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Unburden: A Book of Joyous Awakenings
Playful Principles for Conscious Living
What if, to lead our most fulfilling life, there was nothing to acquire, nothing to accomplish, nothing to master? What if we are already home, already whole, already complete? What if, all that is needed, is to gently set down the burden?
Unburden is an invitation to examine ideas, identities and concepts that bind and limit us. We begin to access the power and potency that comes from trusting the silence underlying all thoughts and experiences.
In Nithya Shanti's inimitable voice, discover profound teachings, simply told. Nithya shares anecdotes, exercises for self-discovery and pointers for awakening, through a distillation of timeless wisdom and contemporary discoveries, along with his own innovations from decades of intensive teaching and practice.
Let this book provoke, challenge and inspire us to step into a realm of awareness, gratitude and joy. As an everyday companion and guide, may it take us on what may well be the most significant shift we ever experience - being happy and fulfilled for no reason.
What if, to lead our most fulfilling life, there was nothing to acquire, nothing to accomplish, nothing to master? What if we are already home, already whole, already complete? What if, all that is needed, is to gently set down the burden?
Unburden is an invitation to examine ideas, identities and concepts that bind and limit us. We begin to access the power and potency that comes from trusting the silence underlying all thoughts and experiences.
In Nithya Shanti's inimitable voice, discover profound teachings, simply told. Nithya shares anecdotes, exercises for self-discovery and pointers for awakening, through a distillation of timeless wisdom and contemporary discoveries, along with his own innovations from decades of intensive teaching and practice.
Let this book provoke, challenge and inspire us to step into a realm of awareness, gratitude and joy. As an everyday companion and guide, may it take us on what may well be the most significant shift we ever experience - being happy and fulfilled for no reason.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2022
13 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 15, 2023
I am not much of a non-fiction reader, but I did read and love some Japanese self-helps such as Zen, Ikigai and Ikigai journey. And that’s why I decided to pick up “Unburden”.
But to my dismay, this one turned out to be too idealist. The book asks us to seek joy proactively, let go of things and be receptive to all sorts of situations. But it lacks context. It asks us to appreciate all sorts of people. But what about those who wish to harm us deliberately? Instead of tackling them, should I really be thanking them? The example given to prove this was of Guru Gobind Singh ji. But in a much more real sense, how many of us can replicate the principles of such great people.
This book did provoke me to self-inspect, but it held no answers.
But to my dismay, this one turned out to be too idealist. The book asks us to seek joy proactively, let go of things and be receptive to all sorts of situations. But it lacks context. It asks us to appreciate all sorts of people. But what about those who wish to harm us deliberately? Instead of tackling them, should I really be thanking them? The example given to prove this was of Guru Gobind Singh ji. But in a much more real sense, how many of us can replicate the principles of such great people.
This book did provoke me to self-inspect, but it held no answers.
September 15, 2022
Definitely good for your spiritual mind...
March 28, 2022
You are empty. You are clean. You are free.
To learn, to build, to dream, to desire.
To love and nourish or to set free.
To walk towards or to walk away.
Turn yourself inside out.
Fill yourself with you.
While reading this book, I felt a sense of calmness that I hadn’t felt in a long time. The reason why this book is named as unburden is because it teaches us to unburden our thoughts and feelings. To let them go and keep moving. To appreciate life with gratification and to fill ourselves with things that uplift us. Every chapter starts with a poem in the beginning and than a lesson which also includes some life affirming stories and ends with an activity for a reader that can bring peace and happiness in their life.
I used to worry about me not being on the correct path. I was worried that I was lacking in my efforts or that I wasn’t doing much but this book taught me that everything is happening the way it’s meant to be we just need to believe that we are right where we are supposed to be. I have felt calm and composed and it has taught me to be thankful for everything that is in my life because that is true way of life. It teaches us to be alive. It also includes some practices that one can do every day that will help them transform their life. Most of them are affirmations to speak and the other is meditation.
To learn, to build, to dream, to desire.
To love and nourish or to set free.
To walk towards or to walk away.
Turn yourself inside out.
Fill yourself with you.
