38 - Spiritual Book Club!

Great Spiritual and Self-Development Authors:

I'm going to start off with authors that I adore in no particular order because they're all amazing. You could easily pick one of those books, read it, and find something useful.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama—I probably have the most books of his. One of my favourites is "An Open Heart." It is from a lecture he gave in New York. He can get very deep and philosophical, so if you want to dive deep into Buddhism and our connection with all things and understanding compassion, that’s where I’d go.

Deepak Chopra is fantastic, with so many of his books being wonderful. Wayne Dyer as well, and Louise Hay—what can I say? We use Louise Hay's "You Can Heal Your Life" as part of our courses here at LunaHolistic. That book is probably the one I reference the most. All of her books are really great, and she has a lot to say on gratitude, which is fantastic for our mental and spiritual well-being.

Thich Nhat Hanh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, and he has many beautifully written, amazing books on mindfulness. If you're interested in mindfulness and slowing your mind down, creating some peace and calm, no matter the circumstances, all of Thich Nhat Hanh's books are wonderful. He lived to be 95, and there are also some great resources on the Plum Village YouTube channel, as well as an app with some of his recorded lectures and meditations.

Dean Radin is a science researcher who explores spirituality and consciousness, intuition, and how our human consciousness can interact with random number generators throughout the world. It's really cool from the science-meets-spirituality perspective, so if you want to dig into some fairly mind-blowing real science about how spirituality works, that is a great resource as well.

Must-Read Books on Spirituality and Self-Help

"Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us" written by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross.

It's a really cool book about how interacting with art in any form—music, drawing, painting, sculpting, anything creative at all—can benefit us. You get the best effect by making things yourself, but you also get a huge boost to your brain in all kinds of really cool brain science ways that significantly increase your resilience and decrease your anxiety.

Creativity has a big role in decreasing anxiety and increasing life satisfaction, bringing a sense of calm. It doesn’t matter if you’re good at it; that’s the beautiful thing. If we can set aside our inner critic, we can make, share, and enjoy all the benefits of being artistic. You can also just observe other people's art.

For example, going to watch live music, visiting an art gallery, or connecting with other creators all provide great benefits. Even watching YouTube videos about people making things is a fantastic way to engage with creativity.

If you feel like you're not an artist and you don’t want to create, you can still be a patron of the arts and receive a huge benefit to your brain. Creativity is a powerful mechanism for transforming your life, getting perspective on your feelings and expressing yourself. "Your Brain on Art" is interesting because it approaches things from a scientific perspective, explaining what's actually happening in our brains when we're engaging with art.

"Life in 5 Senses" by Gretchen Rubin.

In this book, the author visited an art gallery every day for a year, focusing on one of the senses each time. It’s a fascinating read about her personal journey through mindfulness and connection with art in a place she enjoys, all while being attuned to her senses. It ties in art and mindfulness, which are huge parts of spirituality.

"Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents" by Lindsay C. Gibson.

To dig into the deeper parts of ourselves, I recommend this author and her very clear perspective on dealing with dysfunctional and emotionally immature people. This book is especially beneficial if you have narcissists in your family, but it’s relevant for any relationship dynamic. It’s aimed at children of emotionally immature parents, but anyone can gain insight from it.

There’s also "Self-Care for Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents," which focuses on honouring your emotions, nurturing yourself, and living with confidence, also by Lindsay C. Gibson. These are fantastic books filled with valuable information about narcissism from various perspectives.

What I appreciate about Gibson's work is its focus on emotionally immature behaviour and how to spot it, cope with it, and understand its impact on you. It’s essential for those who didn’t have parents who could teach the necessary skills for coping, regulating, and grounding.

I think everybody should read those two books because it’s surprising how many emotionally immature people you might encounter, even outside your family—important insights for navigating friendships, coworkers, bosses, or neighbours whose behaviour leaves you puzzled.

"The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life" by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander.

