Rating: 
Summary: Simple Yet Potent
Review: I have read a lot of self help, personal transformation books and found this one to be more down to earth and practical in attaining lasting transformation. What the Kanes present is very simple, some times challenging in its simplicity. The premise of their technology of not working on yourself was new and different to me at first. From the outset the Kanes write, "if you can view the information as fresh, and actually hear what we are saying, your whole life could transform in an instant." So I did just that while reading their book. I found myself slowing down and really absorb what they were saying. And I can honestly say their technology works!First of all what a relief it was to find that there is nothing to change about myself. I was relieved to just sit back and enjoy the book without trying to get some new way of being a "better" me. I did need to notice how I am in my life, but in a non-judgmental way of seeing what I find. Many of my mechanical behaviors or automatic ways of being that are not true expressions of myself have and continue to disappear. In their place what I am founding is me. And in turn a more satisfying, enriching and loving life. In the chapter called "Ida" Ariel writes of the bittersweet happenings leading up to the death of Shya's mom Ida. Through reading this story I came away with a truer understanding for the word forgiveness. I find myself having more compassion for others around me before judging them for what I do not know of in their lives. I especially liked how the Kanes explained each concept they present thoroughly. Of course I had heard the word "listening" before, but I had never heard of how true listening could lead me into transformation. The concept of being happy over feeling sad was one that really touched me. In the past I often choose to be or appear to be happy over what I was really feeling. And in doing so I missed out on other enriching moments life presented. I had read about "the beginner's mind in Zen," but I never really experienced it before as a way of being all the time. Where each moment is new and by letting life unfold itself without trying to turn it into something it's not, life has become an exciting adventure. Some ideas may not be new but the Kanes have presented them to me in a way I can understand and incorporate them into in my daily life. I certainly have a clearer and truer sense of myself after reading it. I highly recommend buying and reading this book, as it has been a major key in supporting transformation in my life and could be for your life too.
Rating:
Summary: Done with hard work.
Review: "WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK" by Ariel and Shya Kane is a gem. Each time I read it, it offers something moving, insightful, and supportive. I share it with my friends, family, and colleagues. In the chapter "Death of the Past," the Kanes talk about our attachment to memories: "there is a fear that if we let go of it all, we will be less interesting or that we won't know who we are anymore -- that something important about us will die." As I read this chapter, I saw in myself a whole volume of memories or stories about my life, many of which I found placed limits on who I am or might become moment to moment. In simply seeing those self-imposed limitations, I now have new freedom to make choices in my life without being hampered by those limitations. For instance, I almost declined an invitation to a football game recently because I believed I couldn't enjoy watching the game. I noticed this belief, went to the game, and had a great time learning the rules and watching the game! The Kanes single out awareness, the process of self-observation without judgement, as the key to transformation -- a radical shift in one's way of being that happens when you get into the moment. It's not about hard work -- it's easy and gentle. The book is straightforward and down-to-earth -- no need to venture to far-away lands to learn the mysteries of the universe. The Kanes demonstrate the reality of day-today enlightenment on every page. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Top 100
Review: I came to this book through the back door, in the sense that another book had been recommended to me by a friend, The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle. When I went to the bookstore to look at The Power of Now, I looked at this one also, because on Amazon this book had been recommended by somebody either instead of or in addition to the Tolle book. When I looked at the two books together, I picked this one. I picked it because it is less verbose, easier to read, more to the point-and I "got it." I didn't buy it the first time I looked at it; but I read it. I read it all the way through, in one sitting, and I got a lot out of it. It really provoked me. It opened my world. And still I didn't buy it. I put it back on the shelf, and three weeks later I came back to the bookstore, with the ideas from the book percolating in me the entire time, and I read it again. I was very surprised: this time when I read it I read an entirely different book because I was different. The first reading of the book had changed me already. I found what I understood from the book on the second reading was completely different from what I had understood on the first reading-and it was glorious! And still I didn't buy it. Three more weeks go by, the book percolating inside of me the entire time, and I came back to the bookstore. I read it a third time. And again I found I read a completely different book than the book I had read the first two times. This time I bought it. (No, I didn't buy it on Amazon.) I'm really glad I did. One of the reasons I bought the book on October 18, 2003, is that in the back of the book there's information about how to go to the seminars that are conducted by the authors. They're in New York, and I'm in New York, and I decided to go to one of their Monday night Transformation Evenings-which I did, for the first time on October 20, 2003. I've been going ever since. This little book, this slender volume, is one of the best books I've ever read, and I've read a lot of books. It's definitely in my Top 100.
Rating:
Summary: Simple and Powerful!
