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The 21-Day Consciousness Cleanse: A Breakthrough Program for Connecting with Your Soul's Deepest Purpose – A Practical Guide to Spiritual Renewal and Emotional Transformation
THE 21-DAY CONSCIOUSNESS CLEANSE is an invitation to dedicate 21 days to building a profound and intimate relationship with your highest self. Within each us there lives a hungry ghost that is always craving more, whether it's money, fame, attention or material possessions. Our decisions and behaviors are too often guided by this ego-driven force that clogs our hearts and dominates our minds. If unchecked, it grows stronger and starts influencing all aspects of our lives. We get stuck in the past, avoid the present, and feel discouraged about our future.
Now, bestselling author Ford delivers a three part process that empowers us to let go of the toxic thoughts and destructive behaviors, and discover the deep peace that resides within.. We learn to let go of the past, get honest about the present, and envision the future of our dreams. THE 21-DAY CONSCIOUSNESS CLEANSE carries us on an incredible personal journey that will open our eyes to all that we are and all that we desire to be.
242 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2009
About the author
Debbie Ford
55 books318 followersDebbie Ford was an American author of self-help books. Her first book, "The Dark Side Of The Light Chasers", spawned eight more books in the genre and dealt with confronting one's "dark side" rather than ignoring it. Ford also hosted television and radio shows related to her books.
She passed away due to complications from cancer in 2013.
She passed away due to complications from cancer in 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 22, 2012
I really liked the idea of this book - the idea of a detox of one's mind. As I started reading it, however, I wasn't so sure - there was a lot of meaningless new-age type jargon, and it was very repetitive. I kept reading, though, because I wanted to actually see what the 21-day cleanse entailed. There was a lot of jargon-y psychobabble to wade through first - the cleanse didn't start until 37% of the way through the book.
I had mixed feelings about the instructions in the 21-day-cleanse. I haven't done the cleanse - not sure if I will - but I wanted to read the book first to see what it entailed and decide whether I wanted to do it. Some of the exercises seemed like they could potentially be very useful. I really liked some of the attitudes it was advocating. To begin with, I was completely sure I wanted to do this cleanse. But then I ran into some odd contradictions.
For instance, the main idea behind this cleanse seemed to be that one's joy and sense of self should come from within - that one should not allow outside events to dictate one's inner experience, but it should all come from within. So, whatever one is doing, whatever one is experiencing, these things are external to one's inner experience, and one can enjoy a rich inner life regardless. Now, I quite liked this idea. I'm not sure the extent to which it is totally realistic, but I think it's an positive thing to aim for. But then there was one day of the cleanse that focuses on how our jobs and relationships and situations can be stifling us, and in this case we need to move on or we'll never grow - which made me do a double take, because it seemed to contradict the whole premise of the book that had been put forward.
There was another contradiction that I found frustrating. There is a focus on being humble, and realising one is part of something greater, and abandoning the ego, abandoning the need for recognition and glory for what one does. Now, this I can relate to - I agree with it. I think when people are focused on wanting recognition, and wanting the focus on themselves for what they have done, they are somehow confining themselves, making themselves petty, and they are not truly at peace. So I really liked that part of the book. But then came another day in the cleanse where you are supposed to think about what you want people to say about you after you've died - straight after you've died, a year after, five years after, ten years after, fifty years after. How do you want to be remembered? And this totally puzzled me - because it contradicts the whole idea of not seeking recognition. It brings back the idea of ego, surely. And I don't particularly want people to be remembering me or saying things about me fifty years after I'm dead - what would be the point of that? If I'd love to have done something that improves people's lives, and it would be fantastic if what I did was lasting and still making an impact fifty years after I die, but it makes no difference to me whether people remember me for it. What would I gain from people saying 'Oh, wasn't Gail a great person to have done this for us?' - especially when I'm dead! Maybe I'm unusual, because I know a lot of people say it changes their lives to think about what people will say at their funeral, but I simply don't care about this in the slightest. It is more important how people experience me now when I am alive.
