One book that changed you forever

[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?

Mine would be:
Wind, Sand and Stars (French title:Terre des hommes) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

This is a book that I read before discovering any self-help literature or anything of that kind. I learned from that book that I can really be happy. As if someone gave me permission that you can enjoy every moment of life instead of being sad. I was never the same after reading this book.

[Khristine]

Mine would be "Light His Fire" by Ellen Kreidman.

I had the audio book first and listened to it back in the 90's and now own the book. This is when I first realized that trying to change others doesn't work, it's in changing ourselves first and by doing that you will change their response.

It was a excellent starting point for me

[Nneka]

Mine is Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Everything I knew about spirituality taught me that there had to be a better way than spending 40 hours a week doing something I felt marginal about for the money. RDPD brought it home. That, ironically, was the practical piece of the puzzle.

Please note that RDPD is not a practical book. It just radically shifted my perception about money so that it came into alignment with my perception of God.

In Spirit,
Nneka

[indestructible]

Mine would be "When Things Fall Apart" by Pema Chodron. It shifted my perceptions about how to deal with some of the challenges in my life and it is beautifully written.

[quin]

"On The Road" by Jack Kerouac.

My good friend prescribed this to me, knowing that I was struggling with lack of motivation, insecurity and perfectionism. I love the madness and excitement the characters have for life. This book has really helped me just let go and enjoy my time.

[Kristoffer]

I have to say it is The Disappearance of the Universe by Gary Renard.

I read this book at a perfect time for me. It just served me all the answers to question that I had been thinking about for the previous couple of years. It's all in there about LoA, I-M, Jesus etc.

[Shaden]

Mine would have to be firesong by William Nicholson. It might not mean much to most people but reading through the final chapters of the book I felt like I found myself. I've never been the same since then lol

[skydust]

mine was the power of now by eckhart tolle.

[munish]

This is not a book,but an online article.

Why corporate America should drop its dress code and exchange business suits for comfortable clothing

[Will Edwards]

Mine is: How to Find your Real Self by Mildren Mann

A beautifully written little book - its in the Public Domain too.

[John Wesley]

Mine isn't a book, but an essay: Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson. It inspires me to follow what is true for me instead of conforming. There are countless great quotes. Each time I read it I'm inspired. I'm going write a long post about in the future on my blog.

[Wanderer]

But not Steve, Shaun

His book 7 habits for highly effective teenagers changed me in a very real way

[joshbickford]

I'd have to say the Bible...but I don't think that is the type of book you're referring to.

The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D Wattles challeged nearly every single thought that I'd had about my future. It's such a deep, profound yet simple to read book.

[Cron]

Feeling Good by Dr. David Burns
Amazon.com: Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy Revised and Updated: Books: David D. Burns

It was my introduction to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ( CBT ). I have yet to be happy with any one book on this subject as an introduction, but this is the one that got me into the subject and gave me my initial understanding.

CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and influence our behavior as well as that all three of these things influence each other. CBT focuses on weeding out irrational thoughts, replacing them with positive, but realistic, rational thoughts and reenforcing those thoughts with behavioral modification.

The basic understanding I got from this book as well as better exercises and refinements i read in other books on the subject have made a big dent in a positive direction for me over the years.

[shesaboutspirit]

So many great books...

But probably Seat of the Soul, by Gary Zucav. Lot's of helpful and powerful stuff in that book. It's one to hold onto, because I tend to forget...


Great thread! I'm taking notes...

Pam

[SamBeaven]

The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell.

Religion, Narrative, Story and of course Heroism. Completely changed my outlook on life.

Not exactly a self help/personal development book. but it really cemented what I want to do in life for me.

[pi11]

"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert M. Pirsig would be the book that completely transformed my life. And, greatly for the better.

[dalante]

Mine was "Le Rouge et le Noir" (The Red and the Black) by Stendhal.

I have so many favourite books, but I guess this one is the first one that really got me passionate about drama and fiction writing. For the first time, I completely identified with the thoughts and emotions of the main character, and you know what? It felt really good! This made me the avid reader that I am.

