My friend Gene recently shared that every so often, a friend will say, “I’ve just discovered the MOST incredible book about spirituality!!!” To which he replies, “The Untethered Soul, right?”
It’s not such a wild guess since there’s little else in the category of a deeply soulful dive into the architecture of being that’s as simple and practical a guide to a richly spiritual life. Maybe Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, also a beautiful and rewarding read. But if I were to choose one that should not be missed, it’s The Untethered Soul.
If you don’t have a religious or spiritual practice, this works really well. If you believe in God, this works fine. If you’re a Buddhist practitioner, I can assure you this is very compatible with the practice. Indeed, pre-Covid, our Study Sangha at the Center for Mindful Living which met one Saturday a month, spent probably 8 months reading, listening to, and discussing this book with avid delight!
Gene, a teacher, and Jerry, a Sangha member, led the discussions, ranging from intriguing to effervescent to sublime!
The book starts with Part I, awakening consciousness, Chapter 1, the voice inside your head. These snippets provide a sense of the gist of Singer’s message.
“There is nothing more important to true growth than realizing that you are not the voice of the mind—you are the one who hears it…”
“You will come to see that the mind talks all the time because you gave it a job to do. You use it as a protection mechanism, a form of defense. Ultimately, it makes you feel more secure. As long as that’s what you want, you will be constantly forced to use your mind to buffer yourself from life, instead of living it. This world is unfolding and really has very little to do with you or your thoughts. It was here long before you came, and it will be here long after you leave. In the name of attempting to hold the world together, you’re really just trying to hold yourself together…”
“To be aware that you are watching the voice talk is to stand on the threshold of a fantastic inner journey. If used properly, the same mental voice that has been a source of worry, distraction, and general neurosis can become the launching ground for true spiritual awakening.”
And there’s more. ????
I hope this sliver will entice you to pick up the book! I just read it again to confirm the value of sharing it with you. No question!
Here you go.
Ps—I’m not crazy about the audiobook. No offense to the person who reads it, but I’m not nuts about his voice. (Sample first and see what you think.) The paperback, on the other hand, is lovely! Very nice in the hand, and the beautiful cover gives you a sense of the freedom that awaits!
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