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Undoing Yourself with Energized Meditation and Other Devices
Within these pages you will find innumerable practical techniques to transform your life, served up with a large dose of humor and the stick of the Zen Roshi. Who hates Undoing? Stuffed-shirt academicians, do-nothing sweetness-and-light practitioners of cosmic foo-foo, and would-be slave-owners everywhere. On the other hand, if you are interested in actually accomplishing something, you will love it.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
89 people are currently reading
1225 people want to read
About the author
Christopher S. Hyatt
105 books105 followersChristopher Hyatt was an American occultist, author, and founder of the Extreme Individual Institute (EII).Using his birth name, Alan Ronald Miller, he has served as president of New Falcon Publications.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 6, 2013
Interesting read, bordering on corny. Still some good ideas.
As many have said, the meditations alone are what you're paying for here. And they are worth it, provided you actually do them. Doing these meditations daily has been more help to me than reading any self-help book ever could be. In fact, just do the freaking meditations and quit reading self-help books! They'll make you feel better, no joke.
Really, you could get any book on kundalini yoga meditation, and if you actually did them they'd be just as effective. Still, he has a nice small set of exercises distilled quite nicely here.
Sadly, most people will read this book without ever attempting to do the work, which is pointless. Then they'll be on to the next book for that quick high, and on to another before doing what that book said either.
I can't encourage you to do the meditations enough. Everyday!
As many have said, the meditations alone are what you're paying for here. And they are worth it, provided you actually do them. Doing these meditations daily has been more help to me than reading any self-help book ever could be. In fact, just do the freaking meditations and quit reading self-help books! They'll make you feel better, no joke.
Really, you could get any book on kundalini yoga meditation, and if you actually did them they'd be just as effective. Still, he has a nice small set of exercises distilled quite nicely here.
Sadly, most people will read this book without ever attempting to do the work, which is pointless. Then they'll be on to the next book for that quick high, and on to another before doing what that book said either.
I can't encourage you to do the meditations enough. Everyday!
January 12, 2011
Received this book as a gift and didn't know what to expect. After reading the preface I knew I had struck gold. My wife and I have begun doing the exercises together and our world is definitely changing.
Hyatt is funny, sarcastic, mean, lighthearted, serious, inviting and knowledgeable all in a way that makes you feel like you are hanging out with your genius hippy uncle. I'll spend the rest of my life working with this one.
Hyatt is funny, sarcastic, mean, lighthearted, serious, inviting and knowledgeable all in a way that makes you feel like you are hanging out with your genius hippy uncle. I'll spend the rest of my life working with this one.
April 13, 2011
Go read a book about Buddhism instead.
February 17, 2016
Amazing work of Dr Hyatt on self-realization. Methods of meditation, thinking and realizing are discussed in detail. Several oriental philosophies from Hinduism, Buddhism and Zen are used to demonstrate the process of knowing oneself. But there are amazingly innovative narratives to do things on meditation. If you have a test of self-help in spiritual way, it is a must read book. I loved this quote from this book,
"You must give up the thing most precious to you. You must give up the thing which you love so dearly, the thing that you hold on to
- you must give it up -
- you must give it up. -
There can be no half-way measures in "finding" ENLIGHTENMENT. It is not hiding anywhere. It is HERE and NOW. You must see that you are frightened, that something is at STAKE all the time —even in your dreams — something is at stake,
ALL THE TIME. (page 23)
It was truly a discovery book for me in year 2015.
"You must give up the thing most precious to you. You must give up the thing which you love so dearly, the thing that you hold on to
- you must give it up -
- you must give it up. -
There can be no half-way measures in "finding" ENLIGHTENMENT. It is not hiding anywhere. It is HERE and NOW. You must see that you are frightened, that something is at STAKE all the time —even in your dreams — something is at stake,
ALL THE TIME. (page 23)
It was truly a discovery book for me in year 2015.
June 28, 2018
The author shares a way of seeing that we in the west have become blind to. He helps us to discover ways that we can see again. Quite esoteric but in no way a fantasy. I found his sharing to be profound, focused on very real issues snd ways of relating to them.
May 26, 2020
As a testament to the books practices, I will rate this a one when I would have rated a five. Fuck this book for being so good.
March 5, 2014
The exercises sound useful however they compose about 10% of the book. They are fairly well detailed though I feel they should be a little more so. The couple times I've tried them so far have not been very inspiring. Perhaps over time they will shine.
What's the rest of the book? I don't quite know. It's a mess. Is it comedy? Philosophy? A polemic on materialism or on modern government? Self-help? Futurology? Neurology? I don't feel it reads very smooth. The author also has, what seems to me, a contrived edginess while also being cryptic of which he admits to. Maybe it seems weak because I haven't solved the riddle(s) yet. All of this combined made it not very enjoyable to read.
With that being said it did have some interesting food for thought. Upon first completion I felt that in hindsight I wouldn't have read the book but with only a little over 130 pages, many illustrations, the food for thought, and if the exercises become more fruitful over time, maybe it was worth it.