So yes, I had mixed feelings about this book. I do still really love the idea of a consciousness cleanse, but I wonder if I could create a better one for myself than the one in this book.
I had mixed feelings about the instructions in the 21-day-cleanse. I haven't done the cleanse - not sure if I will - but I wanted to read the book first to see what it entailed and decide whether I wanted to do it. Some of the exercises seemed like they could potentially be very useful. I really liked some of the attitudes it was advocating. To begin with, I was completely sure I wanted to do this cleanse. But then I ran into some odd contradictions.
For instance, the main idea behind this cleanse seemed to be that one's joy and sense of self should come from within - that one should not allow outside events to dictate one's inner experience, but it should all come from within. So, whatever one is doing, whatever one is experiencing, these things are external to one's inner experience, and one can enjoy a rich inner life regardless. Now, I quite liked this idea. I'm not sure the extent to which it is totally realistic, but I think it's an positive thing to aim for. But then there was one day of the cleanse that focuses on how our jobs and relationships and situations can be stifling us, and in this case we need to move on or we'll never grow - which made me do a double take, because it seemed to contradict the whole premise of the book that had been put forward.
There was another contradiction that I found frustrating. There is a focus on being humble, and realising one is part of something greater, and abandoning the ego, abandoning the need for recognition and glory for what one does. Now, this I can relate to - I agree with it. I think when people are focused on wanting recognition, and wanting the focus on themselves for what they have done, they are somehow confining themselves, making themselves petty, and they are not truly at peace. So I really liked that part of the book. But then came another day in the cleanse where you are supposed to think about what you want people to say about you after you've died - straight after you've died, a year after, five years after, ten years after, fifty years after. How do you want to be remembered? And this totally puzzled me - because it contradicts the whole idea of not seeking recognition. It brings back the idea of ego, surely. And I don't particularly want people to be remembering me or saying things about me fifty years after I'm dead - what would be the point of that? If I'd love to have done something that improves people's lives, and it would be fantastic if what I did was lasting and still making an impact fifty years after I die, but it makes no difference to me whether people remember me for it. What would I gain from people saying 'Oh, wasn't Gail a great person to have done this for us?' - especially when I'm dead! Maybe I'm unusual, because I know a lot of people say it changes their lives to think about what people will say at their funeral, but I simply don't care about this in the slightest. It is more important how people experience me now when I am alive.
So yes, I had mixed feelings about this book. I do still really love the idea of a consciousness cleanse, but I wonder if I could create a better one for myself than the one in this book.
December 8, 2012
Good Lord. I was 50% into the book (according to my kindle app) before the cleanse even started. If a person needs that much "prep" before even starting to read the actual cleanse, they probably aren't ready for a cleanse. Isn't the point clearing your mind, not adding a bunch of drivel to it? I'm very much a cut the fat kind of person, so this book was like an incredibly cheap cut of meat. I returned it.
January 19, 2012
I promised myself that I would stay away from self help books in 2012. I read about a half dozen in 2011 and after awhile they all began to sound the same. I read the 21-Day Consciousness Cleanse because I thought it would be a great way to start the year. It wasn't. I was incredibly bored with the first 84 pages or so. Finally, Ford started with the cleanse. The exercises didn't appeal to me. I will admit that I am not in a space in my life where I want to look back. I've made my peace with the past and know how to refocus my energy when memories unexpectantly visit. There were some encouraging statements in the book that I appreciated. Overall, it was an okay book. I am going back to my promise to steer clear of the self help books, though.
August 31, 2019
اون تک ستاره رو دادم برای اینکه بالاخره نویسنده وقت گذاشته تنگ کرده نشسته این همه کسشر نوشته
من خوندم که یه موقع قضاوت اشتباه نکرده باشم مثلا ته کتاب جوره دیگه ای جلو رفته باشه من بگم کسشره یکی بیاد بگه نه خیلی تهش خوب بود
همش کسشر بود
من خوندم که یه موقع قضاوت اشتباه نکرده باشم مثلا ته کتاب جوره دیگه ای جلو رفته باشه من بگم کسشره یکی بیاد بگه نه خیلی تهش خوب بود
همش کسشر بود
August 27, 2010
This book had some great exercises that really helped me focus on what is important to me and how I want to live my life. My favorite day was a ritual that Debbie shared for letting go of the past and forgiving myself.
