One book that changed you forever

[Dev]

"Personal Development for Smart People" by Steve Pavlina
Every sentence on each page sets you thinking & provokes you to act.

[bluedragon]

"Liberation", by the Barefoot Doctor (as well as his many articles and podcasts on his website - the main reason I became interested in holistic healing and took up Tai Chi classes and believe in the Law of Attraction.

[sbdiane]

The Pacifc Crest Trail, 1975, National Geographic.

I read it first when I was 10. I was 43 when I finally hiked the trail, but I touched the trail several times before I finally made a go for the whole trail (the first part of many to come, I hope). That experience showed me who I really am and what really matters in life.

[stcardsfan]

I just finished The Four-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss. This book basically serves as a how-to on living a more fulfilling life, not one that is defined by the 'deferred-life plan' of a regular 9-5 job. I stayed up until 4 a.m. last night reading this and finished it today. It is a real eye-opener and his 'mini-retirements' seem easy to do. One of my favorite questions he asks in the book -- Am I inventing things to do to avoid the important?

To summarize -- HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

[SarahLuvzYu]

Originally Posted by kpugh

The Celestine Prophecy - I was actually gifted with this book at a time in my life when I was really questioning everything, and only seeing the negative in everything. It has been almost 10 years since I've read this book, and I still remember the feeling I had reading it. It was like I could actually feel my outlook physically move and shift to something more hopeful and positive.

I love this book, I'm re-reading it for school. He-he it actually prompted me to by some plants for my room for meditating purposes

[TiffyLove]

My very first book that opened up my world was
Silent Power by Stuart Wilde

Now after that I can name dozens that have also changed my life but that is the one that opened me up to a whole new world that then led to the other books.

[Apollia]

Originally Posted by moviestar

If you would have to point one book that you read, that totally changed you as a person, changed your views of the worlds, changed your beliefs about reality etc. what would it be?

"Miscellaneous Writings" by H. P. Lovecraft. Among other things, it led to me becoming seriously interested in the topic of astrology.

I read it way back in 2000. I scoffed at astrology back in those days, but, I felt such a strong sense of affinity/similarity with that guy and his opinions, that after I stumbled across some of his writings criticizing astrology, I soon got the idea that I ought to compare my astrological chart to his.

I figured if there was any validity in astrology, then our astrological charts ought to mirror my strong feeling of affinity/similarity.

So, I looked, and found out, to my surprise, that there were some similarities. (I listed them in my comment here - comment 32 - since someone there asked me why I was interested in astrology).

I'm sure my life would have gone very differently (and actually probably not better) if I had never heard of H. P. Lovecraft and never gotten into astrology. I probably would have remained a much more close-minded person.

Best wishes,
Apollia

[Angela Leeds]

"The Breathplay Approach to Whole Life Fitness", by Ian Jackson.

Definitely one the top 10 non-fiction books I've read in my life...out of thousands.

[Holistic Star]

Oh blimey!

I thought I was well read in the PD department. There are so many on here I've never even heard off! Well at least I've now got a great reading list to work on.


Some I'll echo - Conversations with God I'm re-reading again at the moment. so uplifting.


Others to add:

Journey of Souls - Michael newton. Amazing. He recounts what his hypnotised clients recall of their life-between-lives and how we make the choice we do about the life we live. I went from athiest to reincarnationist whilst reading this book!

The Breakthrough Experience - John Demartini - I can't praise this guy enough. His framework and way of seeing the universe and the personal healing and benefit I have had just from reading his books is amazing. It's not easy to apply, but when you work through his breakthough experience (which can take hours) the rewards are phenominal.

Quantum Touch - Richard Gordon. Following his step by step instructions, I learned how to raise my energy, run it though my body and give energy healing to others. No attunements required. Everyone has the power to heal.

The EFT manual (free on EFT Home - World Center for EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)). This changed so much in my life, I don't know where to start. But using EFT released negative thoughts and feelings from my life.

Wuthering Heights (but not in a good way). I read this when I was 17 and spent a lot of time mixed up with the whole romantic hero concept and thought for a long time that love was linked with pain. Re-reading it again and it isn't about love, it's about revenge and is so much darker than I originally thought.

