I read the book completely. The book was on a second year reading list for my industrial design department.

I absorbed as an introduction to the philosophical aspects of quality. Quality is truly a tough concept if approached as a universal truth.

That makes sense to me. I'm not sure how to articulate what I got out of that book exactly but I did enjoy it. Some of the more 'spiritual' books I find, the value of them doesn't really hit you until you're older or have had some tragic life experiences happen. Until then some of it can just make you feel "this is some vapid feel-good hippie crap." Not saying that was your reaction of course but it makes sense to me why you might not vibe with it if you read it in a university setting.

i've tried few times to fight through first several pages - it gets dead boring and meaningless right from beginning

If none of the comments here ignite your interest, it might not be time then. I had books like that.

I also had books I can feel I need to read, and yet they are slogs. And then something happens, or I encounter an idea elsewhere, and it is as if something unlocks. And I am diving through the book… until I reach the next roadblock. I definitely would not force it.