InnSaei: Icelandic wisdom for turbulent times

by Hrund Gunnsteinsdottir

'InnSæi offers a compelling, honest and imaginative exploration about how nature, attention and deep breaths keep us grounded and safe by fuelling our creativity, intuition and sense of belonging - all encapsulated in this wonderful Icelandic word.'Innsaei (pronounced Inn-Sy-Eh) is an Icelandic word which, at its simplest level, means 'intuition'. There are deeper layers of meaning which help to explain the philosophy around the sea within, to see within and to see from the inside out. 'The sea within' implies the dynamic movement of the world within, which cannot be put into boxes or silos, because then it ceases to flow. 'To see within' means to know yourself well enough to be able to put yourself into other people's shoes and make connections that constantly regenerate you. And finally, 'to see from the inside out' implies a strong inner compass, that enables you to navigate and create your own path in the ever-changing ocean of life.This book by Hrund Gunnsteinsdottir follows a clear structure in which she explains each of these three strands and how they work together, offering the reader practical exercises such as grounding, gratitude, connection, mindfulness and breathing. Filled with case studies and stories from spiritual leaders, scientists and artists (including Marina Abramovich), it encapsulates Hrund's personal story, the principles of Innsaei as well as some content that speaks to wider global issues such as how we treat the planet.An alternative way of approaching life, InnSæi will show the reader how to harness your intuition and creativity and get the most out of living.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

256 pages, Paperback

Published January 23, 2025

Reviews

[hawk]

i abandoned this at track 5, of 15 tracks listened. while it was kinda nice to listen to - the audiobook is maybe worth a read just for how calmly the author speaks 🙂 - i feel like it had said very little by this point... and that it kept kinda saying it's going to talk about talking about something. in the meantime, it felt abit lacking in actual substance, and more of a promise than a fulfilment.


🌐🌀


the book is written by someone who was connected with their InnSaei, experiences losing it, and then reconnecting with it.
i think it's written after their documentary film (of the same name and subject).

i liked the little about Icelandic language and it not using borrow-words... and the meaning of innsaei (or InnSaei as the author uses), and the multiple meanings of the word 🙂

the starting point and focus and book blurb are all good 🙂

but it becomes abit repetitive in places, and feels like its coming from a particular perspective (of potential privilege). there are a few suggestions, that aren't necessarily realistic for everyone.

the language also becomes kinda flowery in places, and feels abit kinda 'new age' (can't think of the exact word, and using 'new age' kinda relies on knowing what it maybe once meant, and what it's maybe since come to mean). not a problem in itself, but maybe one in the absence of more.

there's quite alot about meditation, mindfulness... nothing that seems especially new... except perhaps the word being used for finding and exploring that inner core to oneself, self awareness and intuition.

i think for some it could be a good way to access some of this information, and i thought the audiobook is well structured wrt the exercises included 👍🙂

but for me... 🙃


🌐🌀


there was abit about pain... and growing thru it. I'm guessing here the author was mostly talking emotional pain, cos it's kinda assumed that it'll leave at some point (unlike chronic/persistent physical pain for which there's often no easy answer/solution, other than ongoing management). I'm not dismissing the personal growth (including wrt self awareness and resilience) that living with painful conditions can give opportunity for, but it felt/sounded like the focus of this book was more on "something difficult happened/upset me, but i can learn/grow from this".

there was an interesting piece in the first chapter about the war in former Yugoslavia, and informal and peaceful resistance to it locally... so a larger and community example of surviving awful circumstances, conditions and experiences... but here it felt like the author kinda spent some time there and (well meaningly) took from that/thought about that from a position of relative remove (wrt it's different impact on them).

as the book continued, some of the individual examples ('inspiring stories') mentioned were abit extreme and nebulous too - a woman who became very ill and set about healing herself (i don't think we're given much info about how - maybe that comes again later), a man who lost his eyesight then fell and became paralysed, who is looking to cure paralysis!
while eg exoskeleton support to enable independent movement is a positive, this latter example especially reinforces the medical model of disability, and even if realistic/achievable, it's not going to bring about a miraculous end to suffering and/or illness, impairment, and disabling environments.

