The 21 Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires: How to Achieve Financial Independence Faster and Easier Than You Ever Thought Possible AUDIO

Book Description

Beginning from the premise that "Nobody is better than you and nobody is smarter than you", success guru Brian Tracy outlines the path to achieving personal wealth and satisfaction. It is all a matter of cause and effect: when you apply the success secrets of self-made millionaires in your life, you will experience results and rewards. The 21 chapters present motivational ideas or principles that are followed by provocative questions and action exercises designed to stimulate reflection and tangible progress toward the goal.

Customer Reviews:

Lot of useful information that can be applied to most any individual.......2007-03-09

Heard SUCCESS SECRETS OF SELF-MADE MILLIONAIRES,
written and read by Brian Tracy.

He's a renowned author, lecturer and trainer who cranks out
a lot of programs . . . this CD program wasn't brilliantly original,
but that said, I did find a lot of information in it that could
be applied to most any individual.

And though Tracy does little more than speak in front of
a camera, I liked his passion for the topic and how he came
across . . . it was almost as if he was speaking directly to me.

There were many worthwhile tidbits of information I gained
from listening . . . among them:

* Treat your company like you own it.

* Spend at least as much time on yourself as you do on your job.

* If you ask successful people for help, they'll help you. If you ask
unsuccessful people, they'll try to hold you back.

* Take something that's been done and doe it better; e.g.,
the way McDonald's did.

* More people have become wealthily by running dry cleaning
establishments than any other field.

* Focus on continuous personal development.

* One hour of study per day for five years will make you one of
the greatest experts in the world.

* Your rewards in life will be equal to the value of your service.

* Develop the ability to do what's most important and then do it
quickly. Only 2% of the nation has any sense of urgency.

KD.......2007-03-08

I am a Brian Tracy fan, however I was less than impressed with this book. I did not find any of the information to be differant from what he has put in previous books and CD's. It is more like he dummied down the information from other books into 21 small 2-3 page lessons/chapters

Secret or No Secret...What's next?.......2006-04-30

Ok, there's 21 secrets revealed in this tiny book. What are you going to do with them?

I know in my case, I can use 2-4 secrets to improve on my current situation in life and say business. It's not going to make me a millionaire...at least not yet.

I have to give Mr. Tracy credit for what he is trying to achieve or lets say, share to his readers. The book is a "good read", I like it.

Let's say you were given an opportunity to play a game of golf with Tiger Woods for just 60 minutes. What's going to happen, what are you going to do?

For the short span of time you're with the champion you'll definitely pick-up great tips on the game of golf...or the experience. Is it going to be a positive or a negative one? Who knows but you.

You can disagree with me here but information, knowledge, experience, etc. are nothing until you start applying them to your advantage. And, the secrets in this book is no diferrent.

Brian Tracy Success formula.......2006-04-07

This book gets to the point in its friendly layout. Brian gives a step by step approach in this masterpiece. I enjoy the activities. The formula is applicable right away. A resource for business leader on the go.

Brief but excellent program by the great Brian Tracy........2005-10-04

I know some people seem to equate the value of a book by it's size. That may explain some of the 1 star reviews here. This book is not big...but it is loaded with powerful information.

In this program, Tracy reveals the top 21 secrets of success. Tracy tells us that success is as predictable as the sun rising in the east and settling in the west. He indicates that there is no correlation between success and grades in school, education or even intelligence.

Tracy tells us some unfortunate statistics as well. He indicates that by age 65, out of 100 people, 1 will be wealthy, 4 will be financially independent, 15 will have some savings set aside and the other 80 will be flat broke, busted and dependent on others for survivals. This gives us a 19 to 1 chance against succeeding. Tracy shows how to reverse the ratio to our benefit.

Tracy goes on to say that success is like any other area of endeavor. It is predictable and it must be studied. Then he goes to on to reveal the 21 qualities of success which may or may not come as a surprise.

According to Tracy, if you practice and develop these 21 characteristics, nothing can stop you. And if you don't, failure is the result. Tracy asks you to grade yourself on these 21 areas honestly and then work on improving in your weak areas.

What are the top 21 characteristics?

