The author is a psychologist and spiritual teacher, and this well-rounded, well-written book is grounded in both disciplines. But it’s definitely grounded. This is practical, useful, and thought-provoking advice. We’re asked to consider whether we are really living ‘our’ life, the one we have chosen… our ‘true self’. There’s neurology and psychology and information on how we develop. The book's core is about different emotions, our (learned?) responses to them and real ways for us to examine those responses and see if they still serve us. There is a lot to think about in the book, a great deal to contemplate, and loads to put into action. Some sections I will be reading again. The strength of the book for me would be the way it feeds into journaling. Mr. Marando asks questions like, "What would I do for someone I cared about if they were in the situation I was in?" Once you have your answer, see if you can turn the behaviour on to yourself. Another question would be about what small steps I can take. Then take them. As you start to see progress, you build momentum and move steadily forward. This is a solid guide to living your truth. ~ Anne Maguire (Reviewer), Netgalley

A toolkit for dealing with emotions This book breaks down our emotions into groups of opposing feelings and looks at them as a spectrum. For example happy and sad are two such opposites. Patrick then looks at the nature of the emotions, what they are trying to tell us and how to deal with feeling sad. He then applies the same approach to all the other emotional pairings. It’s a book to dip into and use as a toolkit if you’re feeling a particular emotion and feel stuck. It would also be a helpful resource for parents and young adults. ~ Mary Garbett (Reviewer), Netgalley

Marando's book "Waking Up to Your True Self" offers a comprehensive roadmap to reconnecting with one's true self and achieving genuine well-being. By bridging spirituality and psychology, he provides practical steps for self-discovery, addressing the role of the mind and emotions in the process. Marando's compassionate tone and guidance make this book a valuable resource for personal growth and awakening. ~ Sarah-jane Ward (Reviewer), Netgalley

I love how the author provides ways for readers to healthily manage negative emotions and grow and become their true selves. The writing is digestible and easy to understand and relate to. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ~ destini doss (Reviewer), Netgalley

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Helpful book. I appreciated the questions and exercises the most - I'll definitely return to these. Also a great section about self-love/self-care/compassion/acceptance. ~ Celeste C. (Reviewer), NetGalley

Waking Up To Your Self is a work of non-fiction penned by author Patrick Marando in the inspirational writing, personal philosophy, and advice and guidance subgenres. Suitable for the general adult reading audience, the work is a profound guidebook that delves into the fundamental questions of self-discovery and personal understanding. Drawing on over two decades of experience as a spiritual teacher and psychologist, Marando takes readers on a journey to reconnect with their true selves. The book bridges the gap between spirituality and modern psychology, addressing the disconnection from the true self that many experience. Marando explains the intricacies of the mind and provides practical exercises to facilitate self-awareness and alignment with the true self. Author Patrick Marando delivers a spiritual and insightful work that readers from all walks of life are sure to appreciate. I personally found his insights into emotions, their origins, and how to manage them well-balanced and considerate of the different ways in which people choose to tackle their feelings, and the coming together of these perspectives contributes to a holistic approach to well-being. This well-organized work offers lots of practical help too that’s easy to refer back to and implement in your life, promoting a transformative experience and a roadmap to living authentically, fostering inner peace, and achieving fulfillment. Marando's clear explanations make complex concepts accessible, making this guide invaluable for anyone on a path of self-discovery. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend Waking Up To Your Self to readers everywhere who seek positive motivation to make lasting changes to their lives. ~ K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite

In Waking Up to Your Self, Patrick Marando explores the concept of the "true self," distinct from societal influences and personal labels, leaning toward the importance of reconnecting with this unchanging observer beyond learned beliefs and physical attributes. He outlines the impact of beliefs and perceptions stemming from the conditioned egoic mind on emotions and experiences. Marando also discusses emotional control mechanisms, their origins in childhood and societal expectations, and their inadvertent trapping of emotions, creating a stored emotional history. He categorizes emotions, stresses the significance of understanding and altering beliefs, and practices self-love techniques to align with the genuine self. Marando dissects complex emotions, taking deep dives into loneliness, powerlessness in decision-making, and the importance of acknowledging emotions' root causes for alignment with the true self. Marando champions the ongoing journey of self-discovery and the necessity of accepting imperfections for inner peace. Patrick Marando does an excellent job of showing readers a blend of personal experience, clear conceptual explanations, and actionable guidance so that one might easily understand and, therefore, be better equipped to reconnect and align with their true selves. Waking Up to Your Self: A Guide to Living Your Truth is written in an accessible manner that is simple enough for those who are new to the concept that we are more than just our bodies in a single, linear lifetime, but comprehensive enough for those with greater knowledge looking to expand on what they know. The standout to me was where Marando discusses the limitations we place on ourselves by constantly trying to either justify happenings empirically or twist ourselves up to find their logic. He tells us the limitations of relying solely on logical reasoning by explaining how situations outside the scope of logical sense can lead to confusion and emotional discord, stating, "...situations in the world do not always make logical sense to us.” Overall, this is a well-written and engrossing book with so much to offer those who, like me, enjoy alternative thoughts and a spiritual outlook. Very highly recommended. ~ Jamie Michele, Readers Favorite