all feels abit, i dunno, abit close to crip(*)-superhero narratives non-disabled people like to create/hear/perpetuate 😬😕🙃🙄

and also that it might reinforce the idea that people can change their lives and health etc if only they try hard enough, without acknowledging the external and systemic/institutional limitations and barriers that impact many peoples 😕

and some of the things it suggests are important to someone's well being just aren't going to be available to everyone at every point in their life, eg one person they trust and can talk about anything with. not everyone will have that 😕


🌐🌀


i was abit sorry to abandon it, after what seemed like an interesting introduction... but with each chapter, it didn't really feel like it was going anywhere concrete, and that where it was going seemed increasingly woolly. maybe it would have turned around abit, and become abit more substantial if I'd read on 🤔

and maybe I'm not the right audience for it - i feel pretty familiar with myself, and have learned to access and trust my intuition, and I'm familiar with some mindful practices...

i also like my 'self help' encouragement to be mindful and inclusive of diverse experiences and institutional barriers, rather than all about the individual's power to overcome adversity... i suspect i have limited tolerance of well-intentioned, but woolly, 'you can change your life (like me!)', approaches...


⭕


accessed as a library audiobook, nicely read by the author 🙂


(* my use of 'crip' here is from a self identifying perspective, as a physically disabled person, living with permanent impairment. I'm aware it's not a term all disabled people/people with disabilities use, nor are necessarily comfortable with. i use it in a similar way to how i self identity as Queer, which (while currently seemingly popular, and somewhat co-opted in places to mean LGBT, compared to my own history and relationship with the word as something more specific and political) I'm aware not all LGBTI people identify with or like. both terms have their own politics, and while reclaimed, I'm aware the words can still have negative associations for some people from their previous use as insults).

[Anka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ich hatte mich sehr auf das Buch "Die Kunst des InnSaei" gefreut, weil ich gerne achtsamer durchs Leben gehen würde; vor allem, damit die Zeit nicht immer so wahnsinnig schnell verfliegt. Das Überthema "InnSaei" fand ich spannend, da mir das isländische Konzept völlig fremd war. Dachte ich zumindest. Im Endeffekt ist "InnSaei" einfach das, was wir in Deutschland Intuition oder Bauchgefühl nennen würden. An einer Stelle wird auch der isländische Trainer der deutschen Handballnationalmannschaft der Männer, Alfred Gislason, zitiert, in dem er genau den Vergleich zwischen Bauchgefühl und InnSaei zieht. Diese Erkenntnis war dann für mich schon ein bisschen ernüchternd, weil ich mir von "InnSaei" mehr erwartet hatte als ein Fremdwort für einen Begriff, der hierzulande geläufig ist und unter dem sich eigentlich jede*r etwas vorstellen kann.

Doch wie kommt man zurück dazu, sich von Intuition und Bauchgefühl leiten zu lassen? Die Autorin gibt dazu wenige Tipps, die sich oft wiederholen und durch verschiedene Anekdoten anschaulich gemacht werden. Man soll vor allem Tagebuch schreiben, die Einträge später analysieren und so wieder herausfinden, wohin es einen "natürlich" bzw. intuitiv zieht. Es wurden auch ein paar Atem- und Meditationtechniken angeführt. Alles aber nicht weltbewegend und im Endeffekt dieselben Ratschläge und Techniken, die man in hundert anderen Ratgebern schon gelesen hat. Eben nur in ein neues Gewand gepackt und mit einem Trendwort versehen.

Das Buch hätte man wirklich auf maximal 50 Seiten runterbrechen können und ohne das ganze Blabla hätte es mir sicher besser gefallen. Das Wesentliche findet sich in den grau hinterlegten Kacheln und den "Stern"-Stichpunkten.

[booksbybookaholic]

W ostatnim czasie skończyłam książkę, która niekoniecznie może wydawać się zgodna z moimi preferencjami, bo jest to poradnik. Zaciekawił mnie jednak poruszaną tematyką i pochodzeniem autorki, bo nie czytam dużo islandzkiej literatury, a mam to w planach. Czy ostatecznie znalazłam w tej pozycji coś dla siebie?

Innsaei to islandzkie określenie kryjące w sobie wiele znaczeń, głównie określa ono intuicję i „wewnętrzne morze”, które prowadzi nas przez życie. W swojej krótkiej, bo mającej około 200 stron pozycji, autorka przybliża nam głębię znaczeniową tego pojęcia oraz przekonuje, że ludzie zatracili połączenie ze swoim wnętrzem. Przytacza kilka budujących historii o osobach, które po zintegrowaniu ze swoją intuicją odmieniły swoje życie, a także proponuje praktyczne rozwiązania.

