I might have read this book a little too early in my life as this book is all about how to deal with old age, failing bodies and death. Was it a totalI might have read this book a little too early in my life as this book is all about how to deal with old age, failing bodies and death. Was it a total waste of time? No, it definitely gave me some keen insights and prepared me for some things I hadn't even considered as a 41 year old me.
Ever since I came across "Becoming Nobody" by Ram Dass I've really gotten to like his works and so far, I think he has been able to tell me how to 'live in the here and now', where others failed to.
One of the best things about this book is how Ram Dass talks about death and how according to his Guru, 'Dying is like taking off a tight shoe.' I really love that metaphor, because it's so simple to understand. Thanks to Ram Dass I have the believe once again that our souls are more than just this body and that we're only here to learn and experience.
I'll definitely have to re-read this book in thirty years, or so!...more
This book was a recommendation by the algorithm of Audible and I thought it would be a good continuation after having thoroughly been mindblown by peoThis book was a recommendation by the algorithm of Audible and I thought it would be a good continuation after having thoroughly been mindblown by people such as Ram Dass and Krishnamurti, which have definitely changed my perspective on life and what we call our ego.
The book started really well, and the examples of what our inner voice (ego) often tells us was even comical, and recognizable to pretty much all of us. I've been working on lowering my inner voice's running commentary, especially when considering the past and future. Living in the now is liberating, but it doesn't come easily and requires a lot of focus and meditation to quieten the ego. I find that I'm distracted by my thoughts less and less, which is a good thing for the most part.
As the book progresses, it tries to tell the reader how to live an enlightened life. Promising that all you will ever feel is God's love and a bliss unlike anything you've ever known. It fails to deliver this properly, however and I think one of the biggest issues I have with how we are supposed to live like this is that it's impossible for most of us, unless we let go of all our earthly possessions and ideas and instead live like Buddhist monks.
One of my biggest irritations with this book was that the end was rid with quotes from the Bible and how many times God was mentioned. Surely, God was simply used to explain a concept we cannot grasp until we are enlightened, but why use so many Biblic quotes to get a point across?
Definitely not what I had hoped for, after reading so many good books about letting go of the ego and becoming "nobody"....more
This book was an absolutely mind-blowing experience for me. I read a similar book about living in the now by Eckhart Tolle, but this book explains it This book was an absolutely mind-blowing experience for me. I read a similar book about living in the now by Eckhart Tolle, but this book explains it so much better and in such a clear way. Maybe it's wrong to call this a book, because the audiobook version feels way more like an exploration.
Krishnamurti asks you questions constantly, challenges you to view yourself, your ego as a separate entity from your true self. This is done in such a wel articulated fashion, that I feel I have finally managed to separate my ego from myself most of the time. Sure, our monkey mind constantly screams for attention. It wants to feel safe and secure and the ego constantly distracts us. But underneath the layer of the ego we can find our true self. One that is simply in the moment, without judgement.
I rarely read books that have truly changed my life, or the way I look at myself, but this book has managed to start a real transformation in my way of thinking, or rather, not thinking. It sounds weird, maybe, but all I can say is try this book for yourself and see. Become the observer and find out that the observer is the observed....more
One of the best audiobooks I've listened to this year. Full of good, solid advice in bite sized chapters. Some of the pointers given were real eye opeOne of the best audiobooks I've listened to this year. Full of good, solid advice in bite sized chapters. Some of the pointers given were real eye openers. A lot I already practice in daily living. Would 100% recommend giving this a try!...more
Some really well thought out advice. Although this audiobook listens more like a podcast at times, due to the audio quality of the interviews, I did gSome really well thought out advice. Although this audiobook listens more like a podcast at times, due to the audio quality of the interviews, I did get a LOT from this book. For instance, how we should focus more on process driven goals, instead of goal driven goals. This was definitely a good listen, with a lot of solid advice on how to become successful. The most important lesson one could take from this book is the fact that we all define our own success and there are more ways that lead to success. With ten pillars, there's bound to be at least one that you already excel at and you should focus on that in order to achieve your personal successes. As always, it's all about the journey, not the goal itself!...more
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