1) Dream Big Dreams
2) Do What You Love To Do
3) Focus on Your Unique Strengths
4) See Yourself As Self Employed
5) Never Consider The Possibility of Failure
6) Develop A Clear Sense Of Direction
7) Work Hard
8) Form Master Mind Networks
9) Be Teachable
10)Be Prepared To Climb From Peak To Peak
11)Develop Resilence and Bounce Back
12)Unlock Your Inborn Creativity
13)Focus on Continous Personal Development
14)Be An Unshakable Optimist
15)Dedicate Yourself To Serving Others
16)Develop a Reputation For Speed and Dependability
17)Be Impeccably Honest With Yourself and Others
18)Concentrate Single Handily On One Thing At A Time
19)Be Decisive
20)Back Your Plans With Persistence and Determination
21)Discipline Yourself

Of course Tracy goes into much more detail on each point. He then provides exercises to show you how to develop these qualities. The only thing that I will add is that Tracy says that #21 is the most important and the #1 cause for failure as well. Without #21, the rest is useless.

This book is like a workbook, will make you think and probably reveal some things about yourself that you may not like or even agree with. But here is what I asked myself when I scored low in certain areas; "am I were I want to be financially?" The answer was no. I started to work on those weak areas, became teachable and it made all the difference in the world for me. Most importantly, I developed the quality of discipline. To do what I needed to do rather than what I wanted to do.

Keep in mind that these ideas took Brian from an income of $12,000 to over $150,000 in a very short time and then on to several million dollars. These are the strategies used by the super successful.

Small book. But don't just read it, study it. Learn these top 21 habits and let them become part of your personality. Start with the dreams, dream big dreams and always end with the discipline to pay the price and then success will be yours.

Customer Reviews:

Great book.......2005-02-02

If you like WWII history, you'll love this book. A must buy

Couldn't put it down!.......2004-12-08

The stories in this book will take you on an emotional roller coaster. Some stories are achingly brief because several young men depicted were not married and had no children, and not much is known about how they lived. Other stories are amazing in their depth and breadth, and will make you laugh and cry. Excellent job!!

Book Description

This, the long-awaited third volume of the Cosmic Trigger series, includes Wilson's witty and humorous observations about the widely spread (and, happily, premature) announcement of his demise. And, of course, what Wilson masterpiece would be complete without synchronicities, religious fanatics, UFOs, crop circles, paranoia, pompous scientists, secret societies, high tech, black magic, quantum physics, hoaxes (real and fake), Orson Welles, James Joyce, Carl Sagan, Madonna and The Vagina of Nuit.

Customer Reviews:

A nice ending to the trilogy of wickedly entertaining brain food.......2007-09-26

If you enjoyed the first two Cosmic Trigger books, pick this one up. I would recommend reading the first two books initially but you don't have to in order to get a lot out of this one. RAW makes me laugh and think and laugh again. I like to keep a notepad nearby to jot down people, subjects etc. he mentions, for more research later on. His writings have opened up many doors for many people.

I found this third book to be easier to follow and more focused on it's thesis than the previous volumes. For me, reading all three in sequence seemed to work very well. Enjoy!

Wilsonian Romp.......2003-01-15

There really is not much for me to say on this one. It's just a fun ride. The kind you come to expect with Wilson. It is book you can read without having read the Cosmic Trigger books, but it helps.

What a conclusion.......2002-04-23

How many books can begin with their author dieing? Well, it seems that nothing is impossible to Robert Anton Wilson. Finding out about his death on the internet, Wilson takes us along another journey of self discovery and an examination of belief systems.

The story takes us to Ireland and unveils a host of new story lines to help you question the way you look at the world and help you to expand your mind. While this book comes close to the second book in the series, it falls just short of being equally as excellent. Wilson again attacks his topic through the intertwining of several story lines and does not disappoint. For anyone new to Wilson, you may wish to start with the second book in the series. If you have read the first two books, this one is definitely an excellent ending to the series.

OK, HERE'S THE DEAL...........2002-03-14

I feel that Wilson might be a genius. He seems to me to be smart enough to realize that his opinion isn't necessarily the best one. He's careful to state that his opinions are just that, OPINIONS. This colors everything he does. {People looking for answers should run screaming the other way.)

This is a set of essays, strung together in a manner that will make you think. His style as an essayist is engaging. In fact, I enjoy his essays more than his novels. Even when I disagree with Wilson (which might very well happen if you read with an open mind), I still find something to think about and consider.

