|
March 29, 2008
Filed Under (Books) by Aarti Vaid
What really bothers me is that Dõv Baron is lining his pockets by preying on people who genuinely want to better themselves. Using principles from Hinduism and other subjects, he does a convincing job of portraying common sense life lessons as his brilliant observations about the universe. Yes, I do believe that thinking and feeling positively about life can change things for the better. I do believe that you ‘reap what you sow.’ Wow Dõv, we’re totally on the same wavelength! But don’t go by my cynical perspective alone, let Dõv dear tell you why you should trust him: “Every man and his dog is trying to sell you something on the web, right? The difference here is that we are beginning to build a relationship and as you read this eBook you get a sense of my personality and the work I do. That’s why I’m creating a foundation to assist the underprivileged. A portion of all proceeds from this e-book have already been pledged to the foundation. You now have proof that you can trust me.” Huh. Well that’s all good then. I don’t need the name of the foundation or the percentage of the proceeds Dõv, I’m your mentally challenged prey. I trust you completely. Now give me some sage advice: “For instance using my EFM Audio Technology will greatly facilitate your dreams, but, at the same time, you will have to get your butt in gear. Simply put: Don’t sit around waiting for miracles to show up in the outer world without being active in creating the miracles you have envisioned in your inner world. As you read on I’ll explain why efforts alone will never get you what you want, however, neither will no effort.” Amazing, so working hard alone isn’t the key to success? I’m glad someone straightened that out for me. I was planning on mindlessly flipping burgers around the clock to achieve millionaire status. And what is this EFM Audio Technology you ask? It, and I quote, can “transform your mind into a LAZER beam†by listening to a CD. Yes, that’s LAZER, in full caps. Not ridiculous enough for you? How about the fact that he’ll charge you $249 to listen to it? At the very least, if you’re going to pretend to be a self-help book, don’t throw in a sales pitch to get more money. Interspersed throughout the 88 pages of poppycock are affirmations from people who have attended his SBLA Live Event. These people must have been on the brink of suicide to believe this drivel. Here’s his sales pitch: “As my gift to you, you have the opportunity to attend this program for just the administration fee of $49. That’s right…that’s a $500 savings! Only $49, because you have shown commitment by buying this book. What’s the catch? Well, this opportunity does not guarantee that you will get one of these seats. First, you have to qualify. These seats are only available to those who act quickly and are committed to attending the event.” And if you act now he’ll pay for shipping and handling too! Poppycock. NB: If you’re going to publish an eBook, at least do it in a format that isn’t painful to look at. Apparently, even after spending an estimated $20-$30k a year on educating himself, Dr. Baron only remembers that day in 3rd grade where he learned how to make paper look ‘old’ by soaking it in tea and burning the edges. Woah it’s an ancient eBook!
29 Responses to “Off The e-Shelf: The Secret Beyond The Law of Attraction”Leave a Reply |
|
Poppycock. That’s the politest word I can use for this self-help book. It’s based on the best-selling 
March 31st, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Aarti:
I am extremely surprised that your editor allowed you to publish your attempt at critique – You have assumed and then stated that Dov Baron will “steal money” from his readers or audience. In a court of law this could be grounds for defamatory libel.
The vitriole in your article is astounding and quite unnecessary, given that you are a self-proclaimed ignorant on the subject of self-help books.
You obviously haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Dov in person, nor have you been blessed with the wisdom that he and his lovely wife, Renuka, impart to those who are both receptive and seeking to better themselves, their relationships and their lives.
You confess “(snobs don’t need help, we need therapy)”, a contradiction in itself and further evidence that you really don’t know what you are writing about, much less what Dov Baron and The Secret Beyond the Law of Attraction are all about.
Those in the know are aware that the knowledge in the Secret Beyond the Law of Attraction is valuable, and applied with the right conviction and passion, this knowledge is the precursor to improving all aspects of one’s life.
You have quoted randomly and out of context from The Secret Beyond the Law of Attraction which isn’t fair to the reader nor to its author.
First rule about being a critic: don’t be stupid!
Get precise information. If you are going to publish accusations that tarnish a person’s character or reputation on the internet, I suggest that you and your team find a lot of money and a lot of lawyers.
