The Untethered Soul

During the Paris 2024 Olympics, I was reading The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer. It’s an easy read, but I found myself frequently highlighting sentences and taking notes. Most of the text resonated with me. However, there was some text that made me perplexed, because my brain couldn’t process some of the abstract concepts like the soul, infinity and enlightenment.

Although it was a challenging read at times, I eventually finished the book right before the gold medal men’s basketball match between USA and France. Some of my takeaways from the book were:

1/ Open Heart → Unlimited Energy, Unified Self, Unconditional Happiness

To have an open heart, awareness of a closed heart comes first. Until reading this book, I didn’t realize how often I operate with a closed heart, carrying stress, insecurity and anxiety. Letting go of the weight opens the heart.

2/ Surrender to Experience God

I have no control over death and the afterlife (if there is one), yet my mind frets about it all the time. This drives my soul to seek God for peace. I’ve been struggling to find God, so maybe this time surrendering will work.

3/ Tao - The Way

My dad and I have bonded over this philosophy. I understand it as a spiritual enlightenment achieved through ever-changing balance between opposites. Living in any extremes exhausts a lot of energy.

• The past, I cling.

• The future, I worry.

• The present, I waste.

Throughout the Olympics, Steph struggled. He was still adapting to the different rules, role and environment. Everyone was waiting for him to pop off. With persistence and hard work, he eventually did in the last two games that mattered most in legendary fashion.

For me personally, his performances were extraordinary not only because he overcame adversity and won gold, but also because I realized Steph is a manifestation of The Untethered Soul.

Steph writes an abbreviated version of Philippians 4:13 on his sneakers - “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This is one small example of his connection to God and what drives him every single day. The relentless pursuit of perfecting his craft to be the best basketball player he can be.

He’s achieved success at the highest level. Through God, he’s become a 4x NBA Champion, 2x NBA MVP and 1x Olympic Gold medalist. What I find just as impressive is how he does it.

He plays basketball with a pure joy and love for the game. His energy is infectious. So much so that people want to see him win, including myself even though I’m a Lakers fan. This really speaks to the type of leader and man he is.

Aside from basketball, he’s a father, husband, founder and philanthropist. Outside looking in, he seems to be balancing all of these responsibilities with a grace and positivity that I strive for.

Thanks, Steph, for being an inspiration.