The Undefeated Mind

On the Science of Constructing an Indestructible Self

By: Alex Lickerman

Narrated by: Phil Holland

Legions of self-help authors rightly urge personal development as the key to happiness, but they typically fail to focus on its most important objective: hardiness. Though that which doesn't kill us can make us stronger, as Nietzsche tells us, few authors today offer any insight into just how to springboard from adversity to strength.

It doesn't just happen automatically, and it takes practice. New scientific research suggests that resilience isn't something with which only a fortunate few of us have been born, but rather something we can all take specific action to develop. To build strength out of adversity, we need a catalyst. What we need, according to Dr. Alex Lickerman, is wisdom - wisdom that adversity has the potential to teach us.

Lickerman's underlying premise is that our ability to control what happens to us in life may be limited, but we have the ability to establish a life-state to surmount the suffering life brings us. The Undefeated Mind distills the wisdom we need to create true resilience into nine core principles, including:

• A new definition of victory and its relevance to happiness
• The concept of the changing of poison into medicine
• A way to view prayer as a vow we make to ourselves.
• A method of setting expectations that enhances our ability to endure disappointment and minimizes the likelihood of quitting
• An approach to taking personal responsibility and moral action that enhances resilience
• A process for managing pain - both physical and emotional - that enables us to push through obstacles that might otherwise prevent us from attaining our goals
• A method of leveraging our relationships with others that helps us manifest our strongest selves

Through stories of patients who have used these principles to overcome suffering caused by unemployment, unwanted weight gain, addiction, rejection, chronic pain, retirement, illness, loss, and even death, Dr. Lickerman shows how we too can make these principles function within our own lives, enabling us to develop for ourselves the resilience we need to achieve indestructible happiness. At its core, The Undefeated Mind urges us to stop hoping for easy lives and focus instead on cultivating the inner strength we need to enjoy the difficult lives we all have.

©2012 Alex Lickerman (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Practical ideas for overcoming life's difficulties

What did you love best about The Undefeated Mind?

The practical, non-dogmatic approach based on Buddhist principles and current scientific understanding of the mind.

What other book might you compare The Undefeated Mind to and why?

I was motivated to read the works of Frankl cited by this book.

What about Phil Holland’s performance did you like?

Timing and voice were very nice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, and over and over again.

Lots of aha moments to discover

I've listened to quite a few books in this subject and I must say that Alex's book has really moved me. His anecdotes supported by scientific research are stories that anyone can feel identified from one degree to another. Most importantly Alex's book covers every single challenge that a person will face in his lifetime with strategies to overcome them. It is also an introduction to Nichiren Buddhism which I found fascinating. I really recommend this book to anyone in the search of self realisation.

Perspective is Everything!

Poison into medicine! When your mind is able to filter “life” by turning poison into medicine, your life will become indestructible.

Helpful!

Laced with real accounts from cases the Doc/author has dealt with, this is a self-help book I wasn't seeking but then here it is in my library.

Amazingly helpful post pandemic to sort out my head

I am a veterinarian and I own a veterinary practice in small town America. This book kept hitting points I’ve been struggling with in part because of the emotional toll and daily trauma that we are faced with as well as my seasonal depression and self worth issues including a shame existence bind that torments me even in my 40’s.

Thank you Dr. Lickerman, you seem like an amazing physician. Your stories and spiritual insights have lighted a path that looks like it might lead me out of this darkness I’ve found myself lost in.

Never be defeated.

Great ideas and stories on how and why people overcome adversity. It was a moving, rewarding, and eye opening book. I would recommend this to anyone feeling down and out in or with their lives. We have the ability to change and find happiness even in the most difficult circumstances. Will definitely listen to again.

Science meets enlightenment.

The author is a Doctor and a buhhdist. He draws generously from the wisdom of his particular firm of buhhdism, without the unsubstantiated claims that pervade and (to me) corrupts most "spiritual" books.

You get the wisdom and the practice without the woo-woo. Everything is backed with studies and science when possible and when it can't be he readily admits it.

I first read this in the spring-time of an opportunity in my life. It was good. I relistened to it in the "winter" and it rang much truer. It is very good.

If you're trying to get though a tough time, buy it. It will give you a nice mix of empathy and compassion mixed with wisdom and perspective. It helped me. I'm glad I listened.

Well worth listening to

The book was excellently narrated and provides a lot of great lessons and anecdotes on happiness and how to find your life mission. Alex ends the book with a great summary on how all of the chapters tie together and ends the book with a call to action (I won’t spoil the ending).
Although he mentions many lessons from Nichiren Buddhism this is not a book on how to practice Buddhism so there is no need to be turned away from the book if you are not interested in Buddhism. In fact, the lessons here could help you improve upon your own religious or spiritual beliefs.

Become strong manual.

Become the master of ones mind influences our actions which produce the best results in life..

Wow

I read prolifically. Easily one of the best books I’ve read in a while. A must read!