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Summary: Trademark Buddhism???
Review: Is this book for real? The Kanes' give us 2 main ideas (awareness and non-judgemental experiencing) and a whole lot of fluff. While these concepts are hugely valuable, they are nothing new (certainly not "trademarkable"!!) and have been elucidated and much better articulated by others: Huxley, Wilber, Krishnamurti, Batchelor, Joko Beck, Tart, just to name a few.Folks, these people are out to make money and this book (which is small on content and big on advertising) and their trademark is proof. Unfortunately their catchy title (as evidenced by all the positive reviews) is helping do just that. Don't be caught!! Spit the hook out and swallow something of substance.
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Summary: THIS BOOK MADE ME SURVIVE!
Review: The Kanes' book "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work" made me survive. We were only allowed to take one personal item to the island in Malaysia, and thank God, I took this wunderful book. The three principles of transformation that are described in this book in such an understandable, warmhearted way (not to mention the wunderful sense of humour that is included) helped me through the seven weeks of surviving. Instead of complaining about the hard and sometimes dangerous circumstances (I lost 22 pounds!), I could see what was needed and had to be done. And in contrast to most of my partners in the game, I had a lot of fun by just seeing and not judging what was going on - and I made it 'til the final, where only two people were left (a man and me), out of 14 people who started. Thank you Ariel & Shya for making that success possible! I highly recommend this book and their workshops to everybody who wants to have a great life and discover happiness. Buy it, read it and you are welcome to share your experience with me.
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Summary: Have fun with homework!
Review: Working On Yourself Doesn't Work is an insightful little book that keenly observes the mechanics from which most human beings operate. I suprisingly see myself very clearly in many of its chapters and illustrations. As a mother of a 9 and 11 year old, my reading this book turned out to be a valuable tool. The Kanes' observations apply beautifully to creative and effective parenting. Homework time is no longer a struggle. "What you resist will persist and grow stronger" has become a theme in our household and is understood fully by my children. They now actually have fun with their homework and it is completed quicker without the resistance. This book is a must for parents and teachers. The kids love the profound , yet simply stated observations. It's a refreshing shift from the good/bad dichotomy out of which most people operate. It allows our kids to take responsibility, to be more open and less reactive.
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Summary: Love this book! Interactive & FUN!!!!
Review: I find the style of writing to be interactive and fun. I really appreciate the simplicity of this book. Everytime I open it up , I get a new idea or perspective on my life. Anytime I need a boost -- I randomly open it up -- trusting that the page I get is what I need to hear -- It's funny it always is!
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Summary: The best things are the easiest to miss.
Review: Shortly after reading Ariel and Shya Kane's "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work," I noticed my mind was quieter and my excitement at being alive was remarkably high. The Kanes' message is simple: all you need to experience satisfaction, love, well-being, and self-expression is to get into this moment. I've read similar things in Zen and various teachings, but in reading this book, I actually experienced what the authors were talking about. How that happened I don' know, it's beyond any logic or mental gymnastics. I almost passed this book by because of reviews that criticized the familiarity and simplicity of the Kanes' message, but something in me said, "Read this." I'm grateful for this book. What sets the Kanes apart from other authors on enlightenment is the Kanes themselves. Their quality of being is conveyed in the book and it is contagious. Since reading "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work," my wife and I have started finding pleasure and satisfaction in so many simple things: cleaning the kitchen cabinets, gardening, sanding windows. It's also much easier to talk to each other and our marriage has grown magically closer. The hardest thing has been letting go of the myth that the road to a great life is through the mind and that I deserve credit for my well-being. I think it's the same part of the mind that says "I've heard this before, there's no big whoop in living in the moment." I highly recommend this book as well as the Kanes' audiotapes, and I thank the Kanes profoundly. They make a difference.
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Summary: Another Ten Books For My Friends!!!!