Książka podzielona jest na 5 głównych rozdziałów, poświęconych definicjom i krótkiemu przytoczeniu każdej ze składowych słowa innsaei. Jest przy tym napisana naprawdę lekkim językiem, więc jej lektura nie zajmie dużo czasu, jeśli zechcemy jedynie pobieżnie zapoznać się z treścią. Autorka proponuje nam jednak też inne rozwiązanie- jednoczesne prowadzenie dziennika, poświęconego przede wszystkim naszym obserwacjom rzeczywistości. Twierdzi, ze takie zapisywanie przemyśleń, które na bieżąco wpływają nam do głowy, pomoże zespoić się ze swoim wnętrzem. Dużo uwagi poświęca też ekologii i środowisku naturalnemu i temu, jak brak wewnętrznej równowagi i eksploatacja zasobów mają zgubne konsekwencje dla nas wszystkich. Odnosi to do współczesnego świata, w którym kreatywność i przeczucia są spychane na dalszy plan na poczet zdrowego rozsądku, mimo że obie półkule naszego mózgu powinny być równie pielęgnowane.

Przekazane przez nią prawdy uważam za wartościowe i rzeczywiście z wieloma rzeczami trudno się nie zgodzić. Dla zachowania spokoju i harmonii niezbędne jest dbanie zarówno o zdrowie fizyczne, jak i psychiczne i zespolenie swojego ciała i ducha. Książka jest jednak typowym tworem dla początkujących, więc ostatecznie nie powiem, że znalazłam w niej wiele odkrywczych prawd. Z większości rzeczy zdawałam sobie sprawę już wcześniej. Dodatkowo autorka ma tendencję do powtórzeń, wiec, mimo że sama książka i tak jest już krótka, to samej esencji jest w niej może połowa, pozostała część to non stop powtarzane te same myśli i historie. Trochę przypominało to długą szkolną rozprawkę pod tezę, bo rzeczywiście miała wstęp, kilka przydługich argumentów i lania wody, a następnie powtórzenie dokładnie tego samego w zakończeniu.

Nie oznacza to jednak, że uważam książkę za złą, czy niewartą waszej uwagi. Jeśli pragniecie zapoznać się z pojęciem i zyskać kilka cennych wskazówek, polecam wam zainteresować się książką, a zdobytą wiedzę możecie potem przekuć w dalsze poszukiwania. Jest to dobry poradnik na początek, a przedstawione tam prawdy są warte wdrożenia w rzeczywistość.

Za egzemplarz dziękuję wydawnictwu Insignis.

[Polina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wholesome read! I thoroughly enjoyed this!

[Emma Dukes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a book everyone should read. Connecting with ourselves is how we heal and helps us to navigate life in a way which is true to ourselves.

[Raja G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book titled InnSaei, authored by Icelandic author Hrund Gunnsteinsdottir, was published in 2024. A movie of the same name was released in 2016 and I purchased and watched the DVD. The author starts the book explaining that the word InnSaei means “the sea within us.” She also states that InnSaei is an Icelandic word for intuition, and that it has three meanings: the sea within us; to see within, and to see from the inside out.

When I started exploring the book, I thought, the word InnSaei sounds almost exactly like the word “Insight.” However, on exploration using AI as well as standard dictionaries, it appears that the words insight and intuition have different meanings. According to the Merriam Webster’s dictionary, the second meaning of the word Insight is the result of seeing intuitively. Whereas the same dictionary gives this meaning to the word intuition: “quick and ready insight.” We’re going in circles here! Perhaps we could put it this way: Intuition arises as an instinct, a deeper understanding of people, objects and situations, which then leads to insight, an understanding that transcends words or explanations.

I see InnSaei as the ability to see with the mind’s eye, or even better, the ability to perceive beyond even what the thinking mind can sense. It is to transcend the ego mind and allow the deeper layers of mind to see and sense. In the Yogic tradition, the mind (consciousness) has three layers or Kōshàs. They are: the Ego Mind, the Wisdom Mind, and Joy/Bliss Mind. Like the deeper layers of the ocean, the Bliss Mind is serene, radiates a peaceful presence and has the powerful radiance of love and compassion. As I see it, the word InnSaei equates to the deeper layers of mind, particularly the Wisdom Mind and Bliss Mind.

In another chapter, the author translates InnSaei as “the sea within,” and she brings up a magnificent metaphor equating the ‘sea within’ to the deeper layers of our consciousness. I like to think of the ocean as a metaphor for the Bliss layer of the mind. That layer, the core of our consciousness, is always serene and never perturbed or disturbed. She titles the final chapter of her book as “To see from the inside out.” It is a profound statement, and not easy to understand at first. I equate that process to allowing the deeper layers of Mind to prevail and predominate, bringing serenity and good judgment to prevail. In such a state we don’t get into states of anger, rage or hate. Love, equanimity, forgiveness and compassion prevail.

In all, it really isn’t easy at first to understand what this book is all about, and I feel that once the “layers of mind” as taught in the Yogic system is understood, then this book becomes easy to understand and appreciate. I recommend this book highly.

[Ken Pickard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book because its title is an Icelandic word, I'm attracted to Icelandic culture, and I bought it at the airport in Reykjavik on my second trip to Iceland. As it turns out, I was disappointed.

It's very new-agey and self-helpish. All the usual tropes from the 70s and 80s can be found, such as "be mindful of the way you put on your shoes and socks in the morning." There was a lot of talk of being at one with this or that natural thing ... mindfulness ... relying on tuition ... references to nature ... finding inner peace. It is almost an exact replica of almost every self-help book you've ever read, except for the Icelandic word in the title and about four references to Iceland. If you were looking for something original, don't buy this book.

So why the two stars? There were a few good points she brought up (not original) that I needed to hear, and I could not bring myself to give it 0 stars because she's Icelandic. I'm hopelessly in love with that island nation and its culture so I publicly admit my bias.

[tapewitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - The book focuses on being mindful and learning to listen to your intuition - especially in an age that prioritizes STEM-oriented 'rational' sciences. There are journal prompts throughout, and checklists at the end of each chapter. I hoped for more about Iceland and cultural knowledges, but the book is quite general. I didn't love the inclusion of various experts from their fields, and it felt kind of jumbled within the otherwise clean and focused book. An accessible read, if a bit repetitive. I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley.

[Vadim G · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book felt infective as written. The premise was to deal with your existential being and to allow yourself not to be governed by the critical side of your brain (left cortex) and instead allow your inner sea to flow like water. Innsæi is an Icelandic word but the concept and the exercises it presents are basic mindfulness so although this book can be beneficial to many who need it, it really doesn't break any significant ground or put Iceland on the map as gurus of inner tranquility. I do still love Iceland though.

[K. E. Creighton · Rating 3 out of 5]

InnSaei: Heal, Revive and Reset with the Icelandic Art of Intuition by Hrund Gunnsteinsdottir is a book worth reading, and I am so grateful that it exists. Readers acquainting themselves with fundamental concepts underlying intuitive thinking and practices for the first time will find this book useful, engaging, and easy to follow. I do not fall within that category of reader, however, so please read this review skeptically if you are still genuinely interested in learning more about InnSaei and intuitive living.


If you are interested in discovering practical ways to tap into your more intuitive impulses and inner or higher self, I highly recommend that you read this book, as it offers data, studies, and exercises for doing just that. However, if you are already familiar with routine breath-work exercises, meditation techniques, and or are accustomed to journaling—as I am— this book may seem a bit redundant to you.

I imagine this book will be helpful for small groups or individuals attending wellness retreats for a short visit, or for those who want a basic introduction to mindful and intuitive living. Yet potential readers should be aware that this book does not take a deep dive into what InnSaei is on a spiritual, historical, or philosophical level. Instead, it mainly focuses on the basics of how to tap into InnSaei via various simple practices, which is incredibly valuable for those seeking out such practices.

I did appreciate the number of resources included in this book, and now have multiple books added to my ever-growing TBR regarding consciousness and the mind-body connection, which was a nice surprise. And the vulnerable real-life accounts of how people from various walks of life (including the author herself) benefited from tapping into InnSaei resonated with me.

Please note that I am someone who currently practices mindful living (to the best of my ability anyway), and that I am already well versed in many of the topics and studies highlighted in this book, so my review is highly biased. After reading this book, I do not believe I am this book’s target audience. While I found most of the information in this book to be basic and redundant, many other readers will not agree, which is wonderful! I want many other readers to discover the ins and outs of mindful living and will likely recommend this book to those who aren’t as familiar with the practices highlighted in this book.

