The Untethered Soul By Michael Singer
Boy did this evoke some strong reactions!
This is a book about our inner landscape - our relationship with our thoughts and emotions - which sets out to give us some pointers towards developing a deeper level of consciousness that has the power to transform the way we experience, and lead, our lives.
In our discussion we had the full range of reactions to this book: From strong reactions against the ambiguous and pseudo-scientific language, to awe and respect for the clarity with which this book articulates elements of spirituality.
The book draws on a number of familiar themes as it lays out its contemporary and largely secular take on the timeless journey of spiritual growth: Awareness (e.g. mindfulness); The present moment; Non-judgement (of oneself and others); Unconditional love, etc. etc. And beyond these elements of spirituality, it opens up that big question of what life is about anyway, when all is said and done.
And while this is certainly not a book with universal appeal, our different reactions did help us to delve beyond the content of the book and into what is happening for each of us as individuals.
- Where are we on our own spiritual journey?
- What are the ideas, practices, and language that speak to us?
- How do we respond when reading something we dislike or disagree with?
While I didn't always like the way the author presented the material, I did find this to be more accessible than other writing on spirituality, and it has provided a helpful context for my own journey. In the end, it left me yearning for illustrations of how this kind of spirituality can co-exist alongside a purposeful life in the real world, with all of its commitments, demands, constraints, and responsibilities—perhaps that is why Michael Singer has written a follow-on book!
Book Link: https://untetheredsoul.com/untethered-soul
Podcasts
- https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/a39956732/michael-singer-interview-oprah/
- https://www.tonyrobbins.com/podcasts/do-you-want-to-be-happy/
Video interview with author
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