Hello kindred spirit! 💕Welcome back to the blog. This winter I’ve been mostly writing my book. And when I’m not writing, I’m either found taking long walks along the shore, watching the seagulls, or curled up on the couch reading books. And while a lot of the books I’ve been reading lately have been on Buddhism and astrology, I thought I’d put together a master list of my favorite creative books as well my ultimate spiritual book recommendations. I’ve ranked them in order from ones that anyone can connect to to the more woo woo-esque books that may be a bit out there for some. This is just what I like; as always with everything in life, take what works for you and leave the rest. Happy reading! 🙂

Creative Book Recommendations

The Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle Luna

One of the most beautifully illustrated books I’ve ever owned, I brought this along with me on my cross-country move to France in 2018 and it’s one of the few books I plan to keep with me on every leg of my nomadic living journey. I often love to pick this book off the shelf and turn to a random page, as I find that each page stands alone as an inspiring message. This is a book that I’m always inspired to return to, not only because of its gorgeous watercolor paintings and artwork (seriously, it’ll boost your mood just looking at the vibrant colors!), but it’s a book that will inspire you to create and follow your soul’s callings, no matter how much fear is getting in the way. This is a book for the people-pleasers out there, those that put others before themselves, those that feel stuck, frozen in fear of what ifs. For those that need some motivation and inspiration to take a leap of faith and follow your heart, this book is for you. You’ll feel like a new person after reading it, one with courage and gumption.

You can grab the book here!

Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life by Gregg Levoy

Ahhhh, words can not describe how much I love this book. This was also one of the five books I  brought along with me on my move from the U.S. to France and it’s a beloved-ly owned and worn hardback copy, with plenty of dog-eared tabs, highlights and messy scrawls in the margins with my personal thoughts, realizations and passionate declarations. Greg is a writer, but he often feels like a poet (I swear, he’s got a Neptune-Mercury conjunction), his words flow so gracefully, it often reads like a song buried deep within the crevices of all of our hearts. This is one of the most profound books I’ve ever read on callings, purpose and intuition. There are plenty of practical tips and advice for following your inner calling and purpose, and I want this book to be buried with me. Dramatic, I am; that’s how much I love it.

You can grab the book here!

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

One simply cannot leave Big Magic off the list! One of the best books I’ve read on creativity, Elizabeth writes about pursuing creativity in a way that inspires empathy, compassion and fun! This is my favorite go-to book to read when I feel stuck in a creative rut. She reminds us to have curiosity and the courage to push through the initial fear. This is a book that you’ll want to return to again and again. Also, can we just take a moment to appreciate Elizabeth’s uniquely vibrant voice as a writer?

You can grab the book here!

The Desire Map by Danielle Laporte

This is one of my favorite books about manifesting and creating goals and values that are more heart-led. Danielle is a brilliant, positively infectious writer and she gives uplifting advice on living a life based on one’s values (or core desire feelings as she calls them). The first half of the book is a manual and the second part is a workbook to help you root down and discover your values and the actions you’ll take to live a more inspired life, one that is aligned with your soul’s purpose. There’s a lot of Abraham Hick’s references and teachings here, and she makes it relatable and practical, which I love!

You can grab the book here!

Spiritual Book Recommendations

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

For those interested in exploring stoic philosophy, this is a must-read. This is the personal writings of Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, in which he shares his simple but profound insights on life and self-improvement. The book contains his quotations – some of them being only a sentence or two, others long paragraphs. I love to read this before falling asleep with a lit candle nearby, or first thing in the morning after meditating on my mat.

You can grab the book here!

Stoic Philosophy Favorites

Stoic philosophy is one of my greatest interests. Also, here are some Youtube channels I love following that discuss this life philosophy: Philosophies for Life and Daily Stoic. I also love using the Stoic app every morning when I first wake up. I use it to set my intention for the day, remember the big-picture of my life and goals and then meditate. It’s a free app!

Power of Now

Hands down, one of the best books I’ve ever read. I’ve read it countless times after first being introduced to it in college. My little freshman self started reading it while waiting for the laundry to be finished in my dorm laundromat, and most of it flew right over my head. The writing is tricky to understand the first few times, but once you get into it, it’s a book that will wake. you. up. This will teach you more about life than any other book on this list. Personally, I think it’s a disservice if one doesn’t read this book at least once in their lives. It’s not religious or even “spiritual” – it’s a book on presence, reminding us that the only thing that is ever real is the here and now. 

You can grab the book here!

Going to Pieces without Falling Apart: A Buddhist Perspective on Wholeness

This is one that I read recently and really resonated with, as it connects Western pyschotherapy with Buddhism. There’s a lot of helpful material in here about emotions and happiness, suffering, death, sex, connection, etc and how happiness only actually comes when we let go. It’s one of my favorite books on Buddhism and nonattachment. I find it helpful and relatable that Mark Epstein draws information both from his own personal life experiences as well as his psychotherapy patients.

