I have a question about Gene’s statement he made that is on my ZEN calendar and what he actually meant. My boyfriend and I try to figure out these goofy ZEN sayings and I think he is wrong about what this means.

Here it is:

Let other people go into trances and think about spirituality. I’d rather concentrate on having something to eat. The here and now.


I would appreciate if you could clarify!

Thanks,
Niki

Response from Gene:

The words speak for themselves.

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Hello Mr & Mrs.Simmons,

This is not a "Get Rich Fast" letter or any other kind of letter but a Heartfelt THANK YOU, My son is a US MARINE, Currently on his first tour in IRAQ. There are alot of people in this world that are not very supportive of what is going on over there, My son is there, My life...And when I see and hear how mean people can be, it's nice to know there are people like you to even it out a bit. I am having such a hard time with him being over there, I cannot even explain it, But like I said it's nice to know there are people who support our troops. They are over there fighting for our freedom, people in this world are sooooo spoiled, they do not know how good they have it!! WAKE UP!! I talked to my son 1 time since he was deployed, and I didn't even get to say goodbye to him in person, It was over the phone where I couldn't even talk because I was crying so bad...Other people look at their kids and wish they could get away from them, I would give anything to see his face right now, hear his voice....Just to know he's okay....
So Simmons Family, SEMPER FI and GOD SPEED....

VPM of LCPL Glembocki
Hometown, Muskego, Wi

Jennifer GLembocki

Response from Gene:

Semper Fi.

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You crack me up.

Jake

Response from Gene:

Yeah. Me, too.

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Dear Mr. Simmons,

I have a great business idea for you, little or no cost and if it works, then you should stand to make millions on it. Here it goes: All you have to do is tell everyone in the world to send you $1.00. That's it. We all send you $1.00 each. Well that's it for my business brain storming. Thanks for the show. 

Ken

Response from Gene:

Good luck with that idea.

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Mr. Simmons,

Have you considered doing seminars on "Out Of The Box Marketing"?

Thanks,
John Annarelli

Response from Gene:

Actually, I do them quite often. I am Keynote Speaker at the Entrepreneur Organization's Sept 6th event and I'm the Keynote Speaker at the upcoming Billboard Convention in NYC.

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Dear Mr. Simmons,

My name is Wendy Kennedy. I am a fitness and health professional with several million+ dollar proposals and ideas sitting on my desk.

I love to invent and re-create concepts. I have approached several other fitness professionals with the concepts, but they do not have business minds.   I realized that I need to speak with an investor and marketer interested in making money – lots of money as well as change the world. People do not have to be in the pain they are in or be as sick as they are.

Would you have time to meet me? I would be happy to fly in to see you.

All the best,
Wendy Kennedy
Certified Muscle Activation and Post Rehabilitation Specialist
Master Level Personal Trainer
Certifying Instructor for Personal Trainers
Business Course Instructor for Personal Trainers

Response from Gene:

Wendy, while your passion about your ideas and concepts is easy to see, it means almost nothing. There ARE people out there who may be right for you -- like a local gym, who may want to hire you so you can do your stuff at their facility. But, in order to 'hire' me, you must pay for it. And, since my schedule involves 2 television series shooting at the same time, KISS concert dates, Simmons Abramson Marketing and other ventures, you must have at least $2 mil up front to be taken seriously.
   I'm the wrong guy for what you're looking for.
   And, there is no short cut to the top. You must climb each stair one step at a time.
   By yourself.

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I mean, at this point, if you faced Jesus, would you tell him he got it all wrong?

Yes!

OK Gene,

given this opportunity you confidently said you would indeed tell Jesus that he was wrong on the whole turn the other cheek issue, would you then tell him he was also wrong about;

Feeding the hungry
Giving shelter to the homeless
Healing the sick
Giving thanks
Having a positive attitude
Being wise with your money
and a few other things...

I understand your faith (minimally), you don't recognize him as the Messiah, but you have acknowledged his existence as an historical figure. Are you sure you would tell him he got it all wrong?

As an addendum, surely you know the turn the other cheek issue is not for your enemies benefit, it's for your benefit. Turning the other cheek is amongst the hardest things in this world to do. Our nature is to retaliate, get them before they get us, dominate, revenge. There of course are exceptions (assault / war etc...), but turning the other cheek in the everyday circumstances of life is a good philosophy.

Becky Ellinger

Response from Gene:

No, it's not. God gave me a brain that thinks. And turning the other cheek is nonsense. We turned the other cheek when Nazis invaded Czechoslovakia and Poland. We turned the other cheek when Serbian troops put to death thousands of Serb/Croat Muslims.  We are turning the other cheek right now in Sudan, where hundreds of thousands of people are being killed and displaced.  It's nonsense.
   We did not turn the other cheek (eventually) with the Nazis and the Japanese of WWII. The result?  A better world. We did not turn the other cheek as Communism started to spread like a disease. The result? You can go to Russia and buy a Starbucks right in the middle of Red Square.
   And, as per your other thoughts ("Feeding the poor, giving shelter")...you're being silly. We both know you can reject certain notions by someone and still accept other notions. I do not espouse BLIND FAITH.
   I will continue to question (yes, even God) whenever I choose. Because, God is the one who gave me the brain to enable me to think.
   By thinking my own thoughts and questioning, I am doing God's work.
   You are not.

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Dear Gene:

My question is, "How many females have you ever spoken to, or got an email from, who totally agree on your philosophy of marriage"? I do. My name is Dana, I am 30 yrs old, well educated, have a good job, and I have NO desire whatsoever to ever get married. I want a man who wants to be with me, not is with me because some piece of paper says he has to be, and I want him to be free to leave, or stay, if he so desires, and I want the same choice, without an expensive litigation process to dissolve the relationship. Being a female, I get asked constantly what is wrong with me. My parents and grandparents particularly. "You're crazy, you're going to be an old maid." Ask me if I care. I REFUSE to be owned. Right now, I have a wonderful relationship with a man, and things are fine just the way they are. Why ruin it by getting married? By the way, love your show, you are a great man. With all respect and admiration......
Dana McAffey

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Hello Gene!

I'm really fed up with religious people who want to save us non-believers. They always seem to know best and live perfect lives. If you don't live your life like them and believe in their God, you're doomed. The fact is that this is the kind of thinking that start wars! Look at history and the world today; most wars was started because "our God is better than your God"!

I also have beliefs even though they're not religious, but I would never judge people for not sharing my beliefs! There are close to 7 billion people living on planet earth, and therefore almost 7 billions ways to live your life the way I see it, not just one!

Have a nice day!

Best regards

Steinar

Response from Gene:

Amen.

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Hello Gene,

I have been a fan for years! From what you see on TV your family is awesome and very down to earth. On a few episodes I noticed some of Nick's art work...I was impressed.I would like to know if he has his art work up anywhere on the web? Being a artist myself I really enjoy seeing others work and styles.
Thank you,
Teresa

"Nick has an account on the art sharing website 'DeviantART.com.' The address is:

www.letsleepinggodslie.deviantart.com/

In addition, he is working on a series of comic books called "Skullduggery," that will be in stores upon completion."