Some people call it spirit, and some call it soul. Waking Up To Yourself by Patrick Marando welcomes you to your true inner self. It's about remembering who you really are, living your true self, transcending a conditioned egoic mind, and remembering how to love yourself and live freely. Step by step, this guide aims for you to identify with the inner essence that is aware of every change in your life and that motivates you to grow your light even in difficult situations. The author's words emanate warmth and empathy. I felt as if I received direct assistance from someone who had been through similar difficulties and was graciously eager to teach and shine their light on me. Patrick Marando draws you in to learn how to use your emotions and mind to your greatest advantage. He wishes for you, his reader, to expand your light so that you can embrace life as your genuine self, fully awaken to who you are, and live in a state of happiness, peace, and fulfillment. The chapter The Relationship-with-Self Family of Emotions was my favorite. This section walks us through the factors that might contribute to feelings of low self-worth, shame, and rejection, and how these can limit our lives. You are then guided through how to develop an upward spiral of beliefs that connect to those of the genuine self, allowing you to escape the suffering nature of the conditioned egoic self. If you wish to develop or improve self-love, evolve through the situation(s) that bother you, and obtain a deeper awareness of your existence, pick up Waking Up to Yourself. It has led me from being trapped by my thoughts and concerns to an empowered, upbeat mood where I can overcome my difficulties and submit to the moment. ~ Alex Ndirangu, Readers Favorite

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. A somewhere abstract guide to being human as you discover your true self, learn how to utilise your emotions and mind to our greatest benefit. This book is about understanding your mind as it develops, works and is not always aligned with your free will. Overall, I came away with new knowledge better understanding with practical ways to implement the teachings. I'd recommend the book to others, particularly those who have some initial knowledge of the concept. ~ Holly Jones (Reviewer) , NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. A real eye opener. The book helps recognise our behaviours and emotions in a clear and easy-to-digest way, giving practical advice on how we can all connect to our true selves and live a life of contentment. How Patrick breaks down our emotions into categories or ‘families’ is particularly unique and insightful, and he’s able to explain seemingly abstract concepts about the human condition in a way that is sure to strike multiple chords regardless of where you are at in life. There are so many ‘a-ha!’ moments throughout the book (my copy is full of underlined sentences and dog-eared pages) and I'll definitely be applying some of its teachings in my daily life from here on out. be Looking forward to reading more from Patrick in the future. ~ Dom Trimboli, Good Reads

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Full Text: I loved it. Drawing on his extensive experience as both a spiritual teacher and a psychologist, Marando provides readers with a comprehensive roadmap to reconnecting with their true selves and achieving a life of genuine well-being and fulfillment. Marando's approach to awakening bridges the gap between spirituality and modern psychology, making it accessible and relatable for readers from all walks of life. He delves into the reasons why we often become disconnected from our true selves and offers practical steps to help us remember and align with our inner truth. One of the book's strengths is its exploration of the mind and its role in our journey towards self-discovery. Marando explains how the mind can sometimes act as a barrier to our true selves but also provides valuable insights on how to harness its power to support our awakening process. His clear explanations and practical exercises make complex concepts easy to grasp and apply in daily life. The book also delves into our emotions, shedding light on why we experience them and how to effectively manage and utilize them as tools for aligning with our true selves. Marando's insights into common emotions provide readers with valuable tools for self-awareness and personal growth. What sets "Waking Up to Your True Self" apart is the author's compassionate and encouraging tone. Marando understands the challenges and struggles that individuals face on their spiritual journeys, and his guidance is both empathetic and empowering. He offers wisdom and support every step of the way, creating a sense of trust and reassurance for readers. ~ Karin H, Net Galley

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. This book was an accessible guide to some really big complex topics related to self discovery. I enjoyed the pacing and the author’s ability to describe/define terms without becoming too wordy. ~ Chelcy Warner (Reviewer) , NetGalley