The Deeper Path: Five Steps That Let Your Hurts Lead to Your Healing

by Kary Oberbrunner

Two days of your life stand out far above the the day you were born and the day you discovered why. This book is written for those who desire the answer to the second question, and this answer is only found by taking the Deeper Path.One emotion infects us all--pain. But although pain comes naturally, dealing with it doesn't. Many cope by masking their pain, pushing it below the surface and self-medicating it with apathy, aggression, and addictions. Unfortunately, these strategies only numb our pain and our potential, creating space between us and our purpose. Although we can't escape pain, author Kary Oberbrunner believes that the path of recovery begins when we stop avoiding the ache and instead choose to explore, unmask, and understand our deepest wounds. The answer is not to rid our lives of pain, but to learn how to let our hurts lead us to healing. In this transparent book, Kary shares his own story of overcoming self-injury while integrating relatable examples from

208 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2013

About the author

KARY OBERBRUNNER is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of 14 books. As CEO of Igniting Souls® and Instant IP™ he helps abundant-minded & coachable-competent entrepreneurs PUBLISH, PROTECT, and PROMOTE their intellectual property and turn it into 18 streams of income so they can change the world.

An award-winning novelist, screenwriter, and inventor, he’s been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, CBS, Fox News, Yahoo, and many other major media outlets. His TEDx has been viewed over 1 million times.

As a young man, he suffered from severe stuttering, depression, and self-injury. Today a transformed man, Kary ignites souls: speaking internationally on a variety of topics and consulting the world's top entrepreneurs and brands regarding publishing, protecting, and promoting intellectual property.

He has several earned degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts, Masters in Divinity, and Doctorate in Transformational Leadership. He also serves as the Berry Chair of Entrepreneurship at Cedarville University, where he teaches on the topics of Entrepreneurship and Digital Marketing. Kary enjoys cycling, especially in the French Alps. He lives in Ohio with his wife Kelly and three children: Keegan, Isabel, and Addison.

Reviews

[Bamidele Adenipekun · Rating 5 out of 5]

LIFE-CHANGING
This is a masterpiece that should be required reading for young people in schools and colleges as they are grappling with the decisions about what to do with their lives. Every adult who desires to live a life of purpose, meaning and impact should also read it.
The first few pages are not an easy read as it challenged me to connect with my hidden pain to pave the way for healing. It has taken me through a process of achieving more clarity in order to fulfil my purpose. This book has impacted my life in such a positive way by helping me to move past the limitations that held me back from being the full expression of myself.
I will be buying the book for my daughter in 3-4 years' time when she's old enough to understand. That way, she gets to create her OPUS - her life's masterpiece without being bogged down in frustration.

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like the option to give 4.5 stars.....5 indicates there are no points of disagreement or questions, 4 is just slightly above average. I would highly recommend this book if a person feels "stuck". It really helps to clarify some questions and help to figure out how a person thinks. It's not perfect, of course, but an excellent book.

[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has open so much to me. I never realized the pain and bitterness I carried with me all my life. Through these five steps, I am learning my potential and finding my courage. Myself confidence is growing and I am able to move out of the pain that has entrapped me for years. Thanks Kary for writing this book.

[Starla Gooch · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Deeper Path, Kary Oberbrunner challenges us to go where few people choose to go: pain. So often we are afraid of pain because of the discomfort and hurt it brings to our lives. However, if we do not face and embrace our pain, we cannot receive healing either. Oberbrunner invites us into his own story, one in which he tried to mask and diminish his pain through self-injury. Though he seemed to have it all together on the outside, his inner life was in turmoil. After sharing his story, Oberbrunner asks readers to consider their own. He explores five steps that go from questioning one's condition to embodying healing. Finally, he concludes with a challenge to live our personal opus, a life of purpose and art that transcends merely work and recreation. As we live our opus, it's hard to tell the difference between work and play as everything flows out of our very nature--who we are--with our souls ignited in passion. This is a fulfilling and whole life.

This book captivated me from the very beginning. As I started reading, it immediately reminded me of my own life experiences, friends, and people I am in relation with who NEED to read this book. It's a shame how time after time people miss out on healing and wholeness because they're constantly dismissing their pain instead of exploring it. This book is a challenge to stand and dig, instead of run away. It's a challenge to live life with purpose and meaning and a whole person, instead of merely getting by. For anyone who finds yourself aimless, constantly caught in drama or high emotional situations, or ever feeling like you're wearing a mask and others don't who you really are: READ THIS BOOK! As a pastor to young adults, I would especially recommend it to those who are in their twenties and early thirties. Let's find healing now so that we can have a full life ahead!

** I received a complementary copy of this work through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Christy Carmean · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Deeper Path is a book of personal experiences (Kary's own struggle with cutting), painful honesty (he is very vocal about the necessity of pain), and practical steps to finding and developing the person you were created to be. It can be a quick read with some great stories to think about, or it can be a step-by-step guide to a Deeper journey. You will get out of it what you put into it.

[Terry Stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome deep dive into your dreams and you mission in life. You yourself a favor and uncover your OPUS. It's more than a life plan or goal setting. This book guides you through setting the very foundation of your being. A great read, but even better, a great program.

[Bill Buckingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed is book. ThInking like a victor instead of a victim does change one's perspective. Still need to develop my OPUS. Recommend this book if you are looking to define your life's purpose.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, just what I needed at this moment in my life to gain clarity. One that I will be reading again.

[Lassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated Kary's willingness to share his struggles. He gave some good, practical advice on how to start down the path of transformation from numbing your pain to living in freedom.