Review by bookreviewmi1111 -- Becoming Nobody

bookreviewmi1111 · Post by **bookreviewmi1111** » 29 Apr 2020, 07:27

[Following is a volunteer review of "Becoming Nobody" by Rick Branch.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Rick Brach describes Becoming Nobody this book as a “personal account” for self-knowledge. Yes, you can learn so much about yourself with this book as it shares opinions, researches, ideologies, experiences, and other books’ quotes. It can make us think a lot and can also make us disagree at something and want to discuss it.

After a long time of believing in the “I”, Rick Brach realized that there is no real “I”. Most of us think we are the most special individuals on this planet and give so much energy and expectations to our images. We always try to protect our faces, images, and many other things. The author uses quotes from other famous writers in this book to back up with his conclusions. He also makes us understand our deepest nature by pointing out the reasons why we do certain things daily without asking ourselves. We can find ourselves there when we accuse someone of doing some certain thing while we do the same thing. We do not like to harm the animals but we choose to eat them every day, or when we think we can keep a secret but we cannot.

When I read the title of the book, I knew I would pick it because I am interested so much in personal growth and spirituality, but I have to admit that this book is still challenging for me even though I agree with almost everything he said. I think this book can also be a big challenge for many people because most of us have grown up in a society that praises personal images. We have been taught to do what others want us to do, that we have to be special, and that we have to be super attractive in people's eyes. If someone tells us we are nobody, then for sure, we would not accept that.

If you are interested in spirituality, you may believe that we have souls coming into this world to learn in many forms of life. So, are we somebody or nobody? One day, when our time comes, we have to leave this world and the “bodies” we once saw as “I”, as “me”. Then, are we somebody or nobody? If we still think we are “somebody”, then what are we? The bodies, the spirits, or just the memories people still have about us?

I remember a heart-touching video about an old couple I watched before. The wife forgot everything and the husband stayed right next to her every day to tell her about their old love stories. The wife did not remember anything but she was happy because she could feel the love he had for her. Saying we are “nobody” does not mean we should deny everything about us. It is for us to have fewer attachments. When we have fewer attachments to the “I”, we would find more inner freedom. When we have more inner freedom, we can live and love ourselves and others at a higher level, like the way the old husband loving his wife. He knew that at the moment, he was “nobody” to her, but he still chose to love her with all his heart.

I rate Becoming Nobody 4 out of 4-star. I think this book is well-edited as I could only find one mistake. This book is hard to read and does contain some profane words. People who are open-minded and interested in spiritual growth would appreciate this book. However, I share the same thought with the author that this book can be hazardous to someone, and I do not recommend it to everyone.

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Becoming Nobody
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Post by **Alice Heritage** » 30 Apr 2020, 02:18

I hadn't thought about surrendering the ego in terms of dealing with dementia, but that's an enriching perspective. Great review!

Zaddy_007 · Post by **Zaddy_007** » 30 Apr 2020, 04:51

Enjoyed this book, I was so glued to it's pages. Loved the fact it rallied about nothingness and self realization. It was really educative for me. Nice review you got.

bookreviewmi1111 · Post by **bookreviewmi1111** » 09 May 2020, 06:53

ButterscotchCherrie wrote: ↑30 Apr 2020, 02:18 I hadn't thought about surrendering the ego in terms of dealing with dementia, but that's an enriching perspective. Great review!

Yeah surrendering the ego can be so "scary", but having less of it can bring us more joy and knowledge I believe.
Thank you for leaving a nice comment!!

bookreviewmi1111 · Post by **bookreviewmi1111** » 09 May 2020, 06:55

Zaddy_007 wrote: ↑30 Apr 2020, 04:51 Enjoyed this book, I was so glued to it's pages. Loved the fact it rallied about nothingness and self realization. It was really educative for me. Nice review you got.

Yes there were so many pages and small articles. I had the feeling that this book is not a normal book but more like a "dictionary" of the lessons. However, I enjoyed it though. Thank you for your nice comment!!

Ivona R · Post by **Ivona R** » 09 May 2020, 08:33

As the title suggests, this book is quite philosophical. The question of self-identity dates back to Ancient Greece, and troubled some of the greatest philosophers in the history of humanity. Yet, the best thinkers always back up their claims, which is is exactly what the author did. Thanks for the great review.

bookreviewmi1111 · Post by **bookreviewmi1111** » 09 May 2020, 09:11

Ivona R wrote: ↑09 May 2020, 08:33 As the title suggests, this book is quite philosophical. The question of self-identity dates back to Ancient Greece, and troubled some of the greatest philosophers in the history of humanity. Yet, the best thinkers always back up their claims, which is is exactly what the author did. Thanks for the great review.

Wao I did not know that this idea is from Ancient Greece. It is understandable that this book can cause challenges in our minds. Thank you for the informative comment. I really appreciate it as I knew something new.

Ivona R · Post by **Ivona R** » 09 May 2020, 09:23

bookreviewmi1111 wrote: ↑09 May 2020, 09:11
Ivona R wrote: ↑09 May 2020, 08:33 As the title suggests, this book is quite philosophical. The question of self-identity dates back to Ancient Greece, and troubled some of the greatest philosophers in the history of humanity. Yet, the best thinkers always back up their claims, which is is exactly what the author did. Thanks for the great review.
Wao I did not know that this idea is from Ancient Greece. It is understandable that this book can cause challenges in our minds. Thank you for the informative comment. I really appreciate it as I knew something new.

Of course! Socrates himself claimed that our "Self" is actually our soul. However, even with all the advances in science, we don't have a definite answer, at least not the one that everyone would agree on. You are welcome!

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 09 May 2020, 20:49

I am not a big non-fiction lover. But I enjoyed your review. Thank you

bookreviewmi1111 · Post by **bookreviewmi1111** » 10 May 2020, 08:50

Sushan wrote: ↑09 May 2020, 20:49 I am not a big non-fiction lover. But I enjoyed your review. Thank you

Thank you for the nice comment!!

Leen282 · Post by **Leen282** » 10 May 2020, 13:19

I like your review and would like to learn more, what exactly is meant by the book possibly being hazardous to someone? In which circumstances?

bookreviewmi1111 · Post by **bookreviewmi1111** » 11 May 2020, 12:25

Leen282 wrote: ↑10 May 2020, 13:19 I like your review and would like to learn more, what exactly is meant by the book possibly being hazardous to someone? In which circumstances?

We are raised believing in the ego that has a name, a background, a face, a special life. This book will show you that those things are not real and we are not special, that would go against our mindset. Imagine you are trying hard to build up your images, and now, someone tells you that everyone is the same and you are not special or we are not really "somebody" to this world, is it scary? I don't think most people would accept thay. That's why it can be hazardous to many people.
Thank you for the comment here! You would like to check the book if you're opened enough.

Leen282 · Post by **Leen282** » 11 May 2020, 12:51

bookreviewmi1111 wrote: ↑11 May 2020, 12:25
Leen282 wrote: ↑10 May 2020, 13:19 I like your review and would like to learn more, what exactly is meant by the book possibly being hazardous to someone? In which circumstances?
We are raised believing in the ego that has a name, a background, a face, a special life. This book will show you that those things are not real and we are not special, that would go against our mindset. Imagine you are trying hard to build up your images, and now, someone tells you that everyone is the same and you are not special or we are not really "somebody" to this world, is it scary? I don't think most people would accept thay. That's why it can be hazardous to many people.
Thank you for the comment here! You would like to check the book if you're opened enough.

Thanks for the additional explanations, I can see what is meant. I am certainly intrigued!

djr6090 · Post by **djr6090** » 20 May 2020, 09:40

I liked that you brought in an outside image to illustrate the theme of the book. I liked your review very much, even though I will probably not get to this book. Thank you for sharing its insights. I plan to make it my motto for today.

bookreviewmi1111 · Post by **bookreviewmi1111** » 20 May 2020, 12:36

djr6090 wrote: ↑20 May 2020, 09:40 I liked that you brought in an outside image to illustrate the theme of the book. I liked your review very much, even though I will probably not get to this book. Thank you for sharing its insights. I plan to make it my motto for today.

Thank you much for your nice compliment. It encourage me a lot!!!!