Inspiring Book Club discussion
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The Most Inspiring Book I've Read
I agree with Cole that one of the most inspiring books that I have ever read is The Art of Loving by Dr. Erich Fromm
Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda - I still read it from time to time when I need a little grounding and inspiration. I even joined the Fellowship with which I receive fortnightly lessons; and Your Soul's Plan: Discovering the Real Meaning of the Life You Planned Before You Were Born by Robert Schwartz I just read recently and was really fascinated with what I read in that book.
Wow, challenging topic. Just one? My favorite? I have read so many inspirational books and they have all impacted me in different ways. I see Jonathan Livingston Seagull listed which helped me on my spiritual journey. I would list many books related to personal growth that helped me recover from a traumatic past. But of all time, I would shift to a more recent read on a favorite topic of mine, near-death experiences.
. Anita reminds me of a close friend who died and returned to tell a profound story. Anita's story is amazing, and brings hope and inspiration to every one of us.
I am not sure about inspirational.. But the most thought provoking book I have read is Many Lives Many Masters from Brian Weiss
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach has also been an inspirational book for me as well, and I think it's message has been ingrained in my subconscious.
Thanks everyone for sharing your own favorite book so far. Not easy among so many!
Peace and happiness,
Robin
Peace and happiness,
Robin
When Dreams are Calling
This is the most recent inspirational book I've read. It's always good to know that this genre is still out there thriving.
The courage of the woman in the book,Dora, who chases her dreams across continents, from Europe to America, then to Asia, and finally, to the far away shores of Australia is amazing. Such a positive attitude, so much humor, lots of lesson to reflect on. Recommended.
I will start reading Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach.
Hands down, The Mastery of Love: A Practical Guide to the Art of Relationship --Toltec Wisdom BookChapter 3 is a good place to start! Enjoy!
Gospel of Thomas! As a comparative religionist and yoga teacher, this text bridges the East and West. It's totally a text about non-dual consciousness, and when read with that "eye", it really is the key that opens up the Synoptic Gospels in a way that is paradigm shifting for the Christian faith. Very cool.
Kimberly wrote: "Gospel of Thomas! As a comparative religionist and yoga teacher, this text bridges the East and West. It's totally a text about non-dual consciousness, and when read with that "eye", it really is..."
Thanks Kimberly -now I have to read the G of T!
Thanks Kimberly -now I have to read the G of T!
Interesting that most are sharing non fiction as most inspiring.
I love this list so far! I'm definitely going to add a bunch of these onto my To-read list!My most inspirational book read was:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values, and Spiritual Growth
Kelly wrote: "I've read a lot of books, but the most inspiring book I've ever read is Thoughts of a Stripper: A Mother's StoryWhat's your most inspiring book?"
I enjoy all of Joyce Meyer's books. Her latest book, You Can Begin Again. I, especially, loved her quote "Yesterday doesn't define you."
This book The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying has really expanded my thirst for more knowledge and to cultivate and grow my compassion for all sentient beings. Even the former Prime Minister of Australia, Bob Hawke has read and been influenced by this book. A must read for anyone wanting to grow spiritually.
The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde touches my heart whenever I read it. It is a very beautiful story full of meaning. This story is not just for children, but for anybody with a heart that can be broken, and then fixed.
There are so many to choose from...my nonphysical friends in book form: Seth Speaks, by Jane Roberts. It explains who we are and why we are here, how we create our own reality and how we can change our limiting beliefs gifted to us when we were little to beliefs that more accurately reflect where we are now. Oh, and for Jonathan Livingston Segal fans, Richard Bach attended some Seth sessions back in the day :)
Soul Love, by Sanaya Roman helped me transform myself from my worry, fearful self (and other selves) into my whole self. I have done the process in the beginning of the book in Chapter One, meeting our inner children, with between 5 and 6 of these selves, and it has literally allowed me to feel whole - not complete, as I am never complete, but whole and safe. Love, love love...I still haven't read even half of this book, there is so much to do in it, but it gave me a large part of my life back that was hiding behind my fears.
Ask and It Is Given, by Abraham Hicks. OMG! Esther Hicks has been channeling a group of entities called Abraham for well over 25 years, pretty much every weekend somewhere in the US, and their teachings take where Seth left off and expand on how we can change our lives for the better with simple processes. You can watch Esther channel them on her you tube channel - Abraham Hicks - or listen to video clips of her channelings on you tube - type in Abraham Hicks and any subject you want clarity on - there are 1000's of you tubes. Fun to listen to, with a great sense of humor. Here is one a fan put together of their humor - this will make you laugh - don't know if I can post a link, but I'll try:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5ZeY...
Soul Love, by Sanaya Roman helped me transform myself from my worry, fearful self (and other selves) into my whole self. I have done the process in the beginning of the book in Chapter One, meeting our inner children, with between 5 and 6 of these selves, and it has literally allowed me to feel whole - not complete, as I am never complete, but whole and safe. Love, love love...I still haven't read even half of this book, there is so much to do in it, but it gave me a large part of my life back that was hiding behind my fears.
Ask and It Is Given, by Abraham Hicks. OMG! Esther Hicks has been channeling a group of entities called Abraham for well over 25 years, pretty much every weekend somewhere in the US, and their teachings take where Seth left off and expand on how we can change our lives for the better with simple processes. You can watch Esther channel them on her you tube channel - Abraham Hicks - or listen to video clips of her channelings on you tube - type in Abraham Hicks and any subject you want clarity on - there are 1000's of you tubes. Fun to listen to, with a great sense of humor. Here is one a fan put together of their humor - this will make you laugh - don't know if I can post a link, but I'll try:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5ZeY...
I think Mark Chadbourn's books. Nothing challenges the way you think as much as these. And a book which actually changed my life, in terms of what I do, Stel Pavlou's Decipher. This set me on a whole new path
Doug wrote: "This book The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying has really expanded my thirst for more knowledge and to cultivate and grow my compassion for all sentient beings. Even the former Prime ..."
That is a must read, no matter what.
Others I found deeply inspiring when I was living in Tibet are "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism" by Chögyam Trungpa, and "Zen in the Art of Archery" by Eugen Herrigel
That is a must read, no matter what.
Others I found deeply inspiring when I was living in Tibet are "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism" by Chögyam Trungpa, and "Zen in the Art of Archery" by Eugen Herrigel
The most inspiring book I've read in the past few years is no doubt "Being and Nothingness" by Jean-Paul Sartre. This version seems to be a good translation, however of course if you can read in original/French is much better.
"The Alchemist:" I very much resonated with having a Personal Legend. It was a turning point in my life to go from goal oriented to journey oriented; changing the focus of my life from getting to the goal to am I still on the path. In fact, just thinking about this makes me want to read the book again, I have a feeling I'll see it in a much different light being a few more years down that path. Anyway believing in a personal universe, I believe each one of us has a personal path which striving for makes all these legend books with their various archetypal characters come to life.
A friend of mine in AA shared a book with me that his group read last year, and I just finished it and was blown away. It's called The Nephew Letters. I got it pretty cheap on Kindle but the paperback seems reasonable too. It opened my eyes to the struggle people go through with alcohol. I HIGHLY recommend it.
I still have to read the MOST inspiring book. I'm mentioning one's that inspired me. "Atlas Shrugged" By Ayn Rand
"Conversations with God" By Neale Donald Walsch
"The story of Philosophy" by Will Durant
"Vedanta Treatise"
The most inspiring book I've read is The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. It has profoundly affected my life and has taken my writing in a much more inspiring direction.The Alchemist
I am Currently reading. Meditations By Marcus Aurelius. It is a small book, But contains information enough to fill a lifetime. Much of the late emperors words reflect Buddhism and Taoism philosophy. Easily put by a Roman! This man is truly one of the greatest kings the world has ever known. Read this and you will understand what is missing.
Most inspirational book in my life is Illusions by Richard Bach. I have read it numerous times over the years. Each time, it speaks to me and inspires me to climb higher. Touch the sky. Definitely a stream of consciousness flowing on and on.
Thank you Ricardo and Susan. Great all-time books. I love Illusions, it also inspired me on my journey.
Robin, I was introduced to Illusions in a bookstore in Heathrow Airport, while awaiting my flight to Frankfurt. The paperback book kept falling off the bookshelf and onto the floor. I kept putting it back in its place, but it fell again and again. The cashier came over to assist me, and asked the title of the book I was looking to buy. I told her. She found it. Lo and behold, Illusions fell off the shelf again. I told her, "I think I'm meant to read this one also, and purchased it. My flight was delayed an hour. By then I was halfway through Illusions and super impressed. I returned to the bookstore and purchased the additional five copies they had on hand to give to friends as gifts. So glad it kept falling for me.
Oh boy, I'm twisting myself up trying to come up with one book, and then decided I'll list a few, but what order should I put them in? I have so many! Books have been my guides all my life, and the library my temple :)Anyway, in no particular order...
The Untethered Soul, by Michael A Singer
Walden, by Henry David Thoreau
Self-Knowledge, by Adi Shankara
Gift from the Sea, by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle
Hyperspace, by Michio Kaku (probably a weird selection for spiritual / inspirational books :) and no, I'm not a geek!)
I think I'll stop there for now...
Love this idea for a book group Robin! I'll be checking in for other recommendations as they come along.
What a great list of books, Saiisha. I love the writings of Henry David Thoreau and Eckhart Tolle's The New Earth is becoming a modern classic. I am sure there is a book or two here that many of us would like to check out. As for me...I'm off to look at Gift from the Sea.
In the past ten years I found myself reading mostly books by positive psychologists, neuroscientists, etc, and also much "wisdom traditions", from the obvious (Tao, Gita) to the less obvious (selection of the Upanisads). This was part of a long personal quest...However, what ended up inspiring me the most and drove me to action was Steinbeck's Travels with Charley.
It was a major transformative trigger for going on the road, writing my book, and many other changes. Something about it just clicked and resonated.
While crossing the Indian Ocean in 1975, during monsoon season, I had lots of time to contemplate life and death, and learn to let go of fears--big time. I took eight books with me for the journey. One, which greatly influenced my spiritual journey was “The Search for a Soul: Taylor Caldwell's Psychic Lives” by Jess Stearn. Definitely inspirational!
It's amazing how often we are inspired when traveling. Life is about the journey, not the destination. We never truly know what is around the next corner, or what lies ahead.
Books mentioned in this topic
Men Who Have Walked With God (other topics)Siddhartha (other topics)
Collective Mind (other topics)
Ethics for the New Millennium (other topics)
The Alchemist (other topics)
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What's your most inspiring book?