Benjamin Zander, the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, has a fantastic TED Talk about classical music. He's quite a character, and this book is a really great read. It provides a way of bringing forth people's creativity. This book is about leading people so that they are in their most creative, expressive, innovative, and inventive selves.

This is important if you're trying to solve big problems or figure things out in any capacity, whether in a workplace setting or even within families, as we're leaders in our families and communities.

"The Gift: 14 Lessons to Save Your Life" by Dr. Edith Eger.

Shifting gears to something very deep and profound, we have The Gift. Dr Eger is a psychologist, a Holocaust survivor, and well into her nineties, with a truly transformational message. If you're struggling and seeking a new perspective, this book is a brilliant guide to the power you have to transform your outlook on life.

Her perspective focuses on 14 different ways of reframing experiences in a positive and nurturing manner while honouring the harms that may have happened to you. One of her profound sayings is "There's no forgiveness without rage", so you must experience, express, and allow the energy to move through without it keeping you stuck.

It addresses how to move through incredibly challenging and painful experiences and connect deeply to the grace and beauty of life. This book is beautifully written, heartfelt, and one of the most inspiring reads I've ever encountered. Life changing!

"Slow Productivity" by Cal Newport

These are in no particular order.

"Slow Productivity" has helped me save my brain because I have so many things I want to do, and it feels like there's not enough time to do them. This is a really great book about how, by going slow, you can go faster, especially if you are doing mental work or anything creative.

You actually need space and time in order to put complex ideas together in a new way. So if you're a writer or your main work is using your brain rather than using your muscles, this is a really good one. It's a very well-written, well-researched book, and it helps give you a new perspective on the best way to work.

We always think that if we want to get somewhere faster, we have to push harder and go there directly. But really, if you are doing anything creative or with your brain, going slower will get you there faster. The more you try to rush something, the lower the quality will be. Go slow to go fast!

"Roar Like a Goddess: Every Woman's Guide to Becoming Unapologetically Powerful, Prosperous, and Peaceful" by Archara Shunya

This book is so inspiring, and I recommend it to many people simply because it's so beautiful. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook version of this one, as you get to hear the author's voice as she tells the stories, and it's just magical. 

She tells stories about different goddesses and how we can apply those energies in our lives. It is a beautiful and empowering read. So if you want to access that wisdom and power of being a woman, I think it's good for everybody, regardless of how you identify. It's just a remarkable read.

"No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with Internal Family Systems" by Richard Schwartz

This book is a fantastic introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS), which is a therapy technique. Richard Schwartz is one of the primary creators of this technique. It's all about understanding that inside us are these multitudes of voices, parts of us that are all talking at once. One part of us, maybe the inner critic, is bullying the inner child, and maybe there's an inner adult or other aspects of your inner world.

He treats all of these inner voices as though they are part of your internal family, and you can talk to each one of these parts and see what they need. When you do that, there's this central self—the part of you, your consciousness, that is truly you, steps forward in the middle.

There are all the voices we have inside, and then there's the observer. When we pop into that observer's point of view, that's where we connect to this sort of spiritual essence of ourselves. It is a really interesting and gentle way of reframing what is happening with our inner critic.

What he often says is that our inner critic is actually a childlike consciousness that is trying to protect us, to scare us away from harm and danger before we even go there. That little critic is trying to control our behaviour so that we won't get any more damage from abusive influences.

If we recognize that inner critic as a child, we don't get rough with the part of us that's rough with us. We can be gentle, kind, and nurturing, then manage it with this reframe to gain a new inner awareness. 

"Hidden Life of Trees" by Peter Wohlleben

The Hidden Life of Trees, written by a forester and scientist, explores how trees communicate with each other and their dynamic nature. It's a very sweetly written book. If you're looking to restore and balance your nervous system, I highly recommend the audiobook version. The narrator's voice is particularly soothing.

It's a really sweet way to understand how connected trees are, something we often think of as individuals. They live and communicate in these communities, and that extended community is something we’re also part of. A fantastic nervous system rebalancing read.

"Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants" by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

It's just such a beautiful book. She is a botanist and an indigenous lady, and this book offers a really beautiful explanation of core philosophical concepts of a gift economy and how we can relate to our natural environment in a cooperative way rather than a dominator mindset.

It's transformational on many levels and is a really good introduction to a whole new worldview, for shifting away from a colonial or hierarchical view, where human beings are at the top of a ladder and everything exists for our use. Instead, it emphasizes an interconnected way of being in the world, focusing on relationships and nurturing connections with the natural world and with each other. It is very beautiful, and there’s some really cool botany in there. If you're looking for some science, it's also an excellent science book.

"The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself", by Michael Singer,

This is one of those books that was just handed to me over and over again. It is a great read that helps you release your grip on who you truly are, letting go of your status, name, and accomplishments - who are you then?. If you take all of that away, who are you in the middle of all of that? The truth is, who you are is this conscious soul that's connected to all things.

I find this book very impactful; it's very short, but very dense. It's one of those books where you read a paragraph, and then you have to sit and reflect. It's a slow read for me, even though it's a short book, but it contains beautiful concepts that can tap you into who you truly are at your core.

"The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life" by Lisa Miller

This is another fascinating read. She is a brain researcher, and it's a great blend of science and spirituality. Initially, she studied people with depression and found in the data that those with any form of spiritual connection—whether religious or a connection to something greater, like nature, meditation, mindfulness, or faith—seemed to be protected from depression.

This spiritual connection changes your brain, and researchers can actually see this in the brains of people who actively cultivate their spiritual connections; it lowers their instances of depression. It's so fascinating to me, given my background in science and the work I do. I’m always intrigued by the overlaps of spirituality and science. 

"The Order of Time" written by Carlo Rovelli

It's about quantum physics and the nature of time from a scientific perspective. Time is really weird, and it has a connection to gravity and speed. To sum up the whole book, time is truly strange.

It's a short read, but very dense; you really need to think about it. However, it is exceptionally well-written. Ravelli explains many deep science concepts in a poetic way. If you appreciate audiobooks, Benedict Cumberbatch narrates the audiobook version, so you might want to check that out.

The Order of Time is a great introduction to quantum physics and relates to how I believe Reiki works. Much of the way Reiki is described from a spiritual standpoint overlaps with how quantum physicists explain the nature of reality. Combining those two ideas suggests that Reiki operates as a quantum phenomenon we connect to with our consciousness.

I enjoy exploring quantum physics as it offers insight into a potential understanding of the mechanics of Reiki, alongside a spiritual connection to vast energies. I’ve had many strange experiences that connect me to something greater.

"Be Here Now" by Ram Dass,

This book delves into the power of being present, emphasizing that the spiritual moment exists in the now. All time is essentially the present, and by allowing yourself to be completely present, you can enter a timeless spiritual space. This concept forms the core of Ram Dass’s teachings, and the book is both beautifully written and illustrated. It’s best to get a hard copy, as it has a nice, trippy quality to it, plus beautiful illustrations.

"Women Who Run with the Wolves" by Clarissa Pinkola Estés.

A book that changed my life, I couldn't put it down when I first encountered it. I would say that was my first introduction to spirituality. This is not necessarily a spiritual book; it's about fairy tales and the Wild Woman archetype. 

"Women Who Run with the Wolves" was the first book where I connected to the concept of a spiritually strong woman, connected to nature and her primal instincts as being a powerful model for how I wanted to be in the world. This book was just transformative for me.

"The Original Reiki Handbook of Dr Mikao Usui" by Dr. Mikao Usui, translated by Frank Arjava Petter.

Another amazing book that people ask me about when seeking recommendations for a Reiki book. I feel it's best to go to the source! It’s an excellent source for your Reiki studies. For a long time, people believed that Reiki was only passed down orally, from teacher to student. However, there actually was a handbook written by Master Usui, which has been translated from Japanese to English with illustrations. It offers a fascinating look into the origins of this amazing healing modality for anyone interested in Reiki and its history.

