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Summary: Secular Buddhism?
Review: The Kanes seem to promoting a kind of secular Buddhism - though they never actually say so. This book is small (125 pages of double spaced text) so readers without prior exposure the to "awareness" practice they promote may find it emotionally moving yet intellectually vague. Still, their premise is right on.It's certainly no secret that a person's thoughts greatly influence their motivations and sense of wellbeing. And there is a growing body of evidence from psychiatric clinical trials that our thought habits can be relearned through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT teaches people to maintain objective awareness of their thoughts and to actively challenge the validity of burdensome perceptions. When one practices conscious awareness and finds that certain perceptions are false, one's unhealthy habitual reactions to those thoughts gradually diminish. This ties in with basic Buddhism which has long held that the only way to achieve real mental maturity (enlightenment or whatever you want to call it) is by maintaining conscious objective awareness of thoughts and sensations (rather than ignoring, suppressing, fleeing or lusting after them). The Kane's book makes few references to Zen Buddhism, but enough to convince me that they have extracted its core principles. Their book does not promote any named religious or psychotherapeutic strategy. Rather, it seems to take the core essence of Buddhism and CBT, presenting it to readers in a light and warm hearted manner. It's all about "being in the moment," a phrase which, though wildly overused among books today, is not untrue. Pay attention to what's going on NOW rather than getting lost in thoughts about the past or future. That's it. While the book doesn't have enough depth for those prone to dig, it succeeds by avoiding the extremes of Zen (which can seem mystical) and CBT (which some find too clinical). The book, though brief, is probably better off for being so. Those with an analytical bent may wish to look elsewhere. But for those into easy reading and seeking a taste of what "being in the moment" is all about, this is a fairly good book.
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Summary: Just the TIP of the Iceberg!
Review: I have done a number of seminars with the authors and their approach is both very powerful and very simple. It does, however, take courage and will and honesty. Simple does not always mean easy. But the rewards are greater satisfaction, happiness and success in your life. Some people say that their approach is over simplified. Or that is is "too easy". But my experience is that life IS easier WHEN YOU DON'T RESIST WHAT LIFE OFFERS YOU. And it is UP TO YOU whether you are willing to be with what is, now, instantaneously. Or whether you continue resisting and struggling and indeed continue to "Work on yourself". WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK! It's the truth. It's very simple. But it took me a number of years to really incorporate that truth into my life. I highly recommend this book! And for those that are seeking more... I invite you to meet the authors...anyway you can...they do seminars worldwide...and there is MUCH MORE they have to offer...This book is just the TIP of the ICEBERG!!
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Summary: Vague
Review: I found this book to be very vague. The basic message seems to be that one should feel their feelings a basic principle of psychotherapy. They also convey that feeling your feelings or living in the moment requires no effort. I strongly disagree with this point. When myriads of negative messages are sitting in one's psyche it takes a consious effort to deal with them. Typical of their over simplified approach is that one needs to forgive to be able to live in the moment. If forgiveness was this easy we'd all be doing it. In an idealistic state they are correct that living in the moment is the goal. The road to getting there they completely ignore leaving the reader sime vague hints about letting go.
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Summary: The thruth in this book is astounding.
Review: After reading this book, I have truly had a lightening of spirit. The Kanes have a way of saying things in a simple and yet profound way that can pentrate even the most rigid of naysayers. The change from living my life as past/present oriented to living in the moment has made my life so much more fulfilling. All the emotions are still there, but the difference is in how I deal with them. Read this book and consider the amazing possibilities. They are vast.
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Summary: Life's ups and downs don't have to be problems
Review: I recently suffered a life-threatening illness, but it didn't feel like a problem to me. I read Ariel and Shya's book recently and remembered a few thoughts I found in the book: By not resisting what had shown up unexpectedly in my life and allowing it to be exactly how it was, the illness was not painful or particularly worrisome. I felt prepared in some way for this to happen, so when it did, it was a natural unfolding of my life, not a horrendous trauma. I'm fine now, and I'm giving copies of Working on Yourself Doesn't Work to family members and friends. Read it! You never know what's around the corner!
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Summary: Working on yourself doesn't work - THAT'S TRUE
Review: Working on yourself isn't worth doing it - but it's all the worth reading it. This book is great, funny, warm and easy to read - thanks to the authors, so many people can share the richness of this book all over the world. Life is great, fun and magic, I felt it all the time when I read it.
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Summary: A great book, supporting you in not trying to get better.
Review: This is a great book. It has all the principles you need to be happy or better yet 'to be'. The Kanes know how life works. Sometimes it's hard to be in the moment, but after another read in the book (i've read it twice already and will read it even more often) I get reminded again how to get into the moment (by trying not to get there). The book is very easy readable but goes very deep. My life has changed for the (much) better because of living by these seemingly obvious principles. I would recommend the book to anybody who wants personal tranformation and has tried alle kinds of workshops trying to be a better person. This book is not about trying to be better but about knowing how to be. Thanks Ariel and Shya. Vincent Hendriks and Else de Bruin
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Summary: This book is such a gift!
Review: "Working on yourself doesn't work" is, since I read it the first time, my favorite book. Ariel & Shya Kane write in such a warmhearted way, in for everybody understandable and beautiful words about Instantaneous Transformation. About how my life, everbodys life can transform instantaneously, without changing anything or anybody, without fixing or blaming anything or anybody. It shows, how you step into your own life in one instant, in a state where aliveness takes place, awareness - just being in the moment. And it's so unbelievable: it work's! Even for somebody who's so sceptical like me! I thank the Kanes for this book, because knowing and understanding and not at least experiencing Instantaneous Transformation gave me my life back. I have so much more fun in all areas of my life, and nothing has changed - it has just transformed. I recommand this book and this experience to everybody. Since I read it, it's my favorite birthday present for all my friends. Share it with the people you like - and share it with the people you think you don't like, and enjoy watching how they and their lifes transform.
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Summary: A sumptuous breath of fresh air.
Review: Working in the world of tv commercials, I tend to read very little, but this book grabbed me. "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work" has an unmistakable ring of truth: you really can live an exquisite life by being there for it. The Kanes' passion for life is contagious, and it resonates on every page of this book.
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Summary: Another glowing review!
Review: I bought this book after reading all the glowing reviews, and have not been disappointed! I received it yesterday, and couldn't get enough. I zipped through it and am sure it will be much referred to in the months to come. The book is easy to read, down to earth and full of self revalatory, concise examples from the authors own experiences on being in the moment, and living life conciously and passionately and fully...something I've been looking for for a long time. Buy it.
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