Dare to Be Yourself: How to Quit Being an Extra in Other Peoples Movies and Become the Star of Your Own

by Alan Cohen

Book Overview

In this powerful map to self-discovery, Alan Cohen draws on sources from Buddhism to the Bible, from Gandhi and Einstein to A Course In Miracles, sharing many of his own radiant moments of revelation on the spiritual path. He shows how we can let go of the past, overcome fear, and discover the power of love in our lives. Once we are engaged in the work of truly being ourselves, each challenge becomes an opportunity for growth, each choice a lesson...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0449908399
• ISBN13: 9780449908396
• Release Date: June 1994
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.67 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.1" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Life Changing Book

To say this book changed my life would be an understatement. I keep copies of it on hand to give people that are struggling in trying to find out who they are or how to just make it through the day. It opened my eyes to a NEW me not the "religious" guilt riden girl I had turned out to be. It took my life from guilt control to God's true adventure into freedom from man made rules. Alan cohen uses humor and examples from modern life and makes his points in a way that is easy to understand. The questions at the end of each chapter are wonderful for getting to know the REAL you and find out where in your life you may have went off track and this book also helps point you in the right direction to get back on track and start enjoying your life again. Awesome and Amazing but above all LIFE CHANGING !!!!

A Journey to the Mountaintop of Self-Awareness

Whatever we concentrate on, expands and increases. ~Alan Cohen All of Alan's books are healing, beautiful gifts that allow you to see a reflection of your current self within the pages. Alan has the amazing ability (very rare as far as I can tell) to see deep spiritual lessons in even the most negative situations. To Alan, life is a reflection of his inner world. This has become more apparent to me lately and there have been moments when I've spoken my intentions out loud or just thought them silently and my life changes or moves in positive directions. The same can happen when you think negatively as I have proved to myself time and time again. Alan is a man before his time and his love of quotes and movies is a highlight in "Dare to Be Yourself." The truth is, Alan is comfortable being himself and as Ingrid Bergman once said: "Be Yourself. The world worships the original." He has divided his book into five main sections: 1. The Return of the Golden Buddha - How to chip away the mask and reveal more of your golden nature. 2. Dare to Love Yourself - Do you respect yourself and believe in yourself? 3. Dare to Live Now - How to turn scars into stars and let yourself experience life on the human level. It is fine to change your mind, be wrong or let go. Alan also discusses forgiveness and how to live in the moment. 4. Dare to Be Yourself - How can you take your power back? How to say NO! 5. Dare to Move Ahead - Taking risks, moving through fear, doing the impossible and living your vision. Alan Cohen mingles practical advice with spiritual insight and weaves popular cultures into deep lessons. I always learn something new about life. There is a fascinating story about Monarch Butterflies on page 45. The original idea of the "Blessing Extractor" and "Wish-fulfillment machine" made complete sense to me and then I was very amused by the cute story of "The God in Chocolate." His insightful observations about Marilyn Monroe shed light on her life and he also discusses how when you feel like you are dying, you are going through a spiritual birthing process. As your old self dies, the new self is born. This can happen over and over again. I have been through this a few times myself and now I finally understand what was happening to me. I loved his creative ideas for making space for joy and enjoyed quotes by Albert Einstein, Yogi Amrit Desai and Ramana Maharshi. Reading Alan Cohen's books are truly a vacation for your soul and his writing is refreshing in that he looks at life from an uncommon perspective. This book even has a workbook section with each chapter- to encourage you to apply the principles and open new doors in your life. ~The Rebecca Review

A Journey to the Mountaintop of Self-Awareness

Whatever we concentrate on, expands and increases. ~Alan CohenI'm on the Alan Cohen book journey. "Dare to Be Yourself" could not have come into my life at a better time. All of Alan's books are healing, beautiful gifts that allow you to see a reflection of your current self within the pages. Alan has the amazing ability (very rare as far as I can tell) to see deep spiritual lessons in even the most negative situations. To Alan, life is a reflection of his inner world. This has become more apparent to me lately and there have been moments when I've spoken my intentions out loud or just thought them silently and my life changes or moves in positive directions. The same can happen when you think negatively as I have proved to myself time and time again. Alan is a man before his time and his love of quotes and movies is a highlight in "Dare to Be Yourself." The truth is, Alan is comfortable being himself and as Ingrid Bergman once said: "Be Yourself. The world worships the original." He has divided his book into five main sections: 1. The Return of the Golden Buddha - How to chip away the mask and reveal more of your golden nature. 2. Dare to Love Yourself - Do you respect yourself and believe in yourself?3. Dare to Live Now - How to turn scars into stars and let yourself experience life on the human level. It is fine to change your mind, be wrong or let go. Alan also discusses forgiveness and how to live in the moment. 4. Dare to Be Yourself - How can you take your power back? How to say NO! 5. Dare to Move Ahead - Taking risks, moving through fear, doing the impossible and living your vision. Alan Cohen mingles practical advice with spiritual insight and weaves popular cultures into deep lessons. I always learn something new about life. There is a fascinating story about Monarch Butterflies on page 45. The original idea of the "Blessing Extractor" and "Wish-fulfillment machine" made complete sense to me and then I was very amused by the cute story of "The God in Chocolate." His insightful observations about Marilyn Monroe shed light on her life and he also discusses how when you feel like you are dying, you are going through a spiritual birthing process. As your old self dies, the new self is born. This can happen over and over again. I have been through this a few times myself and now I finally understand what was happening to me. I loved his creative ideas for making space for joy and enjoyed quotes by Albert Einstein, Yogi Amrit Desai and Ramana Maharshi. Reading Alan Cohen's books are truly a vacation for your soul and his writing is refreshing in that he looks at life from an uncommon perspective. Thank you to Dave Wingert from the Dave 'til Dawn show for introducing me to the work of Alan Cohen. Once I heard a few passages from his books, I knew I had to read all his books. They are comforting, enlightening and this book even has a workbook section with each chapter- to encourage you to apply the principles and open new doors in your life.

A book that changes lives for the better!

I read this book years ago, and it's still one of the firstbooks I recommend to people. It helps one realize that negative thinkingabout yourself is not only non-productive, it's harmful and keeps you from progressing in life as you want to; giving one the ideas and tools to become more positive-minded. Alan Cohen has written with a style that contains very powerful insight that is an easy read, and I like the one-liners at the beginning of every chapter; they help one focus on issues about to be covered.I highly recommend this book to anyone who has had a "Dark Night of the Soul," feels despair, needs a new outlook on life, and could use helpful advice on new ways to think, thereby changing to a more positive life instead of always focusing on the negative.A truly WONDERFUL book!

Read this book and change your life!!

I went to the bookstore looking for something to satisfy my craving for inspiration and higher consciousness. I came upon Alan Cohen's book, "Dare To Be Yourself", in the new age section (although, upon reading it, I'm not sure why). Anyway, everything about this book is profoundly life-enhancing, from the cover straight through to the last page. Mr. Cohen's writing style is conversational, and easy to follow. He gives many examples and analogies to clarify his points. As I read, I couldn't help but feel he was speaking directly to me, although, I suspect anyone reading this book will feel similarly. As I continued to read, I knew that I would never be the same after finishing this book. In fact, people have told me I seem happier, and I attribute that to lifting the self-imposed limitations I've lived with up until to this point. It may sound funny, but it's as if the author has given me "permission" to just be me! Reading this book has been a major liberating experience for me. I've been recommending it to everyone I know, and I'm sure I will continue to do so. I can't wait to read his other books. Alan Cohen has a wonderful gift which he has chosen to share with the world, and I, for one, am extremely grateful. And now, I'm off to share MY gifts with the world! : )