It was a little bit too long for me. I did fine until about Day 17. Still I would highly recommend it.
It was a little bit too long for me. I did fine until about Day 17. Still I would highly recommend it.
December 10, 2017
The majority of this book is about god. There's even one entire chapter on the author's son's bar mitzvah. The book had some neat concepts on the ego and a cute short story about a crab but then it got repeatitive and religious.
October 17, 2009
We all have a choice as to the level of consciousness we tune into each day that determines our experience of the world. This book attempts to assist with accessing deeper levels and accepting responsibility for yourself and your "happiness." Having already gone through the processes described (many times it feels like!), this was nothing new for me, but it was an excellent reminder to stay present and alive with love, joy and appreciation. The cleansing rituals were especially insightful, altho I could have done without the references to god.
July 4, 2011
I didn't like this book. I began reading with a clear head, ready for the wisdom and guidance. This book was written by someone who has conquered addiction. I am very happy for her, but I think the the book was a little too religious. We all worship differently, and I don't appreciate being told how to do so. I felt the message she was conveying was that you could not succeed without all your faith in God. I think faith in yourself is enough.
February 20, 2016
As a psychotherapist I give this one a thumbs down. This book is great if you have a month of doing nothing but sitting around with no distractions and no life and would like to work on some deep rooted issues.
December 5, 2021
این کتاب، کتابی نیست که خودم انتخابش کنم. به پیشنهاد مشاورم خریدمش، آن هم وقتی که از لحاظ روحی وضعیت خوبی نداشتم و گمانم اوایل قرنطینهی کرونا بود.
اوایل با تمرینهایش پیش رفتم و تلاشم را کردم و مفاهیمی که سعی در انتقالشون داشت را دوست داشتم.
اما از ضعفهای کتاب نمیشود گذشت. من برای یکسری از چیزهایی که نویسنده صرفاً بیان میکرد و میگذشت، تمرین و ممارستها کرده بودم از قبل و در کل با فضایی که کتاب در آن به سر میبرد ناآشنا نبودم. اما با این حال واقعاً بسیاری جاها معنا و مفهوم جملات و تمرینها را نمیفهمیدم( البته این مشکل ترجمه هم میتواند باشد)
از یک جا به بعد تمرینها خیلی کلی بیان شده بود و من نتوانستم همراهی کنم و در واقع دیگر کاربردی نبود.
گاهاً موارد عمیقی را از تو میخواست در موردشون فکر کنی و بنویسی، در حالی که تو اصلاً توسط نویسنده توجیه نشده بودی و مطالب روشن نبود.
مسیری که نویسنده سعی در آموزشش داشت هم نمیدانم چطور میتوان تنها سپری کرد و انتظار آن همه کندوکاو در روان را داشت آن هم در ۲۱ روز و وقتی هدف فرد آسیبدیده است. :)))))))
در کل اینکه واقعاً ایدهی نویسنده را دوست داشتم و جملاتی که با آنها ارتباط برقرار کردم در کتاب کم نبودند، اما به قول استاد کارگاه عکاسی مستند( مهرداد نجمآبادی) دوستم که به لطف آموزش مجازی من هم از قسمتهایی از کلاسهایشان بهره بردم، نویسنده تلاشش را کرده و ایدهاش خوب بوده اما “کار درنیومده..”
پینوشت: باورم نمیشه برای یک کتاب self-helpاینقدر نوشتم :)))))
اوایل با تمرینهایش پیش رفتم و تلاشم را کردم و مفاهیمی که سعی در انتقالشون داشت را دوست داشتم.
