Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: A Book About Instantaneous Transformation (Paperback)

~ (Author), (Author) "THE CHOICES WE FACE TODAY ARE CERTAINLY MORE baffling than they were years ago when societal roles were fairly pre-set, and people could blindly follow..." (more)
Key Phrases: Old Blue

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Instant gratification junkies seeking self-awareness are bound to find the title of Ariel and Shya Kane's book extremely attractive. And seductive it is: who wouldn't like to discover enlightenment in a moment? The key, explain the Kanes, is getting to the moment: being fully present in the here and now without trying to manipulate or change what you see. According to the Kanes, "all problems are a projection towards the future of possible realities based on the past." Consequently, inhibitors to living life directly include the inability to let go of one's history--to forgive people and events from the past--as well as resistance to the circumstances of one's life, and repetitive, mechanical thoughts and behaviors. The essence of transformation is "a non-judgmental witnessing, viewing, or seeing of yourself and how you interact with your life," which stands in direct opposition to therapy's approach of working on one's history to bring about change. Here, awareness of a prejudice or pattern of behavior is--simply and immediately--enough to transform it.

Principles of awareness, self-realization, and enlightenment, of course, are nothing new, and the Kanes are careful to point this out. Some readers may wonder, then, why the Kanes refer to themselves as pioneers of a "revolutionary new technology," and whether Instantaneous Transformation(R) really requires a trademark. Nevertheless, Working on Yourself Doesn't Work is warm, anecdotal, and conversationally written, and includes general suggestions and pointers for the reader rather than rules to memorize. All in all, it is a gentle and potentially powerful invitation to enter a new and liberating state of mind. --Svenja Soldovieri

Review

" Don't let the title mislead you. This book is not about the futility of self-improvement, but rather about the effortlessness of transformation... With compassion and humor, the Kanes brilliantly articulate the specific blocks that keep us locked in the past and future, unable to experience the present fully... Particularly touching is a story Ariel tells about Shya's mother, Ida. This tale of forgiveness illustrates the transformation that takes place when we can glimpse the intelligence that lies beneath another's choices. This is a simple, easy-to-read book with a valuable message that can take you through the swamp of the mind into the clarity and brilliance of the moment." -- Whole Life Times, Jan. 2000

"#1 Best Book Buy. The search is over! Working On Yourself Doesn't Work is all you will need to make the transformational shift that can dramatically alter the course of your quality of living - for the rest of your life. This simple, yet profound book teaches us how to live in the moment. What also impresses me about this book is the easy to read double spacing that is used. As a book reviewer and author, I have read literally hundreds of books and this is the first book that immediately drew me in, as my eyes relaxed I felt welcome to become a part of the experiences portrayed in the book. It is refreshing, truthful, sincere, authentic and written with insightfulness and clarity. I choose to give this book a rating of 10+. A must for the library of every seeker of truth." -- Awareness Magazine,Nov.-Dec. 1999

"A great book which I so enjoyed reading!... It inspired me to re- examine my life and my personal beliefs so that I now function on a much higher level." -- Magical Blend Magazine, Dec. 1999

"Becomes Best-Seller on Amazon.com (October 1999) Popular title in Self- Help/Personal Transformation category" -- amazon.com

"I strongly recommend this book. Ariel & Shya Kane are highly skilled, experienced guides who point the way to the clarity of the present moment. They are at the forefront in the field of personal transformation and have much to offer anyone who wants a more meaningful and fulfilling life." -- Free Spirit Magazine; Southern California Spirit Magazine, Aug.-Sept. 1999

"This book is a must read. One to have on your bookshelf, to share with your friends." -- To Your Health Magazine, Nov. 1999

"This warm, accessible book will illuminate and befriend your transformation." -- Personal Transformation Magazine, Jan-April 2000

"Working on Yourself Doesn't Work is a simple and profound book which teaches people how to live in the moment. It shows the reader a powerful and revolutionary method of self-discovery which goes beyond psychology - a method in which neutral awareness helps individuals find a way through the web of their thoughts and past programming into "the clarity and brilliance of the moment." It supports readers in discovering a more honest, true and natural way of being that will allow them to be increasingly effective and satisfied in all aspects of their lives." -- Common Ground Magazine, Dec.- Feb. 1999-2000

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: ASK Productions, Inc. (July 10, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888043040
• ISBN-13: 978-1888043044
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (173 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #420,385 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

153 of 155 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A FANTASTIC BOOK BOOK!, March 20, 2000

By	Charles S. Shapiro (Greenbelt, Maryland) - See all my reviews

I originally bought this book because the title intrigued me. You see, after reading many, many self help books and going to seminars by Tony Robbins, Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy and doing several "self awareness" workshops over the years, I became jaded. Why, after reading and trying so hard, did things not work for me? Why do I go right back to frustration and dissatisfaction?

