• The Undefeated Mind

  • On the Science of Constructing an Indestructible Self
  • By: Alex Lickerman
  • Narrated by: Phil Holland
  • Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,148 ratings)

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The Undefeated Mind  By  cover art

The Undefeated Mind

By: Alex Lickerman
Narrated by: Phil Holland
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Publisher's summary

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.

What listeners say about The Undefeated Mind

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Should have actually read it!

Interesting information and certainly inspiring. Narrator clearly was not inspired. Monotone droning. Was difficult to listen to.

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41 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Not what I expected but...

If you could sum up The Undefeated Mind in three words, what would they be?

I downloaded this book because after ordering a bunch of books on amazon on fitness and crossfit this book was recommended to me. So I guess I was expecting it to be a book about learning how to condition your mind to be tuff, in the sense of pushing your self towards goals and through really hard work outs or even pain or injury. Instead it ended up being a book more broad in nature, focused more on everyday problems and a few life changing type events.

What did you like best about this story?

There was a section on "finding your mission" that I liked and also a section on "negative thoughts" that have stuck with me on almost a daily basis.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The narrator delivery is a bit...i dont know how to explain it...it seems to lack almost any emotion. Not as bad as a computerized voice...but sometimes it seemed close.

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

I listened to this book on my lunch hours while taking walks.

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36 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Book

Would you listen to The Undefeated Mind again? Why?

Yes. The book contains many Gold Nuggets based on scientific research as well as best therapeutic practice. I am a psychologist and hypnotherapist and many of the techniques and theories Dr. Lickerman uses in his practice is very relevant to my private practice as well. Thank you Dr. Alex Lickerman for writing this book. Cand Psychol Sigurd Stubsjøen

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30 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional book!

The content of this book is exceptional. The author blends his own wisdom, a firm grasp of psychology as well as his philosophical roots in Buddhist thought to produce a truly helpful self help book. I have listened to hundreds of these books, yet this is the first review I've felt moved to write. If you are a sensitive person, relate to Buddhist thinking, and are looking for a way to increase your own resilience, I recommend this book. While the narrator does a very nice job, I would have preferred a female voice.

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18 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

I'll save you investment: Study Buddhism

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Perhaps not reading most of the source material that this author plagiarized.

Would you ever listen to anything by Alex Lickerman again?

Never is a long time. Maybe one day I'll get a free copy of something Alex actually wrote himself, and will forget about this nonsense.

What didn’t you like about Phil Holland’s performance?

He was a bit dry and robotic. Not terrible by any means, but not very interesting either.

What character would you cut from The Undefeated Mind?

The Buddhist monk that happens to also be a medical professional and psychologist.

Any additional comments?

I just... I can't. I made it several chapters in, but the bullsh^t stacked so high that I could feel my brain shutting down. He regurgitates the work of other authors, and tries to sell it as his own. Claims to be a cancer doctor that assaults people with terminal illnesses hour long psychological diatribes about happiness and zen. The key to happiness is studying Buddhism, and having a positive outlook. There it is, save your credit and buy some Seneca the Younger.. the uncredited creator of most of the ideas shared here.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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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.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars

Robotic narration.

There may be useful, informativ guidance but the drab, monotonous, nearly robotic narration makes it impossible to keep my attention on the content. Wish I could get a refund...too late now.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Title is a bit misleading

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

A Buddhist or someone in search of religion.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Undefeated Mind?

None because I could not read all of it

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Its not the narrator but the author.

Any additional comments?

The science in this book is based on nicheren buddhism. I am not against religion but readers should have been forewarned that this book is about Buddhism.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I will never listen to an audio book again

This was the first time listening to an audio book and it will be my last. I want to keep the imprint this book made on my mind pure and concentrated, so I will never listen to an audio book again. The author single handedly created an unbelievable awareness of the paths we take in pursuit of a life worth living. This can only be accomplished with a formidable mind.

Bravo!

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Outstanding in every way

I have now listened to this twice. Both times I have drawn inspiration and courage to persevere. Even more important I have found concrete actions I can implement. Thank you Dr. Lickerman!

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6 people found this helpful