24/04/2010
Julie’s Notes: The Diamond Cutter by Geshe Michael Roach Part 1
Everyone’s heard of “Cliff’s Notes”? A condensed summary of popular texts. Great for procrastinating students who need to read up on a 400 page book in 20 or so pages.
So I’ve taken that idea and created “Julie’s Notes”. Notes from books I’ve read that resonated and things I’d like to highlight. It’s mostly favorite quotes/passages with a bit of editorial. Just don’t ask for a refund if you end up failing a paper because you chose to read my notes verses someone else’s.
I’m usually attracted to reading self-help books…pretty much all non-fiction.
Here are my notes for “The Diamond Cutter” by Geshe Michael Roach:
I first got this book as part of a book exchange at a LOA (Law of Attraction) meeting. It was traded for “Ask and it will be Given” by Esther & Jerry Hicks. I thought it was a fair trade. I noticed a lot of Buddhist philosophy and some LOA associations. It was a quick read and recommended for any small business owner or anything thinking about starting a business (3 out of 5 stars). Items in brackets [ ] are personal thoughts.
– Every time you deny funds/help to those who depend on you, you plant an imprint that will make you see yourself and your own business denied the same funds/help [you receive more than what you give].– Avoid cuts & stingy thinking as a reaction to financial pressures. Avoid a STINGY state of mind! Important not to think cheap, not lose creativity, no to lose a truly generous outlook within the new limitations of financial situation.-How I FEEL: actually determines whether or not I can make payments.-1) Money itself is created by maintaining a generous state of mind
2) Happiness: maintain very ethical way of life
3) Physically healthy and attractive: refuse to get angry [frustration for me…I rarely get angry]
4) Leader personally/professionally: take joy in constructive and helpful actions
5) Focus mind steadily: practice deep states of concentration or meditation
6) POA (Power of Attraction): learn principles of hidden potential & mental imprints
7) Getting what I want: cultivate attitude of compassion towards others-22 Solutions to business problems:
1) Be willing to SHARE profits with those who helped you produce them! Never make money through an improper/unethical action. The WILLINGNESS to share is more important than the actual amount.2) Stop being envious and stop comparing self to others! Concentrate on making business [Mindful Eating Lifestyles] innovative, creative & fun. Be happy about the success of others [soooo true]! Enjoy and be grateful for what you have.3) To fix your life & your business & your world, start FIXING yourself [isn’t that like Ghandhi’s quote “be the change you want to see in the world”?). It’s all about how you perceive things. [We are in charge of our thoughts.]4) Maintain a high degree of integrity, “straight shooting”, then business decisions will be crisp, decisive and effective. Thus creates reality around me in which people are honest, decisions are fast & clear and $ comes easily.5) Give, give, give! Make sure deals are win-win. Not about the $, a truly generous, creative, flowing state of mind that wants to see everybody prosper.6) Be very careful to keep your promises…especially committments!7) If unable to concentrate, take some time to step back & reevaluate priorities.8) Imprints are much more powerful when you do them KNOWING what you’re doing.9) Choose partnerships with people who have integrity.10) Feel empathy towards competitors, don’t be satisfied/smug over other peoples’ misfortune. Be good to the people on the way up: you might meet them again. Respect everyone!11) Keys to success is a *State of Mind*.12) Complete honesty is key (no “white lies”). [I really dislike white lies.]13) Can avoid meeting cheaters by having personal mindset of being straightforward yourself. B/c of past implants of honesty it’ll create more in future.14) Refuse to perpetuate violence w/people who are negative. If you are kind enough, long enough to anyone who’s insulting you, if you refuse to consistently respond negative w/negativity, then these people will leave your life. [I hope so!]15) Avoid ANGER by becoming an expert at not allowing anything to upset you. This will help you look your best.16) If being criticized frequently by others [MIL], look at what you do/say might affect that person.17) Be grateful of the little things [so true…helps w/being criticized plus w/a myriad of other issues].18) If want reliable employees, be someone your spouse/kids can count on.19) Change you own imprints…focus on integrity and honesty.20) In terms of content, a positive result (i.e. business & personal success) can’t come from a negative cause (i.e. hurting/cheating) anyone else.21) TO become really successful you must learn to overcome ways of thinking & behaving. Truly great movers/shakers have learned to reexamine each of the beliefs they grew up with.22) You spend so much time doing business that you should be willing to spend a little time figuring out how business really works. It will save years of your life if you can figure out basic reasons why business success does/doesn’t happen in the first place.-Business success/failure is driven by IMPRINTS we put into our own minds. You can design you own future.-Imprints implanted under powerful circumstances (small good deed done w/intense compassion) or a small gift to someone who needs it badly) have immense power & builds exponentially.-Install outcomes system tracking system- free of guilt or judgment to record how you’re doing on a consistent basis.-No Tibetan word for “guilty”- closest thing is intelligent regret (decides to do things differently).-Important to set tone for entire day by spending a few quiet moments in morning…personal silence & reflection. The night before, focus on the positive things accomplished before going to sleep.-When it comes to people who frustrate me, have the thought to keep patient, take on the criticism willingly, don’t be upset @ harm done to me. Negative imprint on mind can lead to days/weeks of experiencing this negative imprint in the world around me.-“No self” means whatever I see in person I’m frustrated with is coming from ME, not her/him. Start thinking of that person as an empty screen & projector is my own mind. Getting mad doesn’t help/refuse to give into anger. Refuse to respond negatively. Protect myself from same thing happening again in the future. Think of something positive/grateful instead. Therefore, able to focus energy into solving problem. Mind is clear.
Will have to split this post into two. Keep an eye out for Part 2 in the near future! If you like any of these notes or feel something resonating w/in you. Feel free to post a comment! Don’t worry! I don’t bite! :O