Review: This book has an incredibly powerful message. The authors share personal stories and parables that show you in practical and metaphorical ways the essence of their approach to personal growth. The authors have synthesized the best of spiritual and transformational ideas and practices in a practical and easy way. Several chapters in particular moved me very deeply. In one chapter the Kanes talk about the death of Shya's mother ("Ida") - and reveal the mysteries behind her character, and indeed shed light and understanding on everyone's unique idiosyncracies. The message here is about the healing power of compassion and forgiveness. Another story ("The Burn") illustrates the authors' unique approach to pain control and body-work through awareness. There is something in common here with what I have read and studied elsewhere - but the authors take this method deeper and it is really a metaphor for their entire approach to personal transformation - through pure awareness - without working on yourself, and without self-judgement. They also tell a story ("Instantaneous Transformation") that highlights how their technique allows people to become free from the past, and from the silly decisions and judgments that we may have made as a child that have haunted us and controlled our behaviors all our lives. At once easy to read, yet profound in its message, this book is a healing force for people who are open to hear its message. This is a book for people ready for the truth and ready for actual transformation and healing in their lives. I chuckled to myself when I read some "negative" reviews by the couple of reviewers who seemed to be intellectuals. I, too, am a very intellectual person - but real satisfaction has come from discovering the magnificence of my life, my world, and of all the people around me - in each moment of now, by learning how to live in my experience, by learning how to be more aware. The Kanes' easy and practical method of awareness helped me achieve this state of well-being. Also of great use to me was to listen to the Kanes' audio tapes on "Magical Relationships" and "The Principles of Transformation" which are excerpts from some of their workshops - and which shed deeper insights on the "Don't Work On Yourself" approach. This "simple" book is exceedingly powerful! I highly encourage you to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: The keys to an amazing life are in this book
Review: I have given out 11 copies of this book to friends of mine and I am purchasing more. Having read many books about self-improvement and spirituality, all I can say is that this is the only one I've ever read whose ideas work for me in the real world. What they teach is how easy and satisfying life can be if you just let it by bringing awareness to who you are and how you operate in your life. There is no planning, no visualization, no hard work and best of all, no trying to change yourself involved. Although I have seen similar ideas and approaches, I have never come across anyone with the same understanding, eloquence and compassion as Ariel and Shya Kane. What they have discovered and what they teach is truly life-changing, but the way they approach their explanation of what they know makes it easy to absorb. In this book I found trusted friends who didn't have to hype what they describe and who didn't come across as all-knowing gurus. They simply describe an approach to life that is so simple and so intuitively truthful that it is hard to believe. This is the book I would take with me if I was on a desert island and I will be reading it for many years to come not only for its insight, but also for its beauty. Thank you Ariel & Shya for putting so much of yourselves into this amazing book.
Rating:
Summary: Life can be very, very good!
Review: This is one of the best personal transformation books I have ever read! It's the best because -the guidelines or examples provided by the authors really do enable you to "live your life directly" from a place where you can choose your actions and not just automatically react to situations that come up in everyday life. Life can be challenging. And what I really appreciate most about this book is the author's approach of not working on your "problems" but by bringing awareness to them without judging or resisting them, the previously held "problems" disappear. For me this approach to living my life has had a lasting effect. The following is an example of how my own work environment transformed thru the author's 3 Principles of Transformation. 1. Anything you resist, persists and gets stronger.
A coworker played the radio during our work day that I resisted and complained to myself and others about as being too loud and distracting. The radio's volume got higher the more I complained about it. But actually the volume was never physically turned up any higher! 2. No two things can occupy the same space at the same time.
I complained about the radio and was not getting any of my work done. 3. Anything that you recreate or have be exactly as it is, will complete itself and disappear.
I noticed my complaints about the radio and my coworker for playing the radio, and just got to work. I started using the radio as a barometer of my not wanting to complete the work I was responsible for. I later noticed I was not distracted by noise around me. I now work on a very busy trading floor of a major investment bank, that at times can be very loud, and I'm amazed at how much work I complete by the end of my day. I also feel a lot more at ease and in relationship with my coworkers. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in living a productive and satisfying life!
Rating:
Summary: A new gift each time I read it.
Review: Every now and again, I pick up my copy of "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work"
by Ariel and Shya Kane, revisit a few chapters, and find myself slipping
more deeply into the the present. I just re-read the chapter entitled "The
Burn" in which the pain of Ariel's burn dissolves after Shya supports her in
looking at the pain without judging it or trying to get rid of it. It's a
wonderful chapter because it illustrates the principles of transformation
the Kanes lay out in the book in a physical example that also works as a
symbolic illustration of their message: that awareness is the key to living
a wonderful life. I had enjoyed this chapter several times in the past, but
with this last reading the essence of being in the present went in more
deeply for me. That's just the kind of book this is - a dependable
companion to living in the moment, where life is great. I give "Working on
Yourself Doesn't Work" my highest praise - it's a wonderful gift for
yourself and anyone you share it with.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't buy this book.
Review: There was no choice for zero stars or I would have selected that as my choice of ratings for this book. Working on Yourself Doesn't Work has absolutely nothing new to offer in the field of transformation by being in the Now. It is a silly sham of a book. I am certain publishers must have believed this too so the authors self published it..as in ASK productions, Inc. Indeed it was a production that yielded nothing but my loss of 12.95 for which I have asked reimbursement. If readers want to get in touch with the principles of being present in the moment..please read The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and save yourselves from having to read this one.
Rating:
Summary: Very interesting!
Review: This book does a nice job in explaining the fact that the mere act of trying takes us away from and not toward a state of inner peace and harmony. The authors provide us with some practical advice to get over this contradiction but the best book that explains this so far is "The Ever-Transcending Spirit" by Toru Sato. Although Sato admits in his book that he would not be writing that book if he was in total peace, he provides us with a clear and understandable account of the concept. This book by the Kane's is also a wonderful attempt to explain this phenomena. It provides an articulate account of the personal experiences of the authors and why "trying" does not work. I felt that I learned quite a lot from this book! Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Simplistic but helpful
Review: I did enjoy the Kanes book. I found it helpful and quite insightful anlthough a bit too brief. My personal favorite book on the subject of learning to live more fully in the present moment is Present Moment Awareness by Shannon Duncan. It was incredibly powerful for me as it allowed me to immediately apply what I was learning and immediately see a difference in how my life could be. I recommend both of these books. They work well together.
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