Review by piasurgent -- The Unbound Soul
Posted: 22 Apr 2019, 19:17
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Unbound Soul" by Richard L. Haight.]
4 out of 4 stars
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The Unbound Soul: A Visionary Guide to Spiritual Transformation and Enlightenment
Author Name: Richard Haight
Rating: 4 out of 4 stars
Reviewer: Pia Surgent
I found The Unbound Soul: A Visionary Guide to Spiritual Transformation and Enlightenment to be an inspiring read. Author Richard Haight takes the reader on a journey from his childhood in southern California, where he was first introduced to religion, to travels to the Amazon rainforest where he found enlightenment and Japan where he learned patience with a Sensei. Haight has explored a variety of disciplines, from karate to meditation. In The Unbound Soul Haight encourages readers to get more in touch with their soul by abandoning identifications.
Haight starts The Unbound Soul by informing readers that the book is divided into four parts: (1) Haight’s personal story, (2) foundational principles and practices to aid readers in an awakening process, (3) ways to keep the body and mind healthy during the spiritual awakening process, and (4) exploring the soul and the spirit. Haight's personal story begins when he is introduced to religion by a friend’s mother, whose position is that anybody who is not a born again Christian will burn in hell. However, a later conversation with his father convinces Richard that the mother’s premise is not exactly true. Other accounts from Haight’s personal life are when he learns the art of karate and receives practice in reading comprehension. Karate taught Richard discipline and the ability to read allowed him to discover and deliver various teachings in the realm of meditation.
Chapter 10 is the beginning of part two. This chapter explores the essential nature of the universe and its fundamental relationship to the human experience. Haight is of the school of thought that clarity of self is a possibility when the mind is not clouded by ignorance and speculation. “Isness” (unconditioned consciousness) is the optimal state that one must strive for when going about the daily task of living. Part 2 is also where Haight discusses the unfoldment process. In order for unfoldment to effectively take place and yield positive results, both mind and consciousness need to be in sync.
One of the elements I most enjoyed about this book is that it was relatable. I do not identify with a particular religion, per se, and this book did not make me feel guilty because of it. I do believe that there is a higher power in the world and that when we pray, or talk to him/her, we will be steered in a positive direction. I also do not have a wealth of experience when it comes to meditation, but as I read the book, and learned about Isness, unfoldment, and identifications, I found that a lot of the stress I experience in life comes from feeling like I need to be tied to a label, therefore not letting my true self shine through.
This book will appeal to individuals who are seeking guidance to living a full life. Although many people are stretched in many different directions, with career aspirations, family obligations, social media influence, etc, etc. not many are taking quality time out for themselves. As of late, I have been seeing a growing trend known as the self-care movement, and I personally hope that it is around to stay. The Unbound Soul would be an optimal text to read when one embarks on a self-care routine, because it teaches people how not to get tethered down with labels, especially those coming from individuals who are not interested in helping us grow intellectually.
I enjoyed The Unbound Soul. I would rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The reason for my score is because after I read it I became spiritually fulfilled. As I said before, although I do not practice an organized religion, I still appreciated this text because it encouraged me to start meditating. Meditation is something I have always thought about, but never real had the time to implement (because I am stretched in so many different directions). It is a perfect read for one to absorb if you feel you are being pulled in too many directions and you want to get back in touch with your true self.
******
The Unbound Soul
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
The Unbound Soul: A Visionary Guide to Spiritual Transformation and Enlightenment
Author Name: Richard Haight
Rating: 4 out of 4 stars
Reviewer: Pia Surgent
I found The Unbound Soul: A Visionary Guide to Spiritual Transformation and Enlightenment to be an inspiring read. Author Richard Haight takes the reader on a journey from his childhood in southern California, where he was first introduced to religion, to travels to the Amazon rainforest where he found enlightenment and Japan where he learned patience with a Sensei. Haight has explored a variety of disciplines, from karate to meditation. In The Unbound Soul Haight encourages readers to get more in touch with their soul by abandoning identifications.
Haight starts The Unbound Soul by informing readers that the book is divided into four parts: (1) Haight’s personal story, (2) foundational principles and practices to aid readers in an awakening process, (3) ways to keep the body and mind healthy during the spiritual awakening process, and (4) exploring the soul and the spirit. Haight's personal story begins when he is introduced to religion by a friend’s mother, whose position is that anybody who is not a born again Christian will burn in hell. However, a later conversation with his father convinces Richard that the mother’s premise is not exactly true. Other accounts from Haight’s personal life are when he learns the art of karate and receives practice in reading comprehension. Karate taught Richard discipline and the ability to read allowed him to discover and deliver various teachings in the realm of meditation.
Chapter 10 is the beginning of part two. This chapter explores the essential nature of the universe and its fundamental relationship to the human experience. Haight is of the school of thought that clarity of self is a possibility when the mind is not clouded by ignorance and speculation. “Isness” (unconditioned consciousness) is the optimal state that one must strive for when going about the daily task of living. Part 2 is also where Haight discusses the unfoldment process. In order for unfoldment to effectively take place and yield positive results, both mind and consciousness need to be in sync.
One of the elements I most enjoyed about this book is that it was relatable. I do not identify with a particular religion, per se, and this book did not make me feel guilty because of it. I do believe that there is a higher power in the world and that when we pray, or talk to him/her, we will be steered in a positive direction. I also do not have a wealth of experience when it comes to meditation, but as I read the book, and learned about Isness, unfoldment, and identifications, I found that a lot of the stress I experience in life comes from feeling like I need to be tied to a label, therefore not letting my true self shine through.
This book will appeal to individuals who are seeking guidance to living a full life. Although many people are stretched in many different directions, with career aspirations, family obligations, social media influence, etc, etc. not many are taking quality time out for themselves. As of late, I have been seeing a growing trend known as the self-care movement, and I personally hope that it is around to stay. The Unbound Soul would be an optimal text to read when one embarks on a self-care routine, because it teaches people how not to get tethered down with labels, especially those coming from individuals who are not interested in helping us grow intellectually.
I enjoyed The Unbound Soul. I would rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The reason for my score is because after I read it I became spiritually fulfilled. As I said before, although I do not practice an organized religion, I still appreciated this text because it encouraged me to start meditating. Meditation is something I have always thought about, but never real had the time to implement (because I am stretched in so many different directions). It is a perfect read for one to absorb if you feel you are being pulled in too many directions and you want to get back in touch with your true self.
******
The Unbound Soul
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like piasurgent's review? Post a comment saying so!