Do Less, Achieve More: The Hidden Power of Giving in

by Chin-Ning Chu and Chue Chin-Ning

Book Overview

The Secrets of the Rainmaker

When the Rainmaker arrived in the parched village, he set up his tent and disappeared inside for four days. On the fifth day, the rain started to fall. The people of the village asked what he did to accomplish this miracle.
The Rainmaker replied, "I have done nothing."
And so the story begins.

In our modern age, we seem the opposite of the Rainmaker. We busy ourselves to the point of exhaustion,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060392703
• ISBN13: 9780060392703
• Release Date: September 1998
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

Life lessons, disguised as a business book

I love this book. Have read it at least four times, usually on long flights above the ocean or across a country. Here are its five principal lessons: Desired outcome after reading: Accomplish more by finding a better balance between effort and ease. 1. Trade what you have for what you want "At any moment, your life is completely full... You had twenty four hours yesterday, and I guarantee that you used every minute and second of it." To make your life today different than it was yesterday, you have to give up something to make room for activities that will bring you what you desire. "Often, the greater the reward, the larger the adjustment you will have to make in your life." 2. Change your dreams, change your life "Your dreams are like a movie projector reflecting your conscious and unconscious thoughts. If you want to know the quality of your life, examine the quality of your dreams." Do whatever you can to push your dreams to new levels: cut out pictures from magazines, imagine that you are (not will be, but are right now) wildly successful. Take long, imaginary rides in your yacht or Ferrari. 3. Surrender, and see your destiny Giving into destiny does not mean doing nothing. It means "accepting life as you find it. It means using your given ability, talent and strength to do all you can to bring about a better life for yourself and others." She believes destiny reveals itself in three stages: first, you are dissatisfied with life; next, you come to some dramatic turning point - be careful not to get stuck here, as many do; finally you recognize that no one can take away what is destined to be yours, and then you have much in common with other great men and woemn. 4. Be willing not to survive Once you turn to face the worst of all consequences, fear disappears. Death can actually become your protector. Once you accept death and turn to face it, daily stress and frustration drifts away. You gain the freedom to recognize what is truly important, rather than what you feel compelled to do. 5. Put your mind at ease "The only reality that exists for you is in your own mind." Grant yourself grace. You can choose to enjoy or dread your ride through life; this is a choice that happens in your mind, not in the world around you.

Eloquent

I loved this book. It is a wonderful blend of East/West ideas. I found the author easy to read without being facile. This book is not a self help book or a time management book, it is about developing a whole way of being in the world and spirituality. I loved the way she weaved the story of the Rainmaker in to the book. I found reading the book gave me a sense of peace and helped me find my centre. It taught me to learn to relax and let the universe unfold as it should, and this philosophy has changed my life. I feared I would find the book to "New Age" but the author employs a style that is very down to earth.

FROM REACTION TO 'NON-ACTION'

I find that books of this type are a pleasure to read and highlight, always finding a permanent place within my library. The author will guide you through stories, anecdotes, and metaphors which lead to specific things to do to better your life and change it, in an almost effortless way. Yes, it does have parts which personally do not appeal to me, being a little too 'step-by-step' and/or unnecessary(for me), but the rest of the book more than makes up for it in value. This book will primarily change your outlook on life(if you have an open mind and are ready), and direct you through 3 'secrets': 1. Fine-tune your actions. 2. Put your mind at ease. 3. Discover the divine power. This book is a start or part of an ongoing process of learning, like all books, it does not 'have it all', but it does have everything you need to practice. Keep this in mind when reading. With that try these other books: For more direct/specific ACTIONS to get anything you want try 'Mind Power: Into the 21st Century' by John Kehoe - definitely worth more than just five stars. For more of the big picture try 'Pyscho-Pictography: The new way to use the miracle power of your mind' by Vernon Howard. This was published in 1965, hence the wackiness of the title, but WELL worth a read and study.

Excellent, inspirational, very readable

This book is titled 'The Secrets of the Rainmaker' in Australia, which I reckon is a title more reflecting the style of the book.It is so logical, the thinking... that I wondered why I didn't see...but at the same time reading the book has increased my confidence because, on another level, I realised that it was exactly how I thought.I know that the best things happen to me when I am cruising along with life and not trying to force it.This book explains why it is so. I would recommend it and have recommended it to anyone wanting to connect the spiritual with the day to day.I love Chin Ning Chu and am amazed at the depth of her writing ability. I have read all her books and I never do that (read more than two books from the same author). I even read Rainmaker twice and keep picking it up and letting it fall open where it may.Get it, read it and relax into life!!