are continue to scorn or to idolize: "they are saying in the Flock ... years ahead of your time " (P.115) Again and again, Jonathan simplified: “ well, this kind of flying has always been.... Ahead of the way that most gulls fly". (P.115) And he stated "that’s not half as bad as being ahead of our time". (P.116)

In the second subsection, Jonathan demonstrated his love to those who tried to kill him and he succeeded to stimulate the capacity of the gulls for thinking. Above all while catalyzing learning as well as better performance, he help capture and transfer leaning in the Flock. Learning which is characterizes here by Fletcher Seagull.

Comment: I would like to end this assessment by the quote of British Petroleum’s John Browne: "The role of leaders at all levels is to demonstrate to people that they are capable of achieving more than they think they can achieve and that they should never be satisfied with where they are now. To change behavior and unleash new ways of thinking, a leader sometimes has to say 'stop, you’re not allowed do it old way’ and issue a challenge." (Harvard Business Review, Sept -Oct. 1997, P.158)

Awaken The Giant Within
By Anthony Robbins Publisher : Simon & Schuster

Introduction It took me three days to start writing this book assessment on the Anthony Robbins’ Awaken The Giant Within. I was so embarasssed for the choose of a format. this is not only due to the volume (512 pages) but also to the richness of its content. I should be extremely happy to comment each page. Then it would take a tremendous time and space. I did think that this is not what the director asked of us.

While thinking so, I remembered the Special Report of Britain’s foreign secretary, Jack Straw, who stated on A constitution for Europe : "The constitution of the world’s most complex international organisation - the united Nations – fits easily into my Jacket pocket. The constitution of one of the word’s oldest and most successful democracies – the united states – would fit neatly into the other pocket. I do not have a pocket big enough for what passes as the constitution – ‘the consolidated Treaties’ – of the European Union. size is important, the smaller the better when it comes to constitutions. but size tells anther, more important story – that of coherence(The Economist, October 12, 2002, pp. 41-42). I do believe that the size is equally important when it comes to book assessments.

Comment To start, I would like to say that this book is a powerful testimonial of the way one can change his destiny - make a significant shift. The book is not only good to read but most importantly it is absolutely necessary to experiment and live WITHIN.

I am quite impressed by the vibrant illustrations that it contains: these are very attractive and motivating stories: Rosa Parks (p. 37), Ed Roberts (p. 37-38), Soichiro Honda (p. 44 – 45 ), Sam Walton ( p. 341 – 42 – 343 – 461), Henry Patrick (p. 200) and on and on.

You also find some fact such as the experience in page 105 when Robbins interviewed the young Talmadge E. Griffin; Mrs. Marva Collin’s student. This young man gave a compsehensive answer to his questions that many senior students without the same level of self-esteem could not. I can recall at the same stance the morning and evening power questions of chapter 8, page 195, that became part of my mental daily diet ….

To continue with question and exercises / assignments, chapter 8 (Questions are the Answer) and the whole Part Three: The Seven-Day to shape your life are loaded with a high range of experiences and magnificent tools to accompany the shift as they are accessible. I hope that it is important to know that the change is possible to being achieved, as I started to do with my personal plan of Action.

Actually what I can say is that this book brings a change in my mind, the way I am addressing situations and dealing with problems. Sometimes it was very challenging for me to find a proper solution on a pressing or pending matters. But now I am asking to myself : what is the solution? where is the solution? and obviously the solution springs up or a new way to handle the problem occurs. Mr Robbins says that we might focus on solutions not problems : "Remember, our goal is not to ignore the problems of life but to put ourselves in better mental and emotional states where we can not only come up with solution, but act upon them" (The Ten-Day Mental Challenge, p. 313) and "The questions you ask will determine where you focus, how you think, how you feel, and what you do. If we want to change our finances, we’ve got to hold ourselves to higher standards, change our beliefs about what’s possible, and develop a better strategy (Questions Are The Answer, p. 183).

We should direct our spirit and mental in a positive way based on practical beliefs and as incredible as it seems we should - and do - have a successful life’s experience...

Observations and points of discussion To complete my assessment and to conclude, I will just highlight some observations and raise some points of discussion on the influence/impact of our environmental feelings, cultural realities and standards.

Talking about observations based on the book’s illustrations, I feel confused about the family life’s experience of Robbins. He wrote : "One of the greatest joys I’ve experienced in recent years was watching the transformation of my eldest son, Tyler, as he went from a neophyte interested in flying helicopters with me, to a master jet pilot, to a commercial helicopter pilot" (Identity: The Key to expansion, p. 429) and the experience of his 16 year old daughter (daugher in the book) Jolie (Life Values: Your personal Compass, p. 351-53). I mean, at the time he was written the book, Robbins was 31yearold guy. And if I have had a good understanding of the book, he mentioned that at age 19 he was a poor guy. I don’t see that he was married at this time as I remember his testimonial on the circumstances of his encounter with wife’s Becky who was the assistant of one of his disappointing business partner. Then, how could he at 31 have a kids of 16 and more to be at the mentioned positions? Obviously I think that I missed something I would like to clarify.

My other concern is that of the target audience of the book. Now, As African, I am talking from African’s position. Why did Mr. Robbins not think about the impact of this book should have in the society? As his first book, Unlimited Power, was a national best seller, he should for example quote more illustrations/stories based on standards other than American’s. But I am very happy that he has quoted my home country’s (Cameroon’s) proverb: "He who asks questions cannot avoid the answers" (Questions Are Answer, p.177).

Of course, he has pointed out illustrations from Canada (p.171), Fiji Island (p.281-83) and Japan which are so expressive particularly the notion of "Kaizen" which inspired him one of the most powerful notion of the book: CANI! ( Constant And Never-ending Improvement) (p.96) and the perception of quality turn product (p. 94-95).

Chapter 4: Belief Systems seems exclusively American turn standards (?!). Actually I might be wrong. But how from our standpoint as African, Asian, European, etc. should we adapt this powerful tool, according to our realities?

The question is: " Do we each have realities different from those of other people?" I am not an anthropologist, but I think YES, we do! Based on our culture and customs we roughly find differences as: time management, knowledge sharing, relationship with material and finance, culture of silence protest, mutual interaction, etc. Here in Africa we have the concept of Obuntu: I am human being because of others or I cannot be a human being without my environment.

Robbins wrote: "Ultimately, we cannot destroy the external environment without destroying our own internal environment (The Ultimate Challenge: What one person can do, p. 499). What to do to bring sustainable change for ourselves and for "our" world?

For me, before reading this book, I was assuming the following Buddhist thought: "Flowers are at their best for mere moments. But the time they spend preparing to bloom is incomparably long. Many seeds die without even sprouting. Some plants absorb what little sunlight they receive and take ten years to bear a single flower. Flowers appeal to us because they bloom only after a long, persevering struggle (Rendez-vous With Nature Vol. 4, p.10)

What for this: "Do not rely on convention; career paths that were winners for most of this century are often no longer providing much success" (Fortune, March 20, 1995)

Roger Yomba Ngue, Executive Director, Positive Africa, 01 BP 5908 Abidjan 01, Cote d’Ivoire, Africa

Pulling Your Own Strings

INTRODUCTION
The core message of this book lies on the techniques for dealing with other people in a responsible way and living our life as we choose: "Each person’s life is unique, separated from every other life in the true experiential sense. No one else can live your life, feel what you feel, get into your body, and experience the world the way you do"(p. xvii).

The question here is: how to avoid to be manipulated by others? The reality is that the victimizers of the world will remain forever but we have to be prepared for not being victimized them an ourselves of course ( pp. 9-12): "I know I’m going to lose… or even complaining about it, will do nothing to stop them". For this, the author advises: "Forget your moralistic assessments about what they shouldn’t be doing, and instead say, " They are doing this, and I am going to confront it in the following ways to make sure they won’t get away with it now and don’t try it again " (p.11).

How to proceed ?
Wayne W. Dyer wrote: "By sizing yourself and your culture up, you can (1) anticipate effectively, (2) eliminate self-doubts, (3) implement plans A,B,C etc (4) steadfastly refuse to be upset or immobilized at the progress you are making, and (5) persevere until you have emerged with what were seeking" (p.11)

The intention is clear and we are granted with a wide range of materiel within the book. However, when I started to read this book it seems to me that sometimes the author has exaggerated certain issues or positions. I thought: "This is a call for revolution. Boy, if you use these teachings in a radical way, you will become one of the victimizers of the world. May be not as "the CLERK of the world" but a kind of JERK. Now let me express my feelings on some relevant points from different chapters with illustrations by my own humble personal experience

POINTS OF DISCUSSION

1. Typical Victimizers (p. 17)Here I just want to stress that if I can be called "leader" it is because I escaped from the victimizing trends of my family and less from the society. In most African countries or ethnic groups, one has to be loyal to his/her family. This in a way that the family might choose the field of your education, make arrangement for your marriage and even tell you what should be your program or plan of action. They usually said: "we are not dealing with these people so you have to avoid to be in business with them" when you start working, you have to be at the service of all your FAMILY. Family here means community which includes your mother and father villages or more.