While reading this book, I felt a sense of calmness that I hadn’t felt in a long time. The reason why this book is named as unburden is because it teaches us to unburden our thoughts and feelings. To let them go and keep moving. To appreciate life with gratification and to fill ourselves with things that uplift us. Every chapter starts with a poem in the beginning and than a lesson which also includes some life affirming stories and ends with an activity for a reader that can bring peace and happiness in their life.
I used to worry about me not being on the correct path. I was worried that I was lacking in my efforts or that I wasn’t doing much but this book taught me that everything is happening the way it’s meant to be we just need to believe that we are right where we are supposed to be. I have felt calm and composed and it has taught me to be thankful for everything that is in my life because that is true way of life. It teaches us to be alive. It also includes some practices that one can do every day that will help them transform their life. Most of them are affirmations to speak and the other is meditation.
March 11, 2022
'We don't have to believe our own limiting stories about ourselves.'
Just because a thought came visiting doesn't mean we have to serve it tea and entertain it! The book has an interesting approach towards one's perspective of life. How we are a part of the rat race with our unending goals and aspirations always burdening us. And what might happen if we are told that nothing is there to accomplish, nothing to master, in order to live a fulfilling life.
Each chapter in the book begins with a real anecdote with deep lessons embedded within, followed by the author's perspective and a thinking task for the reader.
The book has steps to meditate, tested methods to unburden ourselves that are easy to follow, yet effective. It focuses on mindfulness, awareness and practising gratitude and shares several thinking exercises at the end of each chapter to focus on what's inside of ourselves. It's an eye-opener and an important read in times like these. It's an everyday companion and guide that I'd certainly revisit sometime soon.
Just because a thought came visiting doesn't mean we have to serve it tea and entertain it! The book has an interesting approach towards one's perspective of life. How we are a part of the rat race with our unending goals and aspirations always burdening us. And what might happen if we are told that nothing is there to accomplish, nothing to master, in order to live a fulfilling life.
Each chapter in the book begins with a real anecdote with deep lessons embedded within, followed by the author's perspective and a thinking task for the reader.
The book has steps to meditate, tested methods to unburden ourselves that are easy to follow, yet effective. It focuses on mindfulness, awareness and practising gratitude and shares several thinking exercises at the end of each chapter to focus on what's inside of ourselves. It's an eye-opener and an important read in times like these. It's an everyday companion and guide that I'd certainly revisit sometime soon.
March 28, 2022
After a long time, I have read a spiritual book more or less following Zen philosophy.
The author has shared learnings through various anecdotes that provide a balanced understanding.
If you're a spiritual reader and love to know some depth of learning and wanted to know the meaning and purpose of life then it may fit you. This book has shared lessons on a spiritual journey and "awakening". 😬
Actually, this book follows somewhat the 80/20 principle. 20% of known or existing content has got repeated 80% times. At a point, it shows confirmation biases which make me uneasy to read this book. Though some lessons are new to me and some are over repetitive.
If you love spiritual books then only go for otherwise, you will end up with the burden of beliefs and practices.
The author has shared learnings through various anecdotes that provide a balanced understanding.
If you're a spiritual reader and love to know some depth of learning and wanted to know the meaning and purpose of life then it may fit you. This book has shared lessons on a spiritual journey and "awakening". 😬
Actually, this book follows somewhat the 80/20 principle. 20% of known or existing content has got repeated 80% times. At a point, it shows confirmation biases which make me uneasy to read this book. Though some lessons are new to me and some are over repetitive.
If you love spiritual books then only go for otherwise, you will end up with the burden of beliefs and practices.
January 11, 2023
Very profound, full of wisdom. I always knew Nithya Shanti as a person is quite phenomenal and this book clearly lives upto the hefty expectations.
The writing style is simple, the anecdotes and very apt and deeply impactful. If you ever wanted an easy read on spirituality, this one is.
Highly recommended read
The writing style is simple, the anecdotes and very apt and deeply impactful. If you ever wanted an easy read on spirituality, this one is.
Highly recommended read
November 30, 2023
Every chapter has great learning through experience of author and anecdotes. Little things with larger impact on life. Very well written. Highly recommended to someone who's looking for self development.
March 30, 2023
What a gem! Inspirational, insightful, easy to read and packed with everyday activities and food for thought to make your precious life even more worth living.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews