Review of Finding The Millionth Monkey

[Pablo Josue Mendia]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Finding The Millionth Monkey" by Christopher Murphy.]

---

4 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Finding The Millionth Monkey: Life after Self-Help Books! by Christopher Murphy is a spirituality book (and guide) aiming to help readers be “the Millionth Monkey in the Great Shift in Consciousness.” The “millionth monkey” suggests that once individuals adopt a behavior or view, it quickly spreads to the rest. In other words, Murphy’s title creatively hints at how self-help books have affected us and how his book can alter our behaviors and views, making us possible tipping points for a shift in the collective consciousness.

Unlike most books, instead of “Chapters,” this book has twelve “Premises.” Each premise begins with a problem. Then, Murphy shares thoughts, questions, answers, and afterthoughts. Some premises include comments, paradoxes, and musings infrequently. Also, each premise derives from prior ones (as if we develop and become more self-aware after each premise). So, I recommend reading the book linearly and not skipping to premises with appealing titles. In addition, each premise has a “Participages” section, with questions that allow readers to deeply reflect on their current (emotional, psychological, financial, social, etc.) state of living. Murphy believes these twelve premises and participages will make us more self-aware, leading us to a spiritual shift in consciousness. Lastly, the book has four indices with meditations and an explanation of appreciatude, which is "an attitude of pure appreciation for what is."

In the book, you will read about self-awareness, self-improvement, choice and responsibility, the nature of duality, accepting grief, the benefits of one’s “IS-ness,” attitudinal shifts, creating our reality, connecting with a “Higher Self,” the problem of evil, happiness, fear, desire, attachment, and more. The book also has practical lessons, such as not letting experts or role models make you feel inferior, letting go of fear, and embracing more spirituality.

What is “God-ness/Great Spirit/All-That-Is”? Can we be fully responsible for our lives? Does life have a purpose? Do you feel “On a Mission”? What do we need for “total NOW-ness”? What is the “Infinite within us”? Why should happiness not be dependent? Are love and fear mutually exclusive? How do we connect to “All-That-Is”? How do we shift from "want-desire-attachment" to “appreciatude”? Is there a collective superconscious? Should life be dominated by “Ego-factors”? Is believing in a particular religion or deity beneficial? If you read this book, you will think deeply about these questions and others.

I liked Murphy’s “Dolphin Meditation,” which was the most vivid. I also liked Murphy’s view that people misunderstand the pursuit of happiness. Happiness is more like the practice of it and not a goal. I learned a Latin phrase, Fortis et Hospitalis (“Tough but Kind”), which is his family’s motto. Moreover, I liked that it emphasized getting rid of our neediness, addiction, and attachment outcomes, unlike Eastern religions that profess to remove all desire. Lastly, Murphy’s book raises awareness of how the self-help industry feeds on readers’ lack of “OK-ness.”

I was not fond of the inconsistent capitalization of common nouns for emphasis. I also disliked the lack of capitalization of proper nouns, like using “earth” when referring to the planet. In addition, the book has spelling, grammar, and typographical errors, which distracted me. Lastly, the participages have many questions without instructions on whether readers are on the right track. Some will like the participages if they want to do the self-improvement work, while others will dislike it if they need more guidance.

Since my major critique regards the book’s editing, I only deducted one star. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to anyone who wants to be more spiritual and embrace spirituality. This book may not be suitable for religious people. For readers who question their faith or religion, this book will show them a spiritual path that may suit them better than their creed.

******
Finding The Millionth Monkey
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Cynthia Pence]

As a prospective reader of Finding The Millionth Monkey: Life after Self-Help Books! by Christopher Murphy, from this review, I find the concept of becoming the "Millionth Monkey" in a shift of consciousness both intriguing and timely. The metaphor evokes the idea that individual change can ultimately contribute to a collective transformation and that personal growth and awareness are stepping stones toward a broader spiritual awakening. This sets Murphy's work apart from conventional self-help books, hinting at a more holistic, interconnected approach to personal and spiritual development.

[Nneka Bridget]

"Finding The Millionth Monkey" sounds like a thoughtful guide that challenges readers to explore their spirituality and self-awareness in fresh ways. The “premises” approach seems unique, encouraging a step-by-step journey rather than a conventional chapter format. It sounds like a reflective read, especially for those looking to move beyond traditional self-help and embrace a more spiritual, introspective path. Your review makes it clear this is a book that will prompt some deep contemplation!