Rating: 
Summary: A Gem
Review: This book presents many insights on parts of the Diamond Sutra. (The "Diamond Cutter" name is interestingly new to me, as I have been only familiar with the shorter "Diamond" and the longer "Diamond That Cuts Through Delusions".) The author's interpretations are refreshing, even without the context of business challenges, of which his diamond venture serves as a unique background. It is rare to have aspects of the Dharma presented by a young, life-engaging monk, and an American to boost. In particular, the notion of "mental imprints" is deeply important with respect to how one perceives and constructs the world. As a bonus, I learn a few things about diamond, diamond cutting, and the diamond trade.Unlike another reviewer, I am supportive of Geshe Roach in his presenting the Diamond Sutra through the particular form of this book -- a manifestation of what Buddhist tradition calls "skillful means". About the 4 stars: I wish the writing could be tightened up in various places. (But then again, this subjective observation of mine may be the effects of imprints left by my earlier writing courses.)
Rating: 
Summary: One In A Million
Review: This vast website of amazon.com has over a million items. If you found this book it happened for a reason. Read it! Having recently come from a week of teachings with the Dalai Llama I would share that the teachings in this book are in full alignment. Having worked for a number of organizations I would share that his views on business are also in full alignment. Here is a person who devoted over 20 years of his life to become fluent in a foreign language and learn teachings of a tradition that is 2,500 years old. Then, rather than staying in that remote region he immersed himself in something we all know about very well: everyday life. The essence of life should be to integrate the esoteric (uncommon) with the exoteric (common) realms of life. That is what this book is about. Still not sure if it is for you? You can go to to listen to some of his teachings at no charge. Still not sure if this book is for you? Buy it since 100% of profits go to support Tibetan refugees and put it on your shelf until you know it IS for you or pass it along to the friend it is also really for. Namaste
Rating:
Summary: HOW TO BECOME A BILLIONAIRE!!!
Review: We all understand cause-and-effect. If we hit our thumb with a hammer, it will hurt. If we get drunk, we will have a hangover. But these "correlations", as the author calls them, also expand to include "positive effects". If you feed a dog, it will respond to you. If you hug your wife sincerely, you will have a more loving relationship. Everything that you are experiencing now is the result of past actions and thoughts. Millions of past actions and thoughts. Negative actions bring negative results. Positive actions bring positive results. Everything, literally everything, is the result of cause and effect. As the author states, "There are no limited resources". And as the Dalai Lama states, "We are all sharing the same karmic experience". In other words, we are here now because we all share similar effects of our actions. It does not matter if it is fair. It does not matter if it is right. It just is. If you drop the hammer on your toe - your toe will become swollen. If you don't soak your toe, it may develop an infection. If you don't take care of the infection, it may spread. Eventually, maybe your leg will have to be amputated. NOTE! This is what the author is stating when he says that karma (actions) are expandable. They expand unless erased. That is the bad news. Positive actions are expandable as well. There is cause-and-effect. And there is the law (just observe) that deeds expand if not attended to. Just put some meat out on your kitchen table for days. It becomes more and more rotten as time passes. First flies. And then all sort of bugs. Fungus. Actions are expandable if not taken care of. What the author calls "acts of generosity" lead to wealth. And these acts too are expandable. Just like the meat on your kitchen table. Our actions and thoughts make "imprints" on our minds. It doesn't need to be fair. According to the author, when we understand the "hidden potential" of things (everything is really a blank screen) and that we can actually imprint our own minds to deliver certain results, just like I am typing on this keyboard, then we understand true creation. And the "imprinting process" goes much deeper by understanding the process of creation. "Acts of generosity" grow in the subconcious. And they eventually will ripen. This book needs to be read several times in order to understand this process. "Acts of stealing (including cheating on your taxes)" are imprinted in the subconcious and grow. So, you make a billion dollars and then your partner steals it all away from you! This is the result of both generosity and stealing. Everything you think and do comes back at you. Let me repeat that. Everything that you do comes back at you. Now, by giving to the Red Cross, this won't quarantee that you will become a Billionaire. But what happens if all this generosity is harnessed in the subconcious? You tell me. What happens if all the lying (confusion), stealing (poverty), adultery (social disorder and eventually pollution), killing (being murdered) stops. This book tells you how to harness all this energy in business and turn it into an atom bomb. It takes time. We certainly are not all saints. But the author does let us have it. "Tracking" our behavior. Exchanging ourselves with others. Understanding the "hidden potential" of things or "emptiness". Therefore, creating causes, that by law, must be manifested. I have already tried to contact the author's website. EBI (Enlightened Business Institute). I have not received a result yet because of MY past lying and deceit. You will understand what I mean after you read and study the book. Thank you to my teacher, Lama Surya Das. And also to my teacher, Geshe Michael Roach.
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