Customer Reviews

Seven Words That Can Change the World: A New Understanding of Sacredness

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The title, the cover, the preface, the introduction, and various other trappings suggest that it is a religious self-help book that will probably remind the reader of the importance of connecting with his or her inner whatchamacallit in order to find true peace and increased market potential. But the body of the book consists largely of Simonetta rejecting religion. Ten or 15 tiny pages toward the end explain what the seven words are that can change the world.

This book takes about 20 minutes to read, but I never would have read it had the author not suggested it to me. As an atheist and a snob, I would have rejected it on the basis of the title alone. As it turns out, I pretty much agree with Simonetta's main concerns (which include environmental destruction, unequal distribution of wealth, and corruption of democracy by money). And this book rejects religious foolishness as clearly as many that don't come packaged as a new understanding of sacredness devised by a student of divinity.

But the book is indeed simplistic. It doesn't seem likely to appeal to scholars already pressed for time. It doesn't tell me much I didn't already know. However, I might be tempted to buy 100 copies and send them to libraries. Not only is the book's message important, but its simplicity is a part of that message. Moral codes, which have largely been religious codes, have - like other law codes -- always simplified, and Simonetta is aiming here for the most general framework, a new 10 Commandments, an updated Golden Rule. I imagine if Thomas of Aquinas were around today, he might write something of this sort, dropping most of the nonsense current in his day but keeping the careful simplicity.

Simonetta's new code in seven words is: "Be healthy. Be kind. Respect the environment." He presents this as a series of three relationships: to oneself, others, and the environment. After rejecting all previous pretensions to universal truth and disparaging our practice of clinging to old beliefs because we have called them sacred, Simonetta proceeds to call his seven words universal truth and sacred. This suggests to me that he has failed to see the radicalness in their day of various old and now foolish belief systems. Those who developed monotheism, for example, thought they were breaking with all past superstition as radically as Simonetta thinks he is. Of course, now we can lump monotheism with every other sort of theism and nontheistic religion and reject much of what is common to the lot. But declaring our truth universal and sacred suggests we haven't learned our lesson. Simonetta writes about his three rules:

"[T]his is not a human construct. This is simply the way life works. This is not contrived or fictional. This is not arbitrary or subject to dismissal. Nor is this in any way negotiable."
Now, I know that Simonetta is too big a fan of democracy to completely mean to put forth such an edict against negotiation. He intends, in fact, to be generous and inclusive. He sees his code as so general and well-intended that it will not hurt anyone. In fact, he doesn't even think it will have to be imposed on anyone for their own good. He supposes that every reader will immediately recognize its truth. But will they?

Some will certainly object that Simonetta's three rules are not separable, that you can't have one without the other two. And he may not see that as a criticism. But some may go on to question more pointedly the distinction between others and the environment. Are the others other humans or other mammals or other life forms or other discreet objects? Is there anthropocentrism here? Do we need to be kind to humans but respectful of cows, and do we respect cows best by eating them? Would it not be better to respect humans and be kind to cows?

Some may, for different reasons, also question the appropriateness of kindness as a framework for all interactions with humans. Should one be kind to family, friends, compatriots, competitors, and enemies? Is there not a place for respectful competition and even meanness? Simonetta claims that only his way can allow the species to survive; social Darwinians might beg to differ. And then, why put the species on the same level as the environment? Isn't it most important to not destroy the planet as a whole? And why put the self on the same level as either? What if you can best help others through sacrifices that do not allow you the most healthy lifestyle? And isn't kindness an attitude we adopt toward individuals; how does this relate to the benevolence we bestow on society as a whole, sometimes at some individuals' expense?

I am playing devil's advocate to make the point that the seven words are not universal or permanent, not to suggest that I oppose them. While 10 years from now I might reject them as folly, right now I recommend them as critical to improving human society and preserving ecosystems. Even the consequentialism implicit in the seven words and explicit in the book (the recognition that what we do has consequences and that those consequences must be the measure of our ethics) is worthy of the highest recommendation in an age in which we are altering the planet's weather while our university philosophy departments are keeping busy debating the relative merits of consequentialism and deontology.

Of course, accepting the value of the seven words still leaves a huge need for specifics. Simonetta tries to sneak a few in himself with a section immediately following his introduction of the seven words entitled "The Law of One." This section seems intended to make the seven words sound more mystical.

