• Broken Open

  • How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow
  • By: Elizabeth Lesser
  • Narrated by: Susan Denaker
  • Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (592 ratings)

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Broken Open  By  cover art

Broken Open

By: Elizabeth Lesser
Narrated by: Susan Denaker
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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

Featured Article: 55+ Quotes About Fear—of the Unknown, Change, Love, and More


Looking for a little confidence boost? These quotes about fear from some of literature’s greatest writers can help bolster your bravado. In moments of fear, it’s natural to turn to others—from loved ones to professional counsel—for comfort, encouragement, and advice. But sometimes, it’s most helpful to hear what people you’ve never met have written on the topic. These quotes offer a comprehensive, reassuring portrait of fear and ways to conquer it.

What listeners say about Broken Open

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
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Wisdom in every page

Lesser has a remarkable background and a wealth of stories to illustrate it. Very accessible and fun to read.

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

Life ring for life crisis

Really helped me with my perspective during crisis. I'll be reading more of her work.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Life changing

Words can't express what this book has done for me and how it has changed my perspective on life and change.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A Wonderful set of Teachings and Tools

I will go back to this book in search of words and thoughts that I need when I need them again. I already know one area I want to go back to. The tools she presents are beautifully described and evaluated. I read this book to read about grief but I found so much more. I wish I could say I am "broken open" however it has opened my eyes a bit wider.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyed

The author is almost poetic in the way she describes things. Good book!
I really enjoyed it

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Life Changing

I am so glad I selected this book. I have listened to it several times, each time taking something new with me. I purchased two more for a couple of women I thought could use it. An absolutely fantastic, life changing book!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

It's a memoir

Would you try another book from Elizabeth Lesser and/or Susan Denaker?

I am a fan of Lesser's work and the Omega Institute, but this book is not a self-help, it's a memoir. If you like memoirs, I think this is a great book for you. But personally, I'm not interested in memoirs, so this was not for me.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Susan Denaker?

The narration is wonderful. She has warmth and depth.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story, Don't recommend the Narrator However

How could the performance have been better?

The narrator is so over the top, it's like she's reading to children... she lowers her voice when reading quotes from men... raises her voice when talking about kids.... makes me sick! Unfortunately I can't finish the book bc of it! :(

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Your friend in a challenging time

Like coming home and meeting your souls after a life of searching. A magical book

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

Good book

The book was good and parts of it were exceptionally good. Personally, I found the narration to take away from the book. It was overwrought and sounded very unnatural and over the top.

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