More interesting and helpful than I imagined

I had hesitated quite a bit before downloading this audiobook but am glad I did. The writing and reading (excellent narration by the author) is beautiful. There was quite a bit on meditation as well and I found the sections on whole body listening and the inner smile meditation particularly powerful (wish these were available as separate downloadable exercises; the author did mention that some meditations could be downloaded from his website but I found it difficult to locate these). There were a lot of helpful exercises which made me reflect on myself and my actions while listening (I did not formally attempt these though with the exception of the two meditations I mentioned). The reason I have given this 4 stars rather than 5 is because the last 20 minutes or so of the book was spent on a personal activist-y preachy bit which did not really fit in with the rest of the book. It spoilt the book for me a bit but, there is a lot of good stuff in the rest of the book so don't let that put you off.

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16 people found this helpful

Loved it!!

Such a good book, I will definitely be going over it again. Bought the paperback too, but this is good to jump back to, especially in my quiet time.

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Nothing new but well packaged

This book doesn't reinvent the wheel or really bring anything new to the table, it just repackages what's already out there and what other people have pioneered into the authors own version.
It isn't a disappointment by any stretch and anyone new to the self help genre could certainly find some useful tips and insights.
However those familiar with the genre will find it more of the same and questionable when the only real insight the author brings or teachings from himself are games he has dreamt up and used in workshops. It's not that the techniques won't work it's that the techniques are other people's findings which do work, wrapped up in a game the author invented. I don't have a problem he used other people's work/ideas/discoveries & he is very honest about sources but I do take issue with the fact the authors added bells and whistles are not needed to achieve the results and only serve to lengthen and draw out the process and make it more dramatic.
For example let's take the art of getting a male haircut. You go into the barbers, general chit-chat, job done you've achieved the haircut you needed and you're out the door.
If the author were behind it you would have to ballet dance through the door, sing opera while you wait, listen to Beethoven while he cuts and dances around cutting one artistic snip at a time and after 5 hours, a bouncing headache listening to him and your nose burnt by the smell of incense you'd finally be ready to go with the exact same cut the standard barber gave you.
At times I also found myself questioning the authors mental state, perhaps it's just me or perhaps it's intentional to make others more crazy seem comfortable but all I will say is at times he sounds not far from a rooftop, drowning the family cat or living in a padded bedroom.
I think he still has much progress to make himself before teaching others, it's clear at times there are some issues just beneath the surface that are being satisfied rather than addressed.
I don't want the review to appear totally negative or write the book off, it is far from a masterpiece but it does have some very useful insights and thoughts to take away with you and keep.
Definitely worth a listen but don't decide to eat beans and toast for the rest of the month just to get it.

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7 people found this helpful

very good book

great book, personally i didn't have a problem with my life, however listening to this book i could hear about what I have changed in my own life to get to where i am, and i really like your interpretation

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1 person found this helpful

insightful

the concepts in the book were well illustrated, thought provoking and definitely worth a read. i also enjoyed the exercises.

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1 person found this helpful

Absolutely brilliant

A brilliant book, read by the author with a sense of legitimate passion that only experienced wisdom can bring.

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super

most currently relevant and fresh self help book I have found and I searched high and low

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1 person found this helpful

Insane

Self help updated for millennials. The greatest insight for me was to be the person I am and not just the person I want to be.

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1 person found this helpful

loved it

read a lot of self help books and this one speaks to me on a different level, very down to earth and realistic

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1 person found this helpful

Be the master of your crew and life

Jamie deals with those overwhelming situations and emotions that can control our life with pure simplicity .
His honest , pure , relatable approach to our inner demons and torments feel more valuable as they are founded in his own life experiences.
He teaches techniques that will help you through your deepest shadows ( well they have mine and still are ) . I needed the written copy too so i could highlight and reflect on the valuable lessons .
I have attended Jamie's workshop too . He is living proof that his techniques work . He is aligned , in flow , funny and very real .
No BS , humour , simplicity and techniques that will help you change your life , ride the waves , accept the shizzle and be the master of your demons . Highly reccomend this book on audible and paper . Jane Brewster

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