As A Man Thinketh

This is a great little book, As A Man Thinketh, about positive thinking and attitude. I have needed to ponder this book a bit and see how to apply it better. (Free Online version in text and audio)

I agree with a great deal of this book. Our society likes to place blame on everyone but oneself. If one is poor, it is because of the economy. If one is rich, it is luck. Where is the dependence on self-reliance? Too much emphasis is placed on success in monetary forms rather than of personal morality and virtue. I like the features of this book that discuss personal responsibility and positive attitude towards one's circumstances.

One part of this book that I do not agree with is the worldview expressed through Buddhist practices of wealth simply through positive thinking and illness being solely due to impure thoughts.

There is also a rather obvious lack of God and the role of thankfulness to God for all that we have. The author mentions being "blessed", but there is no clear understanding of what is meant by that. I found this blatant omission a bit telling. The author stresses too much self-reliance and not enough reliance on God. There needs to be a balance between the two.