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Unsubscribe: Opt Out of Delusion, Tune In to Truth
A three-step guide to recovery from addiction to consumerism, self-deception, and life as you thought it had to be.
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Josh Korda left his high-powered advertising job—and a life of drug and alcohol addiction—to find a more satisfying way to live. In Unsubscribe , he shares his three-step guide to recovery from addiction to consumerism, self-deception, and life as you thought it had to be.
(1) Reprioritize your goals , away from a materialist vocation toward a fulfilling avocation
(2) Understand yourself and your emotional needs
(3) Connect authentically with others , leading to secure relationships and true community.
Revolutionary, compassionate, and filled with wonderfully practical exercises, Josh will help you lead a more authentic, more fulfilling life.
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Josh Korda left his high-powered advertising job—and a life of drug and alcohol addiction—to find a more satisfying way to live. In Unsubscribe , he shares his three-step guide to recovery from addiction to consumerism, self-deception, and life as you thought it had to be.
(1) Reprioritize your goals , away from a materialist vocation toward a fulfilling avocation
(2) Understand yourself and your emotional needs
(3) Connect authentically with others , leading to secure relationships and true community.
Revolutionary, compassionate, and filled with wonderfully practical exercises, Josh will help you lead a more authentic, more fulfilling life.
247 pages, Paperback
Published November 21, 2017
102 people are currently reading
630 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 10, 2020
Korda’s book blends Buddhist teachings and modern psychology, which is definitely a super-trendy thing to do in American Buddhist circles – and it makes perfect sense. People who get interested in Buddhism (especially Zen, as far as I have seen, but maybe across all traditions) have often come to it from rough places. Working with the Dharma Punx organization, Korda says he has seen more than his fair share of people with childhood development challenges and histories of abuse seek literal refuge in Buddhism, and these people needed more than just meditation techniques to get better. They also needed psychological support and guidance. This book is his effort to help people free themselves from the modern-day delusions and addictions that result from the Western consumerist lifestyle so that they can see the world and themselves more clearly, and establish more authentic bonds with those around them.
What can I say, I am always going to be a sucker for punk-ish Buddhists. In the introduction, he talks about his disillusionment with the mindfulness trend, and it’s co-opting by Big Business and I was sold: nothing gives me hives like corporate stooges pushing mindfulness on their employees as a means to sedate them into going about their daily tasks without complaining. His fierce anti-consumerist stance and his annoyance with bland and sanitized (he uses the word “pasteurized”, which I think is hilarious and oddly accurate) spiritual teachers and communities was music to my ears, and I gobbled the book down in a couple of days. “To be a spiritual rebel, a Dharma punk, a true practitioner, one has to give the middle finger to materialism, self-centred fear, self-serving luxury, financial security. We have to say no.”
Korda is unapologetic and deeply compassionate, which may sound weird, but for what he set out to accomplish with this book, it’s truly perfect. There are no platitudes to be found in those pages: he writes from his personal experience, years of work in the American Buddhist community, and strong desire to help people, well, help themselves. He refers to himself as a Buddhist atheist, which simply means he practices without believing in the mystical aspects of Buddhist traditions, so his advice is very down-to-earth, practical and accessible. A good chunk of the book is spent untangling the concept of defense mechanisms and other ways we react to anxiety - and how all this hinders us from being truly present. Anyone who has dealt with anxiety, panic attacks or struggled with depression and grief will find useful advice in Korda's book.
While I'd say this book is a little more about self-therapy than about Buddhism per se, it isn't about Buddhism as therapy, which is great because there is an unfortunate tendency on the self-help market for confusing spiritual practice with therapy (spoiler alert: it's not the same thing!). He puts a lot of emphasis on having a strong support network, in life in general and in one's spiritual practice as well, which is wonderful and important.
