Unsubscribe: Opt Out of Delusion, Tune In to Truth

Josh Korda weaves neuroscience and secular Buddhism in a way that is thoroughly informative yet readily accessible. He is frank about his struggles and humble about his recovery. He offers meditation practices throughout. I have recommended this book to many friends and will refer to it often.

Josh Korda offers some excellent words of zen wisdom in "Unsubscribe." Korda carries on Noah Levine's mission and direction but he has his own expression and presentation of these ideas. He's very blunt. He's compassionately reflective. When I first started reading this book, I stopped at the beginning. Korda's invitation to deal with our mortality struck a deep nerve that I wasn't really ready to deal with at the time. I set the book down. I picked it up. Nope. Not ready. I did this a few times. Finally, I decided to read on. While I've not confronted my fears of my own mortality, I was able to really get into the rest of the book. There are some excellent practices that are very down to earth and without the usual hippie dippie stuff. I finished the book. It is worth checking out if you are in need of a modern take of Buddhist ideas.

An instant Western Buddhist classic. Authentic, personal, direct, uncompromising, compassionate, obviously ROOTED IN DEEP PERSONAL EXPLORATION AND EXPERIENCE, particularly useful because it hits the rare sweet spot of being comprehensive while remaining accessible. It also notably addresses subtle aspects without failing to offer solid touchstones of advice.This is no happy-hippy fluff piece, nor is it some angry anti-establishment rant... this book is both a manual for the heart/mind as well as a toolbox to perform preventative maintenance and repairs on it. Josh Korda's new offering is the antithesis of many similarly targeted writings which give the distinct feeling of being a Dharma book overreaching to come across as relevant in the modern psychology era, or a psychology book attempting to lend itself "spiritual authority"... it demonstrates a most practical mastery of both Dharma and modern psychology, organically integrating both approaches.Josh knows that when help is needed at deeper than surface levels a stream of platitudes and conceptual assurances will not suffice. He offers a cohesive approach to life's difficulties through explorations of concepts that are matched with somatic practice suggestions in chapters that are of digestible length. In summary: Depth, Breadth, & Heart of the most useful type skillfully conveyed through a fluid & personal writing style.

“Unsubscribe” manages to do a lot of things very well. It instructs the reader in the skills required for self investigation, largely through body awareness; it enhances understanding of how we avoid and sidestep difficult personal problems; and it crucially emphasizes the social nature of the dharma by expounding the deeply interpersonal dynamics of practice. This last aspect is given heavy emphasis: the phrase “we are social animals” is repeated five times, and we are told repeatedly that happiness and fulfillment are possible only in some form of therapeutic relation to to others. My only objection to the various emphases of “Unsubscribe” is that is seems dismissive of those who, by nature or by preference, have a taste for the joys of healthy solitude, silence, and seclusion. Certainly there is ample support in the sutras-and in life-for these states, but little attention is given by the author to the more introverted aspects of practice.Other than that criticism, which is founded on personal inclination, I highly recommend this book for its effective insights and techniques.

I have the pleasure of knowing Josh as a teacher and a Dharma friend and it's my absolute joy to experience this book. Unsubscribe is an authentic and distinctive contribution to the landscape of Dharma books and Josh's particular rhetorical style, interests, and melding of Western psychology and neuroscience with the Pali cannon penetrate every page.While reading Unsubscribe, I feel both comforted and impelled to wise action. It's like speaking with a kind friend who holds your particular experience and wellbeing in their heart while also illuminating possibilities for the benefit of our shared world and urging you towards compassionate discernment in your own life choices. The book is a great blend of insights and practices with which the reader can experiment.I would love to know how it's experienced by folks who are encountering these teachings and reflections for the first time. I intend to find out by giving the book to friends!

You’d be hard pressed to not find yourself mirrored somehow in this book, as Korda is one step ahead of your emotional excuses; with candor and humanity he unveils his own struggle, not just in the past tense but in the present where struggle persists for even the most conscious beings. His book is threaded practical, empathetic teachings that are intertwined with The Dharma and Psychological affirmations. You don’t have to be a Buddhist to appreciate the path he’s laid out here. It coincides with most all modalities and beliefs that lead to inner peace. I found validation in his honesty and understanding of my subconscious tendencies where I might formerly opt to criticize my actions. It’s a book for those seeking liberation from the mind. Relatable and easy to read, I recommend this for anyone feeling alone in their suffering.

Thank you Josh. This book really helped me understand how my last breakup was in no small part do to an incompatible attachment style and this insight will I'm sure serve me well going forward.

Really interesting read!

This book resonated with me on many levels. A no nonsense commentary on life in this capitalist nightmare we live in. Also presenting the tools for transcendence that have been handed down over millennia. Ancient wisdom combined with modern scientific techniques. A must read for anyone seeking to understand their own mind and wanting freedom from it.

I loved this book. So relatable. It didn’t necessarily teach me anything new about the Dharma, but what it did do was help me see it through a different lens. Josh Korda writes in a easy, relaxed tone. His book is encouraging and full of heart. It’s one that I will recommend to people new to the Dharma who come to our Refuge Recovery* meetings, as well as to curious friends. A must for beginners and experienced practitioners!*See Refuge Recovery by Noah Levine

This was a really good practical and useful book. The author describes himself as a secular Buddhist which means he believes there is a lot of useful information in the scriptures but he doesn't believe in all the religion of it. He takes the practical useful bits and explains them well and gives lots of meditations and practical exercises. A great book for anyone who wants to feel more at ease in the world or less anxious