For this I have chosen to be my own man to do what will make me feel full in bloom. My first fiancé was for an "opponent" ethnic group. I’ve chosen to study business management while my powerful grand father was advising for mechanical engineering. Above all I decided to leave my country for a while. Now some of them call me "a revolutionary". What I did for my family is what I am doing for the whole society.

2. Becoming Quietly Effective My idols are Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Ghandi, Shakyamuni Buddha, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Edison.
I consider these people as winners. And they are known for their humility. Their life experience, challenges and achievements show proof of this assertion: "You will never win if you have to prove that you are the winner" (p.102). In this issue we just need to be our own people and let others appreciate it. In Buddhism there is a principle called kindness (humanism) which calls to help others to achieve their growth and shininess. In Africa we also have the principle of "Obuntu" (I am a living human being because of others).

3. Strategies for Teaching Others How you Want to be Treated .
One of my famous initiative is the support I have given to the president of the Republic of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki. In 1998 when he was the deputy president of Nelson Mandela, Mbeki issued a statement on his vision of the African Renaissance. I was 25 years old, then I took my pen and write to the president congratulating him for his braveness. I told him that I was dreaming about the appearance of such a leader. Sincerely this is what I was feeling about deeply. I told to the president that I will involve myself to make this dream to become true. I will work beside him for the achievement of the African Renaissance. My letter passes through the embassy of South Africa. The then ambassador granted this letter with a strong attention and call me for and audience. Since then, south African people consider my humble person as their man. At age 28, in July 2001, I have had the opportunity to pay an official visit at Pretoria. I think actions are the best way to teach others how to treat you. As the author writes "every march of a thousand miles begins with one step, but you must be willing to take that first step by overcoming your fear and inertia for just one tiny second" (p.161).

4. The Misuse of Loyalty Rudyard Kipling wrote: "More men are killed by overwork than the importance of the world justifies" (p. 170).
One of the strong lesson I learn from this book is certainly the misuse of loyalty. These past 5 years I have been working for many organization for business or humanitarian as executive. It happened that I found myself absolutely absorbed by the task with no family life and I paid by my own person (my heath and wealth). My obsession was to achieve high level standard to be effective with no time for entertainment and paying no attention to love affairs. My colleagues who seem also concerned didn’t spent the same amount of time at work and continued to enjoy their family life. But we were at the same level responsible of the Success or failure of the business or project. The outcomes obtained during this period of time are actually critical. I think I was victimizing myself. I now learnt and decided to concentrate on my own happiness and improvement along with my loved ones. To relax, to make love, to be more outrageous.

5. Being Creatively Alive in Every SituationCreative aliveness means looking…or those around you" (p. 227).
We are living in a continent (Africa) where the trend is to victimize or to be victimized. This ought to be a consequence of our history legacy. Many people there are complaining that every time they did try to create, they faced misunderstanding and opposition if not a treason. I do think now that this is our lack of effectiveness or leadership behaviour. Nowadays I am less subjected to this treat. I am always challenging myself to do what others think not possible. Even though in the process I use to victimize myself. That is why I am usually asking to myself: "What is the solution – Where is the solution?" Though I sincerely believe that "success is a journey, not a destination" (p. 230).

6. There is no One Way to do Anything"Rigidity is also rampant in education…of style for research papers" (p. 237).
The sickness of our Africa comes from this truth. It is sad to know that since 1977 at the time this book was published in a whole continent particularly the francophone countries, education is still based on a rigid "one way" mentality parameters or what they call standards. It is a necessary challenge for us to reach the level of flexibility which can boost creativity.

CONCLUSION
For this, I know we don’t have an alternative other than to persevere in outrageous but responsible ways in whatever task we are involve in. My score to the 100 typical victimizing situations quiz (3 victims, 97 non-victim) ensured me that I am on the way to make a turnaround and still need to learn more and to experience LIFE.

Real Magic- Creating Miracles in Every Day Life

Introduction
Real Magic is my second Dr. Wayne W. Dyer's book I read after Pulling Your Own Strings. Pulling Your Own Strings is a call for a revolt against "the victimizers of the world" in order develop our personality, Real Magic is a plea to our humanness and for the necessity to focus only on what we really need. The approach here has a certain similarity with Anthony Robbin’s Awaken the Giant Within.

However Anthony Robbin puts emphasis on the tools of self improvement within a competitive but dynamic living arena while Wayne Dyer develops a set of strategies on how to direct our mind in order to live on purpose not for outcomes during our life span: "Even if all those around your choose to be in competition with each other, you do not have to live by that model" (p186). The development of our spirituality is the central concern of this book: "your objective is to see yourself as a spiritual being having a human experience and to develop a mind-set that creates real magic in your life" (p.136).

Now, let’s have a critical look on relevant points that call for specific comments and observations, and then conclude.

Comments and observations

Chapter 1: A Transcendent view of Magic and Miracles
"Every successful, truly happy person that I have encountered has confirmed their knowing that there simple are no accidents… All agree that every unique happening in our lives leads us to a higher place" (P. 6). I do not fully agree with the author here. This seems to argue the fact that we are in some place due to our destiny. It should also mean that some had been chose to go to heal because they born condemned with no opportunity to overcome the punishment. In my religion we believe in the law of cause and effect materialized by the karma. However the teachings demonstrate that with a profound meditation within the law of the universe called "Nam Myoho Rengue Kyo" and the dedication to the happiness of human kind, we can transform our negative karma (Ref. Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism).

Chapter 2: BECOMING A SPIRITURAL BEING
I absolutely agree with this chapter. To comment the following sentences: "Moreover, the absence of a need on your past to prove how powerful you are will give you the opportunity to empower others" (p. 43) and "and only when you abandon the need for external power… Will you be ready for real magic" (p. 44). I would like to say that the spiritual being lives with the purpose to serve others while the non spiritual being lives only in the purpose to serve himself or to be served by others. I like sincerely the teaching on to send love rather than anger and hatred (pp. 64-71).

Chapter 3: CREATING A MIRACLE MIND-SET
I am impressed by the Shirley MacLaine's book Going Within excerpt on
Mauricio Panisset and the author's own experience with Mauricio (pp. 74-78). Il think if someone experiences such "a miracle" he can only boost the process of achieving real magic in his life. I regret the fact that we can not implement the "fourteen keys for creating a miracle mind-set" (pp. 73 -128) and evaluate them with our life since we are following a curriculum with a little time to read each book. However, I highly appreciate key n°14 "Practice daily meditation" (pp. 117 - 127). My Buddhist practice and the good fortune it generates, testily the statements like Blaise Pascal's "All man's miseries derive from not being able to sit quietly in a room alone" (p. 120), "As you think so shall you be" (p. 121), and so on. The Lao-tzu's Tao-te Ching (pp. 128 - 129) like a call for leaders to seek the supreme wisdom and high standard purpose what Buddhism calls "Enlightenment".

Chapter 4: REAL MAGIC AND YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
"The ability to create magical relationships in your life begins and ends with you" (p.134). Are we author and actor of our life? I think yes ! This confirms that others as just seeing us the way we allow them to see us. Our responsibility should be heard in the Michael Jackson's "Heal the world; Make it better space; For you and for me; And the entire human…" It is sure that when we enlightening the road for anyone else, we actually enlightening our own road.

"I know it is destructive to him, but… I am going to send him love in spite of his actions (p. 137). This is difficult but seems to be the correct way to act with our fellow human beings. Now, our education leads to a scepticism torn experience with stereotypes and fears. Does the shift in the mind of limited number of people will produce the better world we pray for? Am I judging? The author wrote: "real magic in relationships mean an absence of judgements of others" (p.137) and that "purpose is all about giving yourself to other unconditionally and accepting what comes back with love, even if what comes back is not what you anticipated" (p. 140).

Chapter 5: REAL MAGIC AND YOUR PROSPERITY
According to James Allen in As a Man Thinketh, "circumstances do not make a man, they reveal him" (p. 174). Otherwise, circumstances are the fluid that shapes our development and direct us to miracles making. That is the way I understand it. Should we consider that the struggle is not only a mean to achieve the outcome, but also part of the outcome?

In this chapter I learn the importance to remain focused and avoid distractions in our journey toward our purpose. I similarly come up with a new attitude on they perception of the scarcity and prosperity. I was thinking that prosperity comes with a steady savings of our incomes. I realized that I was not a giver per se. To give meant to grant for service. I have now started the process of instant giving without expecting anything from others.

Chapter 6: REAL MAGIC AND YOUR PERSONAL IDENTITY
I am optimistic by nature. As I am from a bottom up social class, I could not have the standard education at the desired rhythm. Thus, I have chosen to learn all my life long, to fulfil the standards through combining experiences and learning. To be a model of personal achievement or a self made man. I therefore pay great respect to talented people. That’s why the books I like more are the biographies of successful people. As the process still going on, I can consider myself as being involved in this awareness: "I am talented as I have chosen to become, and while I admire and enjoy performances of others, their actions say nothing about what I can or cannot achieve" (p.227).

But I do confess that the perspective of real magic was not included in my mind since I did not believe in good luck but in hard work and competition. In this regard, failure meant worst organized. Should I consider that my current development is not fast due to that mind-set, regarding the old Indian saying: "If you want to know…look at your thoughts today"? (p. 238)

Anyway I endorse the words of Hermann Hesse: "There is no reality except the one contained within us. That is why so many people …never allow the world within to assert itself"(p.258).