I think that his books are designed to be mind-openers, not mind closers...I actually met a RAW-Dogmatic guy once, and after I finished laughing, tried to show him that (in my opinion) he missed the message.

This seems to me to be a fantastic book. I hope you enjoy it, too.

Brilliant "mid-wing" essays........2001-03-16

I think it's impossible for Robert Anton Wilson to write a non-interesting book. (Unfortunately he's gone into virtual retirement since the death of this wife.) While "Trigger III" has very little to do with the first book, (actually none of them have any connection other than title ) it's just a spellbinding read. To me, only RAW can write about what would be considered incidental and trival to most people and just make one gasp at the taken-for-granted mysteries and subtleties of existence. Such as, why IS the Mona Lisa cannonized as a masterpiece while works of equal of vast superioriority not? Here(as in all his books)he absolutely blasts away both materialistic dogma (Carl sagan, CISCOP, politicans)and religious dogma ( all of 'em ).

Wilson is a philosopher who can see the beauty AND the B.S. of life. He intelligently explains having mystical expericences as a STARTING point to exploration, not a new dogma to shove down people's throats. In my opinion, no other writer is better in explaining and exposeing how the world is with more honesty, knowledge and HUMOR. ( This applies to litterally ALL his books, not just CT III)

To my knowledge this is the last book Wilson has released. I sure hope he writes another before he "moves on". His works have literally transfromed me into, I think, a far wiser person. Hopefully for you as well.

Average customer rating:

Kinda Confusing!

Apartment Property Management - Strategies in Excellence
Robert Current
Manufacturer: Lulu.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Residential Property Management: Principals and Practices

Property Management for Dummies

The Complete Guide to Real Estate Finance for Investment Properties: How to Analyze Any Single-Family, Multifamily, or Commercial Property

The Complete Guide to Buying and Selling Apartment Buildings

The Rental Property Manager's Toolbox: A Complete Guide Including Pre-Written Forms, Agreements, Letters, And Legal Notices: With Companion CD-ROM

ASIN: 1411610199

Customer Reviews:

Kinda Confusing!.......2006-04-29

The introduction started out great. However, the rest of the book doesn't keep my interest. Aside from the run-on sentences, and lack of punctuation, I'm sure the author is excellent at managing property. He repeats several thoughts as if he's trying to find the words to say. I'll finish reading the book because there may be some information that I can use.

Customer Reviews:

Like a sequins hammer ..........2006-05-20

T is fabulous! I had no idea the breadth of his vision. He reminds me of a modern-day Clay Aiken.

Never one to pull punches, T will pull on your funny bone until it hurts. T's insights on gardening, wine-tasting and antiquing are refreshing and suprising with someone of T's on-screen persona. But that's just it -- in this deliciously dire read, he's telling the world, "Look, I am human and vulnerable. I hurt too. I feel lonely when it rains. I prefer kittens to pit bulls. And darnit! despite prevailing public opinion, I thought "Cheers" actually got better after Shelley Long left."

Bravo T! Thanks for showing us that all former rapping and break dancing gang members are not predisposed to lives of anger and misogyny, but beauty, diet lemon-lime slice and hummingbirds.

Unique, interesting........2002-09-10

From gangs, to drugs, sex, rap, religion, politics, women, racism, freedom of speech - Ice-T has an opinion just like the rest of us. Ice has an interesting and somewhat unique perspective on all these topics, and life in general. It was very enjoyable and though provoking to read. And if you don't agree with everything in the book, that's okay, how gives a ?

Very Wide Open Book.......2000-08-08

Ice T.always comes on point on Social Issues.He doesn't second guess himself.he comes straight out with the way he sees the World&The World at Large around him.His Honesty&Directness are to the point.He is a Very Deep Thinker who wants a Better World.you have to Wonder Why a Segement of Society has to Go through so Much Negativeness?very Enlightening Book.

I LIKE THIS BOOK!.......1999-04-04

This book really influenced the way I write. Ice-T's "I don't give a fuck" attitude encouraged me to express my true feelings on paper. The part of the book where he talks about the origin of the L.A. gangs was very interesting. Ice-T is a tough philosopher in the tradition of George Jackson, Eldridge Cleaver, Iceburg Slim, KRS-One, and TuPac Shakar. A must read for rebels looking for a cause.

The Ice Opinion - Get your copy TODAY!.......1997-11-20

This book has been restricted for shipment since 1994. Strange how one of the loudest advocates of freedom of speech had his own book become so hard to find shortly after the release of Cop Killer, and the censorship struggles ensuing shortly therafter... Fans may never know for sure what happened, but this book is finally available to the public three years later at it's original price! Contact Amazon.com regarding shipment or reach us direct at: ricothecat@aol.com This book is a must read, and as a fan, it's a pleasure to bring this book back into distribution!

Average customer rating:

Surprising.
Unapologetic insight
This book was so good that someone stole it from me!
The Ice Opinion - a Must Read !
Ice gives profound insight on sex,gangs,love,religon, etc.

The Ice Opinion
Heidi Sigmund , Ice-T , and Heidi Siegmund
Manufacturer: Pan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Ice-T - Greatest Hits: The Evidence

ASIN: 0330343696

Customer Reviews:

Surprising........2007-03-05

Ice-T, The Ice Opinion: Who Gives a [censored]? (St. Martin's Press, 1994)

I've been a fan of Ice-T since Power back in 1988; the man is one of the kings of the [censored]-talkers. It shouldn't surprise me, then, to find out that he's also very good at being a straight-talker. In a time of "how to fix the country" political books, this one, written almost fifteen years ago, is still as fresh, direct, and applicable as it was in the Clinton era.

Why is this? Well, the main reason is because Ice-T wasn't writing a "how to fix the country" book aimed at middle-class white America; he was writing a book about what Ice-T thought. The press can be forgiven for assuming that middle-class white Americans interested in finding out how to fix the country would pass it over. Because of that, he gets away with saying a lot of things (and saying them in a far more direct manner) that you're not going to get from pundits. And, here's a big surprise, you're going to hear different things-- things that stem from common sense, not political think tanks staffed with people who've never even met a homeless person, let alone been one.

Here's an idea: let's send a copy of this book to everyone in Congress. Let's send a copy of it to each of our elected officials in city and state governments. Let's see if any of them read it and get some food for thought. Hey, it can't hurt. But then, that's just my opinion, who gives a [censored]? ****

Unapologetic insight.......2002-12-13

Hard, raw and unapologetic musings by a man obviously much smarter than his birthrights. Ice-T was a criminal in some of the worst environments ever survived in the US of A, "The Hood" of Los Angeles. He's also mellow, thoughtful and insightful; and worth listening to. He went from street thug to rapper to movie and TV star without selling out and without giving in. Good for him, good for us.

This book was so good that someone stole it from me!.......1999-01-13

I lent this book to a friend, and she REFUSED to give it back. I had to put her in a choke-hold in order to get the 20 bucks that the book cost me. Ice T is tha MAN! Buy this book, baby!

Holly

The Ice Opinion - a Must Read !.......1997-10-22

The Ice Opinion (subtitled Who Gives A Fuck) is a must read for gritty urban insight combined with no-nonsense practical business sense, and a splash of dry humor to wash it down. "OG Rapper Ice T" proves again and again, using his own experiences as example, that individual success in any arena and all industries is not only possible, but mandatory for personal growth; This book has been almost impossible to locate on the common market since it's release in 1994, it is astounding how many people have never read it! This is a book you will find yourself quoting later. A must have for the rap afficando!

Ice gives profound insight on sex,gangs,love,religon, etc........1997-10-21

Ice gives thought provoking insight on sex, gangs, love,religon and much more. This universal book proves that he is more than a controversial rapper. And after reading it you will realize he is a lot smarter than most people. Not since Alex Haley's "Malcom X" has there been a book by a black author that has expressed so many interesting ideas and opinions with such honest and clarity.

Average customer rating:

Clergy Worldviews: Now the Men's Voices
Martha Long Ice
Manufacturer: Praeger Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Through research interviews with 19 clergymen of different religious affiliation, age, and race, this volume explores the views and attributes of ordained male ministers. Who is the man behind the pulpit? How does he balance personal and professional life? How do clergymen feel about their chosen profession? What events and family/societal influences led to a life of service? Through the interviews, the author examines these and other aspects of clergy life. The strength of the study lies in the delivery of extensive first-person commentary. From this, the reader gains access to the texture and tone of the voices as well as the men's thinking about theological, moral, and administrative leadership. People considering a life in the ministry, as well as students of sociology, religion, psychology, and anthropology, will be interested in this informative discourse.

