Open

Living with an Expansive Mind in a Distracted World

By: Nate Klemp

Narrated by: Nate Klemp

“This wise and deeply relevant book guides us in navigating the seductive trance of a growingly virtual world… and living with our full creativity, intelligence, and love.”—Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance and Trusting the Gold

A New York Times bestselling author shares a powerful new approach for living in a distracted and divided world with greater engagement, freedom, and openness.

With the avalanche of information we get every day, closing down our minds and hearts seems to be the only way to survive. We close down to our inner experience by compulsively checking our devices. We close down to others by getting caught in echo chambers of outrage. But what if there’s another way? What if being more open to life is actually what brings us sanity and happiness? In this climate of distraction and division, Nate Klemp’s Open offers a path back to a way of living that is expansive, creative, and filled with wonder.

Drawing on new science, age-old practices, and personal stories, Klemp examines why we close down when faced with stressors or threats, then reveals how we can train ourselves to open up to the fullness that life offers—even when frightened, outraged, or heartbroken. Join him to explore:

• The uniquely modern challenges that make closing down easier and more tempting than ever

• Experiential stories of psychedelic-assisted therapy, opening to political adversaries, meditation, and other tools for opening the mind

• The Three Shifts of Opening—how to break the habit of mind wandering, approach instead of withdraw, and enlarge the size of your perspective

• The Open Toolkit—a treasury of meditations, investigations, and habit-changing practices to open your mind

Expanding the size of the mind may sound subtle—yet the results can utterly transform our lives. “When we open to life,” says Klemp, “we’re no longer stuck in here fighting against our thoughts on the inside or a crazed world on the outside. We’re connected. Our minds and lives get bigger. There’s more room, more perspective, more possibility. This is what it means to be free.”

©2024 Nate Klemp (P)2024 Sounds True

Critic reviews

“In the library of psychospiritual literature, this is a genuinely original and unique book. Strap on your seat belt for a fascinating ride through cutting-edge science, insights from the mystics, vulnerable self-exploration, powerful experiential practices, and a blistering critique of political polarization. Nate Klemp offers a master class in how to be open without being overwhelmed, and how to rest in your essential being in the juicy intimacy of every kind of relationship.”—Rick Hanson, PhD, author of Buddha’s Brain (with Richard Mendius, MD) and Resilient (with Forrest Hanson)

“In a time of spiraling fear and polarization, where we all have countless reasons to close our hearts and minds, Nate Klemp offers us a wise, inspiring, counterintuitive invitation to open up. His methods of dealing with a chaotic world are both pragmatic and heartfelt, grounded and elevating. By generously sharing his own experience, he offers companionship on a journey that can help us all live more freely and joyfully.”—Martha Beck, author of The Way of Integrity and Diana, Herself

“Here is a truly important book about living in our intense times. It takes the reader on a deeply personal journey of learning to stay open in the face of the distractions and contractions of today’s world. Read Open—it’s an investment in serenity and stress-free productivity.”—Gay Hendricks, author of Conscious Living and The Big Leap

Old Dog learns New Tricks...

Dr. Klemp's clearly articulated approaches to opening our minds through the conscious identification of distractions are tools that I think many will find of value in these times of constant visceral bombardment. I've already put to work one of his concepts. I am a seasoned financial professional who like many is exposed daily to the stressors of information overload, for instance, as represented by the incessant "talking heads" on financial TV. Using his tools I have now found new ways to engage when helpful, query when confusing, and tune out when destructive. This a helpful read if you are searching for ways to bring some calm to your busy life.

Excellent Book

I devoured this book. The story and the narration were both pleasant, and I learned so much. I am grateful to the author for writing such a wonderful piece.

Simple and Accessible Tools

Dr. Klemp offers an accessible dive into ways to cultivate a more connected and open way of being. Although the topics could feel new agey, his humble and vulnerable style of writing (mixed in with some corny dad jokes) allows the book to feel light and welcoming to new comers to this space. His writing on Ketamine-assisted therapy were written so as to let the reader almost feel like they were experiencing it themselves. I thoroughly enjoyed the listen and came away with some solid tips on how to stay in the real world that we call home and also experience a wider vision which can lead to less anxiety and a more of a healthy mental outlook.

A refreshing view on living in current culture

As I listed to OPEN I felt as if Nate Klemp were having a conversation with just me as he shared his personal journey with vulnerability and candor. This book has tips, tools and techniques on ways to live your day to day life with more genuine connection to your feelings and experiences as you navigate the noise, pressures and distractions in the outside world. Highly recommended.

An amazing story and important work delivered by Nate Klemp.

Llama Nate!!!! Wow! I just finished listening to Open over the last two days. What an absolute treat and literary gift you have given the world. I laughed, I journaled, I relaxed into your words as if I were being told a beautiful bedtime story, and most of all, I OPENED. You should be incredibly proud of what you have created. This is SO what the world needs right now. Bravo!

Relatable & Transformative

"OPEN" by Nate Klemp is a book that spoke directly to my heart. What I loved most was the author's emphasis on the power of vulnerability and authenticity in our journey towards mindfulness. His personal stories, especially those about navigating through struggles, were deeply moving and relatable. Whether you're seeking personal growth, deeper relationships, or simply a more fulfilling life, "OPEN" provides a roadmap for navigating the complexities of the human experience with grace and authenticity. This book has truly enriched my understanding of mindfulness, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking to embark on a journey of self-discovery.

Listening to A Man's Personal Story, Not a book to actually help the reader

The book heavily focuses on the author's personal life, like a biography, not a development book to help the readers. Personal accounts of the Author's journey with drugs, his grandmother, and his journey with phone addiction/lack of addiction. The book lacks a key take away for the reader.