Chapter 7: REAL MAGIC AND YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH
In Becoming a Willing Student, the author quoted the ancient Zen proverb "when the student is ready the teacher will appear" (p.263). It is the reminder that when we find our purpose, appropriate conditions will surface to serve as means for its accomplishment. Obviously there are some preconditions for this state of mind as stated in step 4 to real magic: "You can then switch from focusing on suffering to learning what you can from your illness, accident or addiction…I describe it as the path of enlightenment through outcome…It is the path preceding that of purpose. First comes suffering, second is outcome, and third, purpose" (p.269).

In this chapter, Wayne Dyer calls to our attention the fact that everything starts from our inner self:"One characteristic that stood out in looking at the lives of these very special people was that when faced with seemingly insurmountable problems they always looked inward for a solution" (p. 278). What is more illustrated at the end of the chapter: ‘"within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself’. That "yourself" is a miracle. Know it!"(p. 297).

Chapter 8: REAL MAGIC AND THE SPIRITUAL REVOLUTION
Anything worse or beautiful that happens in our life at individual or collective level is what we think about all day long. That is for changes that take place first in the collective minds of men, and then in outer world. The author does write:"All of the major problems that we humans face were created by our way of thinking" (p. 317). If we want to transform these problems a new way of thinking or a new consciousness will be required. But indeed our universe is not in a state of desperation because one individual will always be able to bring the change: "You create a world of real magic when you alone decide to use your divine, miraculous inner intelligence to make it happen" (p.322).

Conclusion
The challenge that comes out of this book is to realize that we are spiritual beings having a human experience. The richness of the book resides also on the quality of the research made by the author according to his references on books like the Bible, Bhagavad-Gita, and renown wise men and scientists as Abraham Maslow, James Allen, Deepak Chopra, John Stuart Mill, Emerson, Buddha,
Henry D. Thoreau, J. Krishnamurti, Dalai Lama, Albert Einstein, Leo Tolstoy, etc.

To be sincere this book creates trouble in my mind and makes it difficult to complete my assessment. I think that it revealed my limitations.

UNCONDITIONAL LIFE

Summary
In this book, Deepak Chopra illustrates the use of psychology, philosophy, psychiatry and religious beliefs to cure diseases. According to him both fears and wishes can come true at the same stance because fear is just a negative kind of wish. Then it is absolutely important to us to control our emotional system. He proposes the meditation as the first step to enlightenment: realization of the reality principle, the state of total insight. Then meditation can change people by allowing them to release part of the false self for good.

Dr. Deepak Chopra puts an emphasis in the use of yoga knowledge and principles in his daily physician practice. Yoga is therefore the union of head and heart. He shows how our mind determines the circumstances of our life. We then need only to be quiet in order to awaken within us the light of calm, steady self-awareness and a feeling of wholeness. The world is our own projection coming from our beliefs and disbeliefs. I particularly appreciated the notion of the self (me) that always wanted to connect to, which is to marry the Self (universe). What about the paradise? Deepak Chopra states that to create paradise could mean nothing more or less than living in the present, enjoying the happiness that is both now and forever. Because 'the present is the only thing that has no end' (Schrˆdinger).

Now let's comment some specific issues from the book.

Comments and remarks

Page 6
'On the surface, all my patients are' in some barely concealed way, relieved'. The patients see their disease as a kind of reward that brings them to the reality of live. But the ultimate reward is to live.

Page 7, 8 &9
'One of the strangest phenomena of post-modern culture is this optimism over death'No one else seemed to notice, or at last, comment upon, this savage irony.' The daily stress faced by people of post-modern culture in our struggle to satisfy our needs should explain the trend to consider death as greatest reward. This is in contradiction with the fact that for the policy it is obvious to plan a large-scale massacre (war) just to increase GDP per capita or to secure a source of supply for oneís country.

With the Barbaraís statement: 'Cancer allowed me to achieve my final goal'I had wanted to retire at forty, and here I am, on a full disability pension, I am a woman of leisure at least,' the way we are considering the success and how we are planning the goal of our life should be questioned. Itís like post-modern culture or a materialistic torn society denied the value of humanness. Yes, 'suffering is inevitable, deeply human, and even a grace'. However we are not allowed to direct our life in the way that leads us straight to suffering as the real meaning of life is happiness and value creation.

Page 18
'What I want to propose to you is that it is possible to achieve freedom' To be the maker of your reality is in fact your basic viewpoint, although it many be nearly impossible for you to see that now' you stand at the very center of life and have the power to renew it at every moment'. This is a basic Challenge to human being at the grassroots levels. As we face the pressure of events and policy, our mind is diverted to things that almost cause a conditioning of anxiety and plunge us into a certain inner darkness. It is therefore clear that the first step for a fundamental cure is to go back inward and take the responsibility to create our own inner reality. Then instead of being a victim of events and policy, we became event-makers and policy-makers.

Pages 23 & 24
'What really matters are not things ëout thereí' and not just the audience'. Here starts the appeal to our 'Insight' that enables us to become the experimenter, the magician of our life and no more part of the audience. 'Complete healing depends upon your ability to stop struggling' understanding and experience are the two legs of healing marching side by side'. We are conditioned to fear and struggle the external causes of our unhappiness and we create inner barriers to avoid pain and hurt. The author advises us to disarm and to arise the consciousness that permit us to understand our circumstances and experiment the power of our true self.

Pages 47 & 48
Approaching the principle of magical thinking, Deepak Chopra trains us to start considering things from the principle of self-referral, which is to gauge reality by our own feelings and intuitions. For him living accordingly, there is no mystery when a shift causes change in our body. We come to understand that we are participating in each and every event of our life. The outcome here is to deny the primary importance to externals (object-referral) instead of to our self. And he prevents: 'even if you cannot imagine a reality centered entirely on yourself, how even another person could be living that way very
successfully'.

Pages 89,91& 99: Maya
Considered as the all powerful animating force that makes things happen (from his fatherís perspective) or 'magic', a show of illusion or delusion, Maya for philosophers 'denotes the delusion of thinking that you are seeing reality when in fact you are only seeing a layer of trick effects superimposed upon the real reality. With a comprehensive analysis, the author states that Maya is in each person and not so omnipotent that we cannot control it. To illustrate this he recalls the list of things for scientists ( R.D. Laing) to exclude from reality as they born from our empty inner space: 'love and hate' and everything, in fact, that makes life worth living'. The first notice there is the simultaneity of positive and negative things that should be created by us at every moment of life. Is it the matter of choice? The author argues, 'My choice plays the key role whether I accept the world as it or alter it to quit my desires. Maya and I have been very good about abiding by our agreement to keep the world predictable'. We can decide to break the agreement at anytime, as the reality is always open to revision.

Page 168: Power and love
>From R. Tagore perspective:ª love is not a mere impulse, it must contain truth, which is law'. Love breaks the barriers of self-protection established by power. Where there is love there is no fear and no need for protection. For Deepak Chopra we must be able to love all the time as the true self is love and thatís the most one can want. This remind me the law of causality - cause and effect - which covers the entire universe and gives the route to our life according to our positive or negative actions, thoughts and worlds (Buddhist perspective)

Page 184
Here we find the importance for people to encourage each one by according attention as parents do with theirs children. In Africa we do consider that our society is practicing such attitude but more in rural areas or villages where I spent my childhood. As we entering the capitalist world, this principle
disappears and we experiment individualism.

Page 185
'Some can be ëresoluteí, or ëengagedí or courageously defiant, or stoically accepting, or to relinquish rationality and, in awe and mystery, place oneís trust in the providence of the Divine.' Depending on culture and education the tendency in contemporary urban Africa, particularly in west and central regions where I am working, is to trust in the providence of the Divine as we see the speedy spreading of religions and sects. It is stubbornly defiant that people refuses to handle their own life.

Pages 188 & 189
From the perspective of the ancient Indian scriptures on the relationship between wife and husband, we realize that what we are doing or giving to others is for the sake of the Self. I mean the universe 'embraced by me':

'Indeed, my beloved,
it is the Self that should be seen,
the Self that should be heard,
the Self that should reflected upon,
and the Self that should be know'
(Yajnavalky).

Pages 212 & 213
The quantum theory, Lord Krishnaís philosophy and Tagoreís statement: 'The same stream of life' and breaks into tumultuous waves of leaves and flowers' illustrate the 'unity' of oneís life with the reality of the cosmos - our cosmic status. And Deepak claims that: 'I have done my best to provide convincing proof that reality is everyone ís personal creation. People will never grasp this solely on an intellectual level - it must be experience and internalized'

Conclusion

The lesson here is that to release all my suffering that is noted in my own superstition, I need the spiritual experience in which pure awareness reveals itself as the maker of reality. This is to come to realize the high level of consciousness that allow us to design the circumstances of our life, as 'The rishis claim that wrapped up inside us is the capacity to command every force of nature, to influence every atom into universe' (P. 262). I assume that ignorance is the most circular of traps that must be release as the 'enlightenment' spreads out every aspect of our life. Deepak says, 'We are natureís privileged children. Once we fix upon our deepest desires, they must come true. That is why the great wish of the world is unfolding in the first place '(P 269).

