Becoming Nobody

A Personal Account of One Man's Search for Self-knowledge

Non-Fiction - Inspirational
374 Pages
Reviewed on 04/13/2021
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

Many people pose the question 'Who am I?' and 'What is my life purpose?' Using science, psychology, and philosophy from some of the greatest thinkers in history, this guide aims to unravel the cause that prevents us from remembering our true Essence. Since birth, we have been conditioned to believe that all we are is our personality but this only constitutes a small section of our true self. Holding this belief causes us to live superficially and unconsciously and only use our conscious minds around 5% of the time. Throughout Becoming Nobody by Rick Branch, you will gain a deeper understanding of your true self. Why do some people avoid the uncertainty that will bring them true happiness in exchange for compliance and obedience to rules they were conditioned to obey? You will also learn why we dwell on our mistakes, judge others unreasonably, and worry about situations that have not occurred. The unconscious mind has an enormous amount of control over your thoughts beliefs and actions and this completely falsifies our true self.

Becoming Nobody by Rick Branch is extremely detailed and insightful. I loved how the author used philosophy, science, and psychology throughout. This guide has truly opened my mind to the possibility that we, as humans, are completely out of touch with our authentic selves. There is far more to our existence than just what we see, feel, taste and touch. The messages are so profound you have to take your time to really process the information and ponder its meaning. I loved the chapters on Traditional or Mainstream Psychotherapy and The Ego Tunnel. There is a quote from the book which states, 'This realization makes me look up at the sky at night with a new sense of wonder and awe,' and this is how I truly felt when I had completed the book. The guide is filled with life-changing insights that will truly awaken your spirituality and make you more analytical and conscious of your behaviors, thoughts, and actions.

I have also discovered how judgemental and unforgiving I can be on a subconscious level. The guide also has some very interesting information on our distorted perception of time. One of my favorite quotes from the book by Jed McKenna states, “There is no now, there is only the intersection of past and future, both of which possess the curious charm of not existing.” It has been truly inspiring to learn the power we all hold within but have somehow chosen to allow that power to be replaced with external conditioning and our unconscious mind.

Mamta Madhavan

Becoming Nobody: A Personal Account of One Man's Search for Self-Knowledge by Richard E Branch chronicles the author's journey to self-discovery. This book will come in handy as a manual for those readers who are seeking truth at any cost. The author's journey began with Gurdjieff and ended with Jed McKenna and shows how his thinking changed with time. The author's words and the tools and techniques he shares in the book show the importance of staying in touch with the more real and conscious part of the self. The need to be aware of his thoughts and the awareness of his true self speak of how this helped change the author's perception and gave him the freedom to change the course of his life.

Richard E Branch shares excerpts from other books, philosophers, and his personal experiences, encouraging readers to find themselves and lead a more fulfilling and empowering life. Becoming Nobody is a life-changer, and its rawness and the authenticity of the author's thoughts and words will motivate readers to look into themselves and find out who they are and who they are not. It will also make readers confront and struggle with what is bothering them. The insights are inspiring, profound, and thought-provoking, and are a good way to make readers look into their purpose in life and their reason for existence. The book also equips them to deal with the challenges and adversities thrown at them by life with confidence and fearlessness. I like the way he draws readers to appreciate the beauty of life and enjoy it.

Romuald Dzemo

Becoming Nobody: A Personal Account of One Man's Search for Self-knowledge by Rick Branch is an unusual memoir that documents the author’s journey to understanding who he really is. The approach to understanding, building, and finding personal balance is also unusual. While this book is original, the author’s idea of starting from nothing can be likened to the saying in Plato’s account of the Greek philosopher Socrates: “I know that I know nothing.” This book is very inspiring and filled with lessons. Before his teens, the author had always believed he was a cut above the ordinary. But was it what his parents told him or a “somebody” that he was to become? This book is a memoir but is also an interesting journey to self-awareness, filled with powerful psychological lessons. It will appeal strongly to fans of psychology and philosophy.

Becoming Nobody explores many themes and Rick Branch writes about the two sides of a person — the unconscious Personality and the conscious Essence — with inimitable clarity. Readers will be able to understand concepts like the dualism in human nature, existentialism, selfishness, and many others. The author talks about self-examination, describes the reptilian brain and the domineering false self, and other topics. I learned a lot from this author and some of the important lessons I learned are the importance of being able to think about what we think about, the power of examples, and why it is important to break up the model of who we think we are. Becoming Nobody is well-written, and while the author talks about complex themes and realities, he makes the writing simple and accessible, keeping the tone upbeat and conversational. This book is thought-provoking and it is one of those books that will affect the way we think about ourselves and the way we approach change very strongly.

Jose Cornelio

Becoming Nobody: A Personal Account of One Man's Search for Self-knowledge by Rick Branch is a memoir written in an unusual style, a book that can be read as the author’s personal philosophy and a path toward personal growth and self-awareness. The book covers a wide range of topics, from self-remembering to the duality in human nature, from exploring the multidimensional facets of the “I” to discussing the power of words. The author writes about themes that are deeply psychological and in a style that is incisive and compelling. He talks about forgiveness, about the place of using the third person, about the loss of self, about selfishness, and a lot more. What is most interesting is that each topic takes the reader a step deeper into the question: Who am I?

This book is enthralling, deeply researched, and features the doctrines of great minds such as Gurdjieff and Eckhart Tolle; it will also help readers develop self-awareness. The book is packed with wisdom and thought-provoking passages, one of those books you only pick up if you want to engage in serious inner work. It is written in gorgeous prose and I enjoyed the simplicity of language, which conveys the author’s mastery of the subject. Weaving episodes from his personal life into the book, Rick Branch creates a reading experience that is enjoyable.

Becoming Nobody has many warnings about the illusions we have about ourselves and about life. It invites readers to get down from their high horses and listen to what life tells them when they fall from those horses. By grounding us, “Life will have shown us the humbling truth of who we are.” Becoming Nobody is a deeply moving book that will shift the way most of us see ourselves and life, packed with wisdom and a light that moves inward, unveiling the world of authenticity in us.

Rabia Tanveer

Becoming Nobody: A Personal Account of One Man's Search for Self-Knowledge by Rick Branch is a memoir that tells of the author's journey into understanding who he is and who he wants to become. The author shares his thoughts and ideas about who he is and who he has become with Ana. Branch starts to question self, spirituality, and how each day changes us as a person. Although philosophical, the narrative focuses on how our unconscious shapes our personality. We all have an essence that shapes us, turns us, and makes us authentic. Author Rick Branch searches for an explanation of what his real persona is and finds his authentic self.

Becoming Nobody is more profound than I thought it would be. It is surprisingly enjoyable to read, and all of that is thanks to Rick Branch's narrative style. He has a matter-of-fact style; he is direct in his approach and doesn't beat around the bush when he shares his ideas. He takes his time talking about his "false self" because he is not sure; however, the narrative's tone and the pace change when he starts talking about his authentic self and his true essence. The idea of "self" may be a little confusing for the reader but the author takes his time to explain it to the reader so they can enjoy the journey until the end. This book will challenge your mind, make you rethink and evaluate your life.