The Secret of the Seven Seeds: A Parable of Leadership and Life [Hardcover]

David Fischman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 2006

The Secret of the Seven Seeds tells of the successful entrepreneur and writer David Fischman's struggle with his out-of-control life. In this fascinating and instructive book, he reveals his personal story through the fictional character Ignacio Rodriguez. Ignacio is 40-something stressed-out entrepreneur who is utterly overwhelmed—he is at risk for a heart attack, is losing money at his business—where employee morale is at an all-time low, and has no time or energy for his family. At first, he ignores these problems, thinking that if he only works harder, things will all get better. Predictably, his life quickly gets out of control. His doctor recommends that he try meditation to regain balance in his life. Ignacio—who is skeptical—finds a spiritual guide, who helps Ignacio heal by finding his path in the secret of the seven seeds. The seven seeds represent the path to success and balance in life: self-knowledge, meditation, egolessness, service to others, goodness, balance, and freedom.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Business people from New York to New Delhi are desperately trying to keep up with the speed of life today. In today's global economy, jobs demand we¿respond to information immediately, outsmart and outsell the competition, manage the markets, and generally transform ourselves into business superstars, while balancing quality time with family and friends. With hectic schedules and demands, there is no space left for peace and reflection, which are as essential as they are scarce today.

The Secret of the Seven Seeds tells of the successful entrepreneur and writer David Fischman's struggle with his out-of-control life. In this fascinating and instructive book, he reveals his personal story through the fictional character Ignacio Rodríguez.

Ignacio is a 40-something stressed-out entrepreneur who is utterly overwhelmed; he¿is at risk for a heart attack,¿is losing money at his business—where employee morale is at an all-time low—and has no time or energy for his family. At first, he ignores these problems, thinking that if he only works harder, things will all get better. Predictably, his life quickly gets out of control. His doctor recommends that he try meditation to regain¿balance in his life. Ignacio—who is skeptical—finds a¿spiritual guide, who helps Ignacio heal by finding is path¿in¿the secret of the seven seeds. he seven seeds represent the path to uccess and balance in life: self-knowledge, meditation, golessness, service to others, goodness, balance, and freedom.

As Ignacio applies the seven seeds to his work life, he is transformed and becomes happier, more balanced, and ultimately more effective at work. This engaging parable is written for anyone who feels their life at work is spinning out of control.

From the Back Cover

People Are Talking About The Secret of the Seven Seeds

"In the United States people have more money than ever. They live in biggerhouses, they have achieved record levels of productivity, and they have not increased happiness. Depression is at an all-time high! I was just in Shanghai. In the faces of amazingly hard-working young leaders, I could see this same hunger for things—and the same mistaken belief that these things would lead to happiness and contentment. I see the same hunger—and this same mistaken belief—in the faces of working professionals around the world.

As you read The Secret of the Seven Seeds, think of the master's first question—'Are you happy?'

If your answer is, 'Not as much as I would like to be,' then you—like Ignacio—may need to consider walking down a new path in life. You may want to look in the mirror and thoughtfully assess your true satisfaction with the person who is looking back at you."
—From the Foreword by Marshall Goldsmith

"The poet William Blake wrote that 'the road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.' Unfortunately, many Westerners seek their happiness through an excess of material goods and selfish pursuits. David Fischman provides us with a timely and insightful alternative in The Secrets of the Seven Seeds. His engaging approach is in the spirit of the sage Lao Tzu: 'There are many paths to enlightenment. Be sure to take one with a heart.' Fischman develops his theme of the seven seeds of happiness with a heart because he describes his own spiritual enlightenment through the mediation of a 'master,' who taught him the value of meditation and Kriya Yoga to achieve self-knowledge, self-control, and happiness in business and in life."
—Michael Shinagel, Dean of Continuing Education and University Extension, Harvard University

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (May 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787984612
• ISBN-13: 978-0787984618
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,337,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars When the student is ready, December 11, 2006

By 

S. Barton (Bellevue, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Secret of the Seven Seeds: A Parable of Leadership and Life (Hardcover)

I received this little book by David Fischman in the mail yesterday and I was so intrigued by it that I had to dig in immediately despite the fact that I have about 200 books ahead of it on Mt. ToBeRead.

As I read through this semi-autobiographical parable it reminded me of the principles Stephen Covey puts forth in his "7 Habits of Highly Effective People." It is aimed at people who want to improve their business skills by incorporating their spiritual attributes into their work life. Unlike Covey's long, assignment-laden tome, "The Secret of the Seven Seeds" is short and driven by stories.

Although I don't currently work in the corporate world, I have recently been troubled by memories of my failures to keep my anger in check in the past and my recent inability to schedule time for my priorities instead, letting time slip through my fingers like water pouring out of a faucet.

As the saying goes, "when the student is ready, the teacher appears." The stories and exercises were just what I needed to get my mind back on track. I easily finished the book over a weekend and look forward to implementing the lessons I learned.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spirituality Pays, July 6, 2006

By 

Dr. Jay - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secret of the Seven Seeds: A Parable of Leadership and Life (Hardcover)

Excellent first-hand experience of a businessman's search for self-knowledge and the realization that empowering employees improves both your business and your outlook on life. Mr. Fischman's transformation from the mean boss (a popular source of ridicule these days)to one who recognizes the best in people, is a valuable moral tale for a new world outlook that will, hopefully, prevent more Enron debacles. Great for business school students to learn about appreciative inquiry and important for businesspeople to maintain their humanity before they lose it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I highly recommend this book, August 30, 2007

By 

J. Andrade - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Secret of the Seven Seeds: A Parable of Leadership and Life (Hardcover)

What I enjoyed the most about this book is that it deals with the steps that a businessman needs to follow to obtain inner peace and therefore success in life.