Change Your Mind, Change Your Life.

1. Introduction After Anthony Robbinsí Awaking the Giant Within and Dr Deepak Chopraís Unconditional Life, this is the third book of the Level 1 courses that is closer to my aspirations and spiritual beliefs. The richness of the book is truly captivating for us who are not English speaking people as it is easy to read. I donít feel embarrassed with the spiritual interpretation of the concepts, as, instead of referring to God like many authors, the authors of Change Your Mind, Change Your Life refer to the Higher Power, which is most convenient for all religious beliefs. Below are my comments and remarks and the conclusion.

2. Comments and remarks This Jampolsky and Cirincioneís book based on A Course in Miracles emphasizes love and forgiveness as a tools for Attitudinal Healing but also as tools to self empowerment: The course is about the power of love and forgiveness and how these offer us everything we could possibly want(P. 6). About the principles of Attitudinal healing the authors state. The principles begin with the belief that the essence of our being is love and that our true identity is a spiritual one. These principles lead us away from fear and toward the reality of love in every moment of our being (P. 9). Because through the eyes of love we find only joining and forgiveness(P. 79). In regard to our relationships, because we have relationships throughout every aspect of our lives, we have to start to relate to ourselves in order to heal our old grievances, self-condemnations, or feeling of helplessness. As it appears that, to have whole and equal relationships in the present, it is necessary to heal our old, unhealed relationships with others and ourselves from the past. (P. 89). It is often happen that we are hurt by the burden of our unfinished business.

Effective parenting is one of the great challenger adults are facing. The authors state that: Newborn infants are magnificent teachers of unconditional love because they make no judgements on their parents, accepting them perfectly, just as they are. (P. 88). In this regard, parents have to be response-able. They highlight the positive question that should help us heal the split mind: Do I recognize that my mind is split at this moment? Am I willing to change my thoughts? Where am I not in harmony? And am I thinking one thing and saying or doing another? Am I willing to forgive? (P. 111). As love is only joining and sharing, we must be careful with what we teach. Then, anywhere that learning is taking place, our own attitudes can contribute to creating an environment where both students and teachers can feel safe and inspired. (P. 119). This reminds me a principle quoted in this book: When the teacher is ready, the student appears and vice versa. Perhaps as time goes on, we will be able to see that love, cooperation, and collaboration are much more powerful teaching principles than fear and competition. It is here that we discover how we are alike rather than how we are different, and accepting all of our varying levels of achievement as well as our individual differences (P. 126). In Africa the system leads to underline and to bring about the sense of difference. So, As we learn to share ourselves with others, we begin to experience the role of teacher and student constantly shifting and interchanging, because we are teaching what we want to learn. (PP. 134-135). We must not forget that true change ultimately comes out of inspiration and love, not out of pressure and fear (P. 134)

Our being combines the body, the mind, and the spirit. To nourish it is to take care simultaneously of its spiritual and physical aspects. Then, when we begin accepting our true identity as spiritual, what follows is that we are no longer limited to our physical being (P. 152).

Recalling the break down of the Berlin wall, authors indicate that they believe like many people that what really brought the wall down was the indomitable spirit within each oppressed person in the region that made the difference (P. 200). For it to remind us that the transformation of the individual transforms society. This is perfectly in adequacy with my Buddhist belief that the revolution in a single man spirit can transform the whole world ( as Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Napoleon Bonaparte, Georges Washington, General Lee, Mikhail Gorbatchev, etc.)

Coming to business, the authors state that the form of the new business is not yet clear. It is full of heart, made up of caring, concern, and a willingness to be as helpful to others as we would like others to be to us. It is a consciousness focused on giving rather than getting and a self-realization that comes when we do everything we can to empower everyone to be the most she or he can be (P. 217). It's song-like the utopia, but I agree with this as competition and dull in business appear to be so destructive as they create sometimes despair, helplessness, worry and sorrow. Yet, the example of Levis Strauss & CO (Pp. 217-221) illustrates the kind of ethical values we need to share in the business world: We all want a company that our people are proud of and committed to. We want our people to feel respected, treated fairly, listened to, and involved. Above all, we want satisfaction from accomplishments and friendships, balanced personal and professional lives, and to have fun in our endeavours. (P. 219). The type of leadership described here (New Behaviour; Diversity; Recognition; Ethical Management; Communications; and Empowerment) seems to offer a kind of problem-solving and success-sharing system that empower simultaneously the company, the management team and the employees (Pp. 219 - 220).

Connie Boucher Statement on Believing in ourselves, An attitude of caring, Advice to others (Pp. 233 ñ 235) is the one to teach to our disparate people in Africa. To let them know that they use to boost their eagerness for them to make it. I like specifically the advice to young people: It would tell them to put all of their heart into what they're doing and to work hard. Don't let other people talk you out of your dream. Above all else, believe in yourself and know that nothing is impossible and that there are no limits. (P.235). Very important also are the key attitudes she holds in her heart and mind: (a) let go of negative thoughts from the past; (b) believe in yourself and never think that nothing is impossible; and (c) believe that the reason we are here is to care for and help others. (P.236).

About the attitudes toward peace, the authors summoned the threat of our Ego on peace and love, and advised: You will find that you will not have to say a world to let another person knows that you are feeling inner peace. The peaceful vibrations you emit will be obvious to the world and everyone around you; a peaceful mind is our natural state. A peaceful mind is one that has no confusion and no impurities. A peaceful mind is one that is interwoven with tranquillity, stillness, joy and love. It is in the joining of our peaceful minds and hearts that love extends and expands, reflecting the essence of our spiritual identity. (Pp. 269-270).

3. Conclusion While reading the book, the principles within appear to be so evident and meaningful that finally I asked to myself this question: Should I worry with the fact that I do not find some aspects to criticize? The answer seems to be NO! This is just an excellent work, a good book. But I found it challenging that the authors noted twelve quotes from the materials (Text, workbook for students, and manual) we have not yet, instead of explaining or more commenting the ideas in the footnote. Is it a marketing strategy? Here also, the answers to my question seem to come from the first quote of the book: Whether we live our lives filled with peace or conflict is ultimately determined by our attitudes (P. xi). And from the last quote: One of the most important questions we can ask ourselves each second of every day is, will this thought, will these words, will this action, bring about joining or separation? (P. 274)

Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude By Dr. Napoleon Hill and W. Clement Stone

1. Introduction
When I was ending to read this book, success through PMA, six. Concepts seem to illustrate the whole content: (i) what the mind of man can conceive and believe the mind of man can achieve with mental attitude (PMA); (ii) if the man is right, his world will be right; (iii) the 17 success principles, (iv) the priceless gift: the joy of work; (v) the greatest value in life : loving people and serving them; and (vi) anything in life worth having is worth working for. The book it self is worth with practical experiences of people that applied these six powerful concepts in their life. The most important fact is that the content is based in a sort of questions and answers style, what make it useful in any social, economic, spiritual and educational concerns. It appears to be a combination of books: Change your Mind, Change your Life and Awaking the Giant Within.

2. Comments and remarks
Chapter One: Meet the Most Important Living Person
The first challenge I experienced in my life was related to the poverty of my family. One day I asked to my mother how did it come that she was not a cabinet government member? Mother told me that every body has his or own destiny. God chosen not to give her the opportunity and strength to be someone else than what she was. My mother was a housewife who left school at 19 while being in a Christian convent. She was supposed to become a nun, which was the choice of her parents. Due to the difficulties of life, she got married at 20 and she died divorced at 48. Sad story!

This is to agree that we are poor-not because of god (P.3). My mother didn't convince me. I finally came to realize that, as SBF fullers mother said: we are poor-not because of god. We are poor because father never developed a desire to become rich. No one in our family has ever developed a desire to be anything else (P.4). My mother was a convinced Christian worshiper but she was influenced by negative mental altitude (NMA) in such a way that she failed to discover the richness of the bible or any other inspirational book. Thus, her invisible talisman remained on the NMA instead of PMA. (positive mental Authors said: you have everything to gain and nothing to lose by trying success is achieved and maintained by those who keep trying with PMA (P6). Obviously, due to the influence of my mother's environment, she failed to discover that she was the most important living person and to act for to change her destiny.

Chapter Two: You Can Change Your World
In regard of the 17 success principles, I was aware that the lack seven of them: (i) accurate thinking; (ii) self discipline; (iii) a pleasing personality, (iv) learning from defeat; (v) budgeting time and money, (vi) maintaining sound physical and mental health; and (vii) Using cosmic habit force (universal law).
Some of the reasons that motivate me to apply to this study program were to develop pleasing personality and to improve my finances as my relatives think I was a rustle, and I figured out that my incomes were not at the level of my work's commitment. As a leader I need to be charismatic and develop my incomes in order to implement my programs. I realized that to resolve these two shortcomings. I need to address many other principles as the ones listed above. Even though I was optimistic and I believed that I could achieve great purpose: renaissance the African. I hope that I am on my way to make a turn round. With the details, I am convinced that been optimistic is quite different with the habit to act with PMA.

