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Bending Reality: How to Make the Impossible Probable
Bending Reality is the innovative process used by billionaires, tech leaders, and the world’s most successful people to make the impossible . . . probable.BENDING REALITY is Victoria Song's innovative process used by billionaires, tech founders, and the world's most successful leaders to make the impossible probable. After achieving success without fulfillment at Yale University, Harvard Business School, and then as a Forbes 30 Under 30 Venture Capitalist, Victoria set off on an unusual quest to study with over 24 of the world's best coaches, therapists, and healers. She then deployed the skills and tools she'd learned with a diverse group of the world's highest performers. Through it all, she's discovered the codes that enable her clients to bend reality in the direction they want. By accessing this extraordinary ability, Victoria's clients have sold a company for 4 billion dollars, grown revenue 1,000% during a pandemic, and designed a more effective Covid vaccine. Victoria reveals the metaframework behind peak performance, personal development, and real magic that is accessible to all. Whether you've studied these areas closely or this is your first book on this topic, you'll have front row seats to how the world's elite use this knowledge to collapse time, change the odds, and receive intelligent downloads to create unimaginable success. You will learn how * Bend reality by mastering two states of being that most people aren't even aware of. * Reach your personal peak without burning out. * Navigate change and face the unknown like the greatest leaders. * Access creative downloads that artists, musicians, and geniuses receive. * Make your own luck--there's literally a recipe. * Find your unique "zone of genius" and live from it every day. After learning how to bend reality, you will no longer need to memorize rules, tips, or tricks; instead, you will embody the essence of a remarkable leader who can make the impossible probable.
190 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2021
201 people are currently reading
2004 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
January 15, 2023
This book was gifted to me by a friend who is wired similarly to be - we're both high strung, high achievers. We have achieved quite a bit of success through sheer brute force. I knew I didn't want to keep living this way. I have been self-helping through counseling, books, healing circles, new routines, etc. and nothing has been as effective as this book.
The main reason is because I finally understood why trying to repress negativity or other "bad" emotions, was only making them worse. By learning how to go into the 'eye of the storm' as Victoria would say, I have been able to feel more of my emotions and truly move through them.
The book was so inspirational that it informed my question for the year (which I do instead of a word of the year or goal because it helps me make decisions). The question for 2023 is "Does this make me feel expansive or contractive?" You'll get what that means when you read the book!
I can't wait to chase down every bit of material Victoria puts out. I know the book is just the tip of the iceberg. Take your time with it. Don't buzz cover to cover. Truly, reading it with a pen to underline the moving points will make the impact all the more potent.
Enjoy!!!
The main reason is because I finally understood why trying to repress negativity or other "bad" emotions, was only making them worse. By learning how to go into the 'eye of the storm' as Victoria would say, I have been able to feel more of my emotions and truly move through them.
The book was so inspirational that it informed my question for the year (which I do instead of a word of the year or goal because it helps me make decisions). The question for 2023 is "Does this make me feel expansive or contractive?" You'll get what that means when you read the book!
I can't wait to chase down every bit of material Victoria puts out. I know the book is just the tip of the iceberg. Take your time with it. Don't buzz cover to cover. Truly, reading it with a pen to underline the moving points will make the impact all the more potent.
Enjoy!!!
January 15, 2023
Much of personal development and self-help literature can be distilled down to:
"Just work harder, faster, longer,"
"No pain, no gain,"
"Just do, feelings are a waste of time," etc.
Sometimes it can feel like a Sisyphean feat to make progress on your goals. In the past when I felt frustrated, defeated, sad or at a loss for how to move forward and avoiding repeating the same mistakes, I would mentally just will myself to "Not do it again" -- until I did. Then, I would chalk it up to a lack of self-discipline and did not really understand why. Until reading Victoria Song's book, I did not understand the critical role of emotions and would often (like the vast majority of people) just dust them under the rug and "soldier on."
Enter Bending Reality. Like most of Victoria's clients -- and probably most reading this review -- I am far from the "woo woo" type. I will admit, what initially hooked me was Victoria's Ivy League pedigree and prestigious venture capital background. What got me to stay was how deeply the principles she writes about resonated. The principles -- what she calls "codes to bending reality" -- are so unlike conventional rules of achieving success that often make you feel like you are facing an uphill battle.
