Bruce Tift’s Already Free is an inspiring, encouraging, and powerful book on mindful living. Tift provides readers with simple but powerfully effective methods of living life with mindfulness and awareness. The advice and teachings in this book offer a deep exploration of spiritual guidance, creating an avenue of self-liberation and the emergence of a stronger sense of peace, joy, and clarity.
Tift incorporates Eastern wisdom merged with the modern Western perspective in Already Free, providing readers with an accessible, comprehensive approach to spiritual growth. He begins by discussing the importance of surrendering attachments and developing a faith that is strengthened through true understanding rather than blind devotion. Tift asserts that as one learns to let go of the need for outcomes or expectations of any kind, they can accept reality for what is and overcome the fear of change. This is the first step towards understanding the nature of things, which is essential for living with mindfulness and awareness.
In Already Free, Tift extensively discusses the key elements of mindfulness and mindfulness meditation-attention, awareness and acceptance. He illustrates several methods of cultivating and sustaining these elements, enabling readers to live with a greater sense of purpose, clarity, and presence. He emphasizes the importance of active listening-listening without judgment or attachment to any agenda. This allows one to be open to all that’s happening in the present moment without trying to control it. Tift also encourages a holistic notion of personal growth that integrates the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of the self.
Tift provides readers with the tools to address major spiritual challenges and offers tips on how to rise above adversities. He encourages readers to examine their relationship with themselves and how they react to these challenges. He emphasizes the need to be strong and courageous in the face of difficulties and to use these experiences as opportunities for growth. Tift further advises that self-compassion is essential for healing from these struggles and finding inner peace.
At the same time, Tift encourages readers to remain open-minded and adaptable to change. By refusing to “harden” into a particular pattern of thinking, one can remain in harmony with the flow of life, allowing for positive potential to emerge. This proactive approach is essential for cultivating inner strength and autonomy, which leads to greater joy and harmony.
The ultimate goal in Already Free is to attain a place of true freedom. Tift outlines several steps that help to lead toward this place, such as detaching from ego and establishing an inner sense of truth and security within oneself. Tift encourages readers to be mindful and create space that allows them to really explore their inner worlds, showing them that true freedom lies in understanding and accepting change, not in running away from it.
Already Free by Bruce Tift is a comprehensive book that provides readers with a navigational guide on the path to mindful living. Tift’s insightful lessons and teachings offer a blueprint for self-liberation and cultivating a deeper understanding of the nature of things. Through the use of practical advice and spiritual guidance, Tift provides an invaluable source of illumination along the journey of spiritual growth.
