The Hard Questions for an Authentic Life
Gotham/Putnam 2004
$15 hardcover
currently out of print (check back for ebook soon)
"The Hard Questions for an Authentic Life” is a new kind of self-help book, one that teaches you to rely on your own inner wisdom as your guide. It will help you navigate beyond cultural messages about happiness to a genuine and lasting sense of well being."
– Andrew Weil, MD, author of Spontaneous Healing and 8 Weeks to Optimum Health
"As Susan Piver shows us in this wonderfully clear guide to living an authentic life, asking a question can be a sacred act - one that creates the opening for wonder, curiosity and genuine response from the true self. This slender but profound book has a humility and compassion that broadcasts its deep truths - let it steer you wisely and well."
– Belleruth Naparstek, Author, Your Sixth Sense & Creator of the Health Journeys audio series
“I'm a firm advocate of a set of checklists to keep our lives clear and focused in the right direction, and Susan Piver delivers an elegant one for tuning in on ourselves and how we're doing in the game called life."
– David Allen, Author of Getting Things Done: the Art of Stress-Free Productivity and Ready for Anything: 52 Productivity Principles for Work and Life
More Information
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About the Book
100 essential questions for designing your life from the inside out. Questions about family, friends, career, creativity, spirituality, and more to help you get in touch with your authentic self.
This book is for anyone wishing to live in accord with their deepest values. Often, we experience a “disconnect” between our inner life (beliefs, values, hopes, fears), and our outer circumstances (job, family, money, intimate relationships, etc.) An authentic life is one lived with congruence between inner and outer worlds. But how to get there? The work begins with questions. These thought-provoking questions gently walk you down the path to realizations about the life you’re meant to live.
Sample Questions:
1. What values did I gain from my family of origin? The three most helpful? The three least helpful? Where do I notice these values showing up in my current life, with my current family (if applicable) and with my friends and intimate partners?
2. Are there problems that seem to crop up for me in one relationship after another? Have I been able to identify them for myself? Am I experiencing any of these problems in my current relationship? Have I discussed them with my partner? Are we trying to work on them together?
3. Am I able to elucidate my professional values, goals, aspirations? If so, what are they? If not, what do I know about myself in this regard?
4. How much money do I have right now? How much debt? How comfortable or uncomfortable am I with the amount I have and the amount I owe? How can I increase my comfort levels? Am I on a budget? Do I need one? Do I have a plan for paying down debt as quickly as possible? Do I need one? Who or what can help me become clear and responsible about saving money and paying off debt?
5. Do I believe in God or any form of deity? If so, what makes me feel most connected to this divinity? What is the nature of my relationship with this divinity? When do I feel it most strongly? Daily? In church? In nature? With my family? Others? What can I do to make this relationship stronger?