Subscribe to Daily Drafts & Dialogues to receive more book reviews and posts about reading and writing in your inbox every day: dailydraftsanddialogues.substack.com

[Beth Bonness · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much wisdom in this gem of a book. Different books on intuition reveal different approaches, but InnSæi presents a layered approach new to me. Hrund described 3 aspects of InnSæii (the Icelandic word for intuition):

Unconscious Mind (sea within) — the unconscious world within us, holds space for imagination and absorbs all our sensory inputs. If you put the sea within into silos or boxes, it ceases to flow.

Self-Awareness (to see within) — our ability to see inside ourselves, to know ourselves and our emotions well enough to be able to put ourselves into other people's shoes and discern intuition from biases, fears, and wishful thinking.

Inner Compass (to see from the inside out) — meaning to navigate the ocean of life with all its uncertainty and do so with a strong inner compass — knowing what to say yes or no to and feeling good about it.

She describes how instinct is something that is wired into our DNA, but intuition develops over time. That was a new twist for me. As was not relying on your intuition when you are not grounded. Seems our intuition is not infallible.

Personally, I've relied on my intuition to help decide my next step, but she reminds us that deciding what not to do can be equally valuable, especially if you can feel good about it.

"Intuition as an inner compass really helps us discern what we think, what's important that we do, and also understand what are the things we might want to let go of and feeling good about it.”

Hrund sprinkles exercises and thought provoking questions with each chapter. I found using her attention journaling an informative tapping into the "now" of what you are experiencing. The various journaling I've done in the morning relies on memory of the day before.

I highly recommend getting this book!

[Bärbel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Die isländische Antwort auf Ikigai ?
Vor nicht allzu langer Zeit hatte ich Bücher zum Thema Ikigai in der Hand. Sie stießen auf mein Interesse. Zunächst dachte ich beim ersten Hingucken auf die Leseprobe, dass auch Innsæi irgendetwas Japanisches ist. Dann erfuhr ich, dass es sich um ein Konzept aus Island handelt - und fand auch das ausgesprochen interessant.
Als das Buch hier eintraf, hatte ich dann gerade Ikigai von Ken Mogi als Hörbuch gehört.
Und nun kam die Irritation: Die Aufmachung von Innsæi, das minimalistisch feine Cover, ähnelt der des Buches von Ken Mogi sehr, dabei erscheinen die Bücher in unterschiedlichen Verlagen. Innsæi scheint auf einer Welle zu reiten, der des Erfolges von Ikigai - ohne auch nur annähernd so sehr zu überzeugen.
Während Ken Mogi es schafft, ein Konzept der Lebenskunst ebenso wie die zugrundeliegende japanische Kultur zu erklären, das westlichen Gewohnheiten fremd ist und doch seinen Reiz entwickelt, vermisse ich im Buch der Isländerin leider ein solches Konzept und erst recht einen Einblick in die isländische Denkungsweise, was irgendwie anfangs das Versprechen des Buches war. Stattdessen finde ich einen eher wirren Lebensratgeber mit einigen netten Übungen und viel Blabla dazwischen.
Ich gebe knappe 3 Punkte, da manches manchen vielleicht helfen kann. Aber irgendwas kommt mir an dem Buch auch total gefaket vor.

[Jasi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insaei ist der isländische Ausdruck für "Intuition". In ihrem Buch beschreibt die Autorin, wie das Konzept von Insaei das Leben erleichtern und die Verbindung zum inneren Selbst gestärkt werden kann.

Insaei war mir zuvor noch kein Begriff, weshalb meine Neugier gleich geweckt war. Das Cover ist sehr schlicht gehalten und passt zum einfachen Schreibstil der Autorin. Ich habe das ganze Buch als sehr ruhig und gediegen wahrgenommen. Mir hat auch gefallen, dass es immer auf den Punkt kommt und die einzelnen Kapitel kurz und prägnant gehalten sind. Trotzdem fehlt es nicht an Beispielen und man kann die Beschreibungen der Autorin sehr gut nachvollziehen. Persönlich habe ich mir einige Dinge aus dem Buch mitnehmen können. Grundsätzlich ist das Konzept nichts komplett Neues, sondern ähnelt vielen anderen Konzepten, bei denen es darum geht, seine Intuition zu stärken. Ich würde es als Aufbauen von Resilienz beschreiben, also das bessere Umgehen mit Krisen sowie eine gewisse Gefestigtkeit. Zudem wird auch ein großer Fokus auf Achtsamkeit gelegt. Wenn man an diesen Themen interessiert ist, dann kann ich das Buch weiterempfehlen. Hat man aber bereits ein großes Wissen über diese Bereiche, dann wird man hier nicht viel Neues finden.

[Lianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich hatte mich auf dieses Buch sehr gefreut, denn ich mag die Mentalität der Isländer sehr und habe gehofft hier viel für mich mitnehmen zu können. Leider muss ich feststellen, dass es besser geeignet für Leser:innen ist, die sich noch nicht so viel mir Achtsamkeit beschäftigt haben.
Ich mag Biografien sehr, aber manchmal war mir hier der biografische Anteil zu viel, aber das scheint der Trend von Sachbüchern und Ratgebern von Speakern und Coaches zu sein, den Bezug zum eigenen Erfahren mitzuteilen. Mir wäre dann eine reine Biografie lieber. Auch die Beispiele zu einigen Dingen mit bekannten Persönlichkeiten passten für mich nicht. Wobei ich manche Zitate hingegen wieder schön eingebunden fand. Der Schreibstil hat mir ebenfalls zugesagt, so dass man es sehr gut lesen konnte, ohne das Gefühl zu haben, belehrt zu werden.
Also an sich ein schönes Buch mit ein paar Kritikpunkten, aber durchaus als Einstiegslektüre in die Thematik geeignet. Für mich wird es scheinbar immer schwieriger neues in der Art von Ratgeber zu entdecken.

[Alexander Krönke · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Die eigene Mitte finden - auf isländisch"
Darum geht es in dem Buch. Und das ist sehr informativ, da man zwar weiß, dass die Nordeuropäer ihre eigenen Kulturen haben, aber man dennoch nicht wirklich etwas über die Art und Weise weiß, wie sie leben.
Die Autorin Hrund Gunnsteinsdottir hat es geschafft auf den ersten Seiten die Lust auf etwas Neues zu schüren und diese Lust auf Neues hält während des gesamten Buches weiter an, sodass es leicht fällt, die 225 Seiten des Buches zu lesen.
Insgesamt ein gut geschriebenes Buch, welches mit kleineren Aufgaben sehr viel Grund zum Nachdenken bringt, sodass man während des Lesens immer mal kleinere Pausen benötigt um sich selber zu reflektieren. Dadurch wird schon während des Lesevorgangs eine Veränderung des Lesenden erreicht, sodass dieser sich nach dem Lesen nicht mehr aktiv verändern muss, sondern seine Veränderungen nur noch weiter behalten muss.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unsere Intuition steckt in jedem von uns, oft aber ungenutzt. Mit ihrem Buch gibt die Autorin die isländische Sicht darauf - InnSaei.

Ich war auf den Ratgeber sehr gespannt, unter anderem auch deswegen, weil ich Island an sich faszinierend finde und mein Wissen auch um diese Sicht auf unsere Intuition erweitern wollte. Das Buch ist gut strukturiert und geht auf die einzelnen Themen ein. Besonders gefallen haben mir die praktischen Übungen und die Zusammenfassungen am Ende eines jeden Kapitels. Beim Lesen merkt man, dass der Autorin das Thema wirklich am Herzen liegt und gleichzeitig lässt sie dem
Leser aber dem Raum, sich dazu seine eigene Meinung zu bilden. Natürlich hat mich nicht jeder Aspekt im Buch angesprochen, aber ich konnte einige Impulse für mich mitnehmen und kann den Ratgeber auf jeden Fall als Lektüre empfehlen.

[books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inner center
The book The Art of InnSæi consists of five chapters in which, among other things, the concept of Innsæi is explained in more detail. Gunnsteinsdóttir emphasizes how the modern world captures us and how this is accompanied by an alienation from our consciousness. This is why it is so important to engage with the inner world and mindfulness. Various mindfulness and breathing exercises are described and further tips are given for getting to know your own inner world better and engaging with it.
I liked the author's approach with the exercises and the biographical elements. I didn't find it preachy, but was able to follow the content well and take away some ideas for myself. The book is a good read for newcomers to topics such as mindfulness and inner peace.

