Self development books
For the past twenty years, self-development books have been the pillars of my personal growth and profound transformation.
During this time, I read many books, though some contributed more significantly to my journey.
Clarity, guidance, hope, encouragement and peace of mind, was what I searched in each of these books.
I have listed them in chronological order, meaning, in the order that I read them, over the years, starting in 1998.
I hope you find inspiration in some of these books, just as I did.
My favourite 10 self-development books
You Can Heal Your Life, by Louise Hay
A gift from my yoga teacher, Luis Lima, in my very early yoga days, You Can Heal Your Life, was a wise choice for the beginning of my self-development journey.
Back then, in my late twenties, I felt lost, my life didn’t seem to make much sense, and to make matters worse, I had just ended a five-year relationship.
In short, I was a mess!
Reading You Can Heal Your Life, helped calm my mind, heal my broken heart and find hope.
It was the first time I came across the idea that we can heal our bodies and our lives through the power of our mind. From then on, I became interested in the mind-body connection.
In this book, the late Louse Hay gives us practical advice on how to overcome limiting beliefs that keep us stuck and unwell.
Millions of people have read and benefitted from this book. In my case, it was one of the first steps (along with yoga practice) toward my renewed life awareness.
More information about this book here.
Thought Power, by Swami Sivananda
Another gift from my yoga teacher Luis Lima, this one sometime later, the Thought Power is another powerful self-development book.
This small book, with a little over one hundred pages, gives incredible insight into the workings and power of thoughts.
Swami Sivananda starts by explaining the physics and philosophy of thoughts and then moves on to more practical tips.
Overall, you will learn the dynamics of thoughts and how to control and gear them.
Thought Power is a good read for anyone interested in learning how to direct and cultivate thoughts that generate a positive, dynamic, triumphant and happy life.
More information about this book here.
The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran
I found The Prophet on one of my Sunday excursions to the book store when online shopping was still not commonplace.
More than a self-development book, this is an inspiring piece of literature that makes us reflect on fundamental aspects of life.
Human nature, society and family, love and passion, mortality and death, knowledge and the human condition are some of the topics approached by Kahlil Gibran in this literary masterpiece.
After one hundred years of its first publication, The Prophet is one of the most translated books of all times, with publications in more than 100 languages.
More information about this book here.
The Way to Freedom: Core Teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, by Dalai Lama
One of my favourite electives at Villanova University was called Major World religions. Since then, I became curious about the Buddhist way of life, where everybody is welcome, regardless of faith, gender or social status. Even more interesting to me at the time, was the concept of pursuing a life free of suffering, something I desperately longed for most of my life.
In The Way to Freedom: Core Teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama presents, in an accessible narrative, the basics of Tibetan Buddhism. The main aim: to show the path toward freedom of suffering and a life of happiness for all beings.
More information about this book here.
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams, by Deepak Chopra M.D.
Over the past twenty years, Deepak Chopra has been one of my virtual mentors, and The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success was the first of his books that I read.
In this extraordinary book, Deepak Chopra reveals the importance of so-called coincidences, or synchronicities, as a tool for identifying opportunities to tune into what he calls miracles.
The author explains that we have the power within us to shape our destiny if we learn how to tap into our creative potential by syntonizing with “miracles”.
More information about this book here.
Where There Is Light, by Yogananda Paramahansa
” Darkness cannot exist in the presence of light.”
Full of lessons and tips to help the reader face the various challenges of life, Where There Is Light is a collection of passages to inspire physical, mental and spiritual harmony.
The themes of this book include:
- How to discover the wisdom and necessary strength to make important life decisions;
- The antidote to tension, worry and fear;
- How to transform failures into successes;
- Security in an insecure world;
- How to perfect human relationships;
- The power of affirmations and prayer;
- Understanding death;
- How to develop a personal relationship with God.
More information about this book here.
Living Fearlessly, by Yogananda Paramahansa
Living Fearlessly is my bedside table companion that I open most nights to remind myself of the power of thoughts, dreams, intentions, and willpower in shaping a fearless life.
I find this small book to be an enormous source of inspiration when I need encouragement and clarity.
More information about this book here.
If you have been following me for a while, you know that I swear by this book!
When I first read it (and I’ve done it at least six times!), it pushed me into great transformation. I like to say that Jack Canfield is the godfather of this blog. Why? Because it was thanks to the teachings and exercises in this book that I evaluated my whole life, left my old life behind, reignited my passion for writing and started Finding the Bliss.
I have written a few blog posts about Jack Canfield and The Success Principles, so if you want to learn more:
- Read how The Success Principles by Jack Canfield Changed My Life.
- Read my review of this book here;
- You can also have a taste of the 64 Success Principles here
If you are interested in online learning, you may like one of Jack Canfield’s transformative training or programs in Blissful Life and Tools & Resources.
More information about his book here.
The Art of Happiness – A Handbook for Living, by His Holiness The Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cuttler
I can never mention this book enough. You might have read my review of The Art of Happiness, but I included it on this list for its powerful teaching about how to achieve a life of happiness, through gratitude and compassion..
You can read the full review here.
More information about this book here.
Super Brain: Unleashing the Explosive Power of Your Mind to Maximize Health, Happiness, and Spiritual Well-Being, by Deepak Chopra, M.D. and Rudolph E. Tanzi, PhD
I am reading Super Brain at the moment, and although I haven’t finished it, I am so excited about the content that I had to share it with you right now!
Focusing on the power of the mind to achieve health, happiness and spiritual wellbeing, the writers explain how our brain works and how we can maximize its use to achieve extraordinary results.
What you will learn with this revolutionary book:
– How to use your brain instead of being used by it;
– Create an ideal lifestyle to have a healthy brain;
– Reduce the risks of ageing;
– Promote happiness and wellbeing through the mind-body connection.
– Access your enlightened brain, the portal to freedom and prosperity;
– Overcome the most common challenges: loss of memory, depression, anxiety and obesity.
Who doesn’t need a bit of extra brainpower?
More information about this book here.
CONCLUSION
After twenty years of committed personal growth, these are the self-development books that are a constant presence in my life.
In times of emotional turmoil and uncertainty, I pick one of these “tools”, depending on what I need, to find guidance, clarity, encouragement and strength.
Which books do you go to when you need inspiration, motivation, clarity and guidance?
Let me know in the comments below.
May The Bliss be with you!
Luciana
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