You can grab the book here!

Be Here Now by Ram Dass

It’s not really a book, more like a work of art! It’s part biography on Ram Dass, part manual for yogic and spiritual living. I love to meditate on a page every morning on my yoga mat, do some journaling on the message and sit with it with my morning cup of cocoa. .

You can grab the book here!

The Surrender Experiment

This is an anecdotal account of Michael Singer’s journey with surrender. He shares his life journey while experimenting with flow. Instead of deciding to control and react to every hang that life dealt him, he decided to flow with life, flow with the changes and challenges (some of them very big) and say yes to the opportunities that came his way. This book will inspire you to flow with the current, down the river,  instead of constantly efforting and forcing your way upsteam. One of the few books that made me see life a bit differently.

You can grab the book here!

Cave in the Snow by Vicki Mackenzie

Wow. One of the most interesting biographies I’ve read in a long time. For any females on a spiritual journey, this is a story I highly recommend. This book tells the story of a west Tibetan Buddhhist nun named Tenzin Pamlo who moved to India at age 20 after growing up in England in order to strengthen her Buddhist practice.  This empowering story shares her goal to attain enlightenment as a woman. At the time, it was considered by most to be impossible, but she carried on with her practice, eventually relocating to a 10×6 feet caves high up in the Himalayas. She grew her own food, experienced temperatures of -30 F, never laid down (she sat straight up on her meditation box to sleep), didn’t see a single soul for 2 years, and then almost starved to death. And yet, she survived and began teaching and sharing her experience and profound realizations with others. One of the most motivating books I’ve read, and while I have no desire to live in a cave personally, every time I put this book down, I feel an inclination to go on a solo hiking trek and meditate the day away. So good.

You can grab the book here!

The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer

This is by far my favorite spiritual book. Power of Now and this are often tied for first place in the spiritual genre for me but I love the writing style of Michael Singer a bit more. It’s easier to read than Eckhart Tolle’s writing, and I find the organization of the book to be a bit more straight forward. If you’re interested in exploring consciousness, self-realization and identity, this is a great book that dives deep. The chapter on death is, of course, my favorite. #JupiterinScorpio

You can grab the book here!

You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay

Louise Hay is a beautiful light of a spirit, and I love listening to all of her audio books (her warmth is such a delight to bask in)! Despite my adoration for her, I don’t agree with some of her core teachings, such as how it is our limiting beliefs that cause physical illness. This is not something I believe in. I do however believe that when we change our thinking, we change our beliefs and when we change our beliefs, we can lead happier and healthier lives. Louise Hay was the pioneer in sharing this teaching. She is the affirmation queen! I particularly love that she gives tons of practice advice, exercises to use in daily life, as well as helpful affirmations. Her core foundational teaching is that it is through loving, accepting and forgiving ourselves that we can truly thrive and live happier lives. Compassion is everything.

You can grab the book here!

Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch

One of my favorite books for connecting with the Source that I call the “higher self” or our intuion. The author decides to write to God during a low time in his life, and what he didn’t expect to receive was an entire book of channeled information in response. This book is one to be highlighted for there are so many little pearls of wisdom tucked in each page! Growing up as a kid and teenager, I always wrote letters to my inner voice (or “God” as Neale calls the energetic source) and so when I read the book as an adult, it felt like coming home. If you’re in a low period of life, it’s a great book to ponder on. And hey! You might even be inspired to start writing your own letters to your inner voice!

You can grab the book here!

Journey of Souls by Michael Newton

A classic for those interested in going beyond, far beyond, the physical veil and exploring past lives, reincarnation and that state of limbo, in which our souls transition through, between lives. It’s a case study of 29 people, who share first-hand accounts of the experience of death and what happens between lives, while in a state of deep hypnosis. This might be a little out there for some, which is why it’s last on the list, but if you believe that our souls choose our lives before incarnating on the planet, if you believe that we choose these bodies, form soul contracts with the people in our lives, you will love this book! I read it quickly. I couldn’t put it down!

You can grab the book here!

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Lastly, I’m currently reading The Secret of Your Immortal Self by Guy Finley as well as The Field by Lynne McTaggart. I have a feeling I’ll love both of them but I want to give them both a thorough read before I let you know my thoughts! I also have Wheels of Life on my list! This blog post includes Amazon affiliate links which means I get a small commission from any purchases made at no cost to you! Thank you for your support – it helps keep my blog and youtube channel up and running!

Feel free to head over to my Instagram – I usually post the books I’m reading along with my thoughts in my IG stories. 🙂

My Favorite Slow Living Books

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I’m sending you the warmest of hugs, and I hope you have a magical day! ✨

Love,

Helena