In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In It Together by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes is a book about finding your true self. The author spends much of the book’s beginning pointing out how we are not human and what distinguishes the real you. Some of it is undeniable, like stating that we aren’t our material possessions. Some aren’t as evident. For example, people often feel like they are their career. If they lose their job, they feel lost and not like themselves. The writer calls things like your work a “temporary pseudo-identity.”

He also talks about temptation, addiction, the ego, how there is no evil, and how to free your spirit. There are many remarkable quotes throughout the book.

I love how Eckhart Aurelius Hughes recognizes that there are many ways to be spiritual. He doesn’t say you have to go to church. Instead, a hobby can be a spiritual practice. He believes everyone is love. I found his thoughts on hate and resentment refreshing.

I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. I loved the beginning and the vision of how humans can be. The author places drug addiction in the same category as being addicted to TV. So many people don’t seem to make that linkage. However, there were some things I disagreed with.

I don’t like always living for the future self. I think it’s okay to love in the present and enjoy yourself. But, for example, if a person always lives for the future and gets severely ill or disabled, they will probably regret always thinking about a future that will not happen.

I disagree with the author who says to accept what is. What if Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Greta Thunberg, and Malala Yousafzai had accepted what is? Leaders don’t see something as unjust and accept it. Instead, they do what they can to change things. I agree it’s easier to accept life as it is, but I’m thankful for the people who know things can improve. Accepting things can be comfortable, but that doesn’t lead to change. I think the author would state what is meant to be in this situation. But that is just an assumption.

This book could be shortened. Too many ideas were drawn out, and too many details could have been left out.

I recommend this book to people looking for a spiritual book that doesn’t focus on a specific religion. This book would be great for people trying to figure out their beliefs. You may or may not agree with the author’s thoughts, but it’s worth reading to expand your thinking. I like that this book challenges your thoughts.

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