Mystic Microsoft: A Journey of Transformation in the Halls of High Technology [Paperback]

Kraig Brockschmidt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 2007

Where do you go to grow spiritually? A church? A monastery? India? Tibet? What about the heart of corporate multinationalism? Mystic Microsoft demonstrates that with sincerity and self-offering, God can (and will) guide one's inner growth in any setting, not just formal religious channels. Here, one of Microsoft's most visible technology experts during its major growth years relates how his career circumstances were the vehicle for an inward transformation. With insight, wit, and colorful anecdotes about life at Microsoft, Brockschmidt shows how one's career, like his experience writing the Windows Calculator and his book, Inside OLE 2, are tremendous opportunities for spiritual growth. "[At Microsoft] I learned and experienced exactly what you would expect [in] a monastery or ashram..." Mystic Microsoft offers hope to those who feel that their careers are at odds with their inner aspirations and those who seek to find a deeper meaning in their worldly responsibilities. www.mysticmicrosoft.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Kraig Brockschmidt (March 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615143792
• ISBN-13: 978-0615143798
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,981,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed it tremendously!, July 16, 2007

By 

Joe Begley (Mountain View, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mystic Microsoft: A Journey of Transformation in the Halls of High Technology (Paperback)

Not only is this a fascinating peek inside the workings of Microsoft...it's a very enjoyable sharing of how Kraig learns the highest spiritual (and human) potential in every work situation. Quite the inspiring read! It's given me lots of pointers as to how to do the same in my own life. Couldn't wait to read each new chapter.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hard to put down, July 16, 2007

By 

Rosie Perera (Vancouver, BC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mystic Microsoft: A Journey of Transformation in the Halls of High Technology (Paperback)

It's been a long time since a book made me weep. This one did. It's about how God used Kraig's years at Microsoft to bring about spiritual transformation in him. Kraig grew up Missouri Synod Lutheran. Throughout his time at Microsoft, he considered himself an atheist. But by the time he left there, God had made himself known again. Though the form of his spirituality did not return to Christianity, there are still amazing things to be learned from Kraig's journey about how God works in and through the marketplace. Very well written, and a joy to read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, September 29, 2011

By 

Poor Richard "Poor Richard" (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mystic Microsoft: A Journey of Transformation in the Halls of High Technology (Paperback)

This is a great book. Often in spiritual communities one finds people who've struggled with drugs, alcohol, relationships, jobs etc. and fall into spirituality as a kind of last resort after failing at regular life. The author had simply everything from the get go, solid family, education, one of the best jobs on earth, a good relationship and living in one of the most energized places in the US at a time of great expansion with seemingly everything materially possible yet moved to life's deeper search and an intentional community in a very thoughtful process. It's well written and something of a page-turner too!

In terms of psychology there's a lot of insight into the cult mindset of MSFT with employees going through brainwashing style interviews and boot camps to become like lab rats wondering from new office to new office for the 'greater good' defined by 'upper management', where its nothing to work seven days per week pressed like lemons for intellectual work, sleeping in the office, products are always spoken of as the best in the world even when clearly they are not and stars are 'protected' from the 'annoyance' of job offers and alternatives by anonymity. At the time MSFT seemingyly could do no wrong and the author details how stock options masked low pay, layers of mismanagement and bloated products before the era of expendable temp employees and a company marked not by its bright future but its bright past.

An added bonus is all the interesting books to research sprinkled through the text. The author's harmonium book is excellent also and the author magnetic in all his books and personal efforts - refusing the guru mantle yet nevertheless having many of the qualities.