“The three pillars of Zen” by Philip Kapleau. Deeply grateful to that friend who recommended it to me when i started meditating; a book which has inspired me greatly to begin this heartfelt path, which is unfolding on and on.
2 Books given to me by family come to mind. 1. Daily Guidance from your Angels (from my sister) and 2. I really needed this today (from my sister in law).
Great question, I will take note of several posted.
Hello Robin Ann, the answer to your question about helpers is no. Our small farm was always my side gig when I was working for other farmers, ranchers or ditch riding. I retired from ditch riding in 2014. I was still doing fence work for hire and cutting and baling hay for hire and on shares. I now have retired from fence work for others and am down to bailing hay for one fellow. This is now my only gig. The aging process has slowed me down but as long as I am able I will continue on with my lifestyle. A labor of love.
The book I reach for when I want to move into more gratefulness is Wake Up Grateful by Grateful.org’s own Kristi Nelson.
Especially when I’m feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, this is the book I read to restore my feeling of gratefulness. ♥️
“All Systems Red” by Martha Wells. The first in the Murderbot Diaries. About a human/robot construct who hacked it’s governing module and is trying to figure out what it is, how to fit in/maneuver through society, and what it wants to do with it’s life. Who hasn’t felt that way!?! This is a science fiction series, and yes there is “murdering” which is mostly Murderbot killing very bad people, and there is cussing (but sometimes the “f” word is the only one that fits the situation…IMO). It’s a coming of age story, really. The first four books in the series are the ones to read for sure, with the others being very good too. And the audiobooks, with Kevin R. Free as the narrator/voice actor, are wonderful.
Whenever life seems so overwhelming, I read or listen to these books – because if Murderbot can get through what it gets through…I can get through my challenges too.
There are so many books I’m grateful for. And I’m so grateful that my mother was a book nut. She gave me so many great books. I remember reading not coming easily at first, but when it clicked, I was off and running. I will read almost anything.
Books have come to me almost like strange timely premonitions. Or maybe I just saw those books through whatever I was going through at the time.
Either way, I am so grateful for all that I have gained from reading.
To narrow this down to one, is a very difficult exercise. For the last five years, my reading has been focused inwardly and I have read a few life altering books. How about three?
1) The Power of Now -Eckhart Tolle
2) When Things Fall Apart -Pema Chodrön
3) The Myth of Normal -Gabor Maté
My first thought
was ‘A New Earth’ by Eckhart Tolle . . .
as Laura said,
“right book at the right time”.
I had had many seeds planted
when this book came to me,
seeds from Thomas Merton,
Rilke,
Meister Eckhart,
James Allen,
Ram Dass and Steven Levine,
Charlotte Joko Beck,
and many others.
When I read ‘A New Earth’
it was as if a veil was lifted from my eyes,
and it was speaking directly to me.
With that clarity,
all of those seeds
suddenly sprouted
and bloomed into a glorious garden.
They came alive,
They made sense.
I could see their message
with full clarity . . .
I am grateful for these teachers. ♥
“The Way Between” ( https://riverasun.com/the-way-between/ )and the entire Ari Ara series by Rivera Sun. I am so grateful for an adventure series that portrays creative and nonviolent ways of resolving conflicts instead of the same old usual spiel of using war and violence to save the day. I have really enjoyed reading these books and have shared them with friends. One of my friends is reading the books to her 8 and 10 year old children and they all are loving them!
I can’t answer with just one! I know this is supposed to make us think deeply but seriously?! As a lifelong incredibly voracious reader I am grateful for every single one of them!
Okay, then…. I will go with Krista Tippetts’ book Becoming Wise: An Inquiry Into the Mystery and Art of Living. Drawing on her many amazing interviews with amazing people in her podcast On Being, she thinks deeply about the importance of things like kindness and living our values. Her writing is wonderful and I often have to go back and reread something just to enjoy it again after I turn the page. https://bookshop.org/p/books/becoming-wise-an-inquiry-into-the-mystery-and-art-of-living-krista-tippett/586785?ean=9781101980316
Came back to add the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I think of it often and look at things differently as a result of reading that. I just learned she has another book out that’s going on my list: The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World.
Barb C, I could not agree more! I love Braiding Sweetgrass, I have copied several pages to have on hand and read them again. I have The Serviceberry on my list for my Holiday gift to myself. In fact i use a picture of the Serviceberry as my photo on Facebook. I thank you!
I loved The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. I just learned they made an animated short film that’s on Apple TV which I don’t have. I just hope they did it justice. The illustrations in that book are wonderful.
I dont get as much time to read these days as I’d like to, but right now I’m reading The Art of Communicating by Thich Nhat Hanh… grateful for this book as it contains so much wisdom that is applicable to my life today.
Looking forward to reading everyone’s responses and adding to my ever growing list of books to read 🙂
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“The three pillars of Zen” by Philip Kapleau. Deeply grateful to that friend who recommended it to me when i started meditating; a book which has inspired me greatly to begin this heartfelt path, which is unfolding on and on.
Christian Dillo: The Path of Aliveness
2 Books given to me by family come to mind. 1. Daily Guidance from your Angels (from my sister) and 2. I really needed this today (from my sister in law).
Great question, I will take note of several posted.
Hello Robin Ann, the answer to your question about helpers is no. Our small farm was always my side gig when I was working for other farmers, ranchers or ditch riding. I retired from ditch riding in 2014. I was still doing fence work for hire and cutting and baling hay for hire and on shares. I now have retired from fence work for others and am down to bailing hay for one fellow. This is now my only gig. The aging process has slowed me down but as long as I am able I will continue on with my lifestyle. A labor of love.
I bet, you certainly have a passion for it : )
The book I reach for when I want to move into more gratefulness is Wake Up Grateful by Grateful.org’s own Kristi Nelson.
Especially when I’m feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, this is the book I read to restore my feeling of gratefulness. ♥️
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. I introduced to it in the 1970’s and it is still my companion today.
“All Systems Red” by Martha Wells. The first in the Murderbot Diaries. About a human/robot construct who hacked it’s governing module and is trying to figure out what it is, how to fit in/maneuver through society, and what it wants to do with it’s life. Who hasn’t felt that way!?! This is a science fiction series, and yes there is “murdering” which is mostly Murderbot killing very bad people, and there is cussing (but sometimes the “f” word is the only one that fits the situation…IMO). It’s a coming of age story, really. The first four books in the series are the ones to read for sure, with the others being very good too. And the audiobooks, with Kevin R. Free as the narrator/voice actor, are wonderful.
Whenever life seems so overwhelming, I read or listen to these books – because if Murderbot can get through what it gets through…I can get through my challenges too.
Murderbot is awesome! Lots of insights into human behaviors and motivations.
Martha Wells’ novels about the lady astronaut are great too.
Sounds intriguing Mez French.
Louise Hay’s, You Can Heal Your Life.
🙏🏻✨❤️
There are so many books I’m grateful for. And I’m so grateful that my mother was a book nut. She gave me so many great books. I remember reading not coming easily at first, but when it clicked, I was off and running. I will read almost anything.
Books have come to me almost like strange timely premonitions. Or maybe I just saw those books through whatever I was going through at the time.
Either way, I am so grateful for all that I have gained from reading.
To narrow this down to one, is a very difficult exercise. For the last five years, my reading has been focused inwardly and I have read a few life altering books. How about three?
1) The Power of Now -Eckhart Tolle
2) When Things Fall Apart -Pema Chodrön
3) The Myth of Normal -Gabor Maté
I have read one and three Charlie, but not 2. If it as good as the other two I must read it. Thank you.
Agree!!!
The gift of reading! Lucky you that had a mom that gave you that gift! I love your list, powerful books!
My first thought
was ‘A New Earth’ by Eckhart Tolle . . .
as Laura said,
“right book at the right time”.
I had had many seeds planted
when this book came to me,
seeds from Thomas Merton,
Rilke,
Meister Eckhart,
James Allen,
Ram Dass and Steven Levine,
Charlotte Joko Beck,
and many others.
When I read ‘A New Earth’
it was as if a veil was lifted from my eyes,
and it was speaking directly to me.
With that clarity,
all of those seeds
suddenly sprouted
and bloomed into a glorious garden.
They came alive,
They made sense.
I could see their message
with full clarity . . .
I am grateful for these teachers. ♥
For me The four agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. And lately Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Yes…♥
The Four Agreements is so, so good!
“The Way Between” ( https://riverasun.com/the-way-between/ )and the entire Ari Ara series by Rivera Sun. I am so grateful for an adventure series that portrays creative and nonviolent ways of resolving conflicts instead of the same old usual spiel of using war and violence to save the day. I have really enjoyed reading these books and have shared them with friends. One of my friends is reading the books to her 8 and 10 year old children and they all are loving them!
Thank you for mentioning these. They sound great.
I can’t answer with just one! I know this is supposed to make us think deeply but seriously?! As a lifelong incredibly voracious reader I am grateful for every single one of them!
Okay, then…. I will go with Krista Tippetts’ book Becoming Wise: An Inquiry Into the Mystery and Art of Living. Drawing on her many amazing interviews with amazing people in her podcast On Being, she thinks deeply about the importance of things like kindness and living our values. Her writing is wonderful and I often have to go back and reread something just to enjoy it again after I turn the page. https://bookshop.org/p/books/becoming-wise-an-inquiry-into-the-mystery-and-art-of-living-krista-tippett/586785?ean=9781101980316
Came back to add the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I think of it often and look at things differently as a result of reading that. I just learned she has another book out that’s going on my list: The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World.
I’m reading Braiding Sweetgrass now and enjoying it very much. We should all live so intentionally.
Barb C, I could not agree more! I love Braiding Sweetgrass, I have copied several pages to have on hand and read them again. I have The Serviceberry on my list for my Holiday gift to myself. In fact i use a picture of the Serviceberry as my photo on Facebook. I thank you!
It’s Not You by Ramani Durvasula
The Boy, the Horse, the Mole and the Fox by Charlie Mackesy
Self-care For Caregivers by Susanne White
I loved The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. I just learned they made an animated short film that’s on Apple TV which I don’t have. I just hope they did it justice. The illustrations in that book are wonderful.
I am rereading New seeds of Contemplation, Thomas Merton’s classic. Though published in 1961, it is so relevant to life today.
I remember enjoying The Seven Story Mountain by Thomas Merton many years ago.
I have heard of New Seeds of Contemplation and will look into it.
I dont get as much time to read these days as I’d like to, but right now I’m reading The Art of Communicating by Thich Nhat Hanh… grateful for this book as it contains so much wisdom that is applicable to my life today.
Looking forward to reading everyone’s responses and adding to my ever growing list of books to read 🙂