Carrie and Danielle - Latest Comments in What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Kirsty — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:02:33 -0000

I know, there seems to be an entire shelf dedicated to the Artist Way series. I started with....The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, 10th Anniversary Edition. There was no workbook included.

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Sharon — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:13:10 -0000

one other i just thought of is, the giving tree by shel silverstein. very beautiful.

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Sharon — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:11:30 -0000

yep, i was just gonna add women who run with the wolves. a great one.

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Sharon — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:10:48 -0000

ah yes, awakening the buddha ... that's marvellous

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Sharon — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:09:34 -0000

i have many of ken wilber's books he's fantastic. i especially loved grace and grit.

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Sharon — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:08:19 -0000

both of those are great.

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Sharon — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:07:21 -0000

yes i read the monk who sold his ferrari ... very good

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Sharon — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:06:24 -0000

great book by pema chodron

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Sharon — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:05:46 -0000

the little prince is excellent and has many wonderful lessons.

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Sharon — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:04:59 -0000

i love hugh prather.

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Sharon — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:04:14 -0000

There are many:

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life - Wayne Dyer
The Book of Secrets - Deepak Chopra
Take Me to Truth: Undoing the Ego - can't remember the two authors but they're from Australia
The Age of Miracles - Marianne Williamson
The Power of Intention - Wayne Dyer

those are a few ...

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Stephanie — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:53:26 -0000

My friend said it is because we resist enlightenment and are addicted to Drama (suffering, pain, excuses, or whatever else is holding us back. I think it is different for everyone).

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

sxpalmer — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:23:27 -0000

I looked this up on Amazon and there are many versions of this book. Which "The Artist’s Way" book do I need to read first? thank you for the recommendation!

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Sabrina — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:42:28 -0000

"The Seeker's Guide" by Elizabeth Lesser
"Life's Too Short for Tantric Sex" by Kate Taylor
"Finding Your Own North Star" by Martha Beck
"A Woman's Worth" by Marianne Williamson

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

bettyann — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:53:49 -0000

#1 would of course be the Bible. I have read and studied this wonderful book since 1982.
#2 Change Almost anything in 21 days by Ruth Fishel
#3 Everyday Serenity by David Kundtz This is a great read for people with a busy life.

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Cecile — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:30:31 -0000

Stephanie,

I wonder why at the exact time that is most important... I shall pick it up tonight and continue. I will keep you posted.

Cécile

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Stephanie — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:52:13 -0000

Everyone responds to different things in the book, but for me, the part about the pain-body was what struck a chord. Every time something leaves a scar on your heart, it adds to this THING inside you that acts up and lashes out sometimes - often when you least expect it, or at people who do not deserve it. You can learn not to feed your pain-body - for example, you can start by refraining from watching violent movies and the evening news. The pain-body is something that you are born with - it is what Jesus referred to as original sin, and the buddha called it Dukkha. It is what it means to be human. It is stronger in some people than in others, and I guess that it depends somewhat on whether you come from a background of people who have been persecuted throughout history. It grows throughout your life as you have negative and painful experiences.

This is the part that I identified with, anyway. I found that the exercises where you are supposed to just FEEL YOUR HAND and that kind of thing were helpful, if a little trying at times!

If you are having trouble, try reading A New Earth - it is a lighter read and feels a little more applicable. However, my friend told me that everyone stops reading The Power of Now at EXACTLY the point that is the most important for them. So maybe you should try it for a while longer.

Warm wish...

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Ottoline — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:58:39 -0000

I really like Alexandra Stoddard's books - they give me hope that maybe I too can live an elegant life (fat chance!)

My other really inspirational book is called Cowgirls: Women of the American West by Teresa Jordon. On days when I am dragging and tired and feel like I just have SO much to do, I read about these gals from the olden days and realize how they'd trade places with me any day and be happy for it!

Thanks to all also for the recs on Pema Chodron, Style Statement and Living a Literary Life - going to definitely pick up those!

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Danielle LaPorte — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:24:40 -0000

Yes. All the advice can get in the way of EXPERIENCING it for yourself.

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Danielle LaPorte — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:23:33 -0000

It would be interesting to see if "Creatives" are most predominantly Fours. I think I'll do a little survey...

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Becciebeth — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:49:16 -0000

Well get your tissues ready. I had been taking my two oldest boys to a workshop for some brotherly bonding that was 40 minutes from our home, so I bought the audiobook. They had listened to it right along with me. My oldest son who is 13 was so inspired by his philosophy of fullfilling childhood dreams. I saw such a change in him that led to us talking about life; the good choices and bad that we have made. It opened up a door to such a beautiful conversation between a mother and son. I don't think we ever would have had that unforgetable moment if not for Randy Pausch. In one part he talks about, if you don't attempt at something you really want you will never know if you could have done it. This led to my son writting to Randy, to thank him for the inspiration, and let him know he was in our prayers. He responded via letter, and my son will forever be grateful, as well as attempting the unknown without fear. Please visit alice.org. While it is designed by Randy for children to have fun learning to design web pages. What a legacy to leave.

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Wendi — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:17:44 -0000

"The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho
"Veronika Decides to Die" by Paulo Coelho (actually anything written by him is amazing)
"The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

sxpalmer — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:01:38 -0000

Abraham Hicks is wonderful although it's very personally and might not resonate with people until they're ready (like most things). I get their daily email messages, too.

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

sxpalmer — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:57:04 -0000

AMEN! "You Can Heal Your Life" was the first book given to me that I didn't follow, "A Return to Love" was the second book that I couldn't read because it didn't resonate and now, many years later, I'm a passionate advocate of both.

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

sxpalmer — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:52:58 -0000

Oh my gosh, I just heard an amazing story about Randy this morning on the "Chat With Women" radio program (Seattle's Alternative Talk Radio). I'm ordering the book and looking forward to watching his lecture on YouTube. It was a very moving peice. Did you know him?