I understood the reasons why after reading the Kane's book. I understood that transformation and change and "self improvement" doesn't have to be a struggle: that there is no way I can live the life I want to live by "working on it."

There are no techniques in this book. No 5 steps to success. No formulas. No, "we've observed and studied happy/successful people for years and this is what they have in common." In place of that, they urge us to be where we are at. Stop judging and blaming ourselves and others (especially our parents) for how we "turned out.". By just being aware of how we are in any given moment, and not judging that experience, we can transform. That is their message. Seems simplistic, doesn't it? It is far from it.

It is hard for many of us to understand that non-judgemental awareness of how we are being in the world is the key. It is difficult to accept that fighting where we are at and how we are feeling keeps us in that space of pain and anger.

This is not a rehashing of old ideas presented with new words in new ways. This was, for me, totally different than anything I had been exposed to. This is an easy book to read. it is very clearly written. I can't recommend it highly enough.

89 of 91 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life really can be this simple. WOW!!!!!! YEN Florida, March 27, 2007

By	Y. Navarro "womaninred" (Miami, Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am a professional female that has felt out of place since I was 13. I have seen therapists and searched for something to fix myself my whole life. I have read many self help books and done The Landmark Forum. In 1998 I landed in an AA room and was taught the 12 Steps of recovery. I read the BIG BOOK and thought the stories were exaggerated since I couldn't relate to them. I stopped drinking and took the suggested steps; taking a "fearless moral inventory" of myself by identifying my so called defects of character. As I grew in recovery, I was to take a daily inventory of myself which constantly reinforced that there was always something wrong with me that needed fixing. I now have 7 years of uninterrupted sobriety and recently I had the pleasure of reading the book "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work" and WOW!!! Did I get it...

See in AA we strive to live a day at a time but to be able to live a moment at a time was not something I had ever considered (I mean who can live in the moment there is so much to plan for?). It wasn't by doing the 12 steps that I learned I was living my life based on exaggerated truths made up as a child. These ideas ranged from "don't let anyone ever tell you what to do "to" don't ever depend on any man". These ideas never supported me in my life. They in fact have hindered every relationship I ever had whereby I never married or had children.
Now that I am aware of those ideas thru reading this book, I have never looked back or thought about them again. I have quit trying to work on myself. I have accepted my life and everything about it.

My life is so easy today. I have actually been able to save a relationship that I unconsciously have been sabotaging for the last 3 years. I saw clearly why I was afraid of success. Since I now have the insights, I choose not to go back to the past and judge myself or others for anything that happened. I also choose not to spend time in a place that doesn't exist yet. I can just concentrate on the fabulous moment and how it feels to be here right now. Talk about freedom from the bondage of self. My shackles have been taken off permanently. Thank you to Ariel and Shya for sharing their incredible experiences with the world and most importantly for the ease in which they do it.

107 of 113 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book !, June 30, 2000

By	Bob (Montclair, New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews

This is a book that both enlightened and touched me on many levels. We live in a culture that is either striving towards the future, what is the next goal I need to achieve, or obsessed with the past, what wrongs have been done to me by my family, my culture, my religion, etc. The idea being that either achieving goals, or figuring out why I do the things I do will bring me happiness and self-satisfaction. I've personally tried both approaches and found them lacking. I have set goals and accomplished them. I read books and took seminars to "figure out" why I was the way I was. Neither of these approaches produced any lasting sense of accomplishment. At best all I got was a brief respite from a sense of despair.

The Kanes have a different approach, awareness, being in the moment, is the key. The Kanes define awareness as a non-judgemental seeing of what is. This was a radically different way of looking at things and the effects on my life have been profound. I find that I have become vastly more effective with less effort. My relationships have never been so rewarding and my work is also greatly improved. I've bought copies of this book for my family and many of my friends. I recommended it to them, and I recommend it to you.