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Da Vinci Decoded: Discovering the Spiritual Secrets of Leonardo's Seven Principles

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This sequel to Michael Gleb's runaway bestseller focuses on the spiritual aspects of the seven steps to genius, expounded in his last text, including the need to seek the truth, taking responsibility for our thoughts, condition and actions, refining our self and outer awareness, analysing the dark components of our natures, striving for balance in all things and lastly, the cultivation of virtue, particularly love and compassion. Along with these spiritual steps are practical exercises to help us develop in these areas. These seven principles are designed and intended by the author to awaken our souls, prompt us to live in the moment, and ultimately realize the deep connection between all things in the universe.

One gets the impression that Michael Gleb has written this book directly from his heart. One senses a sincerity and clean desire to share everything he has discovered that has aided him in living a more meaningful existence. Intuitively I perceived a gut-level honesty in this book and a clear desire from the author to help his readers gain practical knowledge in order to live happier lives. Considering the vast amount of self-help manuals out there, all grappling for a piece of the self-improvement market, it was refreshing to read such an honest and well-written work. There is no question in my mind that Michael Gleb is sincere in his intention to share his seven principles, gently putting us on the road to living more meaningful lives.

We all have our areas of strengths and weaknesses, aspects of our lives that need honing or at least an honest assessment. For me it is living in the moment, not letting life pass by without experiencing all its wonders. For many years each day would more or less be taken for granted, thoughts preoccupied with memories of the past or worries about the future. The chapter on sharpening awareness has pointed me in the right direction to enjoy the moment, live in the moment, and experience the wonders of being aware in present time. Gleb also advises us on one of the age-old tenets of philosophy, first announced by the Greek philosopher, Socrates, and that was to "know thy self". The unexamined life is not worth living is a datum to live by that Gleb emphasises more that any of the other principles. It is an important one.

One does not have to read Michael Gleb's first book, "How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vince" in order to fully appreciate this one. He communicates Leonardo's seven principles in clean, easy to understand prose. The book is designed to read through once to then return and practice the exercises at the end of each chapter, which from personal experience, have great practical value.

The book focus on the what the autor believes to be the seven principles underlying Leonardo da Vinci's life philosophy. These are not seven spiritual laws as defined by Leonardo himself but it is deduced from stydying the writings, drawings and art of Leonardo. I do not know what Leonardo would have thought about the seven principles that are attributed to him. The author succeed well in providing information that support his case that the principles fits into the life of Leonardo.

The principles powerful, easy to understand and with no doubt will enrich the serious seeker's life. The book is nicely divided in first explaining each principle and how it relates to Leonardo's work and then another section that tables practical suggestions for applying each principle. There is an appeal in the book that drew me towards a desire towards a greater level of simplicity, balance and integration.

The author clearly draws from a much larger base of spiritual knowledge than just the words of Leonardo. The author quotes from Lao Tzu, the Bible, the Hinduism, Buddhism and various others to substanstiate why the principles are truly universal. The principles I believe will resonate well with a majority of readers of various spiritual and religious backgrounds.

The reader who want to know more about Leonardo da Vinci himself might be dissapointed. There are plenty of snippets of information on Leonardo's life, thinking and art but the book was not meant to reflect a detailed historical timeline of Leonardo.

The aim of the book is to provide compelling information to position the principle as authentic principles that can uplift and edify the spirituality of man. I think the book admirably succeed in its aim as the author applies the principles in the book to bring accross the message of the book. I will still reference this book as a time to come and put it in my book case under the section of valuable books to reread often.

Gelb quotes the art critic Bernard Berenson who said of Leonardo that "everything he touched turned to eternal beauty." Da Vinci Decoded brings to life the eternal spiritual beauty beneath the surface of Leonardo's works. The comments from interviews with Leonardo scholar Martin Kemp, Renaissance art expert Sir Brian Tovey, and anthropologist/psychologist Dr. Jean Houston shed clarifying light on the mythology surrounding Leonardo's alleged participation in cultish behavior.
What emerges is a much more convincing and compelling account of the spiritual insights of one of humanity's greatest geniuses.

There are two types of books for people who wish to fathom the secrets of spiritual evolution. The first continue to repeat verbatim the old maxims, quoting most of the great thinkers of the past. The second category offers something new, or at least a new way of looking at the eternal truths that seemingly need to be continually rediscovered.

This book belongs to the first category. Therefore, for those who only just noticed that there is more to life than food and sex, this books is good fodder. For those who have already taken the first few steps along the evolutionary tract of conscious living, this book has relatively little to offer. It certainly does not decode anything that one cannot decode on ones own. To suggest that Leonardo's principle claim to immortality is, apparently, his obsession with the androgynous nature of man, hardly does him justice. There is a great deal more to the duality of the material reality than sexual orientation.

Pity, I suspect that Mr. Gelb has an excellent brain, vast experience, and could contribute something of his own.

Stan I.S. Law has written a dozen novels discussing Human Potential, and a series of non-fiction e-books on metaphysics under the name Stanislaw Kapuscinski. [ASIN:0978026756 Elohim - Masters and Minions (Sequel to One Just Man)]

Michael Gelb wrote one of my favorite books, HOW TO THINK LIKE LEONARDO DA VINCI . . . it is also a book we use in the Creativity class that I team teach at Bucks County Community College.

So when I saw that Gelb had written a follow-up to the above, DA VINCI DECODED: DISCOVERING THE SPIRITUAL SECRETS OF LEONARDO'S SEVEN PRINCIPLES, I got hold of a copy and looked forward to reading it was great anticipation . . . and am I glad that I did . . . Gelb has another winner!

This time, he takes the principles and shows you how they can be used to cultivate your spiritual potential . . . each chapter has a helpful self-assessment, along with a useful "seek the truth" exercise.

I also liked the many quotes sprinkles throughout the book, many of them from Da Vinci.

There were several memorable passages; among them:
Leonardo's drawing of the embryo reminds us that we all come from the same Source. It beckons us to revitalize our birthright of curiosita. All of us are born with dynamic curiosity, the desire to explore, know, and understand, to seek the truth-though few of us keep it as alive within as Leonardo did. In the words of Glen Doman, of the Institute for the Achievement of Human Potential: "Every child is born with the potential genius of Leonardo da Vinci, and then we go about de-geniusing them."

In the face of these and many other challenges, Leonardo writes notes of encouragement, affirmation, and inspiration to himself: "I shall continue," "I never tire of being useful," "Obstacles do not bend me," "Every obstacle is destroyed through rigor," and "Fix your course to a star and you can navigate through the storm." The star to which Leonardo fixed his course was his intellectual rigor, his freedom from preconceived ideas or opinions.

The same wisdom can be applied to the beginning and end of each day. It's also a good idea to craft some kind of ritual that signals the end of your work life and the beginning of your home life, especially if you are in a relationship. Taking a minute or two with your partner after work to honor your connection to each other, and to a higher purpose, can transform the hours you spend together, giving you a deeper sense of alignment with your beloved.

I enjoyed "The Da Vinci Code, it was a wonderfully entertaining, page-turner; but this book is on a whole other level! Michael Gelb's new book brings together the spiritual insights of Leonardo with the great truths of the world's wisdom traditions to create a life-changing guide
to inner peace and fulfillment. I loved it!!!

I have waited for this book, and I am not disappointed. As we all naturally gravitate toward that which is right...in our soul, body and mind...this book plugs in to that process for each one of us. Mr. Gelb's style is immensely gracious and clear; it is easy to imagine using this book with teenagers, young parents and senior citizens.

The orgnization of the book is such that my reading group will take each of the seven principles and go through the self-assessments and practical suggestions. There seems to be just the right amount of information presented to enable new connections and enhance development of compassion, creativity and consciousness. As a professor, I also plan to use Mr. Gelb's work with my students in college--future special educators. We all stand to benefit from the wisdom of exploring the dimensions of developing potential.

I enjoyed this book and have shared it with several friends. Bravo to Michael Gelb and many authors like him who are writing with insight, clarity and depth of spirit that I believe is unparalleled in prior works.

We are living in a time of expansion of human spirit and thought that gives great hope in the future of our world. My favorite part of this book was the chapter on the Mona Lisa and its story about the gifted children who immediately understood and described the secret of the balance of life so effortlessly.

Thank you Mr. Gelb for your work. I enjoyed your previous book but believe you've outdone yourself. Encore!

I, too, have been waiting for this book for some time. This is a book that does several things extremely well: it takes Michael Gelb's How to Think Like Leonardo DaVinci to the next (and perhaps even the next!) level; answers the most important questions raised by Dan Brown in The DaVinci Code; and, offers a profound resource for seekers of personal growth and wisdom. This book is a gem and was well worth the wait.

Michael Gelb elegantly weaves together Leonardo's seven principles with their application as seven spiritual practices. And, along the way gives vivid, inspiring history and insight into who Leonardo was as a common man, and uncommon man, a genius.

This book can be a quick read, if you like, and it is most definitely a book to be savored. I know I will return to it time after time to provoke my thinking, to guide creative process and to develop myself as a better person. I highly recommend it.

Michael Gelb's latest book DaVinci Decoded is this year's Holiday Gift to my family and friends. I find guidance, comfort and inspiration in this book and I want to share my discoveries with everyone. Michael has condensed the wisdom of Leonardo DaVinci (the ultimate Renaissance Man) into seven principles.
This format makes a Renaissance frame of mind accessible, easy to grasp and simple enough to put into practice. Mr. Gelb's work makes me believe that with a little effort on our part,
a dream of a 21st Century Renaissance is attainable.