Chapter Three: Clear the Cobwebs From Your Thinking
From the bottom to where I stand for now, regarding my social background, I think that the courage and curiosity had played persuasive roles in my life. I do truly confess that as Socrates (470 B.C. - 399 B.C), my action disproved my intentions. I now come to realize that I usually set-up high standard expectations for my relationships even in love or in business. Obviously, this was manifested through my language and actions. As Socrates, I saw only the in [others] eye. By that time, I encountered many difficulties with my female fellows and made it harder to have long term relationship.As I started to believe on it with my Buddhist practice, I absolutely agree that: when I am faced with a problem that involves misunderstandings with other persons, I must first start with my self (P.37), Dr. Fosdick attitude (Pp 39-40) is very inspirational. I needed a cure.
Chapter Four : Will you Dare to Explore the Power of Your Mind? The self motivator: you can do it if you believe you can. (P. 55) reminds me a song of Bob Marley (Jamaican reggae singer) I use to sing in my tenths and twentieths: you can do it/ if you really want / but you must try/Try and try / try and try. By that time, I felt it as a call to action and the challenge to do something for my people: the seeds to leadership attitude. Nevertheless, I needed more than the song as my environment was filled with pessimistic people. The authors stated that what the mind of man can conceive and believe, the mind of man can achieve with PMA ! (P.62). I needed to develop PMA based on conscious autosuggestion and self-suggestion.

Chapter Five: And Something More
The examples of genius people like Einstein, Dr. Gates or Thomas Edison who tried more than ten thousand experiments before he developed the incandescent lamp, show us that there is no need to worry about defeat at the first stage of any action or life span. For the authors: when you seek success with PMA, you keep trying. You keep searching to find something more. (P.65). The most important thing is to know that we all have the relative ability and to learn to use It. Then get into action and keep our mind on our objective or purpose. As the Cosmic Habit Force is at the disposal of everyone as the use of universal law, everyone can achieve greater expectation. Authors state: you don't need to be ashamed, to be failure like Christopher Columbus'. (P.77)
Chapter Six: You've Got a Problem? That's Good!

Here we learn that no matter if we have problems as it is obvious that we do all have some: this because you and everything in the universe are in a constant process of change. Change is an inexorable natural law (P.81). All depend upon mental attitude. Problems lead us to success when we maintain PMA while being challenged or tested. Authors said You become a better, bigger, more successful person each time you meet a problem and take and conquer it with PMA (P.81). Illustration comes with the experience of Charlie Ward (Pp. 82-85). Much of us have unfinished business or problem due to the influence of our environment. Thus, we need to protect our mind against negative mental attitudes and bad habits.

Chapter Seven: Learn to See This chapter focuses our ignorance towards the reality of things. We do not properly filter the information that our eyes give us through the mental processes of the brain. As a result, we often behold things without really seeing theme at all. (P.97). Based on the example of Thomas Alva Edison, authors advise: To hear does not necessarily imply attention or application. To listen always does. We urge you to listen to the message. This means to see how you can relate and assimilate the principle into own life (P.101). That's what Dr. Roy Plunkett, Kokichi Mikimoto and Joseph Goldstone did. They learned to observe and act and they became successful men. They saw opportunity where others had seen nothing (P.104). Chapter Eight: The Secret of Getting Things Done Due to laziness and negligence, we usually miss opportunities that can change our destiny. Authors recall the quote of the psychologist and philosopher William James: sow an action and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character, sow a character and you reap a destiny (P. 108). We might be careful with the kind of habits and the character we develop in our daily life. They can lead us to success or mislead our entire life. The secret of getting things done is to act is to use the self -starter or the self-motivator when laziness or the habit of procrastination come to manifest in our life. The self-starter is Do It Now!

Chapter Nine: How to Motivate Yourself.
Recalling that hope is the magic ingredient (P.20), authors address the issues of the motivation which induces action or determines choice. Here comes the illustration of the concept of what the mind of man can conceive and believe the mind of man can achieve with PMA with the experience of Benjamin Franklin. (Pp. 123-126). The authors urge us to keep [our] mind on the things you should and do want and off the things you shouldn't (P.123).

Chapter Ten: How to Motivate Others
The first step to motivate others is to help them build confidence in themselves. For this need to have active faith in them: when you motivate others by having faith in them, then you must have an active faith. You must commit your belief. You must say, I know that you are going to succeed in this job, so I have committed myself and others to your success. We are here, waiting for you. (P.132).

To motivate an individual we need to know: (a) what the personality traits of the individual are; (b) what his environment is; (e) what motivates him (p.138). Methods of motivation include semantics, word symbols suggestion, self-suggestion and autosuggestion. These methods combined with AVA (Activity Vector Analysis) lead to the discovery by Mr Stone that: with PMA you can be what you want to be, if you are willing to pay the price (P.138).

Chapter Eleven: Is There a Short cut to Riches?
I remember the time where it was difficult to me to make money. But by this time I bought an expensive book with the French title RÈflechissez et Devenez Riches! (Napoleon Hill). Which means in English Think and Grow rich!. It was not the first inspirational book to read, but it gave me there courage to create my company: Ronyo investment international without literally no penny. Why Ronyo Investment didnít prosper? Certainly, we have this environment, but, I think what lack to me was to keep PMA and apply roughly the 17 success principles repeated in this chapter. Authors write: when you think with PMA - you can affect, uses, control, or harmonize with all of them (P.148).

Chapter Twelve: Attract, Don't Repel Wealth
Authors put an accent in a self comprehensive organization by study, thinking and planning time with PMA in order to achieve high standard goals: develop the habits to (a) write down your goal; (b) give yourself a deadline; (e) set your standards high; (d) aim high, and (e) inspecting your written statements daily (Pp. 152 & 160).

Chapter Thirteen: If You Don't Have Money-Use OPM!
Here come out three important things: honesty, two self- motivators to act, and to unlock the combination to success through all the necessary numbers. Honesty is one thing for which a satisfactory substitute has never been found. Honesty, or the lack of it, writes itself indelibly into every word one speaks, into every thought and deed, and often reflects itself in one's force so that the most casual observer can sense the quality of sincerity immediately (P.163).two self-motivators to act: where there is nothing to lose by trying and everything to gain if successful, by all means try. Do it now! (P.170). The combination to success through all the necessary numbers illustrated by the experiments of Bernice and Leonard Lavin (Pp. 174 -177). Chapter Fourteen: How to Find Satisfaction in Your Job

According to the authors, if someone is unhappy in is job, which is worth the price; he has to develop inspirational dissatisfaction. 'nspirational dissatisfaction can motivate persons from sinner to saint, failure to success, poverty to riches, defeat to victory, and misery to happiness '(P.185). This is what Albert Einstein (1878-1955) did as he was dissatisfied because Newton's laws didn't answer all his questions. So he kept inquiring into nature and higher mathematics until he came up with the theory of relativity (P.186). We must also be aware that to change our old tendencies to new habits, we must face an internal struggle (mental and moral conflicts) you can win if you are willing to pay the price. To guarantee success it is desirable that you try zealously to maintain physical, mental, and moral health during the period of such an internal struggle"(Pp. 188-189).

Chapter Fifteen: Your Magnificent Obsession
No matter who we are can we develop a magnificent obsession that should be to share a great cause-to help others: share your-self without expecting a reward, payment, or commendation. And above all else & keep your good turn a secret (P.190). Then as Drison Swett Marden we have to keep in mind the principle that every occasion is a great occasion and believe like Marden and the authors that character is the cornerstone in building and maintaining success (P.195).

Chapter Sixteen: How to Raise Your Energy Level
Based on the experience of Dr Roger Bannister (successful athlete?), the authors recall the secret of Dr Thomas Kirk Cureton on body's energy level. The system is based on two principles: (1) train the whole body. (2) push yourself to the limit of endurance, extending the limit with each workout (P.210). Because the more the body endures, the more it will endure (P.211). Here also we might consider three essential facts: (1) rest is as important as exercise and activity (2) to maintain our mental and spiritual vigour by absorbing mental and spiritual and vitamins from inspirational and religious book as from a well balanced diets (Pp.212-215), and (3) keeping our mind on the things we do want and off the things we don't want (P.215).

Chapter Seventeen: You Can Enjoy Good Health and Live Longer
>From the experiment of John D. Rockfeller who lived to be ninety-seven, the authors illustrate that money can buy physical and mental health, a longer life and the esteem of our fellowmen (PP 222-223) they also warn that: you shouldn't have to amass a fortune before you come to realise that PMA will attract perfect health. But there are some other ingredients which should be used along with should be used along with should be used along with should be used along with PMA and one of them is health education (P.223) regarding health education necessary to live longer, they mention that mental and physical health is two great rewards of a positive mental attitude. A definite purpose, clean and clear thinking, creative vision, courageous action, persistence and true perception, all applied with enthusiasm and faith will go far to help you achieve and maintain a positive mental attitude (P. 231).

Chapter Eighteen: Can You Attract Happiness?
Abraham Lincoln once made the remark: it has been my observation that people are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be (P.234). The secret to find happiness to yourself lies in our devotion to make other people happy: and if you share happiness with others happiness will grow richer within you (P.236). This means that we should avoid to hurt other people or being hurt by them by using the power of PMA and to be understanding. For it is to remember that if the man is right his world will be right (P. 245).

