The Ten Commitments – Translating Good Intentions Into Great Choices

“The Ten Commitments” by Dr. David Simon, M.D. is a book that has been patterned after The Ten Commandments. The title will tell you enough about this book if you think about it long enough. I can command you to do something which may or may not cause you to act. If you commit to something, chances are greater that you will follow through on that action without being commanded further. Had God changed the word “Commandments” to “Commitments” on the original stone tablets that were given to Moses, perhaps this book and my article need not have been written. If only it were that easy…

Let me start by listing the Ten Commitments as outlined by Dr. Simon:
1 - I commit to freedom
2 - I commit to authenticity
3 - I commit to acceptance
4 - I commit to relax
5 - I commit to wholeness
6 - I commit to forgiveness
7 - I commit to love
8 - I commit to abundance
9 - I commit to truth
10 - I commit to peace

This book contains a foreword by Deepak Chopra and an endorsement by Wayne Dyer. Seeing those two names on any book makes me give it a second look, however this is what “hooked” me. The dedication on an inside page close to the front, with no fanfare or other acknowledgment, reads

" This book is dedicated to my fellow seekers who have
Tolerance as their practice,
Nature as their house of worship,
and
A God that answers to all names or none. "

If you can be more inclusive than that for all religions, beliefs, doctrines, hopes, faiths and all other words able to describe things remotely similar, I have yet to see it.

Like many of the books that I have read and actually paid attention to, the above Commitments do not mention God, religion, Heaven, Hell, Jesus, the devil, church or prayer. For those who have no need of those man-made trappings , feel free to print the above and live them as your credo.

For those (like me) who believe in God, Heaven, hell and Jesus I encourage you to read this book and delve into the scripture verses and real life examples that are provided. My favourite modern day saying, and one which I think I made up is, “Let he who is without sin, chuck the first rock”. If the commitment “I commit to forgiveness” was adhered to, no one would be casting rocks at any one, ever.

My recommendation would be for everyone to follow The Ten Commandments, however if you are having an issue with those, pick up this book and allow yourself a few hours to think about what it says. One commitment per day over ten days is really not that difficult. Practicing them for the rest of your life? Well, that will take a commitment…..

Your choice now.

Laughter and love,

Rick Fess

“The Ten Commitments – Translating Good Intentions Into Great Choices”
Author – David Simon, M.D. Health Communications, Inc.
www.chopra.com/tencommitments

By: Rick Fess

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Rick Fess is a retired business man who is now focusing on his passion – spirituality and self-improvement through books, CDs, DVDs, movies and the internet. Please visit his website at www.spiritualfictionbooks.com to see some of his other articles or if you would like to know about his upcoming spiritual fiction book “Is There More?”. He currently lives in Southern Ontario, Canada with his wife and two children. Thank you for your interest - you can also contact him with any comments or questions through his website.