Books That Will Rock Your World & Change Your Life
A Buddhist Proverb says, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear."
When I think of this quote people don’t come to mind, but rather books. All of the books that have found their way into my life when the timing was perfect. When I needed them. As if it were fate so they could guide me, teach me and change my life profoundly. Here are books that have rocked my world & changed my life (and could do the same for you...)
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
I first read this book 10+ years ago. A (hot hot hot) Argentinian boyfriend gave it to me on one of our first dates. Needless to say I fell in love with him, and the words of Paulo Coelho. This fable about following your dreams and listening to your heart is what sparked my interest in spirituality and in something deeper than myself. From the moment I first read The Alchemist, I began to think differently about life and I what I believed in. Over the years, I’ve devoured every book by Paulo Coelho. At a short 160ish pages this book is a must read for anyone seeking for more than the life they’re living.
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
I have read this book many many times, but the first time all my friends were getting married and I was walking away from the guy I was “supposed” to marry. I felt out of place in the life I was living and this book made me feel like I belonged. It was my first glimpse at another way of living. Up until that point I thought my life was “supposed” to consist of going to college, being a professional, getting married, buying a house and having 2.5 kids. I’m not downplaying if that’s your dream, it’s an awesome dream, but it wasn’t mine and I felt lost for not wanting those things at that point in my life, like I was the black sheep among my friends. I connected to Elizabeth Gilbert’s words on every levels. From yearning to travel, write and live my life my way, to battling my own inner turmoil and depression. Everytime I pick up Eat, Pray, Love I am transformed. I highly recommend this beautiful book to any woman who wants to blaze her own path, find herself and travel the world.
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior is another instance of how books found their way into my life at the perfect moment. This one came into my life when I felt extremely lost in my career. The main character is a college student, Dan Millman. Even though he is an olympic athlete he feels like something is missing from his life. Late one night he finds himself at a gas station where he meets an old eccentric warrior by the name of Socrates. Millman’s life is forever changed when Socrates becomes his guide and takes him on a radical spiritual journey. Another great read for seekers or anyone who feels lost and like there is more to life.Unfortunately I would NOT recommend watching the movie as it does not to the book justice.
The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz
I believe we live in a society in which there is much confusion surrounding love. We often look outwards for love and project our emotional wounds onto others. In the Mastery of Love, Don Miguel Ruiz “shows us how to heal our emotional wounds, recover the freedom and joy that is our birthright, and restore the spirit of playfulness that is vital to living relationships.”Anyone who loves must read this book. So I guess everyone must read The Mastery of Love! The 4 Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is also a fabulous read and highly recommended.
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Rubin is a mother and wife living in New York City. One day on the bus she has an epiphany and realizes that she has everything she could possibly want, but she doesn’t appreciate it. She decides to stop taking her life for granted and devotes a year to her own happiness project. I’m a big fan of The Happiness Project because it’s a different perspective on the quest for happiness. It’s a must read for anyone who’s taking their life for granted.
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari By Robin Sharma
If you read one book on this list, read The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. It’s one of my all time favorites.It’s an easy to follow story about a wealthy lawyer who seems to have everything until he suffers a massive heart attack in the courtroom. He is forced to take an honest look at his out of balanced life; ends up going on a radical journey and returns as a completely different person (and a monk!). The first time I read this book I was on a similar journey and living in Bali. I was in the process of finding myself and releasing my Westernized beliefs and replacing them with a spiritual foundation. With every page all I could think was yes, yes, yes. Give this one a try! Seriously, it’s a life changer. I’m currently in the midst of reading Discover Your Destiny by Robin Sharma and it’s another fabulous read.
Loving What Is by Bryon Katie
Byron Katie believes, “It’s not the problem that causes our suffering; it’s our thinking about the problem.” In Loving What Is she teaches you a 4 step process called The Work which is designed to help you see problems in a different light and ultimately find more happiness when applied to your own life. The process she teaches is life changing and great for anyone struggling with relationships with others (romantic, family, colleagues, employers, etc). If you’re on a spiritual path or on a journey to living your best life this is a must read!
Feeding Your Demons by Tsultrim Allione
Our inner demons (also known as gremlins) are our self-sabotaging thoughts. They are the voices within which tell us what we can and cannot do. It’s the place within where fear, playing small and limiting beliefs come from. Feeding Your Demons takes the reader through a buddhist technique on how to deal with inner demons. The author, Tsultrim Allione, believes in approaching our demons with love, not hate. A great read for anyone struggling with self doubt and a great approach for getting out of your own way.
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
The philosophy is simple, your thoughts create your reality. If you’re ready to have, do, or be anything you want then this is a must read. If you’re interested in The Law of Attraction this is a must read. If you desire more than the life you’re living then this is a must read. You get the drift, The Secret is a must read!The film The Secret is also amazing and inspiring and streams for free on Netflix!
The Power by Rhonda Byrne
In The Power Rhonda Byrne discusses everything she learned after creating The Secret which includes the power of love and living in the positive vs. negative spectrum of life. The Power can be read on it’s own, but I highly suggest reading both. Byrne’s style of writing is easy to read, inspiring and uplifting. If you’re ready to begin creating the life of your dreams this is another must read.
The Success Principles by Jack Canfield
I am a HUGE fan of Jack Canfield! If I had to pick a mentor it would be a toss up between him and Robin Sharma. The Success Principles “is a book of timeless principles used by successful men and women throughout history”. This book has 64 principles and is roughly 450 pages. It’s not a book to be read quickly, but rather studied and applied to your own life. The cover says, “how to get you from where you are to where you want to be” and this book has the power to do just that! I also love Key to Living the Law of Attraction by Jack Canfield and D.D. Watkins
That concludes my list for now, another list will be coming soon so stayed tuned!In the meantime, do me a BIG favor leave a comment below sharing the books that have changed your life. I’m always looking for new books to fill my bookshelf!
Cheers to lazy afternoons getting lost in a book!
XO, EMily