Books hold a transformative power and are often pillars of a spiritual journey. If you're reading this, you may feel the same.
After narrowing it down to 10, I realized the books that stand out are ones at the start of my reading journey. As with anything new, the beginning phase takes on a magical quality. When our beliefs start changing, the books which spark that shift hold a certain holy grail that becomes tough to match down the road.
As I've grown, my reading has evolved. The books I read now, I wouldn't have been into four years ago, which makes recommending them all the more difficult. Much of it depends on where we're at on the path.
These are the books I came up with that have had a lasting impression on my psyche. My interests vary between spiritual and entrepreneurial, as both worlds have played a massive part in my development. I'll share in timeline fashion and note how I consumed the book. (Audio vs Written)
Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill
For me, this book is the ONE—meaning that it was the first book recommended to me on the path. At the time, I didn't read. Most of my free time was spent aimlessly meandering around or watching Seinfeld re-runs. This book shook my worldview and propelled me into changing the way I was living. I read it a couple times since, but not in a few years.
You may already have a book that made you go, "Oh my God, it all makes sense!" but this one is mine. It's always my first recommendation when people ask, "What books should I read?"
First read: June 2014
Consumed: Written
Linchpin by Seth Godin
I read this while I was still working at my company. Being a linchpin is about setting yourself apart. Seth encourages being an initiator and doing something without permission that adds value to others. This book sparked me to ask my entire company to have lunch with me, which I write about in my book, Find Your Truth. That initiative ultimately helped me to get a promotion. Linchpin is MUST READ for anyone working within an organization. Also, for any current and aspiring freelancer or entrepreneurs, I highly recommend all of Seth's work.
First read: September 2014
Consumed: Written
The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo
It feels overdone to recommend this book, but it's a phenomenon for a reason. It's fictional, yet it speaks to something deep within us. This book is the epitome of the Hero's Journey and what happens when we embark on an unkown quest—a must-read for anyone who is on a spiritual path. I've listened over four times. I tend to re-listen this during times of doubt or whenever I need a pick me up to help move forward and trust that things are working in my favor.
First read: October 2014
Consumed: Audio
Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk
If you're looking to get motivated and make a career doing what you Love, listen to Gary V. I listened to this on a trip from San Diego to Phoenix. It was a drive I'll never forget. I was so lit up on inspiration, I could have kept driving into the Atlantic ocean. Although it's a book on social media, it gave me something more intangible. Gary has an infectious energy of hope and optimism. He can come off overbearing sometimes (I often have to take breaks from him) but I love his passion and heart. Great read for anyone marketing and growing their own business. (even if some of the tools are outdated)
First read: April 2015
Consumed: Audio (you have to listen to Gary)
Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsh
I read this book during a weeklong camping trip in Yosemite, CA. (You can see the picture of me reading it at the top) While I read, I felt like it was God speaking directly to my heart. The teaching that stands out was on the topic of Good and Bad. Four years later, I can't quite explain what this book did to me. All I know it was profoundly meaningful for me at the time.
PS. I picked this up to re-read recently, and it didn't speak to me as it did then. That's what happens as we grow and evolve. Books come to us at the right time, and it's ok to have new beliefs years later.
First read: June 2015
Consumed: Written
Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
I include this book because of how big of an influence and comfort Paramanasha Yogananda was for me. I lived in San Diego for five years. It's where I "woke up", and Yogananda was a big part of my awakening. I had a mystical experience at his meditation gardens in Encinitas, CA. Since then, I continued to read his work and attend services at The Self-Realization Fellowship.
Autobiography of Yogi is the story of his boyhood in India, meeting his guru, and coming to America to spread his teachings. This book will stretch your imagination and help you get a glimpse into the world of a realized master. His highest instruction was simple—Meditation is the path to God. I'm about that.
First read: August 2015
Consumed: Written
The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell & Bill Moyers
Joseph Campbell is known for his work in comparative mythology. For years, he studied the myths and religions of cultures around the world and found that they all share a common story—what he named, "The Hero's Journey." In essence, it's what happens when we leave what is known to face the unkown. I found him early on, and he's been a formative teacher to this day.
