The Untethered Soul

Best book ever !

Please keep an open mind as you listen. Don’t try to over analyze the message. If this is your first book on this kind of topic, there’s a slight chance the message might not be received in its entirety. Understand how the human mind works, how it interacts, and how it affects you throughout your day first, and then you’ll be able to get the most out of this book

Fabulous!

Okay, I love Tolle, Dyer, Chodron, Chopra, Ruiz, Byron Katie, and many others, and that won't change. But for the clearest explanation of how to disregard that 'nut' running commentary in my head, this book wins hands down. It is funny, I mean oh so, 'oh my goodness of course' belly laugh funny, and sensible and simple. I love simple. If you really want to understand who 'you' are...the real you behind the insanity, this is a great book. I found the narrator to be fine, not perfect but I had no problem listening to him. Listened all the way through first day and started over.

Amazing Content, Awful Sound

What did you love best about The Untethered Soul?

Amazing content. The book really ties together a lot of spiritual concepts and just says it how it is. I've read a lot in this genre and am hearing things elucidated like never before. I LOVE the description of the energy waves and the Dao as well as the description of the stuck energy in the heart. I've experienced this phenomenon in Vipassana meditation but it was never explained as plainly/nicely as this.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Peter Berkrot?

Peter's voice is fine, but he starts each sentence with a burst and then trails off at the end of each sentence. I'm listening on quality Beats speakers so it's not my system. The result is that the volume has to be turned up louder to hear the end of the sentence, and it makes the beginning part way too loud. To the mixing/mastering engineer: please USE A COMPRESSOR! It's maddening.

Changed my Life!

I have listened to this book about 8 times. Everytime I re-listen I hear something new.
It has chaged my life and given me freedom. Thank you Michael Singer for sharing this wonderful way of living.

Quiet Insight

What did you like best about The Untethered Soul? What did you like least?

The single greatest element of this book was the "Allegory of the House." Essentially, one will gain greater insight into the concepts shared after having progressed through the book up to the Allegory itself. However, I feel the Allegory itself could serve as a stand-alone. I kept waiting for the book to give more credit to divine intervention. While this is not for everyone, many people relate to this concept. The author does bring this point around in its own chapter near the final points of the book. If the God themes aren't for you, you'll be ok. If the God themes are your thing, you'll also be just fine.

What did you like best about this story?

The story did nothing, if not to help you find that other people are experiencing the same inner nuance you are. For instance, the author, at the very beginning, relates to the reader by admitting that he has tried to tell the voice in his head to 'Shut Up.' This relatively regular theme of intermittent candor is refreshing.

Did Peter Berkrot do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

I think Peter did a respectable job. My concern with his reading of this work lies solely in his volume level. Sporadic is the best word for it. At times, his volume is normal, and easily received, While other times, when he seems to be attempting to do the author justice, he lowers his voice for dramatic effect. More than a few times I struggled to comprehend what he had said, forcing me to rewind the audio and re-listen. I'm not sure what this does for my stats on the mobile app but I was concerned. ;^)

Was The Untethered Soul worth the listening time?

Yes.

A straightforward solid spiritual guide

Listen to the narrator for yourself. I found the narration good and the reader had appropriate deference and sensitivity to the content. I did not agree with the harsh judgements regarding the narrator, it was fine for me.

This book feels like a good distillation of the many books I have read on Buddhism, positive psychology and just good ways to live fully. I recommend this for anyone who feels blocked in life.

Billy Mays School of Drama

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The reader and the tone. Repeated words like "You must not" and "You can not" carry a tone of dogma. I prefer a spirit of inquiry as opposed to dogma. Inquiry feels more inviting and authentic which better facilitates learning for me.

If you’ve listened to books by Michael A. Singer before, how does this one compare?

NA

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Reads like a graduate of the Billy Mays School of Drama.

Did The Untethered Soul inspire you to do anything?

Not yet but I'm still open to that possibility.

Any additional comments?

I imagine the book contains some good basic concepts as an introduction for people new to personal growth work but underwhelming for people who are years in.

Inspirational and worth striving towards!

This spiritual book taught me to detach more and to let go, which isn't new to me, but it's presented in a different way. I love it!
The only criticism I have is with the narrator. He tended to drop the volume of his voice on the last word of the sentence. I'd have to go back and listen again to get the one word.

Strong center concept, weak conclusion.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The conclusion was disappointing. I would have it rely less on theology.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The ending was a let down. The central message was about knowing your self. The author offered great guidance about training thoughts, up until the last chapter. Suddenly, armed with my toolbox, anticipating a wild conclusion, I was left slightly disappointed, about the message...just have faith.

What three words best describe Peter Berkrot’s performance?

fatherly, confident, assertive

Did The Untethered Soul inspire you to do anything?

Yes. I was left inspired to practice taking experiences in and letting them go.

Any additional comments?

There ware many helpful lessons about understanding internal energy. Michael Singer explains that if you hold on to experiences, wether good or bad, they create blockage.I am currently going to practice taking things in and then letting them go so that I could always be ready for the next experience.

I loved this book

What did you love best about The Untethered Soul?

I listened to this book over and over. There is a sense of peace and surrender that comes over me after I finish a chapter.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Untethered Soul?

Quieting the mind chatter.

Which character – as performed by Peter Berkrot – was your favorite?

It gets really good at chapter 14 and beyond

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

lean back and let it pass through you.

Any additional comments?

Keep this book handy. You will refer to it over and over again.