Rating: 
Summary: Simple Thoughts on Self Improvement
Review: Sharma uses a fable (involving a garden, a lighthouse and a sumo wrestler-to name a few) to describe the "seven virtues" and easy to use techniques for self improvement. Everything is readily understandable and feasible. Of course, the trick is to implement the techniques in your own life. :-) Unfortunately...the author can't do that for you!
Rating: 
Summary: Some good advice, but much too mystical
Review: Some of the advice he gives is sound, but he makes it all sound so mystical. For example, the "Heart of the Rose" exercise is meditation. There, simple and precise; no need to get a rose and stare at it, learn about meditation instead, not some mystical, over-specific prescription.Other concepts, like kaizen, were interesting, but didn't talk enough about the philosophy of the idea. All in all, the concepts expressed in the book seem to all come from some non-existant religious sect, rather than from the author's life. I know that the ideas are expressed in a story to make them more easily absorbed, but the effect seems to obscure the real potential of some of the concepts in the book.
Rating:
Summary: Some good advice, but much too mystical
Review: Some of the advice he gives is sound, but he makes it all sound so mystical. For example, the "Heart of the Rose" exercise is meditation. There, simple and precise; no need to get a rose and stare at it, learn about meditation instead, not some mystical, over-specific prescription. Other concepts, like kaizen, were interesting, but didn't talk enough about the philosophy of the idea. All in all, the concepts expressed in the book seem to all come from some non-existant religious sect, rather than from the author's life. I know that the ideas are expressed in a story to make them more easily absorbed, but the effect seems to obscure the real potential of some of the concepts in the book.
Rating:
Summary: Another Horizon Perspective
Review: The author definitely imparts worthwhile advice. Being reminded of the value of simple joys is never a waste of time. Knowing one's self well enough to live well and peacefully in a time when we have to consider disaster and terrorism - is an accomplishment of significant magnitude. However, it would seem that Mr. Sharma -too has seen the movie or read Hilton's Lost Horizon. Reading the Hilton book or seeing the movie, one is pressed to examine life much as Sharma would suggest. I enjoyed the reading - but found the Hilton/Sharma stories similarity somewhat unsettling. For those folks not familiar with the Hilton story, Mr. Sharma has reminded us, yet again - of value found in peace of mind.
Rating: 
Summary: Superficial
Review: The book is a mish-mash of meditation techniques (like "mindfullness"), cogitive self-help ("think positive thoughts"), time managment (make a list of things you have to do), and common sense (exercise and diet). Mostly a waste of time, though a few little aphorisms did stick in my mind. For example: most people on theoir death beds do not say "I wish I had spent more time at the office." If you are interested in any of these self help techniques you would do better to buy a book specifically on that method. Sharma is not a charlatan, but definitely on that side of the spectrum of self help gurus.
Rating: 
Summary: Good if you are new to Buddhism
Review: The book is well written. When Julian Mantle suffers a heart attack, he goes to India to learn from some wise Buddhist men over there.
There are other books that talk about eastern philosophy that are much better than this one, because they concentrate on that philosophy and their principles.
The techniques described here are not new at all. But if you are new to Buddhism and eastern philosophy, then this book should be ok for a start. And of course, the book views eastern philosophy from a western point of view (which some of you may like).
The main part of the book is when Julian Mantle comes back of India and sees an old friend, and then Julian starts to explain all the wisdom that he learned in India.
Rating:
Summary: Peaceful book!
Review: This book is for those who dont have time to read real philosophy. Its like those stories that contain a real message to the reader in the end. Told so because the message as such does not make sense, if told directly.
The book superficially takes you through the basics of Buddhist and Hindu philosophies. Read this book together with 'Who will Cry when you die'.
If you have liked Deepak Chopra's "Seven Spiritual Laws of Sucess' or 'How to Know God', you would like this one too.
Lastly, dont get carried away with that 'stressful' life scenario played again and again in the book. At times, sounds as if these quotes dont apply to a 'normal' working professional.
Rating:
Summary: mETAPHYSICAL
Review: tHIS BOOK IS WELL WRITTEN, HOWEVER, IT IS PRESENTING METAPHYSICAL PRINCIPALS IN AN EASTERN CONTEXT. BECAUSE OF THIS I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED, HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE NEW TO METAPHYSICAL PRINCIPALS, IT CAN BE INFORMATIVE,
Rating:
Summary: Life Changing Story
Review: This is a great book if you are feeling "stuck" in life, and want some pointers on how fulfill your dreams. Its advice is very basic, but told in the form of a story which makes the points brought out easy to remember. Also helping to make the points easier to remember are great one-liners like "The purpose of life is to have a lifes purpose" or "We are spiritual people having an earthly experience". The simplicity with which the story is told, will help keep the lessons fresh in your mind. I listened to the audiocassette. I took off one star from my rating, because I did not think the production was perfect. I noticed some background noise here and there. Maybe this was taped during a live talk, I don't know. The noise was noticeable but not distracting. Also, I did not feel the reading was very professionaly done. However, it is still a worthwhile tape to listen to and learn from.
Rating:
Summary: Life Changing Story
Review: This is a great book if you are feeling "stuck" in life, and want some pointers on how fulfill your dreams. Its advice is very basic, but told in the form of a story which makes the points brought out easy to remember. Also helping to make the points easier to remember are great one-liners like "The purpose of life is to have a lifes purpose" or "We are spiritual people having an earthly experience". The simplicity with which the story is told, will help keep the lessons fresh in your mind. I listened to the audiocassette. I took off one star from my rating, because I did not think the production was perfect. I noticed some background noise here and there. Maybe this was taped during a live talk, I don't know. The noise was noticeable but not distracting. Also, I did not feel the reading was very professionaly done. However, it is still a worthwhile tape to listen to and learn from.
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