What's the rest of the book? I don't quite know. It's a mess. Is it comedy? Philosophy? A polemic on materialism or on modern government? Self-help? Futurology? Neurology? I don't feel it reads very smooth. The author also has, what seems to me, a contrived edginess while also being cryptic of which he admits to. Maybe it seems weak because I haven't solved the riddle(s) yet. All of this combined made it not very enjoyable to read.
With that being said it did have some interesting food for thought. Upon first completion I felt that in hindsight I wouldn't have read the book but with only a little over 130 pages, many illustrations, the food for thought, and if the exercises become more fruitful over time, maybe it was worth it.
August 13, 2012
Originally I borrowed this book from a friend. I read it up to the first exercise..then never did it. Several months later I decided to buy my own copy and actually do the work. I have not made it through all the exercises given by Hyatt yet. (Though I am working on it and some of the "Other Devices" seem as though they will be quite useful too.). Like most works by Hyatt a lot of people will be put off. But, if you DO the work you WILL benefit in some way. I play on keeping this book around until I've worked my way completely through it. Also, some people have told me that the exercises are the only thing of value here. I strongly disagree! Cover to cover there's a lot of greatness in here!
January 7, 2014
I have to say I'm slightly torn between liking and disliking the book. As for the exercises and theory that "thought equals tension", I have to agree, there's little evidence to support the idea that re-wiring (and/or enlightenment) can be done via physical tension reduction (a common body-work therapy idea). If this were the case, there would have been a few more success stories from Osho and this kind of meditative work than happened. Undoing oneself involves a little more than reducing tension and meditating on a mantra. Further, the whole notion that a personality can pick this up and undo "itself" is a little optimistic. Still, his urgency and tone in parts is helpful for shifting people into gear.
March 25, 2013
If you meditate or enjoy entheogens, this book is for your. If you want to make sex spiritual, this book is for you. This book is not something you read, but something you do, practice, and practice again. There is no try. There is only do or not do. In this case, the doing is undoing. Contact God directly, through sex, spice up your sex life, through the Hebrew alphabet. Funny, seriously funny, and fun. Just do it.
October 12, 2015
The book has some meditations which are unlike any I've come across before. If you feel the need for a bit more stimulation in your meditating, they are worth checking out. However only a small amount of the book is devoted to the practices, and I didn't find the rest worthwhile reading so just skimmed to pull out all of the meditations.
January 3, 2016
This book contains Very Useful Exercises. The rest of the book appears to be the love child of the Holy Trinity: Roger von Oech (Whack on the Side of the Head), Ram Dass (Be Here Now), and Ashleigh Brilliant (I Have Abandoned My Search for Truth and Am Now Looking for a Good Fantasy).
Meant to brake yer hed.
Meant to brake yer hed.
July 6, 2017
It had stupendous introductions, but I didn’t have the desire yet to fully devote myself to the sillyness of the book and I want to do the actual exercises when it comes time to do them so I stopped reading. An interesting mix of absurdity and spirituality. Probably wouldn’t recommend to most; it was too out there even for me.
September 30, 2010
I am still on the Introduction/Preface thing and I am LOVING this book. Come on, seriously, buy this book, read it, DO THE EXERCISES, and wake up with me. And if anyone manages to actually kill their own ego, let me know and then let me in on your secret!
August 25, 2017
I must say that the exercises are very helpful but I suspect that they're only the tip of the iceberg. This book merely serves as an introduction to the methods of Dr. Hyatt. If someone wants to acquire a higher level he ought to join the Organization.
Which ain't free of course...
Which ain't free of course...
January 29, 2019
Like being cornered by a fire-breathing gray-ponytail in a coffeeshop as he recites the day's conspiracies and admonishes you to WAKE UP!
December 31, 2019
Mostly garbage. Sloppy style, many useless repetitions and too much assumptions that are taken for granted as 'truth'.
June 10, 2021
This is a great book for anyone looking to break down rigid belief systems while learning new methods of meditation and self-realization.
November 11, 2023
I found it somewhat outdated politically. The meanness in the tone seemed a bit childish to me, but I understand its purpose and that is a necessary path for some. I am looking for a more socially and politically present day work that doesn't go so far with the hostility.
That said, it's an incredible work. I don't agree with everything in it, and I definitely advise exploring other methodologies and approaches to kundalini as well, but this book is the real deal. If you read this at your pace, explore the exercises, and meditate on it and how you react to it, you will see some incredible changes happen in yourself.
It's a little wild sometimes. Just remember to breathe, that you are an immortal infinite light of self, the ground is love, and everything exists forever, and you'll get past the upheaval. It can even be fun! 🌟
That said, it's an incredible work. I don't agree with everything in it, and I definitely advise exploring other methodologies and approaches to kundalini as well, but this book is the real deal. If you read this at your pace, explore the exercises, and meditate on it and how you react to it, you will see some incredible changes happen in yourself.
It's a little wild sometimes. Just remember to breathe, that you are an immortal infinite light of self, the ground is love, and everything exists forever, and you'll get past the upheaval. It can even be fun! 🌟
April 14, 2023
Dr Hyatt is an interesting one. One-of-a-kind.
I wish he wrote his books to make them "masterpieces", with more care, more timelessness.
