Book Review: The Universe Has Your Back

Have you heard about all the amazing benefits of meditation? Maybe it makes you really want to give this thing a go or maybe you still think it’s just too weird. Either way, The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein can teach us all something. It’s a meditation book and a book full of valuable insight into everyday life and the big picture.

I think the most universal lesson this book shares is a way to shift your thinking from negative to positive. Even if you don’t believe in manifestation it would be hard to argue that thinking positive isn’t good for you.

It offers some practical ways to be more positive in given moments, ways to frame things differently so that we are in a more positive state.

The book includes meditations and mantras to incorporate into your life as you go. I now have little post-its all over my mirror and in my phone. Sometimes just reading them helps me redirect my negative thoughts and/or be more conscious of my mood.

Gabrielle Bernstein offers “universal lessons,” most of which I found good food for thought, some of which were lessons I really needed to hear.

Some of my favorite things from the book…

⇒the “holy instant”

the moment when you realize the negativity and purposefully shift your thoughts to the positive

⇒”Your vibes speak louder than your words”

you’re putting out energy, you can’t just say things or pretend,  you have to feel it and live it and share it

⇒the importance of surrender

we need to let go, trust in God or the universe or karma or whatever. Doesn’t “surrender” sound like a beautiful thing? When it’s for your good, when it’s a release, when it will set you free?

See my A Little Bit of Buddha post for more about letting go…

⇒The whole judgment thing.

I don’t think I’m a very judgemental person at all. But the section of the book that discusses judgment really made me think about judgments we make in everyday life, including comparison, in a new way. And emphasized for me how important it is to let go of that.

My Thoughts

If you have even the slightest interest in meditation, this book is a great read. It shares little tips to be more mindful, as well as more involved meditations.

The Universe Has Your Back is a good read, easy to read if a little bit dry here and there.

I’ve shared my favorite parts, here are some of the negatives…

I found it a little hard to relate to at times. While I aspire to be an everyday meditating person, I find it hard to imagine myself having some of the conversations Gabrielle Bernstein includes in this book.

There were some cringe-y parts too. Maybe this is the judgement part of my brain talking but I don’t think people really talk like some of the conversations in the book.

Some of the meditations were a little out-there, especially if you’re new to meditation or just getting used to the idea. This might make you feel more intrigued than ever (that’s how I felt when I read about them) but I can also imagine it scaring people away or feeling too hard.

Should you read the book?

If you have zero interest in meditation, this probably isn’t the book for you. But if you’re looking to be more mindful, present, self-aware this book can offer a lot of insight and some great tips to use in everyday life.

I think meditation is more important than ever. Just the action of stilling the mind, sitting quietly can give us a break from the constant of everyday life. It’s also something that’s so easily accessible to us.

Regardless of whether you want to meditate or not, I think this book has some important lessons. Take the judgment thing, for example. Right now, think of someone you have been judging. Someone you have thought, “They need to do this,” or, “they should be doing that,” or, “she’s so fill-in-the-blank,” or, “I can’t believe….” And now think about how you feel when you’re thinking these thoughts. Chances are they don’t make you feel good. These thoughts probably make you feel pretty negative and crappy.

Judgment might feel like it just comes to us, but we have control over it and we can redirect our thoughts and begin letting go of the negative patterns.

The Universe Has Your Back left me feeling motivated to meditate, be more conscious of my thoughts, and be a better person. It also made me want to buy another Gabrielle Bernstein book- May Cause Miracles. I’m so excited to read it and commit more fully to meditation.

It also made me want to reread it and actually practice more of the meditations and practices. Definitely a keeper and definitely one I’ll read again and refer to frequently. I won’t lend this one out and I’m glad I have a hard copy, not an audiobook.

How do you feel about meditation? Have you read any books about it? I’d love to hear from you!

 

 

 

 

 

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