8 Books that inspired me
“Reading is to the Mind what exercise is to the Body” - Richard Steele
I often recommend one or other book to clients or friends that can be helpful to better understand or learn more about their current quest. People also regularly ask me what books I’m reading, what authors inspired me.
After a period of not reading a single book for more than 20 years, I started reading books again, somewhere in my early 40’s, after someone advised me to read “The Alchemist” (Paulo Coelho). That’s why I’ve put him first. I’ve made an arbitrary selection of 8 books that inspired me, although there are dozens. You can also find additional free info, interviews, etc on their website, social media or YouTube.
Be Inspired - Enjoy!
1. THE ALCHEMIST (PAULO COELHO).
“A fable about following your dream”. Reading this book is an excellent start for everyone who’s setting his/her first steps on his/her spiritual journey. Everyone reads it differently, and you’ll find new insights or inspiration each time you re-read it. Typically a book that people leave on their bedside table and read it again now and then to find new inspiration.
I’m a real fan of Paulo Coelho and have read all of his books.
To my surprise, I recently saw this book appears in “The Top 9 Books Recommended by Millionaires”.
2. WHEN EVERYTHING CHANGES, CHANGE EVERYTHING. (NEALE DONALD WALSH)
The subtitle: “In a time of turmoil, a pathway to peace”, is really what this book also meant to me in the early years of my journey.
It hands you some basic insights, upon which you can fall back when times get messy.
The basic idea is that “change” is the very nature of life, and that “every change, without any exception, is for the best”, although you may not see anything positive in your current situation.
3. THE 4 AGREEMENTS (DON MIGUEL RUIZ)
This ‘little bible’ is my #1 favourite book and I meanwhile gave dozens of it as a present, also to my children and their friends. I recommend it to everyone, whatever their situation or their quest. You can watch three short introductory movies here.
The book offers a code of conduct, a manual for life, based on ancient Toltec wisdom that advocates freedom from self-limiting beliefs that may cause suffering and limitation in a person's life. I believe that, by the age of 18, everyone should’ve read this book, this should be basic knowledge to everyone. Say no more, this book is also on “The Top 9 Books Recommended by Millionaires”…
I’ve read most of the other books of DMR (and some of his son). “The Mastery of Self”, “The Mastery of Love” and “The Voice of Knowledge” are the ones that brought me most.
4. SPIRITUAL PARTNERSHIP. (GARY ZUKAV)
I bought the book about 8 years ago and it has been opening my eyes as to how we can transform ourselves and the others by being real spiritual partners to each other. It’s about developing our authentic power versus the more meaningless or sometimes even manipulative approach of being nice and friendly, telling the other what he/she wants to hear, hoping they will not give up on us.
Not only love relations but also friendships and professional relationships can become very powerful tools of personal growth if we are courageous enough to make the shift. Gary Zukav and his partner Linda Francis explain what this book is about here.
I also want to mention his newest book “Universal Human”. A new human consciousness is replacing the old human consciousness. Authentic power—the alignment of the personality with soul—is replacing external power, the ability to manipulate and control. Zukav explains that the potential of a new era of humanity based on love instead of fear is upon us, but only we can bring it into being. Universal Human shows us how. It is a book that you will never forget
5. BIOLOGY OF BELIEF. (BRUCE LIPTON PHD. )
This book was “recommended lecture” when I studied Quantum Healing about a decade ago. It’s about the unlashed power and possibilities of our subconscious mind, my favourite topic of investigation. There are also dozens of very interesting movies with Bruce where he explains complex matter like Quantum Physics, Epigenetics etc with his hilarious sense of humour. My favourite movie that I often send to clients is this one: “Dr Bruce Lipton Explains How To Reprogram Your Subconscious Mind.”
His other book “The Honeymoon Effect” may also inspire you.
“A Conversation Between The Three Amigos”, with Joe Dispenza and Gregg Braden has over 700K views on Youtube.
6. THE POWER OF NOW. (ECKHART TOLLE)
Being in the now, for me, means accepting whatever is going on in your current situation. It doesn’t mean you have to like it. You don’t have to want it tomorrow. Surely not. We’re used to fighting whatever we don’t like, which means living in permanent resistance. “Focus your attention on the Now and tell me what problem you have at this moment” is one of his famous quotes.
In this 9 min video: ‘Your Suffering Is Imaginary’, he explains how ‘Most of your suffering is self-created, created out of resistance to what ‘is’.
I also would like to recommend watching this 12 min video: “Simple Recipe for Overcoming Suffering”
7. RADICAL HONESTY. (BRAD BLANTON)
I started reading this amazing book and then continued listening to Brad Blanton narrating his own book on Audible.
Because of his unique, no-nonsense, humoristic style, I recommend listening.
This is an utmost confronting book, and the biggest challenge is to start being honest with ourselves.
I don’t believe being radical honest all of the time is realistic. Besides this, on certain occasions, when radical honesty is not serving the growth, development and well-being of the other, I tend to recommend what is called ‘benevolent truth’.
You can watch an inspiring TEDx from Brad Blanton here: How to get over sh*t and be happy.
8. MIND OVER MEDICINE. (LISSA RANKIN)
This book has been a great source of inspiration when I started working with Q’Man!® (Quantum Healing). Lots of the findings and conclusions in this book resonated with my intuitive knowing.
Western-trained integrative physician and obstetrics and gynaecology doctor Lissa Rankin, pored over hundreds of objectively evaluated, peer-reviewed studies from medical journals to find proof that the mind can heal the body.
In this book she shares some of these extraordinary cases, as well as stories of hope and spontaneous healing from her own practice. She also guides you through the process of uncovering where things might be out of whack in your life - spiritually, creatively, environmentally, in your professional and personal relationships.
I'm looking forward to reading her latest book: “Sacred Medicine: A Doctor's Quest to Unravel the Mysteries of Healing”.
“Sacred Medicine is a book of inclusion. It does not prescribe nor preach nor proselytize: it illustrates, informs, and illuminates.” —From the foreword by Dr. Gabor Maté