Fundamentally, the codes revolve around identifying your internal state (whether you are in a state of contraction or expansion), fully experiencing the emotion in the body (not just intellectually), and using it as data to intentionally decide how to move forward and bring your vision to life. The book delves deeply into not just the WHAT, but equally if not more the WHY and the HOW to do it.
Because if you are like me, you may understand something cerebrally, but until you truly grasp the significance and impact *in your bones*, it doesn't really sink in. And Bending Reality teaches you how to do that.
Thank you, Victoria! Bending Reality is the gold standard of personal development literature and gives the entire genre a much-needed makeover. Along with a solid personal finance book, this should be required reading for high school/college students, professionals or anyone (particularly skeptics of "self-help") looking to uplevel themselves in any area of their life.
"Just work harder, faster, longer,"
"No pain, no gain,"
"Just do, feelings are a waste of time," etc.
Sometimes it can feel like a Sisyphean feat to make progress on your goals. In the past when I felt frustrated, defeated, sad or at a loss for how to move forward and avoiding repeating the same mistakes, I would mentally just will myself to "Not do it again" -- until I did. Then, I would chalk it up to a lack of self-discipline and did not really understand why. Until reading Victoria Song's book, I did not understand the critical role of emotions and would often (like the vast majority of people) just dust them under the rug and "soldier on."
Enter Bending Reality. Like most of Victoria's clients -- and probably most reading this review -- I am far from the "woo woo" type. I will admit, what initially hooked me was Victoria's Ivy League pedigree and prestigious venture capital background. What got me to stay was how deeply the principles she writes about resonated. The principles -- what she calls "codes to bending reality" -- are so unlike conventional rules of achieving success that often make you feel like you are facing an uphill battle.
Fundamentally, the codes revolve around identifying your internal state (whether you are in a state of contraction or expansion), fully experiencing the emotion in the body (not just intellectually), and using it as data to intentionally decide how to move forward and bring your vision to life. The book delves deeply into not just the WHAT, but equally if not more the WHY and the HOW to do it.
Because if you are like me, you may understand something cerebrally, but until you truly grasp the significance and impact *in your bones*, it doesn't really sink in. And Bending Reality teaches you how to do that.
Thank you, Victoria! Bending Reality is the gold standard of personal development literature and gives the entire genre a much-needed makeover. Along with a solid personal finance book, this should be required reading for high school/college students, professionals or anyone (particularly skeptics of "self-help") looking to uplevel themselves in any area of their life.
Read
January 14, 2023I started listening to Bending Reality on a Saturday morning while in the midst of an argument with my husband. Taking a timeout from our conversation, I went to shower and distract myself. As I often do, I turned on Audible while I got ready. I started my shower boiling inside focusing on my husband’s wrongness and my righteousness - mentally listing all the reasons to be upset. By the time I was blow drying my hair, I was through the first chapter of Bending Reality and my perspective had shifted. I realized I was working from a place of contraction (fearful, feeling unloveable and like a failure) and that I couldn’t get to where I wanted to be with my husband from that vantage point. I needed to start from a place of expansion. It goes without saying we had a great reminder of the day… what were we even fighting about…?
I had another big shift after finishing this book - worrying and fear will not get me to where I want to go. My sole job is to feel good, to feel expansive. And if I can achieve that, the chips will fall not only where they may, but often where you hoped they would land.
I have read A Return To Love, Love is Letting Go of Fear, The Power of Now, The Untethered Soul, and many others like it. I’m a PD junkie. What I appreciate about Victoria’s spin on this age-old wisdom is that it’s digestible. It’s practical. You have a road map for how to get from contraction to expansion, from fear to love, and from hopelessness to not only a place of calm but inspiration. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Victoria. It’s been life-affirming.
I had another big shift after finishing this book - worrying and fear will not get me to where I want to go. My sole job is to feel good, to feel expansive. And if I can achieve that, the chips will fall not only where they may, but often where you hoped they would land.