اما از ضعفهای کتاب نمیشود گذشت. من برای یکسری از چیزهایی که نویسنده صرفاً بیان میکرد و میگذشت، تمرین و ممارستها کرده بودم از قبل و در کل با فضایی که کتاب در آن به سر میبرد ناآشنا نبودم. اما با این حال واقعاً بسیاری جاها معنا و مفهوم جملات و تمرینها را نمیفهمیدم( البته این مشکل ترجمه هم میتواند باشد)
از یک جا به بعد تمرینها خیلی کلی بیان شده بود و من نتوانستم همراهی کنم و در واقع دیگر کاربردی نبود.
گاهاً موارد عمیقی را از تو میخواست در موردشون فکر کنی و بنویسی، در حالی که تو اصلاً توسط نویسنده توجیه نشده بودی و مطالب روشن نبود.
مسیری که نویسنده سعی در آموزشش داشت هم نمیدانم چطور میتوان تنها سپری کرد و انتظار آن همه کندوکاو در روان را داشت آن هم در ۲۱ روز و وقتی هدف فرد آسیبدیده است. :)))))))
در کل اینکه واقعاً ایدهی نویسنده را دوست داشتم و جملاتی که با آنها ارتباط برقرار کردم در کتاب کم نبودند، اما به قول استاد کارگاه عکاسی مستند( مهرداد نجمآبادی) دوستم که به لطف آموزش مجازی من هم از قسمتهایی از کلاسهایشان بهره بردم، نویسنده تلاشش را کرده و ایدهاش خوب بوده اما “کار درنیومده..”
پینوشت: باورم نمیشه برای یک کتاب self-helpاینقدر نوشتم :)))))
Currently Reading
December 11, 2023I’m not going to rate it until I’m completely finished, which I won’t be until 12/31/23, but I like it so far. The author eases you into the 21 Day Cleanse, making sure that you’re well-prepared. I decided to give myself about a week to get through the first part of the book and collect the things that I needed to get through the cleanse/get my mindset. I wanted to start Day 1 on 12/11 so that Day 21 would be 12/31. I love that the focus of the first day is “desires” because I know that the first 7 days are supposed to be about getting to the bottom of why we do the things that we do and it’s going to be hard. Personally, meditating and journaling my desires seems fairly light in comparison to the difficulty and emotion that may come throughout the rest of this week as it gets deeper.
I don’t expect to be completely new once the 21 day cleanse is over and I don’t believe that’s the author’s intentions here. But I do think the 21 Day Cleanse could be a useful tool to use annually as a way to check in with yourself.
I don’t expect to be completely new once the 21 day cleanse is over and I don’t believe that’s the author’s intentions here. But I do think the 21 Day Cleanse could be a useful tool to use annually as a way to check in with yourself.
February 7, 2023
This book is pretty much a waste of time. It took 85 pages before she actually got to the point where we started the "21 day cleanse". By that time I was pretty much done with the book. The exercises within the book seem helpful, but you won't miss much if you just skip to page 85 and start the 'cleanse'. She spend some time talking about God, which, as a belief system is helpful, but not part of my cleanse. I wouldn't recommend this as a 'self help'
July 27, 2022
I was drawn to this book in a used book store. After spending more than a month journaling and working through the exercises, I feel as if I’ve had the benefit of thousands of dollars of therapy for less than $5.
It’s rare to find just the right message at just the time you’re ready to hear it…but I consider this book a life changer.
It’s rare to find just the right message at just the time you’re ready to hear it…but I consider this book a life changer.
March 18, 2019
I like how the 21 days is broken up into 3 parts. The past, the present & the future. I loved the concept of the book and do feel that it served its purpose - to live at a higher level of consciousness!