As I read, re-read, ponder and re-ponder Joseph Simonetta's
"Seven Words That Can Change the World," I feel a surge of joy and release. Part of my lifeling existence has been wrapped around the Old and the New Testaments. To me the "Seven Words..." is a new New Testament..."A New Testament for Our Times." It is not based upon violence, mystery, fear, and
uncertainty--The absolute opposite! In the course of my 82 years of life I have at times prayed most fervently for good things to happen. Mostly, nothing did...except by pure
coincidence. Blessings from the application of the seven words are instant. I think of old Scrooge when he awoke from his dreams of Christmas. By his subsequent acts of consideration he saved himself and his world around him. I think Old Ebenezer must have read Mr. Simonetta's "Seven Words That Can Change the World."

In a time when anything is possible and nothing is certain we long for a sense of wholeness, a direction that we feel has depth and embraces everyone and everything.

In his new book, Seven Words That Can Change The World, author Joe Simonetta presents a simple and powerful vision that fills our yearning and provides an inclusive and ethical compass.

With a Masters in Divinity from Harvard, an architectural degree and an MBA, a near successful Congressional run in Pennsylvania,,careers as a tennis professional, entrepreneur and author of several books including The Heroes Are Us, Joe's passion for deep truth and action permeates his soul's path and we are the beneficiaries. In this small treasure described as a 1000 page book in 100 pages by a radio talk host, Joe provides a brilliant outline of the context of our current problems and three simple ideas that, if adopted, could truly lead us towards a positive and sustainable future.

It's former title, The Simple Truth was developed after Joe gave a series of talks of the same name to appreciative audiences. One can only hope this wonderful book finds a global audience who will put its message into action. Like other compassionate visionaries before him, Joe truly cares about this world and his book is a demonstration of how each of us can truly make a difference.

This book is soooooooooo great!It is everything I believe to be the way the world and it's people should be.It's the simple truth.I am recommending it to everyone.
Stephanie Sell
Allentown,PA

"Seven Words that Can Change the World" is an intriguing title, yet it seems impossible at first glance - however, when you get to the end of this book, and read & fully understand what those 7 words are, and what they truly mean, it's easy to begin seeing the endless possibilities of taking these 7 words to heart...

In this book, the author takes a "critical" look at the way democracy, education & religion are currently operating in our society, and asks himself the question "Does life really have to be this difficult"?.

He also considers deeply what the word "sacred" really means, and discusses his belief that much of what we learn from religion is based on things that were written in the past, a time that no longer applies to the type of lives we are leading today - that it's time to let go, and create a new "religion" that uses all the knowledge & information we've gained in the last few thousand years.

After describing what he sees as "wrong" with our society & how we function, he then goes on to discuss a possible solution - a different definition of the word "sacred", and a common belief system that could bring everyone on this earth together for the common good - instead of looking only at our differences, and creating and us vs. them ideology.

I'll let you come upon the 7 words through the reading of this book - I don't want to "let the cat out of the bag", and I think it's important for you to read these words in the context of the book, as it's written.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is unsettled by the way things are going on our planet Earth today. Reading this book will allow you to see what you can do to start creating change - since it's all of our responsibility to make this world at least a little bit better off than when we came into it.

I've been trying to understand this all my life; you have really figured it out." Charles Thompson, Sun City Center, FL

"...marvelous, succinct, right on target, the right message at the right time." Jean Mitchell, Ph.D., Annapolis, MD

"You have helped me to see the purpose of life for which I had been looking for many many years." David Croud, Cambridge, MA

"This is it!" Robert Beckwith, biologist, Boise, ID

"It is difficult to restrain myself from using too many words to impart the happiness with which the clarity, refinement, wisdom, knowledge and beauty of your mind and spirit flowing through the pages of your book has filled my being - as it has, I'm certain, done for all who have read it. There is so much to say when the core of one's being is moved so deeply; it is a miracle. Your book inspires and encourages - and there is great need of that.

