Broken Open

How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow

By: Elizabeth Lesser

Narrated by: Susan Denaker

Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller

This inspiring guide to healing and growth illuminates the richness and potential of every life, even in the face of loss and adversity.In the more than 25 years since she co-founded Omega Institute - now the world’s largest center for spiritual retreat and personal growth - Elizabeth Lesser has been an intimate witness to the ways in which people weather change and transition. In a beautifully crafted blend of moving stories, humorous insights, practical guidance, and personal memoir, she offers tools to help us make the choice we all face in times of challenge: Will we be broken down and defeated, or broken open and transformed?

Lesser shares tales of ordinary people who have risen from the ashes of illness, divorce, loss of a job or a loved one - stronger, wiser, and more in touch with their purpose and passion. And she draws on the world’s great spiritual and psychological traditions to support us as we too learn to break open and blossom into who we were meant to be.

©2004 Villard (P)2008 Random House

So much wisdom

Elizabeth Lesser has helped me to awaken again and anew in my life during a difficult time. I will refer back to this treasure trove of a book many many times.

Fabulous Stories...Truly Deep and Moving

Having seen Elizabeth on Oprah I was drawn to her. This book is a jewel. It is beautifully read too. This went on my Ipod and has been my constant companion for 2 days. What gorgeous stories she shares.
I have wept copious tears of joy and sorrow, and feel that she has captured with such beauty...the rich and complex experiences of life.

A beautiful book..

I found this book very helpful and conforting

Beautiful and inspiring!!

This book is incredible. I will listen to it over and over. Elizabeth's words are so beautiful and deep.

One of my favorites!

Awesome and inspiring!! Will read again as I need to be uplifted.. Came at the right time in my life

The worst narration...ruins an otherwise wonderful book.

I previously read the printed version of this book, but wanted to catch up with it again prior to a book club. Knowing it was not likely that I would have the time (energy) to re-read it while in quarantine with two young children, I thought I would try the audiobook. Unfortunately, the narration of this book is completely out of line with the “voice” of the author. It is so out of synch that it makes it impossible to connect with the book. A very unfortunate choice. Otherwise, this is a great book. If you are at a place in your life that you find yourself needing the message and encouragement of this book, please go get yourself a printed copy and indulge in this incredibly helpful book.

She speaks truth of her experience

And writes well… simply, clearly sharing her spiritual journey. I enjoyed it more than I have enjoyed most non fiction. Her story has fascinating experiences and characters we’ve heard of but maybe idolized or discounted depending on our own preferences or styles of choosing heroes. I’m very glad I read this book.

A glorified autobiography, lacking depth

The narration was great, easy listening. And the first half of the book was interesting, informative even, but afterwards it just went downhill and I struggled so much to finish it. While the book may be helpful to many, I have listened to dozens of "self help" type of books and truthfully this is nothing more than an autobiography with a lesson that can be summarized into a paragraph or less. The author relies too heavily on the lessons of other spiritual teachers and doesn't offer any real insight of her own. Her story about her life's trials are only relatable to a specific genre and she adds far too much personal information that has no bearing on the lesson she is trying to get across. I didn't get much out of this book besides frustration, so I won't be reading it again and I wouldn't recommend to anyone either.

Food for the soul

For anyone that is looking to evolve past their current situation, this is a reminder of grace, perservance, ebb and flow. It functions as gut awakening and gentle reminder.

Content has potential but narrator’s voice doesn’t match

I was very excited to listen to this book after hearing the author speak on a podcast. But honestly I can’t focus on the content because the narrator’s voice is so distracting. It’s more of a fit for fictional storytelling than nonfiction. I can’t hear Elizabeth Lesser’s “voice” with this rendition. I’m returning the Audible book and will get the written copy instead.