My friend Rick is reading Martin Seligman’s Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being, and he was telling us about it at the dinner table tonight. It sounds like a good read and possibly aligned with the aim of yoga – ” to raise the bar for the human condition.” Hearing about this book, prompted me to ask whether anyone had read a book that was life-changing. Rick said the works of author Ayn Rand had turned his life upside down and inside out, but in a totally beneficial way. I’ve said in past posts that Autobiography of a Yogi (Parmahans Yogananda) and Be Here Now (Ram Das) put stars in my eyes, and made the yoga path look appealing to me. I highly recommend these books as they still have plenty of currency. Years ago, the pivotal book for me was Women Who Love Too Much by Robin Norwood, a tome in the genre called self-help. The book could have been written exclusively for me about the many unhappy relationships I’d had; it was almost painful to see myself in the pages. There’s something about having a realistic look in the mirror, if you’re willing to risk it, that carries the potential to move you to accept what you see and who you are. The yoga mat can do that for you too. I know when I’m grumpy, tired, distracted, as well as happy, peaceful, and on an even keel, by how I approach my poses. I might not be satisfied with the news that’s being delivered but often something begins to shift just by doing a reality check. And then, with presence of mind, accepting the way I’m being. I’d love to hear what the books are that have made a major contribution to you. I invite comments….
Bookshelf
7 Comments
Therese Hedwards
on April 18, 2012 at 9:00 am
One of my all time favourite books is Illusions the adventures of a reluctant messiah by Richard Bach.I read it in my early twenties and it’s shaped the way I live ever since.
I remember that book! Isn’t it interesting that I’ve had two responses so far to my question about life-changing books and they were both mentioning Richard Bach. Namaste, E
Two books spring to mind, both quite old and read a long time ago “Johnathon Living Seagull” by Richard Bach and “The Road Less Travelled” by M Scott Peck MD both opened my mind to the bigger picture in life and allowed me to look further beyond my reality at the time.
I really enjoy your posts Eve. Every day I wait for them:-))
My favourits books are: 1)Tara Brach: Radical Acceptance 2) everything of Eckhart Tolle 3) Charlotte Joko Beck :Everyday Zen, love and work 4) and books of Jon Kabat-Zinn:-)
I’ve had books that were pivotal at a certain time in my life and when I went back and reread them I couldn’t understand why; it seems to me that a ‘pivotal’ book is often a matter of timing. Someone handed me ‘Love Means Letting Go of Fear’ when I was in my teens and it was a revelation. In my 20’s ‘The Celestine Prophecy’ was a wonderful allegory about spirituality and energy that taught me a new way of understanding conflict. I also love ‘Illusions’ and ‘The Road Less Travelled’ as well as ‘Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends’ following my divorce. By far the most influential books for me have been the fictional works of Sheri S Tepper. She’s a fantasy writer but her themes are very much about human interaction and our impact on the planet. Her books are transformational; not only do they shift your thinking but you can’t go back to the way you used to think. Get hold of “The Gate to Women’s Country” or “The Fresco” to see what I mean.
Ayn Rand is one of those authors that some people are very passionate about. I thought her work was the opposite of what I believe and a justification for people that wish to live as if their wealth and fortune is earned and the poor circumstances of others are their own fault. In my opinion her work lacks compassion.
Thanks for your suggestions, Megan. I’ll see if I can get Sheri S Tepper on my Kindle. I’m new to digital books, but if sure is great to be able to get them immediately.
I didn’t think I liked fantasy as a genre, but I’ve gotten hooked by Game of Thrones, confusing as the stories are because there are so many places and characters.
Namaste, E
One of my all time favourite books is Illusions the adventures of a reluctant messiah by Richard Bach.I read it in my early twenties and it’s shaped the way I live ever since.
I remember that book! Isn’t it interesting that I’ve had two responses so far to my question about life-changing books and they were both mentioning Richard Bach. Namaste, E
Two books spring to mind, both quite old and read a long time ago “Johnathon Living Seagull” by Richard Bach and “The Road Less Travelled” by M Scott Peck MD both opened my mind to the bigger picture in life and allowed me to look further beyond my reality at the time.
I really enjoy your posts Eve. Every day I wait for them:-))
My favourits books are: 1)Tara Brach: Radical Acceptance 2) everything of Eckhart Tolle 3) Charlotte Joko Beck :Everyday Zen, love and work 4) and books of Jon Kabat-Zinn:-)
Thanks for your kind words, Marzena, and I’ll keep in mind your favourite books as they sound inspiring. Warmly, E
I’ve had books that were pivotal at a certain time in my life and when I went back and reread them I couldn’t understand why; it seems to me that a ‘pivotal’ book is often a matter of timing. Someone handed me ‘Love Means Letting Go of Fear’ when I was in my teens and it was a revelation. In my 20’s ‘The Celestine Prophecy’ was a wonderful allegory about spirituality and energy that taught me a new way of understanding conflict. I also love ‘Illusions’ and ‘The Road Less Travelled’ as well as ‘Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends’ following my divorce. By far the most influential books for me have been the fictional works of Sheri S Tepper. She’s a fantasy writer but her themes are very much about human interaction and our impact on the planet. Her books are transformational; not only do they shift your thinking but you can’t go back to the way you used to think. Get hold of “The Gate to Women’s Country” or “The Fresco” to see what I mean.
Ayn Rand is one of those authors that some people are very passionate about. I thought her work was the opposite of what I believe and a justification for people that wish to live as if their wealth and fortune is earned and the poor circumstances of others are their own fault. In my opinion her work lacks compassion.
Thanks for your suggestions, Megan. I’ll see if I can get Sheri S Tepper on my Kindle. I’m new to digital books, but if sure is great to be able to get them immediately.
I didn’t think I liked fantasy as a genre, but I’ve gotten hooked by Game of Thrones, confusing as the stories are because there are so many places and characters.
Namaste, E