"The Secret Art of Happiness. Change your Life with the Reiki Ideals", written by me, Geneva Robins.

This book is based on the Reiki ideals, which are these five simple lessons for doing fewer things that cause you distress and more things that help bring ease. When you do those things, you invite happiness into your world.

The Secret Art of Happiness is based on what I observed with my students when I was teaching Reiki. The people who got the most out of their Reiki classes were the ones who started really following the Reiki ideals.

The Reiki Ideals, also known as the Reiki Principles, are: Just for today, I will let go of anger; I will let go of worry; I’ll be grateful for my many blessings; I will do my work, which is my spiritual work, honestly; and I will be kind to myself and every living thing.

This book gives you a tangible guide with journaling and meditation prompts and affirmation ladders to help you shift to a new state of empowered energy.

"Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life's Purpose" by Martha Beck 

I think it is fantastic. It is such a good read if you or anyone you know suffers from anxiety, even in a little tiny way.

It has really good practical tools and techniques, along with an understanding of the brain science behind it. All of that is very well written and explains exactly proven techniques to decrease your anxiety. If you can tap into your creativity and your curiosity, it basically switches you into a different mode in your brain where you are not anxious.

"Whole Brain Living: Anatomy of Choice, and the 4 Characters that Drive Our Life" by Jill Bolte Taylor.

Jill Bolte Taylor is a neuroanatomist who had a left hemisphere stroke, hemorrhage, that took over the whole left side of her brain, basically knocking her left brain offline. She could only use her right hemisphere, and because she was a neuroanatomist, she was aware and observing what was happening in her brain.

She was fascinated as her whole left side of her brain shut down and even more fascinated as she recovered from her stroke and regained that left brain, learning to let the left and right brains play together. She describes that there are four parts of our brain, and they each have a different worldview on what makes up the inside of you and your connection with all things. So that's a really good one.

"Braving the Wilderness." by Brené Brown.

Brene Brown, if you're not familiar, is a social worker and researcher focused on shame and vulnerability, and how vulnerability is essential to creativity and innovation, and bringing our best work into the world. What I love about "Braving the Wilderness" is that it's all about truly belonging. To truly have a sense of belonging, we have to belong to ourselves first and risk being alone in the wilderness.

If we pretend to be someone we're not, we can't connect because people will connect to the mask we're wearing, not to who we truly are. So we have to brave that vulnerable space of sharing ourselves with people or being authentically curious about who we genuinely are, and share that with people who have earned the right to our story.

In this book, she talks about the acronym for trust: BRAVING. It is magical. If you struggle with either over-trusting or under-trusting people, the BRAVING acronym is essentially the recipe for trust.  "Braving the Wilderness" is a fantastic read on all levels.

"You Can Heal Your Life" by Louise Hay

It is so very good—it's very insightful about the mind-body connection and using affirmations to change your inner tape and dialogue. We use this book as a textbook in our Reiki Courses to help understand the mind-body connection.

"Seth Speaks" by Jane Roberts.

It's an older book where Jane Roberts channelled a being called Seth. It's just wild and trippy, delving into the nature of consciousness, who we are, and how the soul and reincarnation work. A very profound and thought-provoking read.

"Nosso Lar" (which means “Our Home” in Portuguese) written by Francisco Candido Xavier

Francisco Candido Xavier is a Brazilian author who channelled over 400 books, some of which are being translated into English. The "Nosso Lar" series talks about life on the other side, reincarnation, and various other concepts. I find it to be a very deep dive into what the other side is like. 

 

What is your Favourite Spiritual Book?

And there are so many more! Please drop a line; I'd love to hear how this all sits with you. If there's a book I mentioned that you absolutely love or don't, that's great. Let me know! If there are books that you think I need to read, please mention them. We may do another one of these reading list podcasts in the next little while. I'd love to hear from you!