Too much "poetic" and "magickal" bullshit, to be honest. Out of all the Falcon-era people, seems like he probably was the one who cared the most about being an authority figure of sorts. Still thankful for him.
Exercises are GREAT. Wonderful stuff really. Maybe even too powerful, for some.
Except for all the sociological and political points Hyatt tried to make, solid book.
The booklets are very nice, too. Highly recommend all.
I wish he wrote his books to make them "masterpieces", with more care, more timelessness.
Too much "poetic" and "magickal" bullshit, to be honest. Out of all the Falcon-era people, seems like he probably was the one who cared the most about being an authority figure of sorts. Still thankful for him.
Exercises are GREAT. Wonderful stuff really. Maybe even too powerful, for some.
Except for all the sociological and political points Hyatt tried to make, solid book.
The booklets are very nice, too. Highly recommend all.
December 14, 2018
A nifty collection of techniques designed to bring to surface the traumas of life and destroy self concepts the ego might indentify with. Seems to borrow influence from both eastern and western sources. Recommended if your into this sort of thing.
"But remember Wilson, “What the Thinker Thinks -- The Prover Proves.”"
"But remember Wilson, “What the Thinker Thinks -- The Prover Proves.”"
November 20, 2018
Pretty similar to RAW and other New Falcon Publications in terms of vibe/layout.
That being said, this was one of the weirder/harder to understand books from New Falcon Publications and I'd recommend starting with Prometheus Rising and Cosmic Trigger before reading this.
That being said, this was one of the weirder/harder to understand books from New Falcon Publications and I'd recommend starting with Prometheus Rising and Cosmic Trigger before reading this.
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May 11, 2021Author writes
“..as we move closer to a well planned and long awaited invocation of the Prime Minister unto the very King of Hell
The grand vicar Lord Lucifer”
Please don’t read books from SATANISTS
“..as we move closer to a well planned and long awaited invocation of the Prime Minister unto the very King of Hell
The grand vicar Lord Lucifer”
Please don’t read books from SATANISTS
January 6, 2023
One of my favorite books ! Not for the weak
January 11, 2013
Interesting read, bordering on corny. Still some good ideas.
As many have said, the meditations alone are what you're paying for here. And they are worth it, provided you actually do them. Doing these meditations daily has been more help to me than reading any self-help book ever could be. In fact, just do the freaking meditations and quit reading self-help books! They'll make you feel better, no joke.
Really, you could get any book on kundalini yoga meditation, and if you actually did them they'd be just as effective. Still, he has a nice small set of exercises distilled quite nicely here.
Sadly, most people will read this book without ever attempting to do the work, which is pointless. Then they'll be on to the next book for that quick high, and on to another before doing what that book said either.
I can't encourage you to do the meditations enough. Everyday!
As many have said, the meditations alone are what you're paying for here. And they are worth it, provided you actually do them. Doing these meditations daily has been more help to me than reading any self-help book ever could be. In fact, just do the freaking meditations and quit reading self-help books! They'll make you feel better, no joke.
Really, you could get any book on kundalini yoga meditation, and if you actually did them they'd be just as effective. Still, he has a nice small set of exercises distilled quite nicely here.
Sadly, most people will read this book without ever attempting to do the work, which is pointless. Then they'll be on to the next book for that quick high, and on to another before doing what that book said either.
I can't encourage you to do the meditations enough. Everyday!
August 12, 2014
Half genius, half gibberish. I skipped some chapters. At the end of the book, there are chapters just there without explanation. Talk of alchemy suddenly for no reason. A comic book chunk that feels relatively pointless.
Other parts of the book are intriguing. Hyatt offers exercises to undo yourself but a lot of them seem completely pointless. Far from practical, the book feels like a prank that the author takes very seriously. Is the joke on himself?
Scraps of useful thought here and there. Mostly stuff and nonsense.
Other parts of the book are intriguing. Hyatt offers exercises to undo yourself but a lot of them seem completely pointless. Far from practical, the book feels like a prank that the author takes very seriously. Is the joke on himself?
Scraps of useful thought here and there. Mostly stuff and nonsense.
January 11, 2013
One of the best books on meditation, I think. Has a ton of background and little known references that are less filler and more truly insightful additions to this work.
This is, IMO, the best compilation of Twentieth Century attempts to combine Eastern, Western and American techniques and practices into a cohesive whole. As a single system it falls short, but as a springboard to new and more cohesive combinations of practice it is completely unmatched.
This is, IMO, the best compilation of Twentieth Century attempts to combine Eastern, Western and American techniques and practices into a cohesive whole. As a single system it falls short, but as a springboard to new and more cohesive combinations of practice it is completely unmatched.
August 7, 2008
i can't say that i've successfully practiced the entire regiment described in this book, or that it's even useful in the way that it claims to be. but i did learn some great breathing and stretching techniques, and it was fun to read!
Read
November 9, 2015Not for everyone but a serious look into breaking down some belief systems and activating the emotional memory stored in the body - not for the feint of heart - I advise personal reflection and journaling to process.
January 28, 2008
Always re-reading/undoing myself.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews