Being of Power: The 9 Practices to Ignite an Empowered Life

by Baron Baptiste

Transform every aspect of your life and embrace a new authenticityWe live in a world where we’re all about updating. We update our computers, phones, cars, careers – even our partners. Well, now it’s time to update your personal philosophy. In essence, it’s time to update you.Being of Power is about accessing a new kind of power. Not just with others, but with yourself – your experiences, your work, your purpose . . . how you relate to everything in your life. Here you will find the tools that allow you to break through the limiting views that have been keeping you stuck, frustrated, and unfulfilled; expand your perspective to see new pathways and possibilities; and come into your genuine, best self now.Baron Baptiste presents the nine practices as the stepping-stones on the path back to your essential authenticity, which is where your greatest power lives. These are practices to put into action minute by minute, day by day. You won’t master them all at once; instead, you’ll work on them – and they’ll work on you – again and again until eventually you come to embody them as a natural way of being. This is how you transform.Written in a highly accessible, conversational style, this book will put you in alignment with your highest intentions and make them reality, which is now possible in every moment, no matter what your journey has brought you up to now.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Self Help, History, Personal Growth

184 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 15, 2009

Reviews

[Nadya Booyse · Rating 2 out of 5]

So many of my yoga students have recommended this book to me and it pains me to say that I was sorely disappointed. Maybe I should have read it sooner, but I suspect this is actually a perfect example of when self-help and spiritual books became watered down marketing ploys. There's very little substance in my opinion: it over simplified complicated situations, was filled with toxic positivity, and tended to run with that age-old idea of 'just get over it' (which is something that only those who have not experienced much affliction or poverty can say).

This is one of those books that adds to the collective problem of spiritual bypassing. It desperately tries to be (sound) deep and profound but without really delving into any core substance or the real weight of things. I have known a great many 'teachers' like this: they don't listen very well (but think they do), refuse to validate any emotional experiences, and they think they already have the answers to everything which they deliver in a series of memorised and nondescript -isms (as in 'just let it go', 'let it be').

At the end of the day you have to know why you are looking for books like these. If you are really looking for something that will change your life or help you on your journey, this isn't it in my opinion. These kinds of books are also usually written to garner clients, and after being so disappointed and researching BB to see if I missed something vital, I have found that he seems to have fallen into the very guru trap he warns against. Personally I think are better things to read and people who walk-the-talk to follow if that is what you are interested in.

[Chanel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was more powerful for me the first time I read it, but I still get some powerful transformational clarity every time I revisit it. And it’s always something new.

[Magdelanye · Rating 3 out of 5]

It must be difficult,having famous parents,being dragged around the world and exposed to all sorts of unusual and enlightened people. At least Baron Baptiste knew the drill,and after his period of experimentation and meltdown,he emerged rebranded with his own yoga empire and marketing manager. Teacher,trainer,media personality:of course his constant self-referencing irritated me.

It would have been easy then,to pass this one up,especially as promised,much of what he presents is pretty standard fair in the self-improvement movement. But I was curious,and became quite engaged with the simplicity of the 9 practices to ignite an empowered life.

Being of Power is not a yoga book,per se,although much of it concerns yoga workshops BB has facilited,with cute examples. If you come across it,by all means,see for yourself.Just in case it proves difficult or expensive to obtain,in the spirit of 'devotion to make a positive difference and leave the world a better place' I summarize.

1)be a yes....take the risk

2)release the concern for looking good...it's empowering to be real with everyone in your life

3)get comfortable with not knowing....you don't necessarily benefit from being right

4)give it up to get empty...release old patterns,let go and create a space for new growth

5)let it be...as it is and is not;acceptance holds power,resentment cripples

6)clean up the messes...become aware of blind spots and take responsability for your own shit

7)embrace naked reality...drop your stories

8)defy the lie...it's not what happens but how you take it that matters most

9)set your sights on your north star....the path of transformation has no end.

[Heidi Wiechert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baptiste takes fairly complex Eastern philosophy and makes it understandable and entertaining. I found his nine practices or tools to be very inspirational. Practice #7 particularly resonated with me. How much of our lives are outdated and self defeating stories that we've made up about ourselves? Stop re-living the old story and start Being of Power!

[Liz McMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone looking for a reboot?? Then I would highly recommend checking this book out! I have read other books by Baron Baptiste, a true leader in his passions of yoga and self-transformation, but this one far transcends the others in my opinion. It is not a yoga book, so don't be dissuaded if you are not a yogi! Baron's focuses on nine different practices that can lead to connecting with your best self, recreating who you are, and opening up new possibilities. There is something for everyone in this book....it is a GAME CHANGER!