March 31st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Oh dear Tracy! I’m sorry this review has offended you so much….but you do understand that a review = opinion right? (and the Interweebs is the Free World) Also, most of my readers, like myself, probably haven’t been ‘blessed’ by Dov or his wife’s presence so we’re not the elite few who are ‘in the know’. We can only judge his work based on this eBook and frankly, it’s less than impressive.
Next time though, just keep in mind that a review is a personal opinion piece – you and I don’t need to agree but we can certainly agree to disagree in a civilized manner.
Could you explain to me WHY people need to be ‘experts’ on self help books to actually get help? I would think that anyone searching for help in a self help book should be able to find it without being bombarded by sales talk and condescending language.
If Dov Baron has enriched your life, all the more power to you! As I said, I do agree with his basic concepts, I just don’t believe that anyone needs to go for $50 live seminars or buy $249 CDs in order to bring that wisdom into their lives. I also don’t hold any human being in such high regard that I’d wilt if I wasn’t “blessed with the wisdom.. that (he) imparts”. We’re all human, I’m sure Dov poops just like you and me.
As for taking things out of context, sorry mate, but you’re on your own there. There’s no amount of context that makes paragraphs, like the ones seen above, acceptable in a self help book or ANY book apart from marketing/sales copy. If Dov is better in person, then I suggest he employ a ghost writer to pen his next book so he doesn’t come off sounding like an infomercial.
But thank you for commenting! It’s nice to see that people are still so passionate about what they believe in!
March 31st, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Hey Aarti,
I appreciate your response – I see you do enjoy a heated debate – perhaps just as much as I!
In your opinion/review, Dov’s book didn’t meet your needs because you obviously appear not to have gained any insight from The Secret Beyond the Law of Attraction.
I could surmise/assume/ conject that perhaps this is because you’re young, or you’re not ready to accept reality or simply that the precious messages and vital information in Dov’s book don’t yet resonate with you. May they never will, and that would be your choice.
For me, a mature women who has had more than my fair share of hard knocks in life and who continues to search for ways to live a more meaningful life, The Secret Beyond the Law of Attraction was essential in exploding myths that are common in western society: in this book, Dov writes: “Money is not wealth. Wealth is a state of mind where you experience abundance in every part of your life. And this state of being is born of emotion.” This is a very deep statement and fact that is demonstrated through quantum physics law.
Seriously Doll, I personally know people who have benefitted enormously by attending Dov’s seminars and his Quantum SoulMates workshops. I have seen how he has helped couples regain love and respect for each other and how he has inspired many people to look inside themselves and reach their highest potentional.
I accept that you did not appreciate Dov’s book because you were not able to see past the hype or the sales copy that so many people employ in order to sell their product. If you had seen past the hype, and if you had been open, perhaps your state of being would be a little less bitchy and a whole lot more welcoming.
Ciao for now,
Chick Tracy
March 31st, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Dov Baron. You ROCK! To drive home with 3 of my kids having just completed The Attracting Force together was a trip like we have never had before. Kids from 15 to 21 yrs of age. Our lives, individually and collectively, are now changed forever. You delivered to us millions of dollars worth of knowledge, tools and information over the last 3 days. We are forever filled with gratitude for both you and your beautiful partner, Renuka. Anyone reading this who not yet stepped into your own power and taken one or all of Dov’s program’s….love yourself enough to do take the first step. You will only be grateful beyond your wildest imagination and then some.
We love you Dov! Namaste. Wendy Fuller
March 31st, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Whatever your name is, you don’t say “politest” – you say”the most polite”
-being an Eng.Lit.grad you should know this.
April 1st, 2008 at 7:42 am
So good to see people called out for practices such as these. Dov wants to help me? He cares about me having a good life? He’s figured out how I can achieve anything I want in this world? All I have to do is PAY HIM for it?
Yeah, ok Dov. Maybe you and your ilk can make the good living you make by convincing people like the above posters that not only do they need the “millions of dollars worth of knowledge, tools and information”, but that they in fact have to give you money for it. That’s not helping. That’s selling.
How about you let us all in on those numbers first before we trust you hmm? Lets see the margins on these ebooks. Lets see the balance sheet. Lets see how much is actually going to charity and what charities those are. If I should trust you, then show me.
