Buddhism, the religion of self-help
I just read a wonderful book entitled The Present by Spencer Johnson, author of the famous business motivation book, Who Moved My Cheese?
I managed to read The Present from front to back cover in less than one hour without skipping any pages-- not because I'm a quick reader, but because it's only 109 pages long, printed in large fonts.
Besides, I am very familiar with the subject matter. The book focuses on a single message-- to live in the Present moment to become more successful at work and in life.
My only complaint about the book is how anyone could write an entire book on mindfulness and living in the present moment without once making a reference to Buddhism. While it's true that mindfulness is a universal concept not confined to Buddhism, no other system of thought provides a more thorough and deeper treatment of the subject matter.
In fact, many Western self-help books, whether or not they give credit to Buddhism, draw heavily from the teachings of the Buddha. Stories are weaved around Buddhist principles and told by experts in various fields to cash in on the multi-billion-dollar self-help industry.
The Present is something that I could have written myself. In fact, I was half-way finished on a book on the same subject but decided to put the project on hold indefinitely as I became mindful of the fact that I'd have to not only write the book, but also play the roles of the publisher, marketer, and distributor for my work. Although I could fulfill these roles, I just couldn't find the time to do all these things while keeping my day job to pay the bills.
I think the difference between successful self-help gurus who make millions writing how-to books and would-be gurus like you and me is not so much the talent, knowledge or experience, or that the professional gurus are somehow more adept at managing their own lives. If that were the case, then some of the most successful authors of self-help books on relationship wouldn't have experienced multiple divorces themselves. The difference, in my view, is having the right set of circumstances (connections, resources, etc.) to ensure commercial success.
At any rate, reading these self-help books can prove very productive as they encourage readers to know more about themselves and to make the necessary changes in their lives to become happier, wealthier, more attractive to the opposite sex, and whatever.
Better yet, they can even pave the way to Buddhism.
I managed to read The Present from front to back cover in less than one hour without skipping any pages-- not because I'm a quick reader, but because it's only 109 pages long, printed in large fonts.
Besides, I am very familiar with the subject matter. The book focuses on a single message-- to live in the Present moment to become more successful at work and in life.
My only complaint about the book is how anyone could write an entire book on mindfulness and living in the present moment without once making a reference to Buddhism. While it's true that mindfulness is a universal concept not confined to Buddhism, no other system of thought provides a more thorough and deeper treatment of the subject matter.
In fact, many Western self-help books, whether or not they give credit to Buddhism, draw heavily from the teachings of the Buddha. Stories are weaved around Buddhist principles and told by experts in various fields to cash in on the multi-billion-dollar self-help industry.
The Present is something that I could have written myself. In fact, I was half-way finished on a book on the same subject but decided to put the project on hold indefinitely as I became mindful of the fact that I'd have to not only write the book, but also play the roles of the publisher, marketer, and distributor for my work. Although I could fulfill these roles, I just couldn't find the time to do all these things while keeping my day job to pay the bills.
I think the difference between successful self-help gurus who make millions writing how-to books and would-be gurus like you and me is not so much the talent, knowledge or experience, or that the professional gurus are somehow more adept at managing their own lives. If that were the case, then some of the most successful authors of self-help books on relationship wouldn't have experienced multiple divorces themselves. The difference, in my view, is having the right set of circumstances (connections, resources, etc.) to ensure commercial success.
At any rate, reading these self-help books can prove very productive as they encourage readers to know more about themselves and to make the necessary changes in their lives to become happier, wealthier, more attractive to the opposite sex, and whatever.
Better yet, they can even pave the way to Buddhism.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by KC Admin on -
I think the self-help books help you most while you're reading them. As soon as you put them down, real life kicks in. Anything that promotes self-knowledge and self-discovery lends to a meditative state that puts the mind at ease. In reality all of us may well need to engage a full range of emotions, feelings and impulses. Dwelling too much on negativity is never good. But the same can be said about dwelling too much on the positive, because reality is about good and evil, life and death, joy and sorrow, light and dark, and everything in between.
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Permalink Reply by Alex Krin on -
I have been reading many books, written by Dr. W. Dyer.since 2003. After that, I had attended many motivational seminars, and practicing living in the presence, shut all the negativities and embraced the positive ones, put me in the state of harmony. But we live in material world, we still will encounter unpleasant situations, but meditation helps me tremendously.
Yes, as soon as you put them down, real life kicks in. But with read more of these books and willing to transform to the better will keep you in the Zen and State of serenity.
Books in Cambodia are too expensive. The salary in Cambodia can not afford them. I really enjoy reading spiritual books. Where can I get the free books. I would appreciate a lot if you let me know. Thanks a millions.
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Permalink Reply by Kimmie "Yada" on -
Hi Oudam,
I read "Who Moved My Cheese" a long time ago and its by far the most motivational book for me. In this economy its good to remember where you place your running shoe. Mine is always hang on my cubicle.....ready,set, go.