I have read A Return To Love, Love is Letting Go of Fear, The Power of Now, The Untethered Soul, and many others like it. I’m a PD junkie. What I appreciate about Victoria’s spin on this age-old wisdom is that it’s digestible. It’s practical. You have a road map for how to get from contraction to expansion, from fear to love, and from hopelessness to not only a place of calm but inspiration. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Victoria. It’s been life-affirming.
November 17, 2021
Life changing!
The talented author, Victoria Song, has compiled her extensive knowledge across multiple modalities and wisdom/learnings from 25+ coaches to write this book. Her experience is supplemented from working with billionaires, gurus, and entrepreneurs. She summarizes her findings in an easy to digest manner and provides a ton of resources and exercises for you to practice the concepts.
After reading the book, I already feel a difference in my life, I see expansion and feel a shift in my energy and of those around me. The book was so good that I'm reading it a second time to absorb more of the concepts. I'm excited to embody flow state and start bending reality myself! Thank you Victoria!
The talented author, Victoria Song, has compiled her extensive knowledge across multiple modalities and wisdom/learnings from 25+ coaches to write this book. Her experience is supplemented from working with billionaires, gurus, and entrepreneurs. She summarizes her findings in an easy to digest manner and provides a ton of resources and exercises for you to practice the concepts.
After reading the book, I already feel a difference in my life, I see expansion and feel a shift in my energy and of those around me. The book was so good that I'm reading it a second time to absorb more of the concepts. I'm excited to embody flow state and start bending reality myself! Thank you Victoria!
April 24, 2023
The book can be summed up in the following points:
1. Embody your emotions
2. Be aware when you're in a contracted state
3. Move into expansion more
I felt the title of the book to be misleading. It's really a book about alignment and the reference to the author's education and working with billionaires etc, did little to enhance the message of the book.
1. Embody your emotions
2. Be aware when you're in a contracted state
3. Move into expansion more
I felt the title of the book to be misleading. It's really a book about alignment and the reference to the author's education and working with billionaires etc, did little to enhance the message of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2021
Victoria makes it simple to understand the underlying dynamics of growth - expanding our capacity for change and evolution
January 17, 2023
When I first saw the title of Victoria’s book, “Bending Reality”, I bought it instantly. I knew that I needed this book. I purchased the audio version on Audible and started listening right away — on the plane, before going to bed, in the middle of the night when I couldn’t sleep. I also bought the Kindle version, because I didn’t want to miss one precious word. I listened and read for weeks, some chapters over and over again. One day, a family disagreement sent me into a tailspin of despair. This was unusual for me, as I normally stay pretty grounded even in difficult situations. This disagreement left me speechless and numb. I wanted to crawl into a hole and take a vow of silence for a month. I was so devastated that I didn’t know how I would ever come out of it. I flew to a friend’s house to recover, listening to the book non-stop. Then I discovered a recording of one of Victoria’s techniques, which was included in the book. I started doing it every morning for six days straight — and by Day 2, I could feel my despair beginning to lift. Plus, I felt FANTASTIC after each session! I could discern the moments when I felt expanded, and when I was contracting. Listening to her joyful and compassionate approach was balm to my singed spirit, and I felt like I was seeing myself and the world with fresh, wild vision. Victoria’s work has inspired me to press forward, with imagination and fury. This book changed everything for me.
January 20, 2023
The book felt so impactful and really resonated with me because it connected the dots of the work I've been doing in somatic / talk therapy, martial arts, and reiki. I feel very energized to put into practice this new unification, or, solidification, of all my "dots" that Bending Reality presented to me. The book felt a bit like my "missing piece". Bending Reality is a quick and easy read, but chock full of concepts I have never fully realized. Victoria writes clearly and makes all of the modalities easy to understand and approachable. Sometimes after reading a "self help" type of book or any sort of "change your mindset and life" type book, I will feel overwhelmed with my "new to do list" to "change my life". Bending Reality is different because by reading the book you have already started and you already feel that initial shift by the end of the 200-some pages. I did not feel overwhelmed, as I said, I felt energized. Victoria has a lot of additional materials she mentions in the book available on her website. I intend to do all of the practices and materials she offers. If you are looking for an approachable way to change your life and mindset - this is the way.