If you have a good or service for sale, by all means, sell your product. If you have demand for it and can build customers, the sky is the limit. Just don’t do it under the guise of helping. If you want to help someone, you help them. Not charge them.
Oh and politest is a word, in the dictionary and everything. Thanks for that post though Tony. Lots of substance there.
April 1st, 2008 at 11:02 am
Chick Tracy: You imply in your first response that Aarti is stupid (“First rule about being a critic: don’t be stupid!”)…isn’t one of the first lessons to not project negativity upon the universe?
I had an experience once with a spiritual intuitive…i handed over my $150 for an enlightening session. i felt great about it until this moment:
“So if you feel that you need to see me again and for some reason don’t have the money…just put it out to the universe and the money will come”
Not-I’ll put you on a tab and you can pay me back later. Not we’ll figure out some kind of payment plan to work things out…
I felt pretty good about all of it and even was considering returning until that exact moment.
Shocking.
I get that everyone is in business here – I’m in marketing for goodness sakes – but like Justin said, don’t try and pass it off like your number one goal is to help me when it’s not. If he were in it to help he’d be hocking this stuff outside the skytrain station for free.
April 1st, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Stasia: – So you think that Aarti’s “review” is intelligent and positive?
Justin: – What planet do you live on where you expect services like this for free? Do you pay for your Starbucks coffee in the morning or do you get it for free? Do you get dental services free? How about the doctor – does he charge you or are you exempt from MSP?
I don’t know, maybe you think this is Second Life – it ain’t Baby, this is Real Life and it’s passing you by right now…
April 1st, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Wendy: Want a GREAT way to get ‘millions of dollars worth of knowledge, tools and information” for FREE??!!!
Get a library card.
Oh and 1965 called. They want ‘Namaste’ back.
———
Tony: You’re supposed to say ‘ACTUAALLLYY’ in a high pitched nasal voice while you caress your pocket protector. The bonus word was actually ‘interweebs’. Thanks for playing though.
n00b.
—————-
Tracy: Since I can’t draw a diagram in crayon for you, I’ll type reaaalll slow. This is a NEGATIVE review of Dov Baron’s eBook. Yes, it is possible to think negatively of his methods. I know that this is hard for you to comprehend and I hate to be the one that breaks this news to you but what Dov is ‘teaching’ (i.e. selling) is NOT profound or ORIGINAL. Read the Torah, read the Vedas, learn about meditation, yoga, the importance of sound and how it vibrates in the universe (think about the word AUM and why it’s said). What Dov has done is take these ANCIENT practices and ideas and repackaged them for a Western audience. My PROBLEM is that he does so in a way that is condescending to his readers and to add insult to injury he SELLS it like he’s hawking hot dogs at a baseball game.
———
Stasia and Justin: Thank you.
April 1st, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Does Aarti’s review need to be positive? Seems you have a real problem dealing with people who don’t think the way you do. Or in this case, think the way someone else tells you to. For a fee.
As far as intelligent, I’d personally award more intelligence points to the person who thinks for themselves versus the person who has to hire someone to tell them how to think. But that’s just me.
Side note: I don’t drink Starbucks. Awful stuff. The coffee shop I do frequent gives me my coffee in return for money. Sans the promises of spiritual and mental enlightenment. THAT’s the sort of trade I can get behind, know what I mean? Baby?
April 1st, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Dear Tracy,
This book belongs in the same group as the gift of fear, the game, mastering influence, emotional intelligence, awaken the giant within, the sound of your voice, etc.
All of these books pretty much tell you the same thing, different author, different text, same concept, in the end, we can break it down to a few really simple concepts: positivity and self confidence.
If they work for you that’s great, however you seem to be implying that everyone who isn’t buying and reading Dõv Baron is missing out on some form of ‘insight’ or that they’re too naive to understand (and will understand it some point later in life) which couldn’t be further from the truth. For every person that gains insight from this book there are millions of people who gained insight without investing in Dõv Baron’s new mansion or his lovely wife’s Renuka new dress.
A quick look on various testimonal websites actually shows how desperate people will buy into anything, these people aren’t being helped, they’re being drained of their funds, completely voluntarily. Then there’s false advertisement, for example, the comment from Wendy Fuller who can also be found over at the EFM testimonials website brings us a typical ‘salesman’ pitch “Received $5,000 Unexpectedly Within One Month!”, every single testimonial is written in the same style and the same content, yes, this book magically made $5k appear, out of nowhere, amazing.
A quote from the book and from the review:
“Every man and his dog is trying to sell you something on the web, right? The difference here is that we are beginning to build a relationship and as you read this eBook you get a sense of my personality and the work I do. That’s why I’m creating a foundation to assist the underprivileged. A portion of all proceeds from this e-book have already been pledged to the foundation. You now have proof that you can trust me.â€
From his profile he claims he’s a “Master Neuro-Linguistic-Programmer”, my suggestion is that you look up the meaning of that and re-read this sentence a few times, if done right he would touch your shoulder at the moment he said “you can trust me”, this is what experts call “anchoring”, he has given you some generic information (eg a strawman) then concluded you can trust him, that will give you a ‘positive’ feeling on which he then anchors, that way, you will believe everything he tells you since you’re anchored to the positive feeling from earlier.
April 1st, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Whoa! This flame war is getting waaaay too personal people. I thought we were talking about a book review, not candid personal attacks. It’s fun to read for sure, but this isn’t war peope. It’s blowling. There are rules.
Not to ad to the war of words, but whenever I see people misuse the term “quantum physics” to this extent, I have to say something:
Chick Tracy. You say “Dov writes: “Money is not wealth. Wealth is a state of mind where you experience abundance in every part of your life. And this state of being is born of emotion.†This is a very deep statement and fact that is demonstrated through quantum physics law.” If this is true, Dov needs to brush up on his junior high physics.
First off, there’s no such thing as “quantum physics”. In physics, we talk about quantum states and the science of measuring these quantum states is called quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics is the study of how elementary particles behave and has absolutely nothing to do with neither wealth nor emotion. Many motivational speakers, oracles and other people working on the fringe of what can be refered to as “science” misuse the term “quantum” to make people think that their teachings are scientific. But by using this term they prove that they are not. If you want to use “quantum physics” to change your life, get on a plane, fly out to CERN in Switzerland and put yourself in the middle of their particle accellerator. That’s one of the only places the theories of quantum mechanics are being put to the test in real life. Or you can implant a nuclear weapon in your body and set it off. These really are the only ways you can change your life using quantum physics.
To claim that Dov’s statement is proven by quantum physics is about as valid as claiming that Dov’s statement is proven by water always flowing downward. Quantum mechanics describe how elementary particles behave. If you want scientific proof of Dov’s theories, you have to consult someone who deals with human behavior, someone like a psychologist, a sociologist or a social anthropologist.
If Dov really claims that quantum physics prove his theories, he is by definition a quack.
April 1st, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Tracy-in response to whether or not i think Aarti’s review is intelligent or positive-it’s really irrelevant to the point i’m trying to make. whether i agree or disagree has nothing to do with the fact that the main focus of “the secret” is throwing out positive thoughts to the universe. negativity does not combat what you are being negative towards, it only boomerangs back and affects YOUR life. Wendy made a comment clearly showing that she disagreed with Aarti and yet, no negative words were spoken. You say that you have been enlightened by the words of this book and it’s teacher, but i fear you missed the point entirely.
and guess what-that little nugget was on the house.
April 2nd, 2008 at 7:59 am
Hey Thomas, thanks for bringing the scientific perspective to this debate… we definitely needed it. It’s pretty easy to get sidetracked from the issue at hand when things get personal.
Dov actually has a BA in psychology and an MA in psychological counseling, which, to me, explains why he’s able to push the right buttons with people. And perhaps the reason he’s so persuasive at these seminars is because he’s a licensed and registered Clinical Hypnotherapist?
(*swirly eyeballs* “trust in meeee, just in meeee, shut your eyes and trust in meee”)
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:18 am
I thought I’d leave a comment so your own (inhouse) comments could drop down to a mere 33% of comments for your “article”. You must have incredible readership.
But wait, you’re a Qualified Marketing Communications ASSISTANT arean’t you Aarti? That’s why you’re able to penetrate the secret ‘marketing” language woven in evil Ebooks … though surely your expertise extends to being able to GENERATING AN AUDIENCE for your posts. That would be considered “marketing” wouldn’t it?
Maybe not, maybe you’ll get to that part of the job next year … in the meantime, maybe you can let me know if I’m paying too much for overnight Fedex deliveries to Toronto? Reveal your true wisdom … please!
