During my early twenties, browsing through the self-help section at the bookstore became one of my favorite pastimes. I would lose track of time in those cozy aisles while reading passages of ancient wisdom that deeply resonated with me. Over the years, I have found a few gems that speak my language and offer guidance on the spiritual path. I’m sharing with you some of my favorite books that have impacted my journey immensely.
1. Freedom From The Known by J. Krishnamurti – This book changed my life. I was introduced to the works of Krishnamurti in 2002 when I attended my first yoga teacher training at White Lotus Foundation. This man blew my mind with his non-dogmatic fearlessness to question everything society accepts as the norm. When I first read his teachings, I thought to myself, “Who is this man?” He is so incredibly bold and insightful. Krishnamurti spent a lifetime studying his own behavior and sharing his findings with the world. More importantly, he encourages each and every person to discover his or her own unique path and walk it with courage. His freedom-based wisdom inspired me to question everything I had been taught and begin living from a place of truth.
2. Broken Open by Elizabeth Lesser – I read this beautifully written biography last summer, a few months after I completed a spiritual death and rebirth. Lesser, co-founder of Omega Institute, openly and honestly shares her story of hard-earned lessons, transformational choices and the beauty found in every experience regardless of the heartache it presents. I was deeply moved by this book. It came into my life at the perfect moment and evoked a wide range of compassion and understanding toward self.
3. It’s Up To You by Dzigar Kongrul – I began studying Buddhism 14 years ago. The philosophy is rooted in love and teaches the importance of awareness and clear seeing. Only when we see things as they are, without using control or manipulation for our gain, can we be free. This book is an inspiring guide on the spiritual path, encouraging us to connect with our inner nature and rise above ego.
4. Tao Te Ching by Stephen Mitchell – I remember when I first got my hands on the Tao Te Ching. Every word resonated with me and I felt like I was holding a masterpiece. The Tao is an ancient manual on the art of living that teaches simplicity throughout its eighty-one brief chapters. I kept this book on my bedside table for years and reached for it when I needed words of wisdom to get me through the day. Every time I pick it up, I immediately feel a sense of calm. It’s a constant companion in my life.
5. Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom by Christiane Northrup – A friend of mine turned me on to this book in 1999 and I still own the same copy I bought all those years ago. Northrup is such a brave, brilliant pioneer who encourages women to listen to our bodies and trust our intuition, rather than buying into the idea that we need answers from outside sources. She explains why understanding the root of the problem is much more important than taking a pill to mask the symptoms. She also discusses how physical ailments stem from turmoil in the mind, heart and soul. This is a great guide for women who want to explore self-healing and take their health into their own hands.
6. A Life Worth Breathing by Max Strom – This book was a gift from a dear student and friend. I read it in February 2014 while spending a month of solitude in the Colorado mountains. It was one of the most soul-awakening four weeks of my life and Strom’s message played a huge role in my transformation. His story is fascinating and he has a gift for delivering his wisdom through the written word. “Taking off our armor means to expose and reveal our spiritual heart. When we first do this we feel extremely vulnerable – and for a human being to choose to become vulnerable is a big step in our growth. We need to take off our armor long enough to see our own wounds, so then, once recognized, we can begin to heal them.”
7. Way of The Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman – This was the very first book I read about tending to the inner life. I was 22 years old when a very close friend and kindred spirit placed the life-changing book into my hands. It was such a powerful and welcome addition to my chaotic and unstable world. I recommend this book for young people or anyone who wants an introductory dose of spirit food.
8. Taoist Meditation by Thomas Cleary – I’ve highlighted sentences on just about every page of this book. It is a translation of classic Taoist texts and contains methods for cultivating a healthy mind and body. It approaches meditation as a lifestyle and explains how quieting the mind can create sincerity and clarity. “When spirit and energy merge into one, after a long period of close intimacy this produces great stabilization. This is called returning to the root and restoring life. When the root is deep, the stem is solid; this is the way of long life and eternal vision.”