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January 21, 2023Victoria’s book is an incisive, wise and bright synthesis of the process of understanding and working with ourselves, in order to embrace a fuller, more tasteful, joyful and creative life. Reading it is like awakening, while the simplicity of her observations and advice are of great encouragement. It is a book to dive into multiple times while applying its teachings, which perfectly balance the intellectual need of explanation with the great energy of a holistic approach to our body, spirit and emotions. Every time I go back to Bending Reality’s pages, it just feels to be home, where self development is impregnated with optimism and expansion. Highly recommended.
January 14, 2023
You can tell that this book was written from a place of pure expansion - which is one huge topic written about within these pages. I love that just within the first few pages I had read, it had already given me a huge concept to work on within myself, which is: am I functioning throughout the day from Contraction or Expansion? Huge.
There are so many beautiful brain altering concepts to ponder, my mind has been remembering them as I go about my day and it feels as if it is reshaping my subconscious and creating a new sense of happiness and fulfillment. Anyway....I couldn’t put this book down. My husband is very cerebral, less “let’s feel our emotions” like me, and more “I want to figure out what an emotion is” and it’s safe to say he enjoyed this book as well.
Update: Victoria is an inspirational wizard. Every time I’m in need of a piece of advice on how to push past a situation I feel is insurmountable, I just turn on this audio book and it’s the perfect example of synchronicity. It’s exactly what I need to hear each & every time. Her love for changing peoples lives is evident because her voice is real, healing & life changing. Nothing short of a miracle worker.
There are so many beautiful brain altering concepts to ponder, my mind has been remembering them as I go about my day and it feels as if it is reshaping my subconscious and creating a new sense of happiness and fulfillment. Anyway....I couldn’t put this book down. My husband is very cerebral, less “let’s feel our emotions” like me, and more “I want to figure out what an emotion is” and it’s safe to say he enjoyed this book as well.
Update: Victoria is an inspirational wizard. Every time I’m in need of a piece of advice on how to push past a situation I feel is insurmountable, I just turn on this audio book and it’s the perfect example of synchronicity. It’s exactly what I need to hear each & every time. Her love for changing peoples lives is evident because her voice is real, healing & life changing. Nothing short of a miracle worker.
January 17, 2023
This book is hands down the best book I've read in years. Victoria is a true master at what she knows and she distills down multiple modalities and concepts in simple but potent ways that you can instantly implement in your business and life.
I've practiced a lot of the work Victoria has done over the years but the way she words the takeaways/meanings of them is unlike any way I've seen them presented before, and that made all the difference in many things finally landing, or seeing them in a new light.
The book is a true game changer when it comes to understanding and mastering your own understanding of yourself, your energetics, and your true potential and power.
Thank you, Victoria, for creating such a powerful force of a book! I am forever changed by it <3
I've practiced a lot of the work Victoria has done over the years but the way she words the takeaways/meanings of them is unlike any way I've seen them presented before, and that made all the difference in many things finally landing, or seeing them in a new light.
The book is a true game changer when it comes to understanding and mastering your own understanding of yourself, your energetics, and your true potential and power.
Thank you, Victoria, for creating such a powerful force of a book! I am forever changed by it <3
January 12, 2023
I saw this book on my partner's shelf and was immediately intrigued by the title. I had no idea that this book would describe so succinctly what I had felt and known but struggled for years to describe.
Victoria describes the observation of people generally studying self-development modalities vertically, hoping for one expert to have all of the answers. What the author acutely points out is that from studying these modalities horizontally, you can distill two core states of the body and mind common across all modalities: contraction and expansion. One produces tightness, stress and scarcity. The other one generates abundance, creativity and ease.
I always noticed that on days when work felt easy and I was at my most creative, work felt like play. But I had trouble replicating it -- it felt like a lightning strike of serendipity when those I experienced those times, brief flashes of creativity between long windows of struggle. Victoria lays out a system of how you can identify when you are in a state of contraction vs expansion, and how to process your contractions in a healthy way so that you can move into your zone of expansion. I will be making this process a daily practice to make positive shifts on my mindset.