October 25, 2019
Even though it was more on the religious perspective. It was so good and was helpful. Allowed me to be more present and let go of the past
August 31, 2021
در کل کتاب خوبی است
اما اجرای دستورات آن دشوار است و به نظر می رسد خیلی ایده آل باشد
با این حال چیزهای خوبی می شود از آن آموخت
اما اجرای دستورات آن دشوار است و به نظر می رسد خیلی ایده آل باشد
با این حال چیزهای خوبی می شود از آن آموخت
November 10, 2023
نکات خوبی رو توش اشاره کرده که میشه ازش الهام گرفت. ولی اینکه ۲۱ روز بشینم تمریناتش رو انجامبدم حداقل برای من ممکن نیست. ولی می شه با استفاده از یک سری تکنیک هاش آرامش بیشتری رو در زندگی تجربه کرد.
April 21, 2021
من دیگر آن من قبلی نیستم. منی سبک تر از فکر گذشته و آینده ام، که می داند در تک تک لحظه ها نیرویی والاتر را به همراه دارد و دیگر در زندگی تنها تلاش نمیکند.
این کتاب یک کتاب خودشناسی، خداشناسی است و با تمریناتی که دارد سعی می کند ذهن شما را طوری پالایش دهد که به یک ذهن آگاهی لحظه حال برسید.
اگر افکار منفی گذشته، ناامیدی در لحظه ی حال و نارضایتی و خودسرزنش گری را تجربه می کنید، این کتاب به شما بینشی جدید خواهد داد.
برای من این قسمت کتاب به یادگار ماند:
خدایا!
به من آرامشی بده تا آنچه را که نمی توانم تغییر دهم، بپذیرم
شجاعتی، تا آنچه را که می توانم تغییر دهم
و خردی که تفاوت این دو را تشخیص دهم
اول اردیبهشت ۱۴۰۰
این کتاب یک کتاب خودشناسی، خداشناسی است و با تمریناتی که دارد سعی می کند ذهن شما را طوری پالایش دهد که به یک ذهن آگاهی لحظه حال برسید.
اگر افکار منفی گذشته، ناامیدی در لحظه ی حال و نارضایتی و خودسرزنش گری را تجربه می کنید، این کتاب به شما بینشی جدید خواهد داد.
برای من این قسمت کتاب به یادگار ماند:
خدایا!
به من آرامشی بده تا آنچه را که نمی توانم تغییر دهم، بپذیرم
شجاعتی، تا آنچه را که می توانم تغییر دهم
و خردی که تفاوت این دو را تشخیص دهم
اول اردیبهشت ۱۴۰۰
December 31, 2020
I did this program with an online women's group in December 2020.
Tbh I probably would not have stuck with it if I was doing it by myself; having it be a group thing made me stay the course and catch-up quickly if I missed a day here and there.
I'm glad I did it. I got back into handwriting journal entries again, and will stick with it into the new year. I've now gotten into a habit of not thinking negatively upon waking, instead I do the morning practice the book suggests. The daily journal prompts kept bringing me back to the same ideas of what needs to change in my life for it to be better. And now it's staring me in the face of what I need to do differently. Happy new year! :P
Tbh I probably would not have stuck with it if I was doing it by myself; having it be a group thing made me stay the course and catch-up quickly if I missed a day here and there.
I'm glad I did it. I got back into handwriting journal entries again, and will stick with it into the new year. I've now gotten into a habit of not thinking negatively upon waking, instead I do the morning practice the book suggests. The daily journal prompts kept bringing me back to the same ideas of what needs to change in my life for it to be better. And now it's staring me in the face of what I need to do differently. Happy new year! :P
June 9, 2024
If you're looking for some guidance to reflect on your life, and figure out what calls to you in this moment, this will be a wonderful book to read.
A recommendation for me - it's meant to be a book that you can give yourself in a solo retreat, where you're just focusing on you and use the writing and reflection prompts each day to learn something new about yourself. I didn't do it in 21 days consecutively, but I still managed to get through the whole book.
Did I find my purpose? Not exactly. But I did learn to be more comfortable with uncertainty as my trust in the universe increased and amplified, knowing that I will be ok. And knowing that I own gifts and strengths, I will find the way to get closer to a purposeful path.
