VKG2020

A Relatable and Deeply Personal Story

Revisado: 04-17-25

I was deeply moved by the details shared in this book. What happened to Brianna Ghey haunted me, because I could so easily see myself in her story. I was grateful to learn more about her life through the deeply personal accounts from her mother.

I appreciated this book especially for its anecdotal elements, and I was intrigued to learn about the influence of Buddhism on the author and how mindfulness has enriched her life.

Brianna’s mother has worked incredibly hard to ensure that her daughter’s legacy is a positive and radiant one—campaigning for children’s safety, online responsibility, and mental and spiritual clarity. I believe anyone who followed the tragic story of Brianna’s death will find their life enriched by learning more about her life, and about the people who loved and supported her through her new beginning.

Although we’ll never know what kind of woman Brianna would have grown to be, I think we catch glimpses of that through her mother, who continues to navigate life with a kind of Brianna-like bravery.

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Intimate and Authentic

Revisado: 12-04-24

I enjoyed this book a lot and it being read by the author herself was a big selling point to me. I was inspired by her bravery and authenticity in discussing the details of her life in such a candid manner. I feel like maybe I absorbed just a bit of that courage myself and I appreciate it a lot.

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A Better Way

Revisado: 04-03-24

This was a very interesting and deeply personal glimpse into the life of someone who has found a way forward that is true to their principles and rooted in their lived experience.

The author’s narration is excellent and her humanity shines through in a raw and intimate manner.

I enjoyed this books lot and it left me thinking about my own life and how I might better adapt it to be true to my values.

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Magical story

Revisado: 11-28-23

I enjoyed this book a lot. It stirred something within me. A desire I may not have fully realized I had to be part of something that maybe does not exist at all… Or exists only for those who can believe.

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Challenging to Finish

Revisado: 11-24-23

The audiobook, narrated with a dramatic flair that perhaps reflects the intensity of the material, provided an interesting experience that I was not able to fully appreciate. While the author’s confidence and personal anecdotes added a unique touch to the narrative, I found the overall structure somewhat scattered and the material lacking in focused substance. Brannen’s syncretic approach, blending various practices, seemed to dilute rather than strengthen the core messages.

The book often veered into what felt like a collection of popular psychology statements, losing some practical value along the way. Despite agreeing with many of the points made, I struggled to find new insights or substantial takeaways that resonated with my personal journey of understanding. That said, Brannen’s openness in sharing intimate details of her life was admirable, and it’s clear she has a passionate voice in her field.

In conclusion, while ‘Entering Hekate’s Cave’ did not entirely align with my expectations or learning style, it might resonate differently with others seeking a metaphorical and introspective approach to spiritual healing. Those who are looking for something a bit more narrowly focused in regards to a practice centered on Hekate may find other audiobooks better suited for that purpose.

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Whole new appreciation for the Matrix movies

Revisado: 11-23-23

I dove into this audiobook like it was a secret level in a game, and wow, did it level up my understanding of the Matrix movies. Suddenly, Resurrections isn't just another sequel; it's my top pick, knocking the original off its pedestal. If you're a Matrix fanatic, this audiobook is like finding the source code - it's a must-listen.

The content hooks you in, and the narration? Spot on. The author lending her voice adds this layer of realness, making every word hit home. Sure, there are a couple of hiccups here and there, but who's counting? It can get a bit preachy, but let's be real, it earns that soapbox moment. I've hit replay on some sections already, and thanks to its neat film-by-film breakdown, it's the perfect sidekick for a Matrix binge.

Totally stoked about snagging this gem. It's not just a listen; it's a motivation boost, wrapped in a geek-out session.

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Another great sequel

Revisado: 12-31-22

I wasn’t sure if I would benefit from this as much as the previous books, but I enjoyed it thoroughly and Scott also added a lot to this. I would recommend it without reservation to anyone who is a fan of Marie Kondo or of tidying up, but especially to those who are interested in a journey of self-discovery which can be informed by the process of shaping the environments they inhabit.

