End Your Story, Begin Your Life: Wake Up, Let Go, Live Free

by Jim Dreaver

Each of us has a personal story; a narrative that we tell ourselves about who we are. But too often those stories limit our possibilities and achievements. In End Your Story, Begin Your Life , Jim Dreaver offers a profound we can overcome obstacles, develop our creative power, and discover our true nature by letting go of the personal stories that define us. Dreaver lays out a straightforward practice that will help reader learn to see and experience life in the present moment, free of any negative thoughts, concepts, beliefs, or stories. He walks readers through his simple, easy-to-use three-step practice for be present with your experience; notice your story; see the truth. Dreaver shares his own spiritual journey to seek enlightenment and inner freedom, and reveals how he discovered this effective practice. He interweaves stories about people he has worked with using this process, both privately and in workshops, and the successful transformations they have made to happier more fulfilling lives.

Genres: Spirituality

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Zoe Zuniga · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a session with Jim and hoped it would shed light on what he was talking about but words do not convey the experience for me. the book gives me an inkling of this experience, and I have had brief hours of this freedom from thought with ego tagging along in the background somewhere but not lasting.

[Shana OkieCozyReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite part about this book is this statement - “pain plus a story equals suffering. Any story you hold on to in your mind that gets in the way of your ability to be present...perpetuates conflict, fear and suffering within you.”

I love parts of this book on forgiveness p198, how making happiness dependent on events outside yourself p53 and how to overcome these hard things of life. I saw myself in these descriptions of a person too affected by her circumstances without peace in her soul.

Sometimes this book repeats a lot; and the author seemed to have a negative experience with a religious upbringing (I am guessing some version of Christianity), which is sad, but in spite of the things I didn’t like, it is very calming for me to read if I am hyped.

When I am ruminating about something in my head, now I can see that as a story and let it pass easier. I think many of the techniques in this book could be helpful for anyone struggling with anxiety or depression.

[Mina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it but I gotta say sometimes it was hard to follow or I had doubts/questions. This book would be cool to reas in a book club or with someone to share thoughts and ideas :)

[Dean Paradiso · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this was a good book related to ideas and practices behind discovering our personal 'story', identified 'self', and how to really get at the heart of who and what we are. Although the tips and practices are all there, in this book, I still found it a challenge to get through the book, probably due to the rambling style of writing, and an overly amount of filler in the form of 'student experiences' which the author encountered. I can't help feeling it was also written for a US/Californian type reader, who prefers to stop and 'ask their subconscious' whether they're 'enlightened or not', rather than actually do the work of arduous self-inquiry and gain experiential certitude. There's more than a few plugs for further work with the author (which is probably legit), though gets tiresome. I'm sure the author does indeed lead good seminars, retreats and online sessions; however, the style of writing just didn't do it for me, and contained too much psychology and spiritual cliches. Still, might be useful for some.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

It started well... It even had great practices. But when a book about enlightenment disparages other religions (with a Christian emphasis) - particularly Islam - for three chapters; takes a holier than thou stance on poverty and privilege; and promises enlightenment in one lifetime... I just can't take it seriously. I'm just gonna grade the text from chapter 1-3 and ignore the rest...