Victoria describes the observation of people generally studying self-development modalities vertically, hoping for one expert to have all of the answers. What the author acutely points out is that from studying these modalities horizontally, you can distill two core states of the body and mind common across all modalities: contraction and expansion. One produces tightness, stress and scarcity. The other one generates abundance, creativity and ease.
I always noticed that on days when work felt easy and I was at my most creative, work felt like play. But I had trouble replicating it -- it felt like a lightning strike of serendipity when those I experienced those times, brief flashes of creativity between long windows of struggle. Victoria lays out a system of how you can identify when you are in a state of contraction vs expansion, and how to process your contractions in a healthy way so that you can move into your zone of expansion. I will be making this process a daily practice to make positive shifts on my mindset.
January 15, 2023
Wow... just finished reading this book and as others have said this is truly a life changing read. I’ve read my fair share of self help books and I found Bending Reality to be an engaging, streamlined read. The concepts and strategies Victoria has introduced in this book are extremely practical, simple yet profound in their results. I’ve found myself reflecting on and integrating these concepts through my stream of thoughts over the past few weeks which I think is a sure sign that I’ve really taken to the ideas in this book. I’m excited for second read to see what I can extract from the book this time. I particularly loved the tenth chapter - ‘How to live from expansion in everyday life’, the examples and advice given in this chapter were excellent, almost like a handbook on how to experience life and make the most of our unconscious wisdom and talents. Loved every word, I would love to read a second book expanding on some of the concepts explored!
January 17, 2023
I have never felt so seen until I read this book. For the past week and a half, as I am reading this book, I feel that I finally have permission (with empirical evidence!) to feel all the feels and not having the need to explain it all. It is truly a breath of fresh air! I can't wait to reread the book over and over again so I can dive deeper and learn to live with the contraction, and to experience expansion more fully. I am so excited to embark on this journey - Thank you Victoria for sharing this invaluable knowledge!
November 18, 2023
The type of book that I’ll be rereading again to ensure I internalize all the messaging, and have already ordered multiple copies to gift to friends
January 14, 2023
All-in-one
I have read, listened to, attended, participated in countless self development programs which I often found overwhelming, confusing and even contrasting at points! In a world of, take responsibility, heal yourself and make your life your own - Victoria's book is the most helpful guide to HOW to do this. What I love about it most it is the fact that is captures the physical, spiritual, mental AND emotional factors - so the healing feels transformative. I have not yet finished this book but I can already feel a change in me I have been waiting for and yearning for. Take the step in the direction of your dream life and buy this book!! Much love and gratitude to Victoria for creating this book, it truly is life changing.
I have read, listened to, attended, participated in countless self development programs which I often found overwhelming, confusing and even contrasting at points! In a world of, take responsibility, heal yourself and make your life your own - Victoria's book is the most helpful guide to HOW to do this. What I love about it most it is the fact that is captures the physical, spiritual, mental AND emotional factors - so the healing feels transformative. I have not yet finished this book but I can already feel a change in me I have been waiting for and yearning for. Take the step in the direction of your dream life and buy this book!! Much love and gratitude to Victoria for creating this book, it truly is life changing.
January 15, 2023
In this book I found a map and guide for a new paradigm of leadership. Drawing from many sources of wisdom, Victoria consolidates and both deepens and simplifies these wisdoms into a practical, holistic experience-scape. I like its simplexity and the template of expansion versus contraction. Her perspective and perceived state-of-being makes it attractive for me to begin and continue the journey of transformation and even transmutation, in a language that bridges the spiritual with the practical. In her writing I experience Victoria has lived through all of it and has a very deep understanding of what works and what are the pitfalls when we are on our individual Path to Self.
January 16, 2023
Life changing! Run, don’t walk towards this book. It is among the most succinct, powerful, and life changing works I’ve ever read. Victoria is a genius at taking disparate, ideas and beliefs, and distilling them into simplified notions to take action upon. This book will help you be your best self, and become more of you. You are meant to be. Rather than changing who you are, it will show you your own true power.
I recommend this book to everyone I know!
I recommend this book to everyone I know!
February 23, 2025
So repetitive.