[ZenFender]

Lol, although I wouldn't say any one SINGLE book changed my life entirely, I'd have to say the "Tao Te Ching" by Lau Tzu comes pretty close. When I first read it, only a few chapters (about 10 of the 81) really struck home to me- the rest seemed strange or just plain stupid. But as I gained more understanding and wisdom, more of the chapters seem to "unlock" themselves and I can truly began to see their deeper meaning. Now, I could just flip to any random page in the book and expect to be enlightened.

The other two would be "Follow your heart" and "Being Happy" by Andrew Mathews. Those two are very very basic books, but they opened the door for me to personal development. Very easy to read, and I would recommend for beginners. Although Andrew Mathews gains no marks for originality (he almost copies the rules from "If life were a game, these are the rules" in follow your heart), the way he lays it all out is easy to understand and entertaining to read.

-Zen

[esn]

Learned Optimism by Seligman was crucial for me last year.

Best Wishes,
Eric

[Chrome]

The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac

[Ellesse]

Rich Dad, Poor Dad too for me. Absolutely loved it.

[ÜberDan]

Originally Posted by skydust

mine was the power of now by eckhart tolle.

Lately nearly everybook book I read makes a profound change on my life, but the "Power of Now" introduced me to the concept that you are not your mind. That was an awakening moment.

[alexb5784]

These are the four books which have helped me a lot in life:


1. PyschoCybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
2. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
3. Mastery by George Leonard
4. See You At The Top by Zig Ziglar

[Liara Covert]

Its challenging for me to choose. Here are perhaps my top 5:

1) The Tibetan Book of the Dead
(Gyurme Dorje - Translator; Graham Coleman & Thupten Jinpa - Editors)

2) The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

3) The Prophet by Kalhil Gibran

4) Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

5) Tao Te Ching- by Lao Tzu

[Angela]

Originally Posted by ÜberDan

Lately nearly everybook book I read makes a profound change on my life, but the "Power of Now" introduced me to the concept that you are not your mind. That was an awakening moment.

For me, as well. Also Tolle's "A New Earth" -- what a gorgeous book.

[cela]

Originally Posted by Liara Covert

Its challenging for me to choose. Here are perhaps my top 5:

1) The Tibetan Book of the Dead
(Gyurme Dorje - Translator; Graham Coleman & Thupten Jinpa - Editors)

2) The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

3) The Prophet by Kalhil Gibran

4) Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

5) Tao Te Ching- by Lao Tzu

Hey, great list Liara! I would also include the Tao Te Ching in my top five.

Off the top of my head, I would say these have been most life-changing for me:

1. Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin

2. Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

3. Vurt by Jeff Noon - amazing, mind-expanding sci-fi.

Coincidentally, Noon has a book called Automated Alice. From Wikipedia: "Noon describes Automated Alice as a "trequel" - it is a companion piece of sorts to the famous Lewis Carroll books, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. The novella follows Alice's journey to a future Manchester populated by Newmonians, Civil Serpents and a vanishing cat named Quark."

[ticktockclok]

Miracle 7 by John Peterson: Introduced me to the wonderful world of DVRs and isometrics

7 Habits by Stephen Covey: I don't know. It had a profound effect on me at first which quickly died down when I realized I didn't understand a single thing this guy is saying. I'll photoread it when I have the time.

[JoannaC]

Non-fiction, I would have to say Life Strategies by Dr. Phil McGraw. Yes, I know his show can be a bit goofy, but he writes good books. This one was very practical and is about how people behave. For example, one of his life laws is "people do what works." If it stops working for you, you will stop doing it. So if you are doing something you don't like, you need to ask yourself what payoff you are getting from that. I still think about some of the things he wrote in that book.

[bylto]

Definitely Power Vs Force by David hawkins. Introduced me to real spirituality, levels of consciousness, shifted my whole paradigm. I've yet to read another book that has had such a profound effect on me.

Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. Insights into the power of the subconscious and 'infinite intelligence' to create wealth - Genius.