I admit that the chapter about contemplating death, at this particular moment of global pandemic, gave rise to all sorts of feelings as I read it. I fully agree with Korda: the finite nature of life gives it beauty and urgency, and awareness of death is crucial to live authentically and compassionately. It is just scarier than usual to think about it these days. But that’s OK: it’s a necessary reflection in the circumstances.
I really liked this book. I wish I'd read it years ago, and I recommend it to everyone: Buddhist or not, this is a book full of great advice and practices to cultivate what Korda refers to as a "smart heart", and I'm sure all of us could use a little of that.
What can I say, I am always going to be a sucker for punk-ish Buddhists. In the introduction, he talks about his disillusionment with the mindfulness trend, and it’s co-opting by Big Business and I was sold: nothing gives me hives like corporate stooges pushing mindfulness on their employees as a means to sedate them into going about their daily tasks without complaining. His fierce anti-consumerist stance and his annoyance with bland and sanitized (he uses the word “pasteurized”, which I think is hilarious and oddly accurate) spiritual teachers and communities was music to my ears, and I gobbled the book down in a couple of days. “To be a spiritual rebel, a Dharma punk, a true practitioner, one has to give the middle finger to materialism, self-centred fear, self-serving luxury, financial security. We have to say no.”
Korda is unapologetic and deeply compassionate, which may sound weird, but for what he set out to accomplish with this book, it’s truly perfect. There are no platitudes to be found in those pages: he writes from his personal experience, years of work in the American Buddhist community, and strong desire to help people, well, help themselves. He refers to himself as a Buddhist atheist, which simply means he practices without believing in the mystical aspects of Buddhist traditions, so his advice is very down-to-earth, practical and accessible. A good chunk of the book is spent untangling the concept of defense mechanisms and other ways we react to anxiety - and how all this hinders us from being truly present. Anyone who has dealt with anxiety, panic attacks or struggled with depression and grief will find useful advice in Korda's book.
While I'd say this book is a little more about self-therapy than about Buddhism per se, it isn't about Buddhism as therapy, which is great because there is an unfortunate tendency on the self-help market for confusing spiritual practice with therapy (spoiler alert: it's not the same thing!). He puts a lot of emphasis on having a strong support network, in life in general and in one's spiritual practice as well, which is wonderful and important.
I admit that the chapter about contemplating death, at this particular moment of global pandemic, gave rise to all sorts of feelings as I read it. I fully agree with Korda: the finite nature of life gives it beauty and urgency, and awareness of death is crucial to live authentically and compassionately. It is just scarier than usual to think about it these days. But that’s OK: it’s a necessary reflection in the circumstances.
I really liked this book. I wish I'd read it years ago, and I recommend it to everyone: Buddhist or not, this is a book full of great advice and practices to cultivate what Korda refers to as a "smart heart", and I'm sure all of us could use a little of that.
January 15, 2018
I want this so much I'm actually spending precious book money on it. Preordered.
Conclusion: I liked it.
Conclusion: I liked it.
January 30, 2018
I have been listening to Josh Korda's teachings via the Dharma Punx podcasts for a while now, and I frequently use his guided meditations in my practice, so I was excited to learn that he had written this book. Korda describes himself as a secular Buddhist: "I teach Buddhist insights from a perspective free of metaphysical trappings" and his instructions are very straightforward and free of what I think of as "woo-woo". He is uncompromisingly anti-capitalist (which I appreciate) and the insights and teachings in this book are practical and purposeful. I found the guidance on dealing with anger especially useful.
A solid, no nonsense dharma book that I foresee myself returning to again and again. Recommended.
A solid, no nonsense dharma book that I foresee myself returning to again and again. Recommended.
April 7, 2024
I wish this book was available to me as a kid. It would have saved me a good deal of unnecessary suffering and stupidity. It took me years and years to figure out much contained within its pages. I totally recommend it to dharma students, victims of childhood abuse, those struggling with drugs and alcohol abuse and people with just general angst in general.
