The books on this list have given me the biggest shifts in awareness and new understandings that have allowed me to live my best life. When I looked through my library to make my choices, I noticed that all my favorites could quickly be categorized into Body, Mind, and Spirit! I'm so grateful to see that my passions for the last twenty years or more truly are coalescing into my life's work ~ teaching and sharing the full spectrum of self-care!
Many of these books could easily fall into more than one category but I went with what I believed to be the most fitting. Each category lists my favorites in order along with a quick description.
Body
1. Enlightened Eating by Caroline Marie Dupont ~ Of the dozen or so diet books I've read in the last few years, this one gives the best suggestions for nutritious eating along with wonderful recipes. It's a spiritual cookbook with a focus on nutrition and health and feels most aligned with my way of eating. You'll be healthier just for reading it.
2. The Idiot's Guide to Ayurveda by Sahara Rose ~ If you can get past the title, this book is a treasure! A very clear & simple breakdown of Ayurveda ~ a way of understanding the body & mind through the elements and how to keep yourself in balance by understanding their properties using food, herbs, and other practices. Kitchen medicine.
3. Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition by Paul Pitchford ~ Holy Wow! This encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Naturopathic Medicine is not a casual read but more like reference material. I had a food awakening with this book that left me pretty angry regarding food politics and the state of our food supply but I also know how to make better choices now. I discovered new ways of understanding the body and its common conditions and learned so much about kitchen medicine/nutritional therapy.
Mind 1. A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle ~ It's basically a more evolved version of his book, The Power of Now, if you've read it. I tried reading PON 15 years ago and I just wasn't ready for it and didn't "get" it. Now, everything Eckhart says makes sense to me as my understanding and awareness has grown.
A New Earth was packed with amazing insight into the nature of consciousness. It's a breakdown of the ego & soul that addresses "purpose" in a way that has helped me to reduced stress-levels and mental anguish. It contains enlightening reinterpretations of scripture, which I always love. Having listened to it helps me to live life better. I suggest listening to it for a brilliant guru/student type transmission/download. 2. Eastern Body Western Mind by Anodea Judith ~ This book could easily fit into any of these categories, but probably fits best here. This is a brilliantly written encyclopedia connecting the chakra system with Western Psychology. This book requires a commitment but deepened my understanding of the subtle body, modern psychology, and human development. 3. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz ~ This book is a simple and profound philosophy for life. The four agreements are: Be impeccable with your word; Don't take it personally; Don't Make Assumptions; Always do your best. I've listened to this very short, 90 minute, audio book several times and reflect on these ideas often when evaluating my reactions to people and life. 4. This Thing Called Life by Ernest Holmes ~ A metaphysical masterpiece on Science of Mind. I read this at the beginning of the pandemic and found it reassuring in a stressful time. It's an empowering book about manifestation that shows us how our thoughts determine reality. 5. Power Vs Force by David R Hawkins ~ This is a long and tedious read; I recommend skimming or skipping straight to the scale of consciousness. I found his studies rating levels of consciousness regarding people, ideas, events, and institutions on a scale using kinesiology to be very interesting.
Spirit 1. A Return To Love by Marianne Williamson ~ This is a re-interpretation of A Course in Miracles, which needs reinterpretation in my opinion. ARTL is full of relatable material demonstrating the inner-workings of the mind and how to shift your perspective. This book is packed with gems of wisdom that nourish the soul. 2. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert ~ This one is probably the most fun read on the list. It's an uplifting & encouraging book on creativity that shares how to get over fear and insecurity to allow the creative spirit to move through you. It helped me open up to the possibility that I could actually be a writer or artist and that really, I already am. 3. Rise Sister Rise: A Guide to Unleashing the Wise, Wild Woman Within by Rebecca Campbell ~ A simple and empowering book that can help you reclaim your connection to the Divine Feminine. The book was genuine and heartfelt and left me energized, motivated and inspired to share my offerings in the world. I liked the audiobook better than the hardcopy. 4. Awakening Into The Fifth Dimension by Vidya Frazier ~ This book is a quick and worthy read. It discusses the ascension process and gave words to my experiences. Teaches you to trust and let go. This book would probably sound like nonsense to those not ready for it.
AND... If the ideas in these books excite you, you can also save yourself all the reading and join my online course this January: Body, Mind, and Spirit: A Holistic Self-Care Journey. We will meet online for 8 weeks to work with many of these concepts and actually implement them into our lives. This course will absolutely shift you into better alignment with your highest self. Please reach out to me with questions.
Lastly, I want to express my gratitude for all of the wonderful men and women who made it past their insecurities and put the work in to share these soulful offerings with the world, helping us in the evolution process.
And also, have you read any of these? What did you think? Got a favorite of your own you think I'd be interested in? Please comment below!