Chapter Nineteen: Get rid of That Guilt Feeling?
For the authors it is not abnormal to have a guilt feeling for many feelings of guilt are inherited. And others are acquired (P.248) but we have to give up of that feeling of guilt. Like Dr Albert Schweitzer, our sense of guilt should prompt us to start a great mission. The great psychologist Sigmund Freud talked about two factors that can both under hanger) the one description of need to be ill or need to suffer. He precised that the first of these two factors is the sense of (PP 249-250) Guilt or consciousness of guilt. However some fellows were able to get rid of their guilt feelings by applying a formula as Jim Vans (P.254) The authors urge us to catch [appropriate] character and if we face a situation where virtues are in conflict with other virtues, do that which your conscience tells you will not develop a guilt feeling. It's the right thing to do (p 258) Chapter Twenty: Now itís to Test Your Own Success Quotient

Here the authors put it out that: The burden of teaching is upon the person who wants to teach (P. 264). And according to J. Milbum Smith the burden of learning is on the person who wants to learn, not on the person who wants to teach (P.264). J. Milburn smith also said: be respectful and listen to those who have experience. To learn one must pay the price. In addition, I was willing to pay it for I was not taught. I learned. Knowledge? You must seek it out! (Pp 264 ñ 265). This means to copy from success. My answers to the success quotient analysis gives me a score of 244, which is fair (average) and indicates that I am still having more to learn for success and happiness. It's challenging!

Chapter Twenty-one: Awaken the Sleeping Giant Within You
This chapter comes back to the principles of the most important living person, and anything in life worth having is worth working for. For these principals to be effective we need to compensate our compass to avoid dangers and thus arrive safety at our chosen destination. Therefore, we must think with a PMA. In addition, follow through with desirable action. Then, we will be able awaken the sleeping giant within us.

Chapter twenty-two: The Amazing Power of a Bibliography
The book ends with a call to read, understand and apply the principals in inspirational, self-help action books, magazines and newspaper articles. We need role models in our field of activities and in other kind of work. From them, we can teach what principles we can use to succeed. The authors recall that we should follow a definite pattern: read general content; read for particular emphasis; read for the future; read-later-to refresh our memory, and to rekindle our inspiration. As leaders also have the responsibility to motivate others, the importance of sharing is outlined in this chapters: Let us one more remind you: share with others a part of what you have that is good and desirable, and awaken the sleeping giant within you Then this book will not be an ending. It will be the beginning of a new era in your life (P. 282).

Conclusion
As I am going to conclude this assessment, I have to affirm that this book is worth with rich and relevant principles for human development. However, the length of my assessment shows up the difficulty I've had to choose an appropriate methodology. I sincerely do think that the authors could better organize the content to facilitate or simplify the overall comprehension.

The Magic Of Thinking Big
By David J. Schwartz, Ph. D.

Comments and Remarks

To read this book was like discussing with Dr. David Schwartz. Sometimes I felt like he was resolving an issue that was the threatening me for a long time. For example he states that "Belief in great results is the driving force, the power behind all great books, plays, scientific discoveriesÖBelief in success is the one basic, absolutely essential ingredient in successful people (P. 20). It is an appraisal for me as people usually tell me that I am a dreamer because I think that things can change despite the boredom, weakness of our fellows so on.

Dr Schwartz advises that we should not worship a leader. But study him. Learn from him and believe that we can surpass him and go beyond (P.21). This is a lesson of courage, challenge humility. He says "believe in yourself and good things do start happening" (P.23). in Africa we are living in a society where leaders consider themselves as God. Where everything is done to stop ambitious people, belittle them or in extreme cases to kill them. From our village to business entities or state owned entities the threat is constantly present. We need courage and determination as Nelson Mandela and Gandhi. We need a spiritual power as Buddha, Jesus or Mahomet. We need not to be afraid of this evil tendency. We need to be strong enough to consider this context as an opportunity to convert into reward. The author says: "Believe in yourself, believe you can succeed." What should we do to acquire and strengthen the power of belief: (1) think success, don't think failure; (2) remind yourself regularly that you are better than you think you are; (3) believe big (Pp. 25-26).

Dr. Schwartz develops what he calls excusitis, a mind-deadening thought disease. This manifests itself through health, intelligence, age, and luck (p 30). To protect our self from these four common aliments, he suggests what follows (Pp. 33-45):

- Health excusitis: (1) refuse to talk about your health; (2) Refuse to worry about your health; (3) Be genuinely grateful that your health is good as is it is and ; ( 4) remind yourself often, "it's better to wear out than rust out".

- Intelligence excusitis: (1) Never underestimate your own intelligence and never overestimate the intelligence of others; (2) Remind your self several times daily, 'My attitudes are more important than my intelligence; and (3) Remember that the ability to think is of much greater value than the ability to memorize facts.

- Age excusitis: (1) Look at your present age positively. Think "I'm still young" not" I'm already old"; (2) Compute how much productive time you have left; and Invest future time in doing what you really want to do.

- Luck excusitis: (1) Accept the law of cause and effect, and (2) Don't be a wishful thinker.

Dr. Schwartz makes it clear that "Success comes from doing those things and mastering those principles that produce success. Don't count on luck for promotions, victories, the good things in lifeÖJust concentrate on developing those qualities in yourself that will make you a winner" (P. 45).
About confidence and fear, the author prevents that fear explain why million of people accomplish little and enjoy little. Fear prevents people from getting what they want from life (P. 47). What fear is? Uncertainty and lack of confidence. Fear is a form of psychological infection. Fear is nourished and fertilized by indecision and postponement. To cure fear we must take actions and figure out that "all confidence is acquired, developed no one is born with confidence (P. 47). How to cure fear and win confidence? Two step procedure are proposed: (1) Isolate your fear. Pin it down. Determine exactly what you are afraid of ; (2) Then take action. There is some kind of action for any king of fear (P. 51).

Dr. Schwartz states that "Much lack of self-confidence can be traced directly to a mis-managed memory" (P. 51). To build confidence, he sets out two specific things to do: (1) Deposit only positive thoughts in your memory bank ; and (2) Withdraw only positive thoughts from your memory bank. "It is clear that any negative thought, if fertilized with repeated recall, can develop into a real mind monster, breaking down confidence and paving the way to serious psychological difficulties" (P.53). It happens that we are not only afraid of circumstances. We do sometimes fear people. To avoid this fear, we have to put people in proper perspective by: (1) Get balanced view of the other fellow and, (2) Develop and understanding attitude. They are just other human beings, probably a very nice people. The attitude of the young hotel clerk toward a commending customer is a fine illustration of an understanding attitude (P.57). To prevent the lost of our self-confidence, the author advises that we have to do what's right and keep our confidence. "That's thinking yourself to success" (P.60). And he recalls a psychological principle: "To think confidently, act confidentlyÖAct the way you want to feel". Then, he gives five confidence-building exercises: (1) Be a front seater; (2) Practice making eye contact; (3) Walk 25 per cent faster; (4) Practice speaking up; and (5) Smile big (Pp. 61-64).

About How to Think Big, I really like this statement which reminds me many souvenirs: "The point is this: Big thinkers are specialists in creating positive, forward-looking, optimistic pictures in their own minds and in the minds of others. To think big we must use words and phrases which produce big, positive mental images" (P.68). As leaders we are guides. We then have to "practice adding value" to ourselves, people, and things. "It isn't what one has that's important. Rather, it's how much one is planning to get that counts" (Pp.74-75). Through the experience of Jack R., the author illustrates that even stuttering is a detail and triviality in a salesman's profession if the person has the big qualities. He issues three procedures to help us think about triviality: (1) Keep your eyes focused on the big objective; (2) Ask "Is it really important?" before becoming negatively excitedÖ; (3) Don't fall into the triviality trapÖconcentrate on important things (P.80).

On Creative Thinking, I believe that these three points are absolutely important for leaders to memorize:

*Traditional thinking is personal enemy number one for a person who is interested in a creative personal success program (P.88). Leaders ought to be innovative by considering other new ideas or by experimenting new ways and processes.

*Big success calls for persons who continually set higher standards for themselves and others, persons who are searching for ways to increase efficiency, to get more output at lower cost, do more with less effort. Top success is reserved for the I-can-do-it-better kind of person (P. 91).

*Big people monopolize the listening. Small people monopolize the talking P. 95). Leaders are Big people. I think these three-stage program to strengthen our creativity is welcome: (i) Encourage others to talk; (ii) Test your own views in the form of questions; (iii) concentrate on what the other person says (Pp. 96-97).

When I was reading chapter 6 (You Are What You Think You Are), chapter 7 (Manage Your Environment: Go First Class), chapter 8 (Make Your Attitudes Your Allies), and chapter 9 (Think Right toward People), I remember that the reason why I was searching for such a study program was to break the attitudes of arrogance, greed and anger, to develop tolerance and cheerfulness in order to become a role model. I think leaders can't deserve less than that. This is what our fellow employees, colleagues, family members are expecting from us.