I can relate to the author on many levels. We both had troubled youth, unhealthy experiences with drugs and alcohol and both loved Buddhism.
Totally recommend. One of my top five dharma books of all time.
I can relate to the author on many levels. We both had troubled youth, unhealthy experiences with drugs and alcohol and both loved Buddhism.
Totally recommend. One of my top five dharma books of all time.
December 3, 2017
An instant Western Buddhist classic. Authentic, personal, direct, uncompromising, compassionate, obviously ROOTED IN DEEP PERSONAL EXPLORATION AND EXPERIENCE, particularly useful because it hits the rare sweet spot of being comprehensive while remaining accessible. It also notably addresses subtle aspects without failing to offer solid touchstones of advice. This is no happy-hippy fluff piece, nor is it some angry anti-establishment rant... this book is both a manual for the heart/mind as well as a toolbox to perform preventative maintenance and repairs on it. Josh Korda's new offering is the antithesis of many similarly targeted writings which give the distinct feeling of being a Dharma book overreaching to come across as relevant in the modern psychology era, or a psychology book attempting to lend itself "spiritual authority"... it demonstrates a most practical mastery of both Dharma and modern psychology, organically integrating both approaches. Josh knows that when help is needed at deeper than surface levels a stream of platitudes and conceptual assurances will not suffice. He offers a cohesive approach to life's difficulties through explorations of concepts that are matched with somatic practice suggestions in chapters that are of digestible length. In summary: Depth, Breadth, & Heart of the most useful type skillfully conveyed through a fluid & personal writing style.
March 2, 2018
I've heard bits and pieces of this work throughout many years of listening to the podcast and going to the talks at Dharma punx, but to have a more complete form of those available is a real gift. Josh's teaching is current and relevant. He is truly a master of articulating the truths of the dharma and combining those concepts with the science/ data of psychology.
As a meditation practitioner, and a seeker of the dharma, it is of particular relevance to me that my teachers are living the authentic lives that they engage people to obtain. To me, this is very true of Josh who is dedicated to providing donation based teachings in one of the most difficult cities to afford in the world. I feel that so many teachings become disreputable when they get wrapped up in the task of generating profits.
As a meditation practitioner, and a seeker of the dharma, it is of particular relevance to me that my teachers are living the authentic lives that they engage people to obtain. To me, this is very true of Josh who is dedicated to providing donation based teachings in one of the most difficult cities to afford in the world. I feel that so many teachings become disreputable when they get wrapped up in the task of generating profits.
February 27, 2018
I was drawn to this book not so much for the content about recovery, but by Korda's very accurate descriptions of modern life in a capitalist society. I wanted to see what else he might have to say about this topic, and it's effects on our health, both physical and emotional. To some extent I am the choir, and he was preaching to me on this topic. Still, he is articulate and I think he noted a few things many of us feel but seldom crystallize as thoughts. Having never suffered from substance abuse/addition, it was interesting to consider how modern life affects those who do. It's rough.
January 23, 2018
I was looking forward to reading this book but I didn't finish it.
Mostly psychology not a lot of Dharma. Repetitive. Disappointing.
Mostly psychology not a lot of Dharma. Repetitive. Disappointing.
April 12, 2018
Good introduction to Buddhism with dozens of nice exercises. This is a good book, but not a favorite of mine
June 1, 2025
I think everyone should read this book 🙏🏽
February 8, 2018
I arrived at this book after having read Noah Levine's Against the Stream and participated in both Against the Stream and Refuge Recovery meetings for several months. I absolutely loved this book. I felt Josh's approach to some very dense and uncomfortable topics to be accessible, down-to-earth and even humorous at times. I think the inclusion of some meditation exercises were valuable as well and a great way of practicing the concepts Josh covers in each chapter. I don't think I know a human alive who wouldn't benefit from reflecting on this writing, whether it is to learn something new or to understand it from a particularly grounded and compassionate perspective.
August 13, 2021
My background in smells & bells Zen colors the prejudice I have for self-professed “secular” Buddhists like Korda. It seems as though where Zen demands one do the practice and arrive at things without a lesson plan, wrestling instead with ethical dilemmas and engaging in dialectics with a teacher, other mainline American Dharma teachers seem to be explicit about steps in a sort of self-helpy way that’s always turned me off. “Don’t tell me what to do.” I’m also not crazy about the pop-psych two-hemisphered brain narrative that he uses in service of questioning the brain’s own narratives; a quick glance online says this isn’t absolute. What is?
Korda is refreshing in that he questions radical acceptance as a blanket teaching and also that he’s willing to write about concerns of younger, poorer people than what can be the usual from American Zen people of a predominant age, such as unearned privilege or end-of-life anxiety.
A brisk, worthwhile read representing years of practice and hard-earned insights, even if he does question a lot of “time on the cushion.” My biases were throughly confirmed by the last 2 chapters or so, where the cultivation of allowing oneself to be amazed seems to be a final prescription. Which is a large part of spending “time on the cushion.”
Korda is refreshing in that he questions radical acceptance as a blanket teaching and also that he’s willing to write about concerns of younger, poorer people than what can be the usual from American Zen people of a predominant age, such as unearned privilege or end-of-life anxiety.
A brisk, worthwhile read representing years of practice and hard-earned insights, even if he does question a lot of “time on the cushion.” My biases were throughly confirmed by the last 2 chapters or so, where the cultivation of allowing oneself to be amazed seems to be a final prescription. Which is a large part of spending “time on the cushion.”
August 30, 2019
Josh Korda left his high-paying job in New York after the World Trade Center attacks changed his mind about what is important in life. He wanted spirituality, not consumerism. But he found it hard to be different in a pile-on world that doles out approval only to certain ways of thinking.
First, he admitted he was an alcoholic and drug addict. Then he prioritized his life (this is his quote) along these three steps:
(1) Reprioritize your goals, away from a materialist vocation toward a fulfilling avocation
(2) Understand yourself and your emotional needs
(3) Connect authentically with others, leading to secure relationships and true community.
It's a self-help book. Well-written, and with clever insights, it's still another on a long shelf of self-help books. It appealed to me, it may appeal to you, even if there are no new insights, the old ones are still applicable.
First, he admitted he was an alcoholic and drug addict. Then he prioritized his life (this is his quote) along these three steps:
(1) Reprioritize your goals, away from a materialist vocation toward a fulfilling avocation
(2) Understand yourself and your emotional needs
(3) Connect authentically with others, leading to secure relationships and true community.
It's a self-help book. Well-written, and with clever insights, it's still another on a long shelf of self-help books. It appealed to me, it may appeal to you, even if there are no new insights, the old ones are still applicable.
March 17, 2025
IMO, atheists are basically. and usually, just people who haven't done enough acid.
I'm sorry he doesn't feel his life has purpose, or, if he feels nobody else is aware that theirs does.
His point about creating your own purpose, however is totally valid. Where he loses me is the idea
he has to feel himself alienated from the eternal within himself enough to seem to deny - others find inner peace,and accept themselves within a higher plane of mind- a piece of God, if you would,
but they do not necessarily feel any need to proselytize it.
And so it goes.
Beyond all this psychodrama, not all Buddhists are atheists, although
it may even appear the Buddha was.
But what the Buddha manifested was his own awareness of himself as a passing wave in the cosmos
It need not all feel so sad, you know.
Happiness is a choice, after all.
I'm sorry he doesn't feel his life has purpose, or, if he feels nobody else is aware that theirs does.
His point about creating your own purpose, however is totally valid. Where he loses me is the idea
he has to feel himself alienated from the eternal within himself enough to seem to deny - others find inner peace,and accept themselves within a higher plane of mind- a piece of God, if you would,
but they do not necessarily feel any need to proselytize it.
And so it goes.
