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 Inspiring Beyond Any Expectations Sep 26, 2009
Dyer researched and meditated on Lao-tzu's ancient Tao Te Ching, or Way of Life, and this book is the result. The 81 verses, although written by Lao-tzu, a highly spiritual man who lived 500 years before Christ, are as appropriate for today's spiritual seeker, as they were in Lao-tzu's time. Dyer simplifies these 81 verses and gives us suggestions as to how to follow Lao-tzu's advice in our own lives. This book is highly recommended due to its inspiring and down-to-earth nature.
 Problematic at times but the book does have significant merit at others. Sep 10, 2009
I received a copy of this book after seeing Dr Dyer on Public Television here in Savannah, Georgia. The hard cover copy of the book is beautifully packaged inside and outside covers.
I must say however that there is a large discrepancy for me between the Tao Te Ching or the Great Way Dyer writes about and Western philosophy with its emphasis on hard work, achievement, recognition and success. Nowhere more is this "Western Way" emphasized than within the military bureaucracy with its rank structure, emphasis on achievement due to hard work and long term commitment and recognition through awarding of medals, etc. Having worked for the military for many years and having married a now former soldier, it is probably not surprising that I would have problems with the rather passive way the book promotes one should live.
There is much repetition of some particular areas which I did not find helpful. However I did like the author's emphasizing the principles of "Let Go and Let God" (Verse 20--Living Without Striving), "The Ability to Stay Calm is Always Located Within" (Verse 22-Living With Flexibility) and "You Are Responsible for Your Own Emotions" (Verse 33-Living Self Mastery). As a social worker working with soldiers and their families I have had the opportunity to teach Anger Management classes to those invidividuals who had problems in these areas. I found that application of such verses might be helpful to to them. Military life produces unique stresses on individuals and tapping into a spirtual source within though prayer and meditation is often helpful to those who may be having trouble with control. In this I see great merit.
2 of 9 found the following review helpful:
 You are known by the company you keep! Aug 21, 2009
Dyer now aligns himself with the "esteemed" "Doctor" Joe Vitale, a fake, quack "doctor of metaphysics...the following from wiki...highly accurate...
"Joe Vitale attended Niles McKinley High School in Ohio. After graduation he attended Kent State University, majoring in public relations and journalism, but failed to graduate. He holds an unaccredited doctorate in metaphysical science. He received this degree from the University of Metaphysics in Sedona, Arizona,[3] that offers non-secular Ministerial higher education in Holistic, New Thought Metaphysics and Holistic Ministry. He was awarded an honorary doctorate, based on his books, from Belford University,[3] which offers unaccredited degrees."
Dyer now hawks Doctor Joe's stuff, and likewise...why??? Because Dyer is now chasing the high and mighty DOLLAR by spitting out garbage like this in one of his so-called "trances" that he talks openly about on his PBS infomercials. Dyer used to be worth the read but has now lost all respect!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Very inexpensive therapy! Jul 31, 2009
When this book first came out I bought it and truly enjoyed it. I learned so much about myself, just by reading Wayne Dyer's interpretation of the Tao.
After receiving my Kindle I started to think just how wonderful it would be to have "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life" available to me no matter where I was. So I downloaded it to my Kindle and passed on my original book version to a friend so that they could enjoy it also. They thank me constantly for sharing this excellent book with them.
It is so unbelievable to me that when I turn on my Kindle to read a verse of the Tao from "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life", it seems to know what is going on in my life! The verse describes things that are happening to me NOW and helps calm me with different thoughts about the issue along with suggestions.
Sometimes I read a verse each day but other verses I ponder for several days. The verses are very thought provoking, just like a good therapist. I don't think anybody could look at things the same way after reading "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life". Very inspirational!
Understanding and Applying the Tao Te Ching Jul 27, 2009
This book gives readers Mr. Dyer's take on the Tao Te Ching and how one might apply its teachings in life. Some may not like what he did with it, but it seemed to me to be a lot easier than trying to get through a more "philosophical" interpretation. The verses tend to be very "Zen" and an approach like Dyer's is very helpful to people (like me I'll admit) who don't want to spend a lifetime trying to decide if the Tao is "for them".
Overall, I liked the book. It starts out with some introductory material, then presents each of the 81 verses of the Tao Te Ching with an interpretation and a suggested application. There is an Epilogue which is a VERY worthwhile read - please do not skip it as it puts the whole book into perspective. I read only one of the 81 sections per day to allow time to digest what I read which is probably the best way to handle getting through the book.
Personally, I thought that the concepts presented relating to allowing and accepting things as they come up in life (the recent TV commercial for that cereal showing the surfer going with the wave and not fighting it comes to mind) and being less concerned about amassing material possessions are things to give some serious thought to adopting, at least to some extent. However, there seemed to be too much emphasis on taking a passive/going with the flow stance for my taste; bending like a palm tree when there is a hurricane seems the way to go, but the book suggested going MUCH further than this which I find questionable. These suggestions to passivity went on and on in a long section of the book which made me a little glad that I got to the end. Maybe I am just too Western for this (or just missed the point). Readers will have to decide this one for themselves.
I did like Mr. Dyer's book, The Power of Intention, and do enjoy watching him on TV. I recommend both - maybe a little more than the book reviewed here actually.
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