These books changed me.
They go deeper than typical non-fiction personal development books. These speak to the heart and soul, not just the brain.
Each of these 10 books had a profound impact on me.
Siddhartha - Herman Hesse
This is the only one that’s a story. It was a gateway drug for me. I read it at a time I was changing and taking off masks at 25. This helped me see that there are many lives, many selves, many stories, many people we can be.
Power of Now - Eckhart Tolle
I listened to this (on the Northern Line), and I think that enhances the experiences. It doesn’t just remind you to be ‘present’ or ‘mindful’. Words that are losing their meaning because they are over-used. If you really listen it tells you how “now” is all there is and can take you completely out of suffering. A challenging read that at the time, I didn’t want to hear because I still thought all the problems I had were because I was so special and I was raising my awareness to an environment I was unhappy in.
Love’s Executioner - Irvin D. Yalom
If you don’t want to go to therapy yet. Read this and it’ll do the job for a bit until you’re ready.
The Artist’s Way - Julia Cameron
The irony is I never finished this one, but I’m yet to meet anyone who committed to Morning Pages and their life didn’t change dramatically.
The Invitation - Oriah Mountain Dreamer
If you only read the poem, that’s enough. But it goes deeper. This is a hidden gem that few people know of and it’s an urgent call to action to be yourself that doesn’t hide from how hard that is. I remember the chapter on betrayal took my breath away.
The Creative Act - Rick Rubin
I just love Rick Rubin. For me he’s the only current artist/creator bridging the gap between work, art, entrepreneurship and health in a way that feels spiritually relevant to me. If you create anything - read this.
Heart Minded - Sarah Blondin
Comes with meditations to do alongside. A call to listen to your heart and live from it. Reading this is the equivalent of placing your hand on your heart and really paying attention.
Dark Nights of the Soul - Thomas Moore
A salve if you’re going through a very dark passage in your life. This book turned my darkest days into an awakening and made me realise the dark night is what I’d been avoiding for a while.
Anam Cara - John O’Donohue
I find it very hard to find books about spirituality or something “higher” that aren’t either totally Eastern/Buddhist or written by Americans. Being British with Irish ancestry I wanted something that spoke to me, to where I’m from. The Celtic tradition does this and John O’Donohue is masterful at sharing it. If I had a bible, it might be this. If Nature is your “God” this is for you.
Tao Te Ching - Stephen Mitchell (Translator)
It humbles me to know that someone 2,500 years ago was writing in a way that completely speaks to me now. To know we haven’t changed at all in that time is somehow a real comfort. This book is a compliment to any home in my opinion.
I hope you might find a book here that speaks to you.
I’m not sure if these books change you, or, you’re already changing when you find them… who knows.
On some level I think all of these books speak to “Truth” . They write about something universal. Some call it “The Universe”, “God”, “Energy”, “Dao”, “Unknown”, “Being”, “Nature”.
Each of these books take you to the edge of the map, to places undiscovered inside. These books will take you to the unexpected places you need to go.
Enjoy and pop any recommendations you have in the comments.
Cheers,
James x
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