Beyond all this psychodrama, not all Buddhists are atheists, although
it may even appear the Buddha was.
But what the Buddha manifested was his own awareness of himself as a passing wave in the cosmos
It need not all feel so sad, you know.
Happiness is a choice, after all.
March 11, 2018
I was given this book by a coworker after Josh did a talk on the book. At first glance I was a little hesitant because description was slightly heavy in the addiction aspect. I do not and never have had an addiction issue so a book like that wasn’t priority on my have to read radar. It turned out to be a minor portion of the book. Josh’s approach is all hands on. Very instilled in Buddhist teaching but written in a Modern man, I’m not perfect and may never be but I will recognize my triggers and learn to handle them appropriately. For me it was a winner for the honesty, in insight and the ease to keep the pages turning. I love Buddhism for bringing me peace, I lived this book for bringing me a connection I can relate to.
July 18, 2018
This is the best book about Buddhism I've personally read. It's very relatable, grounded in everyday life, and provides practical tools to deal with the ups and downs of our struggles, relationships, emotions. It also offers a broader picture on the unpredictability of life and addresses the existential challenges we all face. I love the engaged approach and the critique of simply adopting mindfulness and acceptance, in the form that often is promoted in the West nowadays, to placate our feelings and put up with stuff we shouldn't put up with. It rather encourages to use those tools to become aware of the problems in our lives that need addressing and taking action to change our situation and act upon things we care about. Really valuable read!
May 3, 2018
This book was essentially my first exposure to Buddhism and I found it to be worthwhile. I'm not a huge fan of self-help books but this book presented helpful ideas in a down to earth manner that was not preachy. Korda discussed Buddhist teachings in a way that was understandable and relevant to a newcomer such as myself. There are several things that I was able to take away after reading it.
February 5, 2018
Entry Level Buddhism
Fantastic introductory lesson to Buddhist teachings and framework of thought. Easily digestible and great examples of how to apply the lessons to your daily life. Excited to come back to this.
Fantastic introductory lesson to Buddhist teachings and framework of thought. Easily digestible and great examples of how to apply the lessons to your daily life. Excited to come back to this.
April 8, 2018
One of the best books on the dharma I've read. Clearly stated, practical & for me, invaluable. Real world stuff without the the preciousness or self-conscious brattiness that'll sometimes get in the way of my connecting with a particular teacher.
January 31, 2021
As a subscriber of Josh’s work including his podcast, I enjoyed this book for its fidelity to embedding psychology with Buddhism, and its message that we all need to drop out, at least once in awhile, from so-called values of society.
May 7, 2021
Korda combines Buddhist thought, Western psychology, and critiques of capitalism, and I'm here for it. I was already familiar with many of the concepts presented, but his no-bullshit perspective and anti-capitalist take set this book apart from titles which cover similar ground.
February 1, 2018
Loved. Accessible writing style but deeply profound. Going to have to read it again and take some notes- underlining wasn't enough. Looking forward to implementing the practice suggestions.
March 8, 2018
Ok...pretty good advice
March 10, 2018
BRB, buying copies of this to send to everyone I know.
March 23, 2018
Light on the dhamma, heavy on psych. Also, would like to have seen citations for the psych claims, as they are generally written as if these were the author's own ideas.
September 26, 2018
An excellent blend of Psychology and Buddhist philosophy. So many great lessons learned in a clear and easy to understand style.
December 28, 2018
Such clear and helpful Buddhist reflections in this volume. Worth taking slow and dwelling on each chapter.
April 23, 2019
A pretty straight forward unpretentious book explaining mindfulness and how to apply it to your life. A lot of it was very easy to relate to, and I enjoyed it.
May 28, 2020
Josh has a way of lubricating your brain and your heart at the same time. If you are even considering the book, check out the dharmapunxNYC podcast... you won't regret it!
February 2, 2021
Meandering a lot. Interesting but not ground breaking.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews