The document is a PDF version of ‘The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself’ by Michael A. Singer, published by New Harbinger Publications. This book explores the concept of self and consciousness, guiding readers on a journey of self-discovery and inner peace. It delves into the nature of thoughts, emotions, and the inner voice that often distracts us from our true essence. The structure of the book is divided into several parts, including awakening consciousness, experiencing energy, and living life fully. Key topics include the importance of letting go, understanding inner energy, and transcending personal limitations. Singer emphasizes the need for openness and acceptance in order to achieve true happiness and spiritual growth. This insightful guide is suitable for anyone seeking personal transformation and a deeper understanding of their inner self.
introduction
“Thisaboveall:tothineownselfbetrue,anditmustfollow,
asthenighttheday,thoucanstnotthenbefalsetoanyman.”—
WilliamShakespeare
Shakespeare’sage-honoredwords,spokenbyPoloniustohissonLaertesinAct
I of Hamlet, sound so clear and unambiguous. They tell us that to maintain
honest relations with others we must first be true to ourselves. Yet if Laertes
weretobetotallyhonestwithhimself,hewouldrealizethathisfathermayas
wellhavetoldhimtocatchthewind.Afterall,towhich“self”arewetobetrue?
Isittheonethatshowsupwhenwe’reinabadmood,ortheonethatispresent
whenwefeelhumbledbyourmistakes?Isittheonewhospeaksfromthedark
recesses of the heart when we’re depressed or upset, or the one that appears
duringthosefleetingmomentswhenlifeseemssofancifulandlight?
Fromthesequestionsweseethattheconceptof“self”mayturnouttobea
bitmoreelusivethaninitiallypresumed.PerhapsifLaertescouldhaveturnedto
traditional psychology, it would have shed some light on the subject. Freud
(1927),thefatherofpsychology,dividedthepsycheintothreeparts:theid,the
ego,andthesuperego.Hesawtheidasourprimal,animalnature;thesuperego
asthejudgmentsystemthatsocietyhas instilled within us; and the egoasour
representativetotheoutsideworldthatstrugglestomaintainabalancebetween
theothertwopowerfulforces.Butthiscertainlywould nothavehelpedyoung
Laertes.Afterall,towhichoftheseconflictingforcesarewetobetrue?
Againweseethatthingsarenotalwaysassimpleastheyseem.Ifwedareto
lookpastthesurfaceoftheterm“self,”questionsarisethatmanypeoplewould
rathernotask:“Arethemanyaspectsofmybeingallequallypartofmy‘self,’
oristhereonlyoneofme—andifso,which,where,how,andwhy?”
In the following chapters, we will undertake a journey of exploration of
“self.”Butwewillnotdosoinatraditionalmanner.Wewillneithercallupon
the experts in psychology, nor upon the great philosophers. We will not argue
and choose between time-honored religious views, or resort to statistically
supportedsurveysofpeople’sopinions.Wewill,instead,turntoasinglesource
thathasphenomenaldirectknowledgeonthesubject.Wewillturntooneexpert
who,for every momentof every dayof their life,has been collectingthe data
necessarytofinallyputthisgreatinquirytorest.Andthatexpertisyou.
Butbeforeyougettooexcited,ordecidethatyou’renotuptothetask,first
beclearthatwe’renotafteryourviewsoropinionsonthesubject.Neitherare
weinterestedinwhatbooksyouhaveread,classesyouhavetaken,norseminars
youhaveattended.Weareonlyinterestedinyourintuitiveexperienceofwhatit
isliketobeyou.Wearenotlookingforyourknowledge;weareseekingyour
directexperience.Yousee,youcan’tfailatthisbecauseyour“self”iswhatyou
are,atalltimesandinallplaces.Wesimplyneedtosortitout.Afterall,itcan
getquiteconfusinginthere.
Thechaptersofthisbookarenothingbutmirrorsforseeingyour“self”from
differentangles.Andthoughthejourneyweareabouttoembarkonisaninner
one,itwilldrawuponeveryaspectofyourlife.Theonlyrequirementaskedof
youisthewillingnesstohonestlylookatyourselfinthemostnatural,intuitive
manner. Remember, if we are seeking the root of “self,” what we are actually
seekingisyou.
As you read through these pages, you will find that you know much more
thanyouthoughtyoudidaboutsomeverydeepsubjects.Thefactis,youalready
knowhowtofindyourself;youhavejustgottendistractedanddisoriented.Once
refocused,youwillrealizethatyounotonlyhavetheabilitytofindyourself,you
havetheabilitytofreeyourself.Whetheryouchoosetodosoornotisentirely
up to you. But upon completion of your journey through these chapters, there
willbenomoreconfusion,nomorelackofempowerment,andnomoreblaming
others. You will know exactly what must be done. And should you choose to
devote yourself to the ongoing journey of self-realization, you will develop a
tremendoussenseofrespectforwhoyoureallyare.Itisonlythenthatyouwill
cometoappreciatethefulldepthofmeaningintheadvice:“Thisaboveall:to
thineownselfbetrue.”
End of Document
38