Review: The first time I read WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK was in August 1999 on a west bound flight across the Atlantic from London to New York. I had just completed a rather tense two days of negotiations and was looking forward to the flight home as a respite and retreat at thirty-something thousand feet. I setteld in to the comfort of the wide body's business traveler's accommodations and pulled the book out of my carryon. I began to read the book and, as I did, a calm sense of well being and appreciation for the opportunities arising out of what life presents on a daily basis slowly began to take hold. I felt at peace. I felt content. I felt empowered. I felt really good!! This easy-to-read book is deceptively simple. I say that because its message, delivered by the authors as if they were having a conversation with the reader or telling a personal story, is so powerful and so needed in today's complex world. There's something about this book that breathes life and playful urgency into the concept of living in the moment. I loved it! Over the last year, I gave about a dozen copies to my friends who also loved it. Last night, I went to get the book off my shelf and discovered I had run out and don't have any left. So, I'm going to order another ten.....never know when I might need a copy. Enjoy!
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Summary: Fresh and Invigorating!!!
Review: I read this book for the first time nearly a year ago now and have just bought it for my brother. It is interesting for me looking back to realize what a profound impact it has had on my life. I am not a conscious seeker of enlightenment, but there are two things I am very clear about. One, life is very short and not to be wasted. Two, I want my life to be successful, satisfying, and exciting. All I can say is that this book really clearly helped me by communicating the idea that every new moment in your life actually is a new chance, a new opportunity, a new possibility to go for whatever you want. I now ALLOW myself to do so many more things and the return is extraordinary. These two writers obviously care very, very deeply about humanity, and have done their best in this book to address people's frustration with being unhappy and dissatisfied with their lives. What's more, they seem to insist on making their work accessible, straightforward, and personal. They illustrate their points with touching stories from their own lives that I find have easy, practical application in my life. I find this work to be extraordinarily fresh and invigorating. You should buy this book for yourself! Then, share it with your friends and family, the people you care about, because it will have a tremendous impact on all of your lives.
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Summary: A POTENT RECIPE FOR LASTING TRANSFORMATION
Review: For me an analogy for reading this book and the process of putting transformation into effect would go something like this: Its similar to baking a delicious beautiful cake. Pick any flavor you like best. Through this book the Kanes provide all the ingredients you need, among them: examples on how to live in the moment; and the definitions of awareness and true listening. The Kanes also provide instructions you need, some including: The 3 Principles of Transformation; illustrations of Instantaneous Transformation in action; aswell as the difference between Change verses Transformation. By following the ingredients and instructions provided you are able to satisfy any insatiable hunger you have for a lasting, rich and wonderful life.
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Summary: big disapppointment
Review: Not to take away from those that rated this book well but this book promised a lot and delivered very little. I kept waiting for the meat. Kept waiting for the book to describe how instantaneous trnsformation really works. For those that found enlightenment from the book that is terrific. I shudder to think how in the dark they must have been to see this as something valuable.
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Summary: Refreshing Clarity
Review: "Working On Yourself Doesn't Work" is one of those rare books that exudes honesty and simplicity. Ariel and Shya Kane have found a brilliantly easy approach to life that brought a smile to my face as I read. It seems that we all have the ability to live in the moment and to truly listen to what people (and ourselves) are saying, but this book reminded me of how important these things really are. I found that things I've known all along but didn't realize came to the surface while I read this book and it is such a relief to have such a well-written and clear book validate the way life really should be for us all. I especially liked the fact that there are examples and illustrations in this book to really allow true understanding. After reading some of the other reviews of this book, I also realize how easy it is to miss the point: instantaneous transformation does not require course manuals and extensively deep study - it simply requires being present. This is something I really got thanks to the Kanes' book. Like many others, I have read many books and often felt that I couldn't or wouldn't follow all the steps and I wasn't interested in exercises or following some long road where I would eventually see minor changes in my life. The brilliance of this work is that not only is it very apparent that the authors have found something special in their lives, but they provide a fun, light and powerful road map on how to get HERE (not how to get "there") - a place of true awareness in our lives. You will directly experience how "instantaneous" their ideas truly are by how good you feel as you read it and re-read it because each time it's new and alive.
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