When I look back seven years from now, before being Buddhist and recently when I started this program, I find that I was a champion of unfinished businesses. I had many reasons: lack of funds, insufficient knowledge, lack of time, even a bad luck. I could start very inspiring project just to stop it or delay it for these reasons or other kind of obstacles. I am happy to read that, "The test of a successful person is not an ability to eliminate all problems before they arise, but to meet and work out difficulties when they do arise. We must be willing to make an intelligent compromise with perfection lest we wait forever before taking action. It's still good advice to cross bridges as we come to them" (P. 168). I assume that people that get things done in this word don't wait for the spirit to move them; they move the spirit (P. 174). Here also Benjamin Franklin was right: "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today" (P. 176).

My present experience as NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development) civil society coordinator for eleven countries helps me understand that people place confidence in the fellow who acts. They naturally assume he knows what he is doing (P. 180). Right vision and initiatives often encounter the agreement of colleagues and superiors.

One quality to be develop by leaders is the courage to turn defeat into victory. Dr. Schwartz writes that the people who lead every branch of our society have experienced every tough situation we can describe. The one thing we can't match them on is their response to defeat (P. 183). All it took is their persistence to never be defeated. In Buddhism our credo is: "Never give up!" With reference to the biographies and autobiographies of great people, the author says, "It is not possible to win high-level success without meeting opposition, hardship and setback. But it is possible to use setbacks to propel you forward" (P. 184). We must salvage something from every setback. He suggests two ingredients to experiment with persistence to get results: (1) Tell yourself, "There is a way"; (2) Back off and start afresh.

The important things is not where you were or where you are but where you want to go (P.195). in chapter twelve the author stresses the importance of having goals to help us grow. He says: Before you start out, know where you want to go (P.197). Leaders must also have a sound capacity for anticipation: the most important qualification for an executive is the sheer desire to get ahead. in this regard he recalls john Wanamakerís advice: A man is not doing much until the cause he works for possesses all there is of him' (P. 199). We ought to avoid falling in the trap of the five weapons used to commit success-suicide: (1) self appreciation, (2) Security-itis; (3) Competition; (4) Parental dictation, and (5) Family responsibility (Pp. 200-201). He says Throw away those murder weapons! Remember, the only way to get full power, to develop full go-force, is to do what you want To do. Surrender to desire and gain energy, enthusiasm, mental zip, and even better health' (P.201). And Energy increase, multiples, when you set desired goal and resolve to work toward that goal (P.201).The process involves specific flexible planning.
Dr Schwartz states: To accomplish something, we must plan to accomplish something. Now, as you press forward to success, set goals: deadlines, target dates, self imposed quotas (P. 203). As we learn the principle that progress in made one step at a time, we discover that the step-by-step method is the only intelligent way to attain any objective. In this process we must be afraid about to talk a detour. "When we detour, we donít have to change our goals. We just travel a different route' (P.208).

Profit comes from only one source: investment. Two appropriate sound self-investments to pay handsome profits are proposed: (1) invest in education - real education, the kind worth investing in, is that which develops and cultivates your mind (P. 209); (2) invest in idea starters - Purchase those things that build mental power and efficiency (P. 211).
Chapter thirteen, How to Think like a Leader, is based on the four leadership rules or principles: (1) Trade minds with the people you want to influence; (2) Think: what is the human way to handle this? ; (3) Think progress, believe in progress, push for progress; (4) Take time out to confer with yourself.

Rule 1. Trade minds with the people you want to influence the author this is a magic way to get others - friends, associate customers, employees - to act the way you want them to act (P. 213). To put this principle to work for us, we must: (i) consider the other personís situation. Put ourselves in his shoesÖRemember, his interests, income, intelligence, and background may differ considerably from ours, (ii) now ask ourselves, 'If I were in his situation, how would I react to this? (Whatever it is we want him to do); and (iii) then take the action that would move us if were the other person (P. 217).

Rule 2. Think: what is the human way to handle this? For Dr. Schwartz, people use different approaches to leadership situations: (i) the position of a dictator; the (ii) cold, mechanical, I'm-a-rule-book-operator approach; (iii) Be-human' approach obviously, it is worth to use Be human' approach as the experiences John S. and Bob W. demonstrate, if we want to develop our business or to achieve any high level success (Pp. 218-219). Jorge Luis Borges (1999-1986) once stated: dictatorship increases despotism and peopleís slave like nature dictatorship also develops cruelly. However, the most abominable thing about dictatorship is that it encourages stupidity.1
As we choose the be human approach, there are two ways to make us a better leader: (1) each time we face a difficult matter involving people, we do ask our self, 'What is the human way to handle this? (2) Let our action show we put people first (show interest in our subordinates off-the-job accomplishments) (P. 221).

Rule 3. Think progress, believe in progress, push for progress. Here are two special things we can do to develop our progressive outlook: (1) Think improvement in everything we do; and (e) Thing high standards in everything we do (P 222).

Rule 4. Take time out to confer with yourself and tap your supreme thinking power.
he author argues that leaders are pictured as exceptionally busy people. Moreover, leadership thus requires being in the thick of things. It is noteworthy that leaders spend considerable time alone, alone with nothing but their own thinking apparatus (P. 227). He states that, the point is this: the successful person in any field takes time out to confer with himself or herself. Leaders use solitude to put the pieces of a problem together, to work out solutions, to plan, and in one phrase, to do their super-thinking (P. 227).

The outcome of this attitude is confirmed by the discovery of 13 trainees in a professional development program. They discovered that decisions and observations made alone in managed solitude have an uncanny way of being 100 percent right'(Pp. 228 ñ 229). Then, we must remember that the main job of a leader is thinking and the best preparation for leadership is thinking (P. 229).

3. ConclusionFinancial matters are challenging for some of us. We might be aware of the richness of the conclusion of Dr. Schwartz: 'think big enough to see that you put service first, money takes care of itself. In the words of Publilius Syrus: A wise man will be master of this mind / A fool will be its slave (P. 232).

At this level of the program, there is a need to underline two facts as personal opinion. First, back to October 2002 I was known for my "cold mechanical, I'm -a-rule-book operator approach - what my relatives and colleagues called a rustle personality. The resolution to change this perception was the likely answer. Not so long after I received the proposal for registration to the international Institute for Global leadership. This was the accomplishment of the principle of when the student is ready, the teacher appears. And when the teacher is ready, the student appears. Second, in July 2003, just sometime after I had written my assessment on 'Awaken the Giant Within of Anthony Robbins and I started to apply some of its exercises, I have been given a continental responsibility (the Coordination of central Africa civil society for NEPAD). This is the opportunity given to me to apply lessons learned within the program. Right now, the outcome is prodigious.

Love Is Letting Go Of Fear
by Roger Yomba Ngué

Introduction
In his particular style, Dr Jampolsky considers two essential emotions that condition our life : love and fear. In this book again, he argues that, by applying these concepts to both our professional and personal life, we will begin to experience periods of peace as never dreamed before. The most interesting is that the author based his words on his own personal experience: "Today, I know I am not a victim of the world I see, and therefore tend to take responsibility for whatever I perceive and the emotions I experience". This is my second Jampolsky's book after the co-anthored "Change your Mind, change your life" (with Dr Crincions April 1994). Although this is the oldest one its pertinence, accuracy (actualite) double with the accessibility of its style make it highly recommended. Below are the lessons learnt and my remarks.

Lessons learnt and remarks
In his foreword, Hugh Prather Stated: 'Love itself remains Constant; only the particular body from whom we sometimes come to expect it may change' (P.9). Here we can easily understand that love is available for each of us but it depending on our state of mind and our interpretation. Love is the contrary of fear. To close his foreword, Pather recalls a pleasant story from a friend which illustrates also that love is hope : 'And God said, 'You misinterpret, my son'. It is true that when the times were pleasant I walked beside you and printed out the way. But when the times were difficult, I carried you.' (P.10).

Introduction
To experience love, one needs to transform his belief system. The author confesses that 'many of us ... have felt the futility of trying to rid ourselves of frustration, conflict, pain and illness, while still holding on to our old belief systems' (P.11). Transforn our belief systems also means fulfill the emptiness our spiritual deprivation according to Mother Teresa of calcutta. For Dr Jampolsky, this small book intended to help us remove the blocks to the awareness of loveís presence. (P.13).

Preparation For Personal Transformation
Our life is influenced by our environement, our experience whilch are themselves commanding by fear. 'Although love is always what we really want, we are often afraid of love without consciously knowing it and so we may act both blind and deaf to loveís presence'. (P17). To experience a personal transformation, there is a need to help ourselves and each other let go of fear. When we let go of fear our life changes and we enter a state of clarity commanded by inner peace and love.

What are the boundaries of our minds? Our minds have only the limitations we place on them. 'Because our minds have no boundaries, they are actually joined. ..... we limit our minds to using it as our reality'. (P.21) Moreover 'After our inner voice gives us direction, it will also provide the means for accomplishing whatever is necessary'. (P.28). Our language has also an impact in our daily life. Dr Jampolsky advises to avoid words like canít and impossible which impose limits to ourselves. (P.21).