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Life Changing Book

Revisado: 08-11-20

This book isn’t just about changing your environment. It’s about changing your perception, as well. I was confused by the contrast in the reviews that I read before purchasing. Some people loved the anecdotal stories throughout the book while others complained it could have been a blog post. I see that those who rated the book poorly seem just as confused by the high ratings as those who rated the book highly are by the low ratings. I think I understand now the primary difference people had with the experience of this book and will attempt to recommend it or not accordingly:

If you are looking for a book that tells you how to keep all the stuff you have and merely organize it better so you can keep bringing more and more objects into your home while giving it an appearance of minimalism, you’re likely to be disappointed. The primary “tidying up” method explained by the author involves learning to let go of most of your possessions and keeping only the one’s that give you a tangible sense of joy. In the process, the things you’ve kept will also give you more insight into who you are and just as you will uncover your home, you will declutter the depths of your own psyche and shine a light on your basic nature and true passions. If you hold a rigid view of where your self ends and your possessions begin and how they are interconnected, parts of this book may seem silly or uncomfortable. If you’re open to exploring a new way of not only changing your habits but changing a fundamental outlook about your home and the objects in it, there simply is no other book that comes close to being as helpful in this regard.

We live in a society where many of us are more comfortable treating people like objects than developing a relationship of gratitude and consideration with objects as if they are people. If you’re not willing to develop a healthier relationship with your home and your possessions (and maybe even with the people who surround you and yourself, as an unintended consequence), you might be disappointed in this book. If you have an open mind about becoming a more mindful and considerate caretaker of your environment and the objects within it, this is the book that you should get.

To be fair, I would still recommend this book to those who are opposed to exploring a change in their outlook and merely want methodology to declutter because I believe those are precisely the people who would most benefit from the shift of consciousness that could take place if they put these principles into action. Unfortunately, I realize some people are not interested in changing themselves and just want a more structured and orderly environment. Not everyone is open to an Alice in Wonderland (or perhaps Beauty and the Beast) experience of the world around themselves. Not all of us are ready to have conversations with the objects we’ve collected or conversations with ourselves about why we’ve been obsessively collecting material things which paradoxically we feel we need as extensions of ourselves yet don’t truly respect. Some of us will be opposed to the very concept that the way we cling to objects related to our past (mementos and gifts especially) is actually preventing the experiences they are associated with to be fully integrated into ourselves. Those who are ready not only to set free the various objects they’ve amassed around themselves with a sense of gratitude but also set free the need to hang onto the past in an emotionally conflicted manner will find a lot of solace and likely be surprised at how much you can gain through the act of letting go.

I found myself quite happily drawn into the unique life of the author and I appreciated the little stories that some might have considered “filler”. This isn’t just an instruction manual on how to maintain a tidy home. It’s an introduction to what is for most of us, a shift in consciousness that will challenge a lot of fundamental assumptions we’ve made about material possessions. It’s very interesting having a window into the author’s development of this approach particularly because it is so unusual as to be almost other-worldly. It’s not overly biographical by any means, but it does provide a sense of the character and development of the woman who re-discovered a type of relationship with the exterior world that was, at one time, very natural to our ancestors. The holistic approach in this book contains the potential not only to bring your outer world into harmony but your inner world, as well.

I have over 50 audiobooks in my collection currently and I love many of them and am appreciative for them. This, however, is the first time I’ve written a comprehensive review because I truly believe this is one of the most important books that has been written in our modern time and I want to encourage anyone who might be undecided to give this book a chance.

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Essential Listening

Revisado: 04-08-20

The author has a gift for making complex concepts more accessible. The performance was a perfect blend of entertaining and educational. The title “Basic Buddhism” may give the impression that this contains a simplistic overview of Buddhism, but in fact, I found it to be be quite advanced, yet explained in a manner that many people should find approachable. There is very much wisdom here and Dr. Thurman’s speaking style is casual and warm even when describing complex philosophical notions, and keeps what could be a very academic undertaking quite light and dynamic by skillful use of humor and interesting examples and story telling. This was absolutely one of the most significant lectures I have heard about Buddhism and has given me an entirely new appreciation for it’s richness and the Buddha’s truly revolutionary message of liberation, which is just as relevant today as it ever has been.

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