The Book of Not Knowing

Exploring the True Nature of Self, Mind, and Consciousness

By: Peter Ralston, Laura Ralston - editor

Narrated by: Keith O'Brien

For fans of Eckhart Tolle—a guide to mastering self-awareness through direct experience rather than old presumptions or harmful thought patterns

Through decades of martial arts and meditation practice, Peter Ralston discovered a curious and paradoxical fact: that true awareness arises from a state of not-knowing. Even the most sincere investigation of self and spirit, he says, is often sabotaged by our tendency to grab too quickly for answers and ideas as we retreat to the safety of the known.

This "Hitchhiker’s Guide to Awareness" provides helpful guideposts along an experiential journey for those Western minds predisposed to wandering off to old habits, cherished presumptions, and a stubbornly solid sense of self. With ease and clarity, Ralston teaches readers how to become aware of the background patterns that they are usually too busy, stressed, or distracted to notice. The Book of Not Knowing points out the ways people get stuck in their lives and offers readers a way to make fresh choices about every aspect of their lives—from a place of awareness instead of autopilot.

Critic reviews

“True innovators are, by definition, ahead of their time. Therefore, they remain largely unrecognized, except by a few. How many of us wish we had met Bruce Lee, sat in a session with Carl Jung, or walked around Walden Pond with Thoreau? Too late for that, but not too late to take notice of Peter Ralston. His creativity, commitment, and clarity shine through as he articulates higher principles based on direct experience and piercing insight. A caring teacher, he has been to the mountaintop and bathed in the spring of Being. His insights speak to us all.”
—Dan Millman, author of Way of the Peaceful Warrior

“This is one of those rare books that you can read again, and refer back to… 10 out of 10 on our Infinity Scale. This is a must have book for the serious spiritual seeker.”
—EnlightenmentDudes.com

Narrator is fantastic/Mind-bending book

What about Keith O'Brien’s performance did you like?

At the time of this review, there are 3 2-star ratingsof the narrator with no explanation. I do not get this. The narrator is good, as good as any good narrator. There is certainly nothing distracting, annoying, or unusual about his narration.

I almost passed on this book because of those ratings. That would have been a mistake. The techniques in this book are very valuable to me. The narrator conveys them effectively. And pleasantly.

Mind blowing!

The content is amazing, I can't describe in words how many eye opening moments are hidden in this book. Really worth your time reading it.

I would not recommend the audible version because narrator is reading the numbers of paragraphs and its very distracting. If there was another narration without the numbers I would buy that one! Buy paper book instead! The only reason I can come up with why the narrator is reading the numbers is for the reader to follow in their paper book.

Incredibly well done.

This is hands-down the best book I’ve read for a very very long time. It is up with the best writers on thought, being, and how we relate to our existence. This is the type of book that will change what you get out of every other book that you read. At least that’s what I found in it. I will probably re-read this book at least once a year for the rest of my life. Peter Ralston has an incredible understanding of being. I don’t know what else to say other than get the book and read it.

Put many of my existential thoughts into words

The Book of Not Knowing by Peter Ralston is BY FAR one of the most transformative and life-changing books I have ever read. Ralston incredibly managed to have put many of my soul feelings into words, including existential topics that are so challenging to express. What I love about this book is that the chapters are short, and Ralston gets to the point without adding unnecessary fluff. Touching on challenging philosophical topics with simplicity and straightforwardness is what makes Ralston a gifted writer.

must read! must read. must read. must read. must

loved it! must be part of school curriculum. once you finish the book, you know your work is not done.