[J. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up on this book. It feels longer than it needs to be; wordy as though it’s an extended speech. The author sounds like a salesperson and promoter rather than an inspiring beacon of calm. It wasn’t clear to me, other than through repeated mentions of his influence and his empire, why a reader should trust in his wisdom. Constant references to his influence seemed to go exactly against what he was preaching, to communicate honesty and from the heart, to give up appearances and masks.

[Helen Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Great book. Helped me a lot. Great insights. Highly recommend. I just could not put this book down read it all. Super.

[Breia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will be a repeat read.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for Yoga Teacher Certification.

[Stacy Weddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and helpful.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and it resonated with some practices I've been wanting to incorporate into my daily life.

[Abigail Dutcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life-altering boom

[Elizabeth Chauncey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this one. You have to not worry about who the author is or isn’t. Just has some good stuff.

[Kate Wartak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate Baptiste’s thoughts and authenticity. He could have used an editor to help streamline his thoughts.

[Andy Nieradko · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 9 practices to ignite an empowered life contained in this book are simple, profound, and doable. Baron Baptiste writes from the heart and does a great job explaining how we can dig deeper, drop our stories and masks while developing authenticity and the empowered kind of life most only dream of. He shows how we are not only responsible for what shows up in our life, but who shows up and how. That may sound a little extreme to some, but the author does a better job of laying out that concept than I can. What's nice about the 9 practices, is that it isn't set up as steps you go through, learn and just put on autopilot. These ideas will show up over and over. I found the individual examples provided to be very helpful. Nobody's perfect, but to be of power is to be more flexible and know how to find your alignment when you need it most. This is an inspiring book. I found it easy to absorb. I was not financially compensated for this post. I received the book from Hay House for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I began this book, it seemed like every other self-help, positive thinking, manifesting type book I've come across. Meh, maybe I'd get a gem or two I connected with. Then somewhere it began to evolve and go deeper, making a bigger impression. The biggest takeaway for me was the idea of transformation vs. fixing, moving forward, making conscious decisions, and accepting what is vs fighting against it. I would recommend this book if your looking to take a bit of yoga philosophy into your life and decision making.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A self-improvement book that really looks at the ways we frame our experience around preconceived notions and past memories. It helps you analyze ways you can shift your line of thinking in order to act from more of an empowered place. I truly loved this book and found it was the right book at the right time for me. It helped me make a lot of major changes that had been marinating for years. Highly recommend if you feel stuck in a situation - whether it be career, romantic relationship, friendship, or general life direction.

[Rebekah Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this book at first, although I cannot say why. I put it down for several months & then picked it back up, starting all over at the beginning. Definitely a powerful book. Be sure to complete the introspective journaling exercises to get the most out of the it. This is not a casual read, but rather an interactive journey to unlocking your own power.

[Robin Templin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved all of Baron Baptiste's books. Others were power-yoga based principals.
This is simply the nine practices to ignite an empowered life. He always speaks to me. Like having a therapist in my pocket. I plan to start working those 9 practices... over and over again, which is the whole point.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book made some solid points that were essentially common sense-ish but that most people tend to miss thus causing conflict. If you can get past the feeling that he is trying to sell you on one of his workshops at least once per chapter, it's a good, easy read. It is balancing as far as changing your perspective on things and learning how not to let you get in the way of yourself.

[Chris Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Baron's writing convincing and empowering and felt truly optimistic while reading it. It really makes me feel like I can be a better version of myself (he wouldn't put it that way). I intend to read this book again because I value the message and wisdom Baron offers in this book.

[Ashley]

I liked it at first but felt it was a bit preachy towards the third chapter. I don't believe in manifestation of anything and Baptiste wrote a ton about if you're not authentic in life than you won't manifest what you want. That is just not something I can wrap my head around.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s a great book if you like being gaslight and manipulated by narcissistic speech. I’m sure the intention was there but here is a guy giving “harmful” advice and doesn’t seem to have an appreciation for trauma and or trauma informed “way of being”.

[Connie Collins Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical for folks who need to do some self analysis and need practical strategies to negotiate the obstacles of life. I love Barron's easy to read style and prose.

[Wendy Hollister · Rating 5 out of 5]

The principles are easy to follow, to understand and to adapt and integrate into your life. Baron inspires me to live wholeheartedly in all aspects of my life.

[Kaitlin Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

life changing.

[Grisel]

Both great books! I enjoyed Women of Pemberley tremendously, but of course, I love any spinoff of Jane Austen.

[Dave Frenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy to read and good content. It could use more guides and less drawing on people from past classes. But the messages are 5 star

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy Read... If you are looking for a direction, then this book can help with perspective. Not just for yogis, but he does reference yoga since he is a world renown teacher.

[Victoria Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read. Interesting and engaging! Great for yoga practitioners. Love Barron’s vulnerability.