UnMind: A Graphic Guide to Self-realization by Siddharth Tripathi was a refreshing and insightful read for me. It’s not often that I come across a book that presents deep spiritual teachings in such a visually engaging and accessible way. As someone who has explored various philosophical and self-help books, I found UnMind to be a unique and innovative take on self-inquiry and non-duality.
My Thoughts on the Book’s Structure
The book is divided into four key sections, each building upon the previous one, making the journey toward self-realization feel structured and progressive.
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The Grand Illusion – This section made me question the nature of reality and how my mind shapes my perceptions. The book does a great job of introducing the idea that what we consider to be “self” might just be a construct.
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The Leap of Faith – Here, the focus shifts toward embracing the unknown. This part resonated with me deeply because it emphasized that understanding spirituality is not just about intellectual knowledge but about experiencing a shift in perspective.
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A New Light – This section provided practical insights into self-inquiry, helping me connect abstract concepts with real-life scenarios.
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Practices – I really appreciated this section because it moved from theory to action. It offers exercises that help apply the teachings in daily life.
Why the Visual Format Works
One of the things I loved most about UnMind was its visual approach. The illustrations by Kalyani S. Naravane aren’t just there for decoration—they play a crucial role in making complex ideas more digestible.
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They simplify tough concepts. I’ve read plenty of books on non-duality, but many can be dense and difficult to grasp. The visuals in this book broke things down in a way that made everything feel more approachable.
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They make the reading experience engaging. Instead of feeling like I was slogging through heavy philosophical text, I found myself fully immersed in the ideas because of the comic-strip format.
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They create lasting impressions. Certain illustrations stuck with me long after I finished reading, reinforcing key lessons without the need for lengthy explanations.
Themes That Stood Out to Me
Tripathi draws inspiration from Sri Ramana Maharshi and Ramesh Balsekar, two spiritual teachers known for their work in Advaita philosophy. While I was already familiar with their teachings, UnMind presented them in a way that made them feel fresh and applicable to my everyday life.
A few themes that particularly struck me:
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The power of self-inquiry. The book constantly encourages questioning the nature of “I” and moving beyond ego-driven thought patterns.
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Letting go of the illusion of control. This idea really hit home for me—realizing that so much of my stress comes from trying to control things that are ultimately outside of my influence.
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The mind as both a tool and an obstacle. The distinction between the “thinking mind” and the “working mind” was an eye-opener, helping me understand how my thoughts can either serve me or trap me.
Highlights
Final Thoughts
UnMind is one of those books that I know I’ll revisit multiple times. It’s not just a book to read—it’s a book to reflect on and experience. Whether you’re new to spirituality or already on a path of self-inquiry, this book offers something valuable.
If you’re looking for a thought-provoking yet easy-to-digest introduction to self-realization, I highly recommend picking up UnMind. It’s a rare blend of wisdom and creativity that left a lasting impact on me.
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