Ingredients of personal Transformation.
In this chapter the author points out the importance of our perception. It is evident that the transformation most come from ourselves from within. We might not expect or demand a change from others as must accept them as they are: 'True acceptance is always without demands and expectations' (P.35). We have to behave as giving help to those who express fear. 'In order to experience peace instead of conflict, it is necessary to shift our perception. Instead of seeing others as attacking us, we can see them as fearful ... It is apparent, then, that to experience peace we must recognize that we do have a choice indetermining what we perceive'. (P.34). The getting motivation leads to conflict and distress and is associated only with lineartime ... The giving motivation leads to a sense of inner peace and joy that is unelated to time. (P.36).

The importance of the way we communicate is underlined here as crucial. We must be consistent if we need that our communications with others bring about a sense of joining and empowering. A list of words to avoid is indicated by the author. (P.41).

After he presented fear as something our mind has made up and unreal, Dr Jampolsky reveals that our inner being reflects itself outward.

Lessons for Personal Transformation

2.3.1 Lesson 1: All that I give is given to myself
Expressing the difference between law and the Law of Love, Jerry indicates that the law is based on the belief in scarcity, while love is giving without no expectations. Giving love others is to teach ourselves what we are. He precises that it is no charity on my part to offer forgiveness and Love to others in place of attack as Love and forgiveness are the only gifts I would offer others.

To examples illustrate that there is no time to be ready (letter from Rita P.p.58-61) and that we do not have to seek for guidance outside of ourself to find out what to do (lesson from Mother Teresa) (Pp.61-62).

2.3.2 Lesson 2 : Forgiveness is the key to happiness
Forgiveness means correcting our mis-perception that the other person harmed us. We need to remind ourselves constantly that love is the only reality there is. By choosing forgiveness, we can begin to know that the truth of love is forever present and that by perceiving only Love we can experience happiness (P.65). Because when we cherish grievances we allow our mind to be fed by fear and we become imprisoned by these distortions (P.65). Dr Jampolsky underlines through an experience that : 'I continue to be impressed by how quickly I experience inner peace when I let go of my attachment to the past belief that someone is guilty and someone is innocent' (P.68).

2.3.3 Lesson 3 : I am never upset for the reason I think
In this lesson the author recalls the law of cause and effect. He states that Peace of mind begins with our own thoughts and extends outward. It is from our peace of mind (cause) that a peaceful perception of the world arises (effect). (P.72). He precises that we all have the power to direct our minds to replace the feelings of being upset, depressed and fearful with the feeling of inner peace 'When I recognize that I always have the choice between being fearful or experiencing Love by extending Love to others, I need no longer be upset for any reason'. (P.P.72 & 73). Finally I learn that our pain is caused or became worse when I am fearful and holding a grievance against someone. Then we are not upset for the reason we thought (P.73).

2.3.4 Lesson 4 : I am determined to see things differently
Here our effort must be directed towards the transformation of our belief system. According to the author, if we are willing, it is possible to change our belief system. However, to do so we must take a new look at every one of our cherished assumptions and values from the past. This means letting go of any investment in holding on to fear, anger guilt or pain (P.78). It means ... (P78). When we are totally absorbed in giving, we felt no fear as our state of mind is our responsibility which is determined by the choice we make in how we see people and situations. Then, nothing is impossible when we follow our inner guidance, even when its direction may threaten us by reversingt our usual logic.

2.3.5 Lesson 5 : I can escape from the world I see by giving up attack thoughts
As the bible says, we commit sins through our words,thoughts and actions (behavior). It's also clear that living within a certain environment conditions the way we behave. In this section, the author states that by changing our thoughts we are actually changing the cause. And the effect will change automatically (P.85). How is it works? According to Dr. Jampolsky, we can perceive attack outside us only when we have first accepted attack as real within. But usually we try to hide from our consious awareness that the attack we perceive as coming from others actually originated in our mind. In contrary as the Law of causality works we might better choose to replace attack thoughts with Love thoughts in order to stop hurting ourselves.

2.3.6 Lesson 6 : I am not the victim of the world I see
According to the author, to be consistent in achieving inner peace, we must perceive a world where everyone is innocent (P.91). In other words we can understand that our relationship with our fellows must be based in mutual confidence. As what I see without is a reflection of what I have first seen within my own mind (P.91), it is evident that we have to develop a proper self esteem / self confidence.

2.3.7 Lesson 7 : Today I will judge nothing that occurs
Through our studies and social environnent, we have developed a kind of criticism that leads to a fault-finding attitude. Therefore we must be aware that being a fault-finder is totally dependent on our past experiences (P.98). But, to experience unconditional love, we must move from the evaluating part of ourself and hear our strong inner voice saying to ourselves and others, 'I totally love and accept you as you are'. (P.98). Behaving in such a way we are creating a cause for others to react the same way with us.

2.3.8 Lesson 8 : This instant is the only time there is
Our quest for inner peace should be consider on a daily basis. Each instant of our life should contribute to the attainment of a peaceful present no matter what learned from our past experiences. The author says : 'The past is over and the future is yet to be peace cannot be found in the past or future, but only in this instant. This instant is the only time there is' (P.106).

2.3.9 Lesson 9 : The past is over it can touch me not
Jerry says : 'To let each second be a new birth experience is to look without condemnation on the present ... It allows us to breathe in freedom and experience the miracle of love by sharing this mutual release. It allows for an instant of healing where love is ever present, here and now' (P.112) Most of us are slaves of the (our) burden of the past. We are afraid to make mistakes. Doing so we avoid apportunities to sorround our life. What is expected from us is just the contrary like the parents of the example of page 113.

2.3.10 Lesson 10 : I could see peace instead of this
The choice is between peace and conflict in each instant of our life. Usually we experience conflict because we just look at things in a fragmented portions. Jerry says : 'When we dwell on past events or anticipate future happenings? we are living in the realm of fantasy' (P.118). Doing so, we not only place our happiness of unhappiness in external events. We also prevent the magic of life to manifest itself. The shift to make here is to devote ourself on helping someone, to cease to perceive ourself as ill or in pain and find meaning in the statement, 'to give is to receive' (P.120). Our happiness, joy as unhapiness and pain spring from within us.

2.3.11 Lesson 11 : I can elect to change all thougts that hurt
The great lesson in this section for me is to face any issue with open mind and love thoughts and celebrate each outcome. Dr Jampolsky states that : 'If we perceive things not as problem but rather as opportunities for learning, we can experience a sense of joy and well being when the lessons are learned' (P.124). Here I also remember the principle of : 'When the student is ready the teacher (master) appears and vice versa' as we are never presented with lessons until we are ready to learn them.

2.3.12 Lesson 12 : I am responsible for what I see
To what am I putting my attention? What do I choose to see around me? These are some questions that condition our decision, orientation and happinings. The picture of page 128 illustrates that if we choose fear, we can just live in a tiny and unpleasant world. Reverly, when we choose love our world is magnific, joyful and immensely blessed.

Conclusion
In Africa, the context we are living in (poverty, scarcity, bad governance, lack of democracy, stress, etc.) encourages anger and jealousy. Those who have a position within the society are subjects to many kinds of attacks. A leader here needs a lot of diplomacy while dealing with people. He also needs a high level of compassion to remain reliable. Recently I have been driven by a very special young lady late in the night. While she was dropping me at my place, I wonder why she wasn't afraid to drive back home alone as we live in a war-torn country. She simply answers that : 'There is nothing that hurt within me, then I can't be hurt by some external force.'

The Spontaneous Futfillment of Desire
Assessment by Roger Yomba Ngué (Côte d’Ivoire)

Introduction

Two important questions constitute the core of this book : 'how does this work ?' which explores the working dynamics of coincidence, synchronicity and synchrodestiny. And 'what does this mean for me ?' Which covers the seven principles of synchrodestiny with the day-by-day plans for using what we learn. Based on his own experience, Dr Deepak Chopra shows how all events or 'coincidences' are connected and interrelated. 'Coincidences' then contain precious clues about particular facets of our lives that require our attention. Dr Chopra reveals that his own life was defined by the friendship of his father and lady Mountbatten. His father being the then personal physician of Lord Mountbatten, the last Governor-General of the British Empire in India.

The author explains that the final stage of living synchrodestiny occurs when we become fully aware of the interrelatedness of all things, how each affects the next, how they all are in synchrony with one another. 'In synchrony' meaning operating in unison as one. Below are my lessons learnt and comments.

II. Lessons learnt and comments

Part one : The Promise of Unlimited Potential

Matter, Mind and Spirit

The author points out the influence of our daily experience and 'education' on the previous vision of life: 'our view of the future becomes constricted. What once lifted our imaginations now weights us down with dread and anxiety. What once left boundlerss becomes narrow and dark' (P.34).

At the time he reveals that there is a way to regain the soaring joy of unlimited potential. All that is required is the understanding and a willingness to recognize the interrelatedness and inseparability of all things. That is the synchrodestiny. With synchrodestiny, we gain the ability to transform our lives according to our intentions. How? We need to understand the nature of the three levels of existence.

The first level of existence is physical or material, the visible universe. The world we know. Here everything has a beginning, a middle and end, and is therefore impermanent.

At the second level of existence everything consists of information and