Stop Fixing Yourself Wake Up and be Well by Anthony DeMello

207 Pages
Publisher: Beyond Words Publishing, Beyond Words
Release Date: April 13, 2021

Nonfiction, Health, Mind, Body, Religion, Spirituality, Self-Help, Self-Empowerment, Intrinsic vs Extrinsic

The book is divided into the following parts.

Part One: Now is the Time
Part Two: Happiness
Part Three: A Grace Called Awareness
Part Four: Who am I?
Part Five: The Kingdom of Love
Part Six: Union with God
Part Seven: Suffering and Growth

Each part addresses specific topics. My favorite topic was in part one called “The Contrast of Worldly Feelings to Soul Feelings.” The messages within are heartfelt and show the reader the different values of things (external), feelings (internal), labels, etc.

There are many self-help books out on the market, but this sets itself a part. Although there are Christian references, there are also references to Buddha and other religions. If you are looking for a book to help you find value within yourself, this would be a wonderful book to start.

This is a beautiful book. Simply and clearly written but with happiness radiating from every page. I have found myself being drawn back to the idea of attachments since reading this book and I plan on reading it again.

Very good read. My only caveat is if you've read the author's previous book, "Awareness', this is somewhat of a rehash of that book's content. Decent read though.

Stop Fixing Yourself by Anthony De Mello was an interesting read.

I have read a few of his books and this one did not let me down. I really enjoy his writing style and the book does make you stop, be mindful and question things that we all do to try and achieve enlightenment.

Thank You to Netgalley and Beyond Words Publishing for the ARC Copy. My Review is my own opinion.

April 08, 2021
Stop Fixing Yourself by Anthony De Mello - Book Recommendation


Stop Fixing Yourself by Anthony de Mello

The first came across Anthony de Mello's name over two decades ago when I picked up The Song of the Bird at a friend's house. The stories in that book fascinated me to no end that I ended up reading them over and over (more than four times, I think). I still remember a few of those stories and do tell them to my loved ones occasionally. Hence it was my pleasure to come across Stop Fixing Yourself and, with my busy schedule, I couldn't wait to steal some time away to enjoy the book.


THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THE BOOK
Stop Fixing Yourself has the clarity and simplicity of Anthony de Mello's other books. It is easy to read and littered with simple stories that illustrate various points, one of which is that there are no spiritual exercises or self-help path to finding happiness. The author says that the more we do these things, the further happiness moves away. On the other hand, doing nothing, he explains, is more likely to get us to our goal than our endless fixation on improving or fixing ourselves.

The themes in this book are timely and a counterpoint to most of what we understand about fulfilment and self-improvement today. Stop Fixing Yourself is a wholesome book to read in its entirety.

DISLIKES
None.

WHO IS IT FOR?
Anyone seeking knowledge and truth about human nature would have a good time reading Stop Fixing Yourself.

Many thanks to Beyond Words Publishing for review copy.

I was a little disappointed in reading this book as i found it less ‘showing’, more ‘telling’. It could be that my spiritual views lie on a different path, which is why i found myself disagreeing with some of it. I felt it was not engaging enough to look deeper into my existing spirituality as a whole and is perhaps is more suitable for someone who is about to start their spiritual journey. To note, I believe his views are not completely characteristic of the Christian or Catholic faith.

A great guide on how to focus on being who you are and stop looking outward to heal and "fix yourself".

Classical De Mello.

Thoughtfully written, every word is well chosen and the reader has to think through his lessons with total awareness. We really can let go and do nothing, just be ourselves. Attachments are the keys to suffering. When your illusions clash with reality, when falsehoods clash with truth, then you have suffering.

So stop fixing yourself, you are perfect as you are.

Meditative must-read.

I have never heard of Anthony De Mello but his book “Stop Fixing Yourself” is a welcomed resource for those who are seeking to become free of the happiness hamster wheel they are frenetically and unconsciously on. Anthony offers a path toward enlightenment and true contentment and happiness through the grace of awareness. His book awakened the inner monk within me, and I couldn’t be more grateful for reading it. I highly recommend it!

If your life is in need of finding peace and happiness then this book will help you. Attatchments keep us all from being happy. The trick is how to lose your attatchments and still be a responsible person in my opinion. A caring person has attatchments, but they can become an obssession I think. De Mell gives a practical way to get sanity back and be yourself. Well written and interesting it wasnt hard at all to focus and do the work.

This book explores the Buddhist idea that attachment leads to suffering, and applies Christian language to it. To me, it read like a sermon and didn't inspire me. There doesn't seem to be anything new or original in this book.