My introduction to him was the documentary "Finding Joe." I then read The Art of Living which I also recommend. The Power of Myth is based on a weeklong interview Bill Moyers did with Joe at the tail end of his life. I include this series because it's the work of his I return to most.
I listened on Audible but you can read it in book form or watch on Netflix. (Although that may not be considered "bookish," I can't think of a better use of your time—and be sure to watch Finding Joe!)
First read: June 2016
Consumed: Audio
The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer
One of the few books I've picked up and literally could not put down. Michael thought being spiritual was to build a small house in the woods and live in solitude. After he did that, life led him to start a construction business, create a billion-dollar software company (yes billion) and establish a spiritual center that's hosted some of the greatest teachers of our time. Michael Singer is most known for his first book, The Untethered Soul, which is more of a spiritual teaching than a narrative. What I love is that The Surrender Experiment tells the story of how he lived what he taught in his first book. I found the story of his mindset during stressful times more impactful to read.
First read: February 2017
Consumed: Written
Letting Go by Dr. David Hawkins
Dr. David Hawkins is one of my top spiritual teachers. What David did is remind me that there is only God and I. He preached, "Straight and narrow is the path." He helped me reconnect with the true teacher within. I let go of worrying about psychics, mediums, and the occult. While I've found value in these fields, they can sometimes lead to confusion rather than clarity.
What I love about David's teaching is that he puts a practical way to think about spiritual evolution, using what he calls the Map of Consciousness. The map is based on a number system of 0-1000. Lower levels are apathy, grief, anger, and higher levels are courage, love, ecstasy—all the way until enlightenment. Looking at the way he quantifies transformation made sense. Even if you're not into his muscle testing techniques, I think you'll find value in his work.
Don't let the title fool you. I was recommended this years before and never dove in because of the title. I find it misleading until you understand what David means by "letting go."
If you like this book, check out the The Ultimate David Hawkins Libary on Audible. Then read, Power vs Force. If you want more, you can go into his dense work, The Eye of the Eye, I-Relativity and Subjectivity, I picked up Transcending the Levels of Consciousness but it was getting redundant.
Mindset by Carol Dweck
If you asked me if I had a growth mindset a few months ago, I'd have said, "I'm into personal development, of course, I have a growth mindset!" Then I read this book and it flipped my belief upside down. I realized I had been profoundly entrenched in a fixed mindset all of my life.
To simplify, a fixed mindset believes talent is fixed. (Go figure) If ability is fixed, then everything you do is a judgment of who you are. This causes many high performers to back down from a challenge and fall into paralyzing fear around performance. If you have parents who were strict that you needed to get A's and do well in school, you'll see a lot of yourself in this book.
What a growth mindset teaches is that with effort and practice, you get better. (Go figure!) I know it seems elementary, but this book has radically changed the way I speak to myself. Whenever I get frustrated learning a new task or software, I remember "I'll get better at this." It helps.
There is a lot in this book for teachers and parents, but I recommend to everyone. I even gave this book to a friend as a wedding gift because the relationship section is so good.
Read: August 2019
Consumed: Written
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield (BONUS 11th Book!)
This is the book I've gifted most to people. It's short and sweet and I recommend for anyone embarking on a creative entrepreneurial career. It inspired, motivated, and shifted the way I view my work. I reread this recently and found it even better the second time around.
First read: October 2014
Reread: October 2019
Consumed: Written
Notables: While his books weren't big for me, I have to thank Wayne Dyer for his loving inspiration early on. I'd recommend Ryan Holiday for his prolificness in writing, his stoic teachings, and his character. Richard Rohr is my favorite Christian thinker and I read his writing weekly. I also recommend Richard's book, Universal Christ. Recently I read King, Warrior, Magician, Lover by Robert Moore and recommend to every male reading this.
GIFT FOR YOU
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