Rating: 
Summary: GOOD ADVICE, BUT...
Review: As a follower of Buddhist Philosophies for many years, in addition to having studied psychology, it is evident the authors have written a book based on the truths of Buddhism. To live in the present, let go of the past, forgive those who have wronged us, and incorporate compassion and humour into one's daily life is sound advice which paves the way to a more fulfilling life. No one is questioning the wisdom or principles found in the book. However, this is not a new or astonishing revelation! These same principles are age-old Buddhist truths simply reworded and presented in a different light by the authors.One downside of the book which really caught be off-guard was the reference to "Instantaneous Transformation." As a counsellor with a lifetime of experience, I can assure the reader that in all my years of professional counselling, I have never yet seen anyone "instantly transformed". Changing life-long patterns and learned behaviours take a great deal of commitment and self-discipline. With time and work, life-long changes can be made, and people can and do find more positive, happy, fulfilling lives, but to say the change will be "instantaneous" is building false hope. Yes, it is a possibility, almost anything is a possibility, but instant transformation is about as likely as walking down the street and instantly being hit by a shooting star! Overall, the book does provide some good advice, but it also loses a couple of stars in the rating for leading one to believe a miraculous "instantaneous transformation" will automatically occur and change one's life forever. Serious readers might want to read, "The Art of Happiness" by the Dalai Lama, and "Awakening the Buddha Within" by Lama Surya Das which takes Buddhist principles and adapts them to the Western World. Both these books rate a five-star plus and are highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Heavy on well-treaded theories, light on practical excercise
Review: When I first started to read this book, I thought it was going to be a great one. I was highlighting this, and marking that. Alas, it fell pretty flat as example after example seemed to be added to simply fill a book. Too bad, because I liked the direction it was headed, but some direction/excercises on how to do that NOW thing would have been helpful. I guess you need to take their workshops for that. And what's with the trademark every time the 'instantaneous transformation' words came together? Kinda cheap, in my opinion.
Rating: 
Summary: I Have a Better Idea
Review: If you want to learn how to "be here now" please read HH The Dalai Lama's "The Art of Happiness" or Thich Nhat Hanh's "Peace is Every Step". Their beautiful words will touch your heart, which is where real and lasting change occurs. Working on Yourself, etc. is a real piece of retro - go back about twenty years when everyone was writing self-help books that were all hailed as life-changing. I don't know how I got suckered into reading this book. Beware anyone who trademarks a phrase like "Instantaneous Transformation". They're just looking to make money. Such a thing is possible, but not through this piece of crap.
Rating: 
Summary: Awareness is the key
Review: I read the book and I liked all of it! And nevertheless I was sceptical, I thought it can't be that easy and then I attended Courses, the Kanes give. My life has gotten so much more lifely, I take real responsibility for my life, I don't need to blame my parents anymore, I have a lot more choices, how to live my life, I can be more appropriate, my relationships became better, closer, more honest! I make more money and so on! The most important thing about Instantanous Transformation is, it's happening in all aspects of Life!
Rating:
Summary: An Honest and Exciting Look at Being Alive
Review: This exciting book, Working on Yourself Doesn't Work, explores the possibilities that are available to everyone for living a consistently rich and fulfilling life. The Kanes, sensitive and insightful people who are clearly enthusiastic about life and sharing with others their experiences and observations, explore with the reader the behaviors and tendencies that people have developed over time that limit our ability to live in the present. The simple experience of reading the book brings this awareness. The Kanes explain and illustrate their principles of transformation with simplicity, honesty and compassion. Keeping their language clear, straightforward and thoroughly understandable, they offer their personal experiences, which are very touching and sincere, with clients, family members and each other as examples of the effectiveness of this incredible phenomenon of transformation.
Rating:
Summary: Horrible
Review: I felt like this book was a total waste of money. I can't believe all the positive reviews about it are for real - it doesn't seem like anyone who has actually read it and who has also read any of the great "self improvement" authors could ever think this book was anything but a poor imposter. These folks gave it a good try, but they are just stating the obvious and repackaging very old, common practices of self-improvement. Even the title is silly - they tell you that working on yourself doesn't work when they have been working hard on themselves for decades!
Rating:
Summary: Inspires Me Every Time I Open It!
Review: It is so easy for me to get lost in my thoughts when I am starting new creative projects! Everytime I am feeling a little nervous about a new project - I grab the book & randomly open to a page and read it! It is always exactly what I need to hear and inspires me to start that project! I am certain that the success and fame I have in my career, is a direct result out of attending the Kanes seminars, listening to their audio tapes, and reading their book... Thank you, Ariel & Shya for writing such a great book!
Rating:
Summary: Short, easy, and powerful
Review: This book is a short, easy to follow and powerful tool in changing your life. So many people say My life is wrong and I need to change it, but knowing is only half the battle. HOW to change it is the other half. The Kanes do a GREAT job of showing you how to change your life. A MUST HAVE for all people on a spiritual search, whether at the beginning or already advanced.
Rating:
Summary: Light on content and explanation
Review: I purchased this book because a reviewer referenced this in relation to Eckhart Tolle's THE POWER OF NOW. It was a hugh disappointment. If you have never been exposed to anyone such as Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle, Ken Wilber, or other insightful people, may-be it would serve as an introduction. The authors basically fit a brochure into the space of a book by double spacing, including useless drawings, and leaving lots of blank spaces. Skip this and go right to the THE POWER OF NOW.
Rating: 
Summary: What ?
Review: ** ? ** YES it does. In fact, these folks worked on themselves for years. I cannot agree that all those years were in vain..they were not, because this book came out of it..! This book has some nice insights enclosed. If this book (or any) were a means to an ultimate end...before long that 'ultimate' would not be enough ! The soul is insatiable.. it continues to progress and enlighten and make new. Ever be mindful that in your progression upward through life, what was once your ceiling is now your floor.
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