"Those three rules, seven words, are a simple-to-remember mantra that will work. Everyone can do it. Everyone needs to hear it. When these rules become the main priority, the rest will follow. The world will become a friendly place. Believing this gives me renewed enthusiasm towards being alive. You have given me back my life. Sounds awfully dramatic. It is. It's more." Marie Claude Désert, Gulfport, FL

"...elegant, lean and clear writing. The book is altogether beautifully done." Cher Gilmore, Canton, GA

"...the simplest, most concise, most perfect definition of Democracy I ever heard or read...I'm taken with your ability to take complex issues and make the message and solutions so simple and elegant."
David Mitchell, Annapolis, MD

"Liberating!" Mary Allmann, Wausau, WI

"I cannot adequately express my admiration for your erudition and the lucidity of your writing. The content is really inspirational and compares to that of Conversations with God." Sid Kobernick, M.D., Sarasota, FL

I've read a ton of books on this general topic. This is the first time I've ever said to myself: "I wish I'd written that!" What an excellent treatise. Lane Baldwin, Somerset, NJ

Do you care about yourself, other people, and our planet? Do you want your life to have real meaning and significance? Then read Seven Words That Can Change the World. In it, Joe Simonetta suggests that the starting point for creating a better world is setting aside the religious and political ideologies that separate us, and focusing on our many common interests. He maintains that coming to appreciate the interdependence of humanity's diverse interests would allow us to transcend our divisiveness, address issues that benefit everyone, and explore options for mutual gain. He helps us to see the interconnectedness of everything and the sacredness of our relationship with self, others, and the environment. "Sacredness," he notes, "is not about a Supreme Being. It's about a way of being." Joe Simonetta has written a short, highly-readable book that focuses on the essentials, presents the essence of that superior "way of being," and gets us on the road to creating a better world.

"Jonathan Swift said," Nothing is great or small, except by comparison." He was wrong. This little treasure is incomparable! Of course Swift was surely alluding to physical size with this statement. By whatever measure, it is a great book. Like a child enjoying a treasured experience and not wanting it to end, I find myself reluctant to finish the first reading. When I do however, I will immediately start it over, my goal being the memorization of it's many challenging and inspiring life and responsibility insights." Don Gentile, Venice, FL

"Simonetta has been able to see through all the garbage of the centuries like a laser beam and then state the obvious - TRUTH - in such simple, straightforward words." Mrs. Phyllis Leonard, Sherborn, MA

"I've been trying to understand this all my life; Simonetta has really figured it out." Charles Thompson, Sun City Center, FL

"This short and brilliant book...is a wake-up call that will resonate with many readers...and encourage us to mobilize our resources to help bring about the change we know is necessary if we are to shift to a truly sustainable and participatory world system..." David Lorimer, Fife, Scotland

"This book helped me to see the purpose of life for which I had been looking for many many years." David Croud, Cambridge, MA

"I've read a ton of books on this general topic. This is the first time I've ever said to myself: "I wish I'd written that!" What an excellent treatise." Lane Baldwin, Somerset, NJ

"Read it cover to cover effortlessly. It's clear to me the time for this message is now. There's a whole lot more in that "little" book than three simple rules. Joe Simonetta has written a masterpiece." Critt Jarvis, Hull, MA

"Those three rules, seven words, are a simple-to-remember mantra that will work. Everyone can do it. Everyone needs to hear it. When these rules become the main priority, the rest will follow. Believing this gives me renewed enthusiasm towards being alive. Simonetta has given me back my life. Sounds awfully dramatic. It is. It's more." Marie Claude Désert, Gulfport, FL

"This book is so great. It's everything I believe to be the way the world and its people should be." Steph Sell, Bethlehem, PA

"This book contains the simplest, most concise, most perfect definition of democracy I ever heard or read. I'm taken with Simonetta's ability to take complex issues and make the message and solutions so simple and elegant." David Mitchell, Annapolis, MD

I was impressed by the early chapters of this book - until I got to the one on spirituality. The author is obviously well educated in intellectual theology - and that shows, but he doesn't have a clue when it comes to spirit. For all his education and searching for the meaning of life you would think that he would have eventually discovered that his is an eternal spirit, as is everyone else on the planet. He is not his intellect. You don't learn about yourself as spirit by reading a book, you learn about it by turning within and discovering yourself as spirit.

His concept of spirituality is confused with intellect. Everyone is spirit, therefore everyone is spiritual. How we utilize that spiritual energy is another matter and his seven words, while commendable, are not spiritual. When you recognize yourself as the eternal spirit that you are, you will also recognize God, or The Creator, or The Source or The All That Is. Religions for all the negatives the author points out, at least recognize a God - something that Simonetta has thrown into the trash heap.

For Amazon to classify this book as "Metaphysics" is even more remarkable because - it isn't.