January 13, 2023
Victoria has a calming and insightful presence that comes across on the audiobook. So many of us can relate to the experiences of burnout that she went through before discovering the techniques that she teaches. I loved the the concepts she taught about paying attention to one’s emotions instead of suppressing or avoiding, as well as tangible exercises to practice this. I think about her idea of moving toward expansion in my daily life since reading and the book. It has already helped me in making decisions! I definitely plan to re-read.
January 14, 2023
Bending Reality is a must read for entrepreneurs, creatives, artists, or anyone wanting to discover what’s really possible in their life and work. Victoria simplifies the process of getting past what’s unconsciously blocking us from achieving our dreams. Most notably, the power of feeling and tapping into our emotions. The book reads more like an interactive class on living in expansion. I had a few breakthroughs on my own life within the first few exercises. Highly recommend.
January 18, 2023
I got so much out of this book. Highly recommend!
January 10, 2023
Hopeful, radiance, empowering, and practical guide for a better you!
When I read the book for the first time, I couldn’t wait to read the next page to learn how to make the impossible probable in life.
As an educator in higher education, I bring this book with me whenever I need to shift my perspectives on challenges. I often ask myself “Am I contracted or expanded right now?” If the answer is contracted, I open the book and practice the exercises from the book. Every time I read, it gives me new insights and resonates with me to another level. I find her writings to be authentic, truthful, and spiritual for anyone who wants to be successful in their mind, so they can achieve their life goals fearlessly.
When I read the book for the first time, I couldn’t wait to read the next page to learn how to make the impossible probable in life.
As an educator in higher education, I bring this book with me whenever I need to shift my perspectives on challenges. I often ask myself “Am I contracted or expanded right now?” If the answer is contracted, I open the book and practice the exercises from the book. Every time I read, it gives me new insights and resonates with me to another level. I find her writings to be authentic, truthful, and spiritual for anyone who wants to be successful in their mind, so they can achieve their life goals fearlessly.
January 13, 2023
I found this book incredibly transformational and empowering in such a beautiful, soft, yet challenging way. Victoria explains and simplifies the process and principles of contraction and expansion in such a magical and easy to practice way, and her voice is so soothing and comforting. It’s not always easy to do this kind of work, I felt resistance at times, but her guidance through the exercises and the way she holds space throughout the course of this book felt safe, empowering and life changing. Highly recommended!
January 13, 2023
This book came at the perfect time for me, helping me shift from those negative emotions that I was not even consciously aware of how they were affecting me, into a deeper level of self awareness for how our thoughts and perceptions can expand our lives.
It is a blue print for anyone looking to go that next stage in their lives and the resources provided are incredible tools to help integrate the message.
It is a blue print for anyone looking to go that next stage in their lives and the resources provided are incredible tools to help integrate the message.
January 14, 2023
This book should be required reading for anyone interested in personal development and reaching their potential. Victoria presents insight after insight and provides exercises and resources to help you practice and implement the concepts into your life. She is able to make heady concepts digestible and actionable, which is of course where the magic and change actually happens. I’ve highlighted so much of the book and I know I will return to it again and again.
January 16, 2023
Love this book so much, learned a lot about emotions for my left-brain self
January 13, 2023
I've read various personal growth books over the years. I found it strange that each person was 100% sure that their technique or tool was the best/most impactful. It was so refreshing to finally read a book that wasn't touting a specific approach as being the only way. Victoria has a remarkable way of simplifying what most of these modalities have in common. Once you have the key, everything becomes a whole lot simpler. A book worthy of returning to again and again.
January 13, 2023
You will wish you read this sooner! I highly recommend this book. Victoria’s teachings are simple yet powerful - rather than relying on complicated strategies or obscure techniques, she focuses on fundamental principles that just make sense and are easy to apply. It’s not just a book, but a guide for living a more harmonious and fulfilling life that I will continually refer to.
January 14, 2023
I’ve read several books on personal growth in the last few years, and this one stands out head and shoulders above the rest. It provides concise and digestible access to a wide range of philosophies that aim to propel you forward. And IT WORKS. If you are looking for deeper self understanding and a stronger ability to manifest the life you desire, this is your book.
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