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:59 am
Hi Everyone:
I have read through all the comments and thank you for making some good points.
Aarti, IMHO, I think you could have written a negative review about the eBook without getting personal and slandering Dov. Why couldn’t you have written what you disagreed with and why without stating that he is “stealing” people’s money?
Cause frankly, if that is your position, the reader then has to ask themselves:
Is Dr.Wayne Dyer “stealing” money? Is Deepak Chopra ‘stealing” our mulla? Or the chickie who wrote The Secret? Or Dr.Weil? Or any other self-help coach/guru that’s out there?
All of the above, and I have mentioned only a few, have all drawn their knowledge/products/teachings from the ancient teachings. This is obvious.
I don’t know, what seems to have triggered you is that DB is asking for money in return for imparting information – the same information that is imparted by the other “gurus” I mentioned previously who also ask for money…I don’t understand why you are singling Dov out from others who are doing EXACTLY what he is doing? You say he is “condescending”. How?
When I was at school, 4 million years ago, I joined the debating society cause I loved a good discussion – so I’d like to continue this debate in a way we can all learn from this, and enjoy the discussion:)
Justin – points taken…and please consider the following – I have purchased products, both online and in stores from Dr. Wayne Dyer, Dr. Raymond Weil, Eckhardt Tolle, Chloe Wordsworth,David Hawkins and Dov Baron. These include eBooks, Relaxation CDs, Modalities for positive change in Resonance, hard copy books and DVDs.
I have also attended seminars and courses. I studied Level I in Resonance Repatterning with Michael Fisher in Vancouver who is an angel!
I have benefitted from these materials and teachings and so has everyone around me because of the ripple effect.
I chose to take a stand for Dov Baron in this article because I believe that although negative and positive reviews are par for the course, one does not have to slander an author or take personal digs at the author in order to defame his or her character.
If Aarti had written in the same manner about Wayne Dyer, Choloe Wordsworth, Deepak Chopra or anyone else in this field, I would have written a very similar comment in support of the author and their mission.
Stasia: I do apologize for being negative if that is how you perceived any of my messages – that was not my intention – but, being human, I too often succumb to laziness, I stop being mindful or conscious of what I am saying/writing or doing and something negative slips out. I ain’t perfect…and I wish you only happiness.
Chris – thank you for affirming the category of the Dov’s book as being in the realm of Self-help, Positivity and all that.
I was one of the people who desperately needed to regain my confidence, to help myself and take responsibility for my life.
Dov Baron and what he teaches is only one in a long line of people I have met along the road of my life who have imparted to me lessons and knowledge that have served and continue to serve to help me help myself to discarding excess emotional baggage, deal with trauma and bad habits and practise the freedom to truly be myself. I wish everyone the contentment that I am in the process of discovering.
Thomas – thank you for educating all of us on the misuse of the term “quantum physics”. Your post is witty and very much oil on troubled waters.
P.S. I just might take that trip to CERN!
April 2nd, 2008 at 12:11 pm
All I have to say is:
I heart Aarti
April 2nd, 2008 at 1:10 pm
I was wondering if anyone can make any sense out of the post from ‘Helping You Out Aarti’? I’ve read over it several times and for the life of me can’t figure out wtf the person is talking about. Am I missing something?
Also, could it be any more creepy?
April 2nd, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Hey Tracy, I think we’re having a bit of miscommunication here. Yes, the review of the eBook is negative and yes, I disagree with Dov’s strategy – but I don’t think I got ‘personal’. Personal would have been insulting his children or wife or something along those lines. He is the author of this book, he is selling.. or ‘inviting’ people to his seminars to learn about his ideas and beliefs. There’s no way of separating Dov Baron from the Baron Mastery Institute or the eBook. It’s ‘personal’ in the sense that the *way* in which he goes about giving ‘help’ is what I have a problem with. I ridiculed his writing style because it does come across as condescending and I do honestly feel that if you’re going to write a self help book, you have to be very careful because the people who are reading it are usually in dire straits and are looking for anyone to help them back up. Perhaps Dov is a lovely human being but again, if he’s better in person, he should have a ghost writer pen his books. I’m reviewing the eBook and the eBook in and of itself is not impressive and therefore by proxy, Dov to me, is not impressive. If you know that your audience is looking for help, there are better ways to give them help than by adding marketing/sales copy into your ebook that ultimately results in that audience spending more money on you. This ebook was less about giving his readers help as it was to convince the readers that they should attend his live seminars. It’s not right to call that a self-help book… that’s promotional material.
I’m glad that Dov has made such a positive impact in your life. There are certainly self help people out there who make a difference – but for every one there are usually about ten who are just preying on people’s insecurities and fears. When you read a self help book that is interspersed with sales copy, testimonials and the idea that, as a reader, you’re only *really* going to understand and benefit once you pay more money for a seminar – that doesn’t come across as honest and trustworthy. Hence my criticism of it and of him.
I hope that straightens things out.
—-
Helping out Aarti – I don’t know who you are or why you bothered to post, but no, I’m not a marketing assistant and never have been. Please stop wasting all my readers and my time with your ‘trolling’. This isn’t that type of site.
And I believe it’s more respectful and engaging when I respond to the reader’s criticism or praise of the book/review/me/whatever. I’m not concerned with the percentage of how many times I post or how many times Angela posts or Thomas or Tracey. What’s important is having this talk and understanding each other’s perspective. And the only way for me to do that is to actually respond instead of ignoring my readers.
April 2nd, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Totally agree – creeped me out for sure.
April 2nd, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Thanks, Aarti, I appreciate you taking the time to explain your motivation. I guess you and I are going to have to agree to disagree about some things and agree on others. And hey, because this is a learning experience, I bet everyone is going to benefit because you’re doing some serious literary surgery on the book and outside opinion helps to give insight.
If I were the author, I would want to understand why you perceive the writing to come over as “condescending” because I wouldn’t want my audience to have that perception. But then again, when I read the book, I don’t perceive anything condescending. And this isn’t because I know Dov to be one of the most uplifting people on the planet, maybe it’s a cultural thing?
You know I listen to my Jewish, Muslim, Hindi,Ukranian and Chinese friends who all shrug their shoulders and think that this “guru” stuff is so funny because they’ve been taught this ancient wisdom since they were in diapers.
Unfortunately, it has been kept a secret from many ignorant Westerners, such as I, who grew up under the indoctrination of an institutional religion that had more to do with money than God and keeping us in the dark about our actual potential.I think you know what I’m talking about.
So it is fascinating and overwhelming at the same time that we Westerners could now have access to this information…Should we pay for it? Is that the question?
My wise friends from the Middle East, Eastern Europe and the Far East would say that the Westerner does not appreciate anything as having value unless he pays for it…maybe they are right.
April 2nd, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Hey Tracy, thanks for responding. Here are a few excerpts from The Secret Beyond the Law of Attraction that gives me the feeling that Dov is being at times condescending and at other times patronizing towards his readers. Imagine that you are sitting at a coffee shop talking to a friend and this is how he/she speaks to you. How would you feel?:
1. “Answer this question: If you wanted to hear classical music, would you
tune your radio to a rock station? No, of course you wouldn’t. You’re
smarter than that.”
2. “I traveled the world to study with the masters… I was searching for
secret wisdom, and I met many different fates. I learned metaphysical
laws that have been closely guarded by so many of the masters—
knowledge that just wasn’t supposed to ever reach the masses. What
I discovered was that I could take these teachings and translate them
into a simple set of formulas that could be used by anyone who would
take the time to understand and apply them. In doing so, I became
the originator of something that I call Quantum-Meta-Psychologyâ„¢”
3. “Just so that concept sticks, I’ll say it again: “You, the observer, can
change the frequency of that which you observe and draw toward
you something different.†Big stuff, isn’t it? Makes you wonder what
you are really capable of, doesn’t it?”
4. “Do yourself a favor and take just a minute to let that soak in. You’re
getting tons of fabulous information here,”
And so on. To me, that tone implies Dov is the ‘seer’ (all-knowing) and that you and I, his readers, are the ‘unenlightened’ ones. That tone doesn’t come across as someone who is talking to his readers like they are intelligent, knowledgeable adults and therefore I find that insulting. Regardless of the reader’s educational level or world traveling experience, every one of us possess knowledge, wisdom and expertise in our own areas.
