The Untethered Soul »

Michael A. Singer received a master's degree in the economics from the University of Florida in 1971. During his doctoral work, he had a deep inner awakening and went into seclusion to focus on yoga and meditation. In 1975, he founded Temple of the Universe, a now long-established yoga and meditation center where people of any religion or set of beliefs can come together to experience inner peace. Through the years, Singer has made major contributions in the areas of business, the arts, education, healthcare, and environmental protection. He has previously authored two books on the integration of Eastern and Western philosophy: The Search for Truth and Three Essays on Universal Law: Karma, Will and Love.

Divided into five parts, the book offers a frank and friendly discussion of consciousness and how we can develop it. In part one, he examines the notion of self and the inner dialogue that all of us live with. Part two examines the experience of energy as it flows through us and works to show readers how to open their hearts to the energy of experience that permeates their lives. Ways to overcome tendencies to close down to the rest of the world are the subject of part three. Enlightenment and the embrace of universal consciousness are the subject of part four. And finally, in part five, Singer returns to daily life and the pursuit of "unconditional happiness." Throughout, the book maintains a light and engaging tone, free from heavy dogma and prescriptive religious references. The easy exercises that figure in each chapter help readers experience the ideas that Singer presents.

Acknowledgments     vii
Introduction     1
Awakening Consciousness
The Voice Inside Your Head     7
Your Inner Roommate     15
Who Are You?     23
The Lucid Self     31
Experiencing Energy
Infinite Energy     41
The Secrets of the Spiritual Heart     49
Transcending the Tendency to Close     59
Freeing Yourself
Let Go Now or Fall     71
Removing Your Inner Thorn     81
Stealing Freedom for Your Soul     89
Pain, the Price of Freedom     99
Going Beyond
Taking Down the Walls     111
Far, Far Beyond     119
Letting Go of False Solidity     127
Living Life
The Path of Unconditional Happiness     141
The Spiritual Path of Nonresistance     149
Contemplating Death     157
The Secret of the Middle Way     165
The Loving Eyes of God     173
References     183