“There is nothing more important to true growth than realizing that you are not the voice of the mind – you are the one who hears it.”― Michael A. Singer, The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michael A. Singer earned a master’s degree in economics from the University of Florida in 1971. During his doctoral studies, he experienced a profound spiritual awakening that led him to focus on yoga and meditation. Singer has contributed significantly to various fields, including business, the arts, education, healthcare, and environmental protection. Before The Untethered Soul, he authored two influential books exploring the integration of Eastern and Western philosophies: The Search for Truth and Three Essays on Universal Law: Karma, Will, and Love. Below are key insights from The Untethered Soul, a book that provides profound guidance on achieving inner peace and self-awareness. Please enjoy.

The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer Book Summary & Analysis

PART 1

AWAKENING CONSCIOUSNESS

WHO ARE YOU? Ramana Maharshi, a revered teacher in the yogic tradition, emphasized, “To attain inner freedom, one must continuously and sincerely ask the question: Who am I?” This simple question is more powerful than reading books, chanting mantras, or visiting holy places. Asking yourself:

• Who am I?
• Who sees when I see?
• Who knows that I am aware?

Singer illustrates this with an example: Imagine watching a dog playing outside when you suddenly hear a rattlesnake’s hiss behind you. Your focus shifts instantly to your emotions. But who feels the fear? Is it the same “you” that was watching the dog? Singer explains that your sense of existence—your being—is separate from your thoughts. Even in moments of silence, when your thoughts stop, your awareness remains. This awareness is your true self, beyond any external circumstances or internal chatter.

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French philosopher René Descartes famously said, “I think, therefore I am.” But is that truly the case According to Michael Singer, your awareness of existence does not rely on thoughts. When your mind is quiet, you can still sense your presence and being. Singer explains that this awareness—the quality of simply being—is your true self. It is characterized by consciousness, awareness, and an intuitive understanding of existence. In essence, you exist independently of your thoughts.

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The Voice Inside Your Head

Have you ever noticed the constant chatter of your inner voice? It’s always talking, often without direction. Singer advises stepping back and observing this voice objectively. Instead of asking, “What should I do?” when faced with a problem, ask, “What part of me is disturbed by this?” This shift in perspective helps you recognize that you are not the disturbance itself. By observing your problems rather than getting lost in them, you can achieve true inner freedom. “The only permanent solution,” Singer writes, “is to let go of the part of you that has problems with reality.” When you do this, you’ll realize your biggest challenge has always been how you relate to the world around you. “The fact that you can see the disturbance,” Says Singer, “means you are not it.”

To attain true inner freedom, you must be able to watch your problems instead of being lost in them objectively. —Michael A. Singer.

The only permanent solution to your problems, explains Singer, is going inside and letting go of the part of you that seems to have so many problems with reality. Then, you’ll realize that you’ve only had one problem your entire life…

The Lucid Self

Singer compares self-awareness to a lucid dream—a state where you know you’re dreaming. Similarly, when you’re fully conscious, you don’t get lost in life’s events. Instead, you remain mindful that you are the one experiencing both the circumstances and the emotions they evoke. “When a thought arises in this state,” Singer explains, “you don’t get lost in it. Instead, you stay aware that you are the one thinking.” By achieving this level of awareness, you tap into your true nature as consciousness itself—pure, eternal, and unattached to the fleeting moments of life.

Life is a dream, and lucid dreamers are its masters.” ― Wayne Gerard Trotman

“Consciousness is neither pure nor impure,” noted Singer, “it has no qualities. It’s just there, aware that it’s conscious.”

In other words, you attain a totally different state. You are now aware of who you are. You have become an awakened being.

The more you are willing to let the world be something you’re aware of, the more it will let you be who you are, the awareness, the Self, the Atman, the Soul.

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The Untethered Soul guides readers toward a deeper understanding of their inner selves. By observing your thoughts and emotions, letting go of resistance, and embracing awareness, you can awaken to your true nature and live a life of profound peace and joy. As Singer beautifully concludes, “The more you let the world simply be, the more you’ll discover who you truly are—the awareness, the soul, the Self.”

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Continue to PART II