I completely agree with you about the whole Western/Eastern thing. As an Indian who has grown up with ‘ancient wisdom’, we really do take it for granted. Even Deepak Chopra, who’s ‘one of my people’, comes across as ridiculous to me. I watched a live seminar once where he talked about Siddhartha’s spiritual path to nirvana, how Siddhartha gave away his worldly possessions and spent his life meditating etc etc, all good stuff.. but not.. new. And I’m watching the audience, ears perked, heads nodding in unison, they’re *mesmerised* by what I considered ‘common knowledge’. And it’s the same for my Chinese friends or Russians or Arabs. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with paying for it, I just think that Dov putting SBLA out as a self-help book isn’t right because where the value really lies is in his seminars or CDs or full print books perhaps. This eBook isn’t a *full* self help book because you cannot complete helping yourself until you invest in his other strategies. That’s why I consider it promotional material.
The funny thing is that a lot of Hindus gained their knowledge of ‘ancient wisdom’ through comic books before they went into the heavy stuff. (Mahabharatha, Vedas etc) Check out http://www.ack-media.com/ . It’s like Aesop’s Fables… but with blue skinned Gods and men with elephant heads.
April 2nd, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Hey Aarti,
Amazing, I just placed myself in that coffee shop and read your excerpts as if I was listening to Dov talking to me as you’ve written and I still don’t perceive the tone or language as condescending.
I am not trying to be difficult or argumentative, I am just being honest, for myself. I think how we read and perceive tones and messages in books is very subjective.
However, I absolutely accept and acknowledge that you do perceive it as such, so please don’t think that I am negating your opinion or feelings.
I guess it also has to do with our cultural upbringing and what we’ve been through in life. I don’t pretend to know anything about your upbringing except that I perceive you were very well educated and brought up in a home with sound values and you were blessed with access to the ancient wisdom.
I have lived experiences that would turn most people’s hair grey….having grown up in apartheid-era South Africa and having belonged to the “wrong” political party at the time, I was always confronting injustice, discrimination and just plain ignorant people. It infuriated me every moment of every day that apartheid was a law in our country. My closest friends n South Africa were Xhosa, Hindu and Muslim and we all wanted and fought for the same thing: equal rights for all. So that’s part of my background: having to fight for what I believed was right. It was hard at the time because I became segregated from my own race and family, but I am proud that I was able to stand up against all odds because it was the right thing to do.
After many years of confronting serious opposition and oppression I tend to have developed a pretty hard skin myself, something I am sure that Dov had to develop growing up in a ghetto near London. There are some things about our characters that I don’t think we lose as the years go by, and speaking for myself, my tough exterior is one of these things that I use to protect my vulnerable heart and soul.
And also, judging by the feedback from over 60% of the people who have purchased Dov’s book, there isn’t a perception of him being condescending.
I now see and hear who you really are and that you are a deep-thinking person who actually cares very much for people who are more vulnerable than you and I…I can’t fault you on many points, so I’ll just leave it at that. I think we have been successful in discussing different opinions to a point where we are both clear about what we believe in, a learning process.
I truly appreciate the link to ACK media.com! I had no idea that comics were and are part of the medium used to impart the ancient wisdom in India…I find it intriguing. Thank you for opening my heart and mind!
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:58 am
Hey Tracy, I think you’re right that I’m a lot more skeptical than you are. Considering what you’ve been through I would think you’d be more wary of people..I’ve lived all over the world and the first thing I got used to is that whether people were speaking Arabic, Russian, English or Singaporean, they were usually full of it. I prefer my humans with a grain of salt.
I’m glad you enjoyed the debate though, definitely drop in again.
Next week we’ll be looking at a guide to writing prenuptial agreements and legal documents for cohabitation. Yes, I know it doesn’t sound exciting, but just remember, men always think they have rights over the gadgets/technology in the house – whether they paid for it or not. Protect your Wii’s now ladies! ‘If You Love Me, Put It In Writing’ will be up for debate Saturday morning… till then, enjoy the sunshine, connect to the universe and remember to turn your vibrators to ‘positive’.
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:16 pm
There is always value in the offerings that anyone who seeks to serve from a place of uplifting what is here on the planet. All spiritual leaders have their “stuff” to deal with and that includes Dr. Dov Baron and his charming wife Renuka. They isn’t anyone better or less than anyone else on the planet. They are equal to those who are considered “homeless as well as those who are in positions of power for we are all on a spiritual journey, a path of evolution.
You can have all the riches in the world, all the pretty things that you could possibly desire as well as all the friends and people around you. You could have everything that would be considered the perfect life and still not be living what your Soul came here to do.
I agree that there are times when Dov can be condescending and very arrogant yet he has some gifts he is presenting to the world that are useful.
The best way to approach any teachings from any leader is from your heart center. Learn to see beneath the surface from your heart and soul’s knowing instead of your ego’s opinion.
Learn to discern what is sincere and authentic and discard the rest. You will always be drawn to what you need in the moment. Dov’s work is not for everyone and yet this doesn’t mean that we aren’t awake or conscious because we aren’t participating in his work. Dov’s work is useful for those that need it. We all have unique paths in life. What we require to evolve is unique to each one of us. Not everyone is going to like us because we are being who we are wherever we are in consciousness.
We are all born as “Masters” here on earth. The path of “Mastery” is chosen and the more awake you are the more “stuff” you have to master on many levels of reality. Those of you who are putting Dov on a pedestal and those of you who are knocking him take back your power! Come back to center and look beneath the surface in all that you interact with. There is more than meets the eye when we look at people dressed in pretty clothes and circumstance.
Learn to see what is authenticity in motion and where the soul is bound and you will see your own life reflected back to you. Be in gratitude to Dov and what he does. He has positive impact on the planet. Dov, like all of us, has much to learn to evolve his consciousness. It never ends. We are equal!
As always I send blessings and am in gratitude for all that is presented here.
Darlene
August 15th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
There is always value in the offerings that anyone who seeks to serve from a place of uplifting what is here on the planet. All spiritual leaders have their “stuff†to deal with and that includes Dr. Dov Baron and his charming wife Renuka. They isn’t anyone better or less than anyone else on the planet. They are equal to those who are considered “homeless as well as those who are in positions of power for we are all on a spiritual journey, a path of evolution.
You can have all the riches in the world, all the pretty things that you could possibly desire as well as all the friends and people around you. You could have everything that would be considered the perfect life and still not be living what your Soul came here to do.
I agree that there are times when Dov can be condescending and very arrogant yet he has some gifts he is presenting to the world that are useful.
The best way to approach any teachings from any leader is from your heart center. Learn to see beneath the surface from your heart and soul’s knowing instead of your ego’s opinion.
Learn to discern what is sincere and authentic and discard the rest. You will always be drawn to what you need in the moment. Dov’s work is not for everyone and yet this doesn’t mean that we aren’t awake or conscious because we aren’t participating in his work. Dov’s work is useful for those that need it. We all have unique paths in life. What we require to evolve is unique to each one of us. Not everyone is going to like us because we are being who we are wherever we are in consciousness.
We are all born as “Masters†here on earth. The path of “Mastery†is chosen and the more awake you are the more “stuff†you have to master on many levels of reality. Those of you who are putting Dov on a pedestal and those of you who are knocking him take back your power! Come back to center and look beneath the surface in all that you interact with. There is more than meets the eye when we look at people dressed in pretty clothes and circumstance.
Learn to see what is authenticity in motion and where the soul is bound and you will see your own life reflected back to you. Be in gratitude to Dov and what he does. He has positive impact on the planet. Dov, like all of us, has much to learn to evolve his consciousness. It never ends. We are equal!
As always I send blessings and am in gratitude for all that is presented here.
From ffbsidbfsibfsubfsiu
August 19th, 2008 at 5:28 am
October 18th, 2009 at 5:07 am
Данный поÑÑ‚ реально помог мне принÑÑ‚ÑŒ очень нужное Ð´Ð»Ñ Ð¼ÐµÐ½Ñ Ñ€ÐµÑˆÐµÐ½Ð¸Ðµ. За что автору отдельное ÑпаÑибо! Жду от Ð’Ð°Ñ Ð½Ð¾Ð²Ñ‹Ñ… поÑтов!
February 16th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Ste Therese of Lisieux…
In some instances it may feel like there is no need to offer encouraging words to someone who is hurting. In most instances when you shares words of encouragement for divorce if the grief is caused by divorce that particular person may choose not to ta…