Ice-boating;: The latest opinions of the foremost authorities in America, (Outing handbooks)

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Ice-boating;: The latest opinions of the foremost authorities in America, (Outing handbooks)
Herbert Lawrence Stone
Manufacturer: Outing Pub. Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00086S6WU

Arctic Ocean ice 'seems to be on this death spiral'.(Canada Wire): An article from: Winnipeg Free Press

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Arctic Ocean ice 'seems to be on this death spiral'.(Canada Wire): An article from: Winnipeg Free Press
Gale Reference Team
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000VATSL6
Release Date: 2007-08-21

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Winnipeg Free Press, published by Thomson Gale on August 18, 2007. The length of the article is 696 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Arctic Ocean ice 'seems to be on this death spiral'.(Canada Wire)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication: Winnipeg Free Press (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 18, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Page: c16

Distributed by Thomson Gale

An arena on ice.(Editorials)(Frohnmayer had no responsible alternative)(Editorial): An article from: The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR)

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An arena on ice.(Editorials)(Frohnmayer had no responsible alternative)(Editorial): An article from: The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR)

Manufacturer: The Register Guard
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000822JKY
Release Date: 2005-07-31

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR), published by The Register Guard on February 13, 2004. The length of the article is 729 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: An arena on ice.(Editorials)(Frohnmayer had no responsible alternative)(Editorial)
Publication: The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR) (Newspaper)
Date: February 13, 2004
Publisher: The Register Guard
Page: A12

Article Type: Editorial

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Artists hope calendar will help fishermen.(General News)(A gallery owner is putting together the fund-raiser to help with an ice machine): An article from: The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR)

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Artists hope calendar will help fishermen.(General News)(A gallery owner is putting together the fund-raiser to help with an ice machine): An article from: The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR)

Manufacturer: The Register Guard
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000840YH2
Release Date: 2005-06-01

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR), published by The Register Guard on September 8, 2004. The length of the article is 1634 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Artists hope calendar will help fishermen.(General News)(A gallery owner is putting together the fund-raiser to help with an ice machine)
Publication: The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR) (Newspaper)
Date: September 8, 2004
Publisher: The Register Guard
Page: d1

Distributed by Thomson Gale

The beat goes on for Lane women.(Sports)(A 27-0 blitzkrieg in the second half ices Titans' 54th consecutive home victory): An article from: The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR)

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The beat goes on for Lane women.(Sports)(A 27-0 blitzkrieg in the second half ices Titans' 54th consecutive home victory): An article from: The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR)
Gale Reference Team
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000NUW1PY
Release Date: 2007-02-27

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR), published by Thomson Gale on February 22, 2007. The length of the article is 750 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: The beat goes on for Lane women.(Sports)(A 27-0 blitzkrieg in the second half ices Titans' 54th consecutive home victory)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication: The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR) (Newspaper)
Date: February 22, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Page: d1

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Blue Sky founders set to open ice cream cafe at Valley West.(Nitro Ice Cream): An article from: Business Record (Des Moines)

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Blue Sky founders set to open ice cream cafe at Valley West.(Nitro Ice Cream): An article from: Business Record (Des Moines)
Sharon Baltes
Manufacturer: Business Publication Corp.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Breyers gets Smart.(new ice cream)(Good Humor-Breyers): An article from: Frozen Food Age

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Breyers gets Smart.(new ice cream)(Good Humor-Breyers): An article from: Frozen Food Age

Manufacturer: Cygnus Business Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Business | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Cooking | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Frozen Food Age, published by Cygnus Business Media on May 1, 2005. The length of the article is 493 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Breyers gets Smart.(new ice cream)(Good Humor-Breyers)
Publication: Frozen Food Age (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 1, 2005
Publisher: Cygnus Business Media
Volume: 53 Issue: 10 Page: 12(1)

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Book Description

Rabbi Loew is known as the creator of the golem, an artificial man endowed with superhuman powers. Sherwin here analyzes the legend and its influence on modern literature and ethics, and provides the first critical biography and bibliography of the mystical Rabbi whose life and works have in
the past been eclipsed by the legend.