A recommendation for me - it's meant to be a book that you can give yourself in a solo retreat, where you're just focusing on you and use the writing and reflection prompts each day to learn something new about yourself. I didn't do it in 21 days consecutively, but I still managed to get through the whole book.
Did I find my purpose? Not exactly. But I did learn to be more comfortable with uncertainty as my trust in the universe increased and amplified, knowing that I will be ok. And knowing that I own gifts and strengths, I will find the way to get closer to a purposeful path.
March 26, 2012
Debbie Ford writes another brilliant plan for a spiritual cleansing. It is time to live our lives to our fullest potential. The 21 day cleanse will help clear out all the emotional and psychological clutter that we have accumulated in our lives up until this point. Now that I have read this entire program I am ready to buy the book and follow through on the plans. I have followed and experienced great benefits from one of Debbie's previous books; "The Dark Side of the Light Chasers"
so I am ready to take another step in order to live from my highest potential. What a wonderful revelation! If we were all doing this an amazing change would take place in the world. I really believe in this. This is not about a religion, it is a way of living that sets you free. 
May 1, 2012
Ms. Ford has genuine gems in places throughout the book with lots of tips and suggestions, but I don't see how an individual can tackle everything she proposes in 21 days. The first six chapters set the stage for a practice she suggests. Debbie calls this cleanse a "game." I suppose word usage can help trick the mind.
The first six chapters
Preparing for the Game
The Promise
The Process
The Preparation
The Practice
The Tools
Once this groundwork then book is broken into The Past, The Present, The Future over 21 days. So you're applying her ideas to times in your life.
I didn't do the 21 day practice, nor did the opening chapters make me feel compelled to do the work. I underlined some passages but didn't finish the book.
The first six chapters
Preparing for the Game
The Promise
The Process
The Preparation
The Practice
The Tools
Once this groundwork then book is broken into The Past, The Present, The Future over 21 days. So you're applying her ideas to times in your life.
I didn't do the 21 day practice, nor did the opening chapters make me feel compelled to do the work. I underlined some passages but didn't finish the book.
April 9, 2015
Personally I'm surprised I made it through the 47% prep. I did the book through Day 4. I have been on a spiritual journey since joining a 12 step program 8 years ago. Perhaps if I would have picked the book up 6-8 years ago it may have been more useful to me. It concerned me that day 2 you were jumping into an inventory of your life. When I joined my fellowship there were steps that proceeded my inventory that were vital to my survival! I also read the closing. There are very good points and tips and things to apply to life. I found the beginning to be very repetitive.
I'm sure this book will be very good for some at the right time on their spiritual path!
I think Betty Ford is an amazing woman! :-)
I'm sure this book will be very good for some at the right time on their spiritual path!
I think Betty Ford is an amazing woman! :-)
Read
June 5, 2013I read this book a few days after turning 25 and I can definitely say that it contributed to a 180 degree shift in perspective over a 90 day period, I would definitely recommend it especially because the author shares her inspiring experiences. I will also credit this book with introducing me to the serenity prayer, which has been the source of my sanity on many an occasion.
Read
November 28, 2009not sure if i will tackle this in my self help binge, it seems awfully dense for 21 days especially for someone with a 4 year old and a full time job, i 'm waiting for her book on spiritual divorce to come from the library
September 21, 2012
Exercises for examining your life. I learned a lot from Debbie Ford's book, THE DARK SIDE OF THE LIGHT CHASERS. But this one doesn't call me, so I don't need another such book right now or I don't need this one.
Currently Reading
October 3, 2009Love Debbie Ford's books. Very helpful.
Currently Reading
October 12, 2009Starting this today, it looks really good! The preperation is the first 76 Pages, so that will take me a day or 2 to get through. I will let you know how it went at the end of 21-23 days!!
February 22, 2010
I really enjoyed this book. The more effort put into the daily exercises, the more benefit I received!
March 12, 2010
Eh, so book started out really good. Unless you plan on doing the daily work with this, not such a great read. Good concepts to take away but only the beginning and the book resonated with me.
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