I Wanna Be Well: How a Punk Found Peace and You Can Too
All Miguel Chen ever wanted was to be happy. Just like everyone else.
But—also like everyone else—he’s suffered. A lot. Running from difficult personal losses—like the deaths of loved ones—was something he did for years, and it got the best of him. Eventually, though, he stopped running and started walking a spiritual path. That might be surprising for a dude in a relentlessly touring punk band (Teenage Bottlerocket), but Miguel quickly found that meditation, mindfulness, and yoga really helped. They allowed him to turn inward, to connect to himself and the world around him. Suddenly, he had found actual happiness.
Miguel’s realistic. He knows it'll never be all sunshine and peaches. And yet, he is (for the most part) at peace with the world and with himself. It shocks even him sometimes. But he’s come to see the interconnectedness of all things, the beauty of life…even the parts that suck.
Each short chapter ends with a hands-on practice that the reader can put into action right away—and each practice offers a distilled “TL;DR” takeaway point.
TL;DR: Miguel Chen shares stories, meditations, and practices that can help us reconnect to each other, ourselves, and the world. They’ve worked for him—they can work for anyone.
Reviews (40)
Excellent read for punks and non-punks trying to gain a little more balance
Teenage Bottlerocket is a band that's been in constant rotation in my world for the last ten years or so. Miguel's book has found its way into constant rotation in my life over the last couple of months, albeit for very different reasons. There are a lot of people both inside and outside the punk rock world that have struggled with deaths, drugs, anxiety, depression, and a host of other issues, and Miguel was no different.However, over the years, he learned that there was a better way; a way to look inside yourself to find a sense of balance, and to maintain a sense of peace and positivity that's palpable to other people. With "I Wanna Be Well," he gives clear, concise and powerful stories and lessons that are easy to incorporate into your own life. He doesn't write from a "know-it-all" perspective; instead, he writes from the point of view of a guy who's doing his best and wants you to do the same. It's a breeze to read straight through, but it's real value comes in the way you can revert back to certain lessons or practices for quick reference to keep yourself pointed in the right direction. I enjoy the hell out of this book.
Life Changing Advice to Live Your Best Life
Just finished I Wanna Be Well by Miguel Chen. This book is absolutely life changing in so many ways. If you have ever felt lost, alone, angry, suffering pain either emotionally or physically or just plain want to live a better life one day at a time, start here. Miguel lays out his own experiences and in detail explains how he found peace and wellness through the practices shared within these pages. With each turn of the page you will be left with advice and practices you can put into your daily life to live more in the moment, forgive others and yourself, stop suffering and live your best life. If you are looking for a way to heal yourself and live your best life each and every day, this book is what you are looking for. Buy it, read it and start to find your peace.
Breath of fresh air
This book was such a breath of fresh air. Just the bit of positivity that I needed in my busy life. It reads very concise, inspiring, and knowledgeable. It’s the perfect amount of spiritual and punk. Great read!
I read a sample sounds great
I know this is punk but I listen to scene music ( I'm a scene kid(no judging)) And I have a feeling this is gonna be a great book and I cant wait to read it. Have a rawring 2020 i wuv this book and this kindle.
Such a great book! Miguel makes meditation (at least for this ...
Such a great book! Miguel makes meditation (at least for this beginner) a lot less intimidating. It's also funny and sad and I think can help us know we're not alone.
Five Stars
Miguel's writing is fun to read, kind, and hard to put down. A lot of wonderful insight.
Five Stars
Nice Work Miguel!
I Wanna Be Well
Love this book! Incorporate spirituality into your life easily, by following the guidance of Miguel! Thanks for the great book!
Loved this!!!
An absolutely wonderful book. Easy and enjoyable to read. Miguel explains techniques from both buddhist meditation and yoga that can be used in every day life to find a little more peace and happiness. This is all done in a very approachable and funny way, that really makes it a fun book to read. Enjoy this with an open mind and an open heart; you will certainly find some wisdom that you can integrate into your own life.
Accessible without oversimplification
I couldn't fault the approach of this book. As a punk rocker of a similar vintage with a few similar life experiences, I felt an immediate affinity for where Miguel is coming from. The best part for me was that he kinda says pick what works for you (or as the book says "Do your best and f the rest"!) Although he goes in for a lot more of the spiritual elements, I didn't feel pressured to do so at all and as such have actually taken away a huge amount from this book. There are a number of parallels the philosophy of Stoicism (which I try and practice as a novice) - I assume the basics of most philosophies cover the same ground but Miguel articulates some points here in a very accessible way that marry with what I already try to do, but looking at them from a different angle, which is always helpful. Highly recommend this book as anyone open to trying to make their daily grind a bit easier will find many things to help here.
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