[Eduardo Ribeiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

During a recent trip to Iceland, I came across with the book InnSæi by Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir.

In today’s fast-paced world, this book offers a refreshing and much-needed pause. It’s a reminder of the importance of slowing down, listening inward, and reconnecting with our intuition—something we often lose sight of in the rush of daily life.

It’s a thoughtful blend of insight, emotional intelligence, creativity, and practical guidance, relevant for both personal growth and professional leadership.

Highly recommend reading it, and of course, besides recommending the book, I’d strongly recommend a trip to Iceland as well. The natural beauty alone is worth it, and it truly enhances the message of the book.

[Rrona Nushi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hrund has just launched the InnSæi Signature Course in English — a unique, nine-week journey to strengthen your confidence and mastery of intuition. Designed as a perfect blend of self-paced learning and live sessions, it’s a transformational experience that is easy to integrate into daily life and leadership. Rather than overwhelming, the course offers practical tools and practices that create lasting shifts in how you navigate both work and personal life. A rare opportunity to build clarity, energy, and purpose from within.
https://hrundgunnsteinsdottir.com/pro...

[Angela Hatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

InnSaei arrived in my life with uncanny timing. As I was journaling about inner knots, tension, and the tug-of-war between optimism and pessimism, this book echoed those same themes with surprising clarity. I found its central message — learning to listen within, befriending the pain we carry in our bodies, and becoming realists who accept the truth while leaning toward hope — both grounding and affirming.

This is a gentle, reflective read rather than a step-by-step guide, but it offered exactly the perspective I needed in a period of self-discovery. A thoughtful, intuitive companion for anyone exploring their inner landscape.

[Marye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I have more question than answers after finishing this book. I absolutely loved it. I want to spend time journaling and really processing the ideas presented. This book came to me during my own journey of healing and finding my way through emotions and life. I believe myself to be a very happy person. Blessed beyond measure. I want to work on being more intuitive to myself and the world around me. To deepen my relationships, to love bigger, to be honest with myself and the things I need and want. Beautiful concept! This book won’t be a bestseller, but unfortunately it’s the message the world really needs! Great read!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent marriage of science and “other”, InnSaei is an introspective look on the concept of intuition, and how to really hone in on connection to not just your physical body, but to your mind. Thoughtful examples provided, in which showcasing your “network” not unlike fungi can impact your surroundings and vice versa, and plentiful exercises to find your rhythm or current, to that internal ocean they reference often.

I would say this is a great jump in if you’re familiar with intuitive working, or if you’re of a scientific mind trying to find something “more” behind the facts.

[Jane Radke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never found a self-help book that I have connected with, until this book. I don't know if I would even categorize this has a self-help book. Reading it was calming, enlightening, and inspiring. It has revived me with how I want to move forward and live aligned with my intuition. I read this at a perfect timing in my life, but I don't think there is necessarily a bad time to read this. Thank you for your words a wisdom.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this one in audiobook form. Hrund's voice is so calming soothing, that the book became a calming and meditative experience. There are also guided mediations with nature sounds that incredibly lovely and continue the sense of calm.

This is one I envision reading (listening to) again. You can't possibly absorb everything in the first go.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting premise that goes into how the inner sea can help us. It felt overly long though and I lost interest fairly quickly. Perhaps I’ll give it another try later on.

I read a digital ARC of this book via netgalley.

[Paper Witch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ta książka dosłownie pozwoliła mi „wrócić na ziemię”.
Poczułam się zrozumiana, otulona i wzbogacona o wiele naprawdę cennych przemyśleń.

Ta lektura zostanie długo w moich serduchu - była dla mnie jak drogowskaz na mojej drodze

[Nikki Soulsby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok - I really wanted to love this, but it didn't give me much in the way of "new". If you've never read about intuition, this is a solid book, but if you've been at this game a while, it's a nice refresher with an oceanic theme.

[Hanni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every bit of it!

[Rán Sigurjónsdóttir · Rating 5 out of 5]

An increadibly inspiring book that helps us understand ourselves and how to find our inner voice

[Svanhildur Snæbjörnsdóttir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Þessi bók var ágætis áminning um að hlusta á magatilfinninguna sína og ekki gleyma sér í lífsgæðakapphlaupinu.