You should be a motivational speaker or something.
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Permalink Reply by Kimmie "Yada" on
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Oudam,
I think especially since you are in Srok Khmer already I think you can motivate a lot of people over there. Your book should be translate in Khmer so that you can help motivate and empower people living there. Wow! That would be fantastic!
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Permalink Reply by KC Admin on
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Hi Kimmie,
If I were to write a motivational book for the Khmer people, the message that I would want to send is to embrace moderation, another Buddhist teaching. In a poor country like this, such a message is needed not only to dispel the myth that happiness and honor (កិត្ដិយស) are tied to wealth, but also to discourage the hoarding of scarce resources by the few, leaving the many in desperate need. I think I can write about something like this because throughout my life I have struggled with both the impulses to accumulate material wealth and to live a simpler life.
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Permalink Reply by Alex Krin on
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Hi, Yada
There is only thing that motivate and empower people in Srok Khmer "Money, $$$$$$".
It is a very slow process. I am doing it everyday at PANASSATRA UNIVERSITY by showing to them Money can buy many things in the world, but there are a few things money can not buy. Life, Health and Happiness.
There are many social issues now affect Cambodian Housewives. Because of adulteries, some of these women are realizing that when they have money problems follow. They suffered a great deals, and many of them turns to Buddhism for helps.
They starts to ter bond a lots now because of the miseries they are facing. However, money is still the precious things they want. (If I offended you in anyway, please forgive me)
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Permalink Reply by Sony Ear on -
Wow, do not play with religious too much. I don't really get it. But I know that some part of scientish or law idea are come from religious and philosophers. Ex: John hook ( something like that in the scien history.., I am not really remember it) one example of democracy idea.
Yes, who say money is not importain or nessessary. If some body think that way, I will see. Those people maybe growth -no trade or do everything by their own and consume their own goods.
Yes, money is importain and can buy alot of things in the world but money is not every thing. Money could not buy life or.... If you die you can not use money to buy your life to back in this world again. ( but receinly, I heard France invent new thing to help people from died to life- not people who die for long time) Money could not buy time and so on. If one day is gone, you can not ask the god to review your day again like you rewire your tape.
Be happy to what you have and enjoy your life, but not Er...
Money can buy happiness, for some of most people happy when they have money to spend, why money can not buy happiness?
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Permalink Reply by Kimmie "Yada" on
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Yes. Excessiveness is the root of all evil. Excessive greed, excessive power, isn't Buddhism that caution us to have modeation in all things or is that Taoism?
Self help gurus are people that can show us the way, people love to be inspire. Sometime people need someone to tell them the way, they don't want to take the time to find what will work for them. But that's not necessary bad, I think that's part of self discovery, you don't have to be the original person but if the way is good you can just follow. Cause everyone journey will be different even if we take the same path. Because our experiences and biases will shape our perspection.
That's why there's disclaimer at the end of every get rich scheme commericial that all result will vary.
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Permalink Reply by KC Admin on
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There are many similarities between the mystical aspects of Buddhism and Taoism. In fact, Zen Buddhism (Japanese) and Chán Buddhism (Chinese) are derived from the merging of the two philosophical traditions.
Self-help books rarely offer anything new but simply remind us what we already know. That's why they're easy to read and easy to write. They're useful because they articulate our thoughts and self knowledge. Thoughts become actionable when they are articulated and brought to our conscious awareness.
Buddhism in its philosophical form is science of the mind and transcends all religions. So it's possible to be a Buddhist Christian, Buddhist Jew, Buddhist Buddhist, and so on.
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Permalink Reply by Kimmie "Yada" on
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Yes, but nowaday there are self help book on almost every states you're in. You can get self help books for self confidence, self-esteem, making friends, raising kids, starting a business, job promotion etc....Some are very informative. Sometime our lack of knowledge prevent us from doing or accomplishing things that are easy to do. I read a couple of books that totally transformed my life. One was "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" and the other is "Who Moved My Cheese?".
In Srok Khmer there are hardly any book available to a young person (I try looking for some for my cousin). In Thailand, the bookstore are pack with books translated from American bookstore. It would be great if people in Srok Khmer get the same chance to better themselves.
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Permalink Reply by KC Admin on
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I read a lot but don't normally read books. I like to glean documents for the information I need. Books don't have search engine like Google. Perhaps if I have more time I will be reading books more often.
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Permalink Reply by Sony Ear on
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Yes, internet source from goole are 100% realiable than the book. Why Ido I wast my time to read it. Even internet seach engine from library is not comparible with goole. Library seach is too much work.
I do have new assigment to read three law books, but I might fine new short cut way to do this. Yes, I need to read it. If I do not read it I won't have a word to say " No" to them.
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