Customer Reviews:

Well written work.......2006-08-05

The author has masterfully portrayed the life, works, & major themes of Judah Loew of 16th c. Prague. He convincingly argues for Loew's mystical view & provides an integrated, consistent theoretical & practical worldview. His work is readable yet scholarly; his organization is effective. He presents, per Loew & his opponents, significant expositions of important legal, mystical, scientific, & metaphysical issues (e.g. mystical cleaving to God). He avoids inserting his own values: p. 20: "Too often the image conjured up by the modern scholar represents a projection of his own mind rather than an accurate depiction of the subject of his scholarly seance...taking their silhouettes in his own likeness!" However, he conflates mysticism, metaphysics, & religion. Mysticism is a personal experience of cleaving or union with the divine as opposed to religion which is group-oriented (in Judaism), & tradition-bound (e.g. ritual, dogma). Metaphysics is concerned with cosmology/comogony issues--i.e. divine physics. He thus confuses Loew's mysticism with his metaphysics. He also discounts the Golem legend & its effects.

Loew's perspective is tradition-based though open to natural science if not applied to religion. He favored cultural isolation which later proved deadly for both Jews & Tibetans. His views of gentiles seem derogatory--but Sherwin asserts they were based on the recent Iberian expulsion of Jews: p. 91: "How can one reconcile theological assumptions with historical reality? How can one harmonize the theory of the Jews as an elected people with the reality of the Jews as a despised, persecuted, humiliated people?" It seems ironic that Jews have been stereotyped as material (money oriented) when Loew characterized gentiles as material & Jews as spiritual. Indeed, he views Moses as a God-man! Further, he favored Moslems over Christians--things have changed since then. Many of his views seem to be apologetics--theory devised to fit the result desired. He opposed Karo's Shulkan Arukh since it was too easy to use & thus encouraged lack of individual thinking & p. 164: "he believed poor leadership & low-quality education to be the major cause of contemporary undesirable realities." Certainly his criticism of the politics & bribery in appointments, lack of training, & gifts to rabbis seemed well founded as was his psychological progression in education (matching curricula to student abilities). His position on gentile converts is complicated, & his position on gentile wine, is deeply rooted in his metaphysical worldview. Many of his views, however, influenced later leaders & writers including Hasidic masters.

My least favorite portion is his resistance to any new paradigm--he was tradition-based though the tradition was heavily kabbalistic. My favorite portion is his mysticism & non-halakhic metaphysics: p. 66: "The sefirot relate to their source as rays of the sun relate to the sun. Their emanation does not imply a diminishing of the source, nor does it reveal the essence of their source." Such a universal view parallels the wisdom literature of other traditions such as Tibetan Dzogchen's view of "the Ground of Being."

An important work about the Maharal.......2005-10-09

The last decades of the 20th century saw an increasing number of books and articles about Rabbi Judah Loew of Prague (also called the "Maharal"). More and more people consider the Maharal (died in 1609), who was chief rabbi of Prague, Moravia and Poland, to be one of the greatest intellectual figures of Judaism of all time. Among all these works about the Jewish philosopher, talmudist and kabbalist of Prague, whose roots were in German Jewry (Alsace/Worms), the book of Professor Sherwin deserves special interest. Sherwin describes in a scholarly, but well readable way the essential facts of the life of the Maharal as well as the main themes of his thought. Judah Loew wrote extensively about the nature of God, the nature of Torah, the special destiny of the Jewish people, about Jewish and Gentile relations and a lot of other topics, which in our time are no less important than 400 years ago. Sherwin, a leading expert in Jewish philosophy and Jewish intellectual heritage, shows that R. Judah Loew was in many ways - not only in philosophical and theological matters - an exceptional personality, who influenced Jewish thought from his time until the present. Special chapters of Byron Sherwin's book deal with still unsolved biographical questions such as: "When was Judah Loew born?" or "In what order did Judah Loew write his works?". Although I can't follow all of Sherwin's conclusions, I think his book is one of the most important works about the illustrious rabbi and philosopher from Prague.

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