[karol]

"Awaken the Giant Within" by Anthony Robbins. It has completely changed my whole life. So, if you want to take control over your life, then this book is for you.

[dreamtime07]

Mine is "How to Make Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. It really changed my life especially in dealing and talking with people. I was a bit reserved type of person and now, not anymore after reading through and practicing whatever the book has been saying.

Anyone who wants this book can drop me a message and put in your email and there.

[Pyper900]

Thus far, it is a competition between:

Einstein; His Life and Universe, A Biography, by Walter Isaacson

and

The God Delusion, by Richard Dawkins

and

The Biology of Belief, by Bruce H. Lipton



This will likely change as I digest more.

[LifeFirst]

This was the book that introduced me to Self-Improvement. I had no clue about any of this stuff.....and a book about my personal idol also helped a lot.

[Jena Griffiths]

The 4 Agreements by Miguel Ruiz.

This is such a simple, easy to read book and such an eye opener.
It's one of the most important books ever written.

[David Cain]

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson

It introduced me to the idea that it isn't necessary to solve your problems to be happy, only to change your relationship to them. It marked the beginning of my way out of misery.

[sirkinm]

Total Freedom: The Essential Krishnamurti
- It was mindblowing stuff for 16 yr old me, and I still go back to it often

A Diet for a New America by John Robins

[Diandra25]

The Secret
Conversations with God - all volumes
All books from Khalil Gibran,specially the one of his love letters to Mary Haskell.

[StacyT]

Rich Dad Poor Dad opened me up to a whole new world. Since then, I've read many more books that were a million times better, but that was the book that kind of sucked me into the matrix

[Plato]

The Game by Neil Strauss has defined my adult life. It led me to meeting friends who have inspired and taught me, and shared much with. It changed my paradigm of the world. It introduced me to personal development. It put a vision inside me, the seed of a future reality that will never die.

That's not to say I recommend it.

[Andrew Brunelle]

I would have to say Ishmael by Daniel Quinn.

[liamona]

Unassisted Childbirth by Laura Shanley. She opened my eyes to the fact that women's beliefs and expectations shape their experience of birth. She also led me to read the Seth books—she used the Seth material to examine her beliefs, and because of the work she did on them she was able to give birth mostly painlessly to five children at home usually by herself (her husband was there for a couple of them).

Although I didn't read it, I'd like to give a thumbs up to the audio version of The Power of Now.

[saycheese]

What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula

Read it around 13 years ago & it was the 1st time I realized I can take control of my life.

[IFeelGood]

John O'Donohue had a special gift of putting into words what others can only experience. My favorite book is Anam Cara which is subtitled A Book of Celtic Wisdom. I discovered this book through another favorite author, Wayne Dyer, while reading the Power of Intention, he references this book. I was amazed at the profound level of spirituality in this book. It is very deep and very meaningful.

[saycheese]

Originally Posted by shirleywins

Creating Money: Keys to Abundance by Sanaya Roman and Duane Parker. It totally changed how I think and feel about life.

I actually found (attracted) this book at a Goodwill store.

a Goodwill store?

I ordered this book from amazon used, & I had my father ship it to me in Thailand. There's a Goodwill sticker on it, saying $.99.

I wonder if it's the same copy. Do you know an Eric & Carrie? There's some writing in the book about calling them.

This is an excellent read, I think when I'm done with this one I'll want some more Sanaya books.

[QuestForBalance]

by The Dalai Lama

Finding lasting happiness is easier than it seems.

[AlexL]

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. Not for the lack of compassion all her protagonists seem to share but for their penchant for not allowing others to think for them in any way and for taking complete responsibility for their lives and everything in them. And because it's a damn good read.

Alex
Happiness in this World

[TiffyLove]

If we can get a list together that would be great

[cordis]

You can download a book list here

[Grandiouse]

I second that. The exact same thing happened to me. I read it when I was just beginning high school.

Originally Posted by StacyT

Rich Dad Poor Dad opened me up to a whole new world. Since then, I've read many more books that were a million times better, but that was the book that kind of sucked me into the matrix

[bbdream8]

7 habits of the highly effective people by Stephen R.Covey will be a good one.

Vincent
Personal Development Blogger