Customer Reviews

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself

5 star:		(90)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I simply cannot say enough great things about this profound book! The Untethered Soul gets right down to business answering some of the deepest, soul searching questions I'd had for years but didn't know whom to ask. It's almost as if the author has seen into the inner-workings of my mind!

With very straight forward examples, the book emphasizes the pitfalls of relying on the mind to come up with ideas for making ourselves happy. The book points out that relying on the outside world for inner happiness just simply doesn't work. Happiness comes to us when we change and let go of ourselves at the deepest, innermost-level rather than changing the world outside.

The Untethered Soul helps to explain the crazy world around us where the unhampered ego creates conflict. This book is a step-by-step guide to the letting go of the ego - a process that may seem counter-intuitive initially, but ultimately leads to freedom from the nagging mind and heavy heart and directs you to the beauty of the self within.

The chapter on Contemplating Death has made me truly appreciate each living moment. I no longer want to waste time on energy depleting thoughts and feelings.

I am grateful that Michael Singer has written a book so deep that it could actually make a difference in people's lives and help to make the world a better place to live.

Consider yourself warned! Once you read this book, there is no turning back from The Untethered Soul within.

There are moments in your life, that you will never forget, in which you became aware of joy flowing through your heart. Have you ever stopped to study a moment such as this, or contemplate the source, or question why you don't feel that all of the time? It came from within you, didn't it? You were aware of the joy that you felt inside. Are you interested in these things and exploring the edges of who you currently think you are?

Take the time to study, as a scientist would, and explore these questions. This book is for those that want to explore such things. In a clear and straight forward manner the author advises us how to take the first step and the next and so on, on what becomes a journey of self discovery. No matter where your consciousness is consumed today, the author clearly illustrates how you may become more aware of how this consumption is presiding over your everyday life. Once aware of these things, you may begin to truly understand why you don't feel the joy in your day to day life and come to know and challenge the edges of yourself.

Unequivocally the best yet for anyone who is on a spiritual path or has had the undeniable feeing that there is more to who we are than what we currently know. For those who are 'answer-hungry' and cannot let go of something until they understand (incessant questioning), this book is for you. I assure you it will touch parts of yourself you may have squelched for years but if you've got the courage to allow 'whatever' to surface, you can tap into a sensation of lightness and freedom and actually 'get more of yourself'. Definitely a book to read and reread and reread. A 5-STAR plus and a welcome addition to the sources of insight that are here now to help us all get in touch with who we really are.

I have gone through some incredible changes in 2006/2007. Death of parents and other close members, divorce, loss of business in the town I live in etc... so many changes some would say, and I went a little "nutso" I wondered what the heck was going on?
I ended up reading books, going to seminars, or getting my hands on anything and everything I could to help make sense of it all. I have also prayed my butt off and it has been a work in progress, and all was valuable. The book the " 4 Agreements" was paramount in my new discovery, and now this book "The Untethered Soul" changed my world and my "mind" forever.
Below is a link to what I have found in this journey of my own life--I get it now, confusion is over and I am living a whole new way!

Mr. Singer's "The Untethered Soul" is a superior work.

He writes: "The key is to be quiet. It's not that your mind has to be quiet. You be quiet." "The minute you stop putting your whole heart and soul into the mind as if it were your savior and protector, you will find yourself behind the mind watching it." (p. 95)

He also writes: "You just stop telling the mind that its job is to fix your personal problems." "Your mind has very little control over this world....You have given your mind an impossible task by asking it to manipulate the world in order to fix your personal inner problems." "...let go of your inner problems instead." (p.94)

Mr. Singer's clarity regarding the role and function of the mind and the heart, reign supreme. He writes, "The highest state you have ever experienced is simply the result of how open you were. If you don't close, it can be like that all the time." (p. 57). These are gigantic promises.

In one fell swoop Mr. Singer clarifies exactly what is going on inside the mind and the heart.

Other authors have written about these things, too, of course. Paramahansa Yogananda extols the virtues of yoga, the guru-disciple relationship, Indian lore and culture, and meditation proper in his great "Autobiography of a Yogi." Probably one of the more mind blowing books is "Play of Consciousness," or, "Chid Shakti Vilas," by Swami Muktananda. That book has been hailed by at least one as "...the most compassionate (and therefore important) book ever written...," because he broke tradition and revealed every step along his way to enlightenment.

Here comes Mr. Singer's book, adding information, and giving it a new, simple, relevant approach. Mr. Singer's material is rare indeed, and is a result of his own inner journey.

I find it interesting and worthy of note that I have essentially had this information for many years but I simply was unable to apply it fully until I read it in "The Untethered Soul." Since starting to apply it, I am opening more and more. I can literally breath deeper. Every time I let go of anything, I feel myself breathing deeper. This is not just about the mind being quieter - this is a physiological response as well. My body is relaxing.

To me, this book is active. I have had to put it down at times because it stirred up stuff so quickly. Don't be fooled by the simplicity of the words and sentences. They are as powerful as dynamite. It has changed the focus of my meditation to every moment and every breath.

I recommend this book to anyone who has a sincere interest in learning the truth about meditation. Beginners are very fortunate to be able to read this book when they start their meditation practice. Advanced students - grab it and read it now.

I bow to Mr. Singer, and give thanks.

The first book to come out of the IONS organization's new book publishing imprint, this modest volume should be wrapped in a protective shield. I was a member of IONS but let it lapse, though the quote from Deepak Chopra got me hooked. Does he have time to sleep with all the books he puts out? I can't keep up with him. Take a rest, Deepak. The Untethered Soul will sneak up to you and explode your beliefs and mind, if you are open to it. I've read hundreds of books in the fields of spirituality/religion/mysticism and I have never seen one that dissects the everyday "monkey-mind" as this one does. In clear, unambiguous language (quite elegant, I might say), the author brings you face to face with how your mind, in all its devious and protective ways, keeps you from the freedom and happiness you can achieve and deserve. The suggestions for clarity of mind are so simple and obvious but so exceedingly difficult to accomplish (without intention). He is a surgeon of mindfulness who helps you cut away and discard the samsara that imprisons you. This book is not a quick read. It must be savored and taken in small doses, like concentrated chocolate in milk. Enjoy.
P.S. I've updated this review with this important comment. I rarely if ever re-read a book (much to my detriment, no doubt) right away. This book is an exception because you really don't get it completely the first time.
I am reading it again and gaining new insights thereby. I was curious also about the author. Who is this guy that I never hear of him in the din of self-help gurus and media-favored meditators that I am so familiar with? I went and bought his previous book,
The Search for Truth, and I recommend it equally. Though his writing is less elegant and more academic, it's important to me to see the path of his intellectual and spiritual development. Check it out for yourself.

Mr. Singer's book pulls from the deepest truths of the major religions and uses them to present a practical look at the "Self", who we are and how we relate to the world around us.

The book's simplicity and depth are its power and you will undoubtedly find that it describes difficult situations that you have been in and how to find solid ground in dealing with them.

It is a guide to the spiritual life that we dream of living, it provides help in finding the happiness that lies beyond our fear driven perceptions and desires.

I found the lessons in this book to be most constructive and especially useful during times of transition or confusion. These teachings have changed my life and I believe that this book can help anyone with a sincere desire to grow spiritually.

I've gone through a life changing experience over the past year. Facing my fears and conquering them. Throughout I've read many books and all have helped to one degree or another but this one is truly inspirational.

I admit that I went to the bookstore looking for something else. Fortunately they didn't have it. This title caught my eye, sounded very familiar. I wasn't disappointed. Mr. Singer explains vague concepts in terms the lay person can understand. He doesn't push any particular methodology in any form or fashion yet touches on several beliefs and how they relate to the inner being.

The structure of the book is well thought out and one sections builds off the next in such a way that things click together. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for inner peace.

This is an excllent book. I highly recommend it to anyone who seeks to know how to achieve greater Self-understanding and happiness. I have previously read and enjoyed several books regarding this subject, but what I especially appreciate about this book is its practical, easy to follow explanations and suggestions that guide the reader in
achieving these desired effects w/o preaching a strict religious doctrine. This book is carefully and clearly written, and the author offers wise advice that can awaken and inspire the most cynical amongst us. It's a book to savor and re-read again and again as often as necessary. My thanks to Michael Singer for taking the time and effort
to write this gem and to the publishers for making the book widely available.

For those of us on a spiritual path...this is better than Google Earth.. the map, the directions, the way...to peacefulness. Written clearly and simple, it takes what we already know and adds to it. I bought three copies and can't wait to give two away...I highly recommend this.