The Secret to Everything: How to Live More and Suffer Less : Neel Burton

Self-help, with a twist

The Secret to Everything has been known to mystics and scholars for centuries and millennia, and, today, is increasingly being confirmed by both philosophy and science. Socrates certainly knew it, as did the Buddha, and more recently, Albert Einstein, Carl Jung, and Emily Dickinson. It is a secret not because it is hidden as such, but because it is so difficult to see, running counter to so many of our most basic assumptions.

Each of the book’s ten chapters exposes a particular aspect and practical application of the secret, while also keeping it carefully under wraps. On the surface, the chapters may seem to have little in common, but they are all built around the same wisdom. Your challenge, as you read, is to find the common thread that runs through all the chapters. The secret is discussed at the end, but don’t peek or you’ll spoil the fun.

[Neel Burton] draws from religion, philosophy, art, and science, discussing both ancient and modern texts. Now, don’t misunderstand me; this doesn’t feel like reading a heavy text. It isn’t like that at all; it is highly accessible while still being thought-provoking. –Jamie BJ, Amazon.com Top 100 Reviewer

This is a gentle, easy read, arranged around bite-sized chunks to reflect on. I very much enjoyed it and loved the mix of philosophy, ancient wisdom and mental health topics and I appreciated the author’s breadth of knowledge and experience. Now that I’ve finished it, I will be dipping into this book again from time to time, to reflect on further. –Susan Glazier on Amazon.co.uk

About the author
Dr Neel Burton is a psychiatrist, philosopher, and wine-lover who lives and teaches in Oxford, England. He is a Fellow of Green-Templeton College in the University of Oxford, and the recipient of the Society of Authors’ Richard Asher Prize, the British Medical Association’s Young Authors’ Award, the Medical Journalists’ Association Open Book Award, and a Best in the World Gourmand Award. His work has featured in the likes of Aeon, the Spectator, and The Times, and been translated into several languages.

Contents
Introduction
1. How to see
2. How to dream
3. How to be religious
4. How to be wise
5. How to be fearless
6. How to live
7. How to love
8. How to win
9. How to party
10. How to think
The Secret to Everything

Book Links
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On Amazon