SoulFire’s Inspirational Books, Yoga, Health and Fitness Product Recommendations
Recommended Links
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Book Recommendations
Book of the Month
Sivananda Buried Yoga by Yogi Manmoyanand
True autobiographical story about a seeker from India. This book is for anyone seeking what real yoga is about-one of the most insightful and enlightening books on ancient yoga before it became westernized and commercialized. I go back to this book time and time again.
The Autobiography of a Yogi. Some say that this was the only book Steve Jobs had downloaded on his kindle and that he read it every year. I would not be surprised. If you want to learn about authentic true path of yoga from a true yogi, then read this memoir. It is fascinating and peers into the untapped powers that lie dormant within all of us. This is one of my favorite books. I believe in the energy of this book and that once you read and identify with his spirit, he will be eternally with you. I feel him and his blessings always in my life. Thank you Paramahansa.
You are the greatest miracle in the world. This short book is such a positive uplifting read that will sure to bring a smile to your heart. Great gift for anyone, especially someone who’s suffering from depression, loss, addiction, etc. This is one of my favorite that I give out as gifts. Enjoy.
Proof of Heaven is a true story of a neurosurgeon, Dr. Eben Alexander’s near-death experience. His story is eye-opening, insightful, comforting and inspiring. It will change the way you look at your life. I make references to it in my book. I love this book!
This is the second out of a series of four books that were channeled by medium and intuitive, Ken Carey. This one was from 1988- the book is predicting exactly what is happening in our world today. I believe if you are on the spiritual journey this is a must read. It explores the impact of Native American tribes here in the United States. It is eye-opening and insightful. Marianne Williamson says, “Ken Carey is one of the great living teachers…Read him, and you’ll have hope.”
I love this book. This book is brilliant! I could not put it down. For those of you who have a love for science and even those who don’t, the author explains quantum physics in a way that you think you actually understand! Lipton is a genius because he can take super complex ideas and break them down to be user friendly and then continue to explain how it relates to everyday life and most importantly your significant relationship. I found this book to be so helpful and inspiring in the area of self- growth and relationships which is what we are all in all the time. I highly recommend it and this is one I will read over and over again and use in my teachings.
As A Man Thinketh is a book that every person needs to read, one of my favorites. Short and powerful, written in 20th century old school style, which I happen to like. This book get you right back on track when you have wandered from the path.
We can all use advice on how to transform suffering. Most of us will not go through this lifetime without feeling some kind of loss or heart break of some kind, at least once. What I like about Thich Nhat Hanh’s book is that he gives you exercises and practices you can start immediately which will ease the pain and suffering. I found his book quite helpful and have used it myself. He is all about being present with the pain, and instead of avoiding the suffering and uncomfortableness, face it with an open heart and work through it with mindfulness and tenderness toward yourself. One of the mantras’ I adore that you start by saying to yourself is, “I am here for you.” Highly recommend this jewel of a book.
I’ve had this book for a while since The Alchemist is one of my all time favorite novels from Paolo Coehlo. Of course, nothing can compare to The Alchemist but this book was surprisingly enlightening and interesting to read. I did not want to put it down. Again, Coehlo has written a brilliant story. I think this book is for anyone who wants to feel more alive, and not take life for granted. It is short, powerful, creative and the message is one we can’t not hear enough of! I highly recommend!
A Return to Love is one of my go to books for everything. If you want an easy, powerful way to connect back to your soul and your inner truth get this book and read it over and over again.
With intimate relationships being my biggest challenge, I turn to Enchanted Love over and over again. This is one of my favorite books. I did a wedding speech and used this book. It is truthful and straight up. It brings me back to my heart every time I lose my way. I highly recommend this book for everyone, even if you are not in a relationship, this book will prepare you and if you are in relationship, this book is better than therapy!
The whole concept of the book, Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box, is that our natural tendency is to help others and when we don’t we betray ourselves then have to spend a lot of wasted time and energy justifying our position and our self-deception. I loved this book so much. It is what yoga is all about but just uses different terminology. This is a great book for business people, and all people looking to improve their relationships at work and at home. This book is also told as a story so it keeps you engaged to the very end. The sequel to this book is even better.
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom was a recommendation from one of my therapists 12 years ago. It is a small book packed with practical knowledge that helps you navigate through life. I gave this book to my daughter when she went off to college. I think it’s a great book that would benefit everyone to read.The four agreements, which is explained so nicely in the book are 1. Be impeccable with your word, 2. Don’t take anything personally, 3. Never make assumptions, 4. Always do your best. I try to always live by these agreements. They are similar to the Reiki principles as well.
Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson is for people of all ages, teenagers, adults and seniors. You are never too old to find your dream and follow your heart. We live in a society that doesn’t stress dreaming as a vital ingredient to your growth and happiness. This book will show you why it is and inspire you to find your own dreams again. I love this book, it is a parable with many metaphors that awaken your imagination. This is one of the books I gave to my daughter when she went off to college. To your dreams!
How Yoga Works, this book is for anyone who is interested in a deeper meaning and comprehension of yoga. This style of yoga, Tibetan Heart Yoga, is rooted in kindness and compassion for others. I loved that the book is written in a parable and each chapter builds on the next one. By the end of the book you feel like you just had a crash course on quantum physics, the way the universe works, the true meaning of yoga; and actually feel like you understand it all. This book also gives you an insight into our individual role in our own suffering and shows us the steps we can take to help minimize it. I loved this book and will be using it to teach from here on. It will be a permanent part of my library.
This book mysteriously appeared on my bookshelf 10 years ago. I opened it up, started reading it and couldn’t put it down. It is a must for every woman, and also doesn’t hurt for men to read as well. I did a Woman’s Day retreat and used this book, everyone loved it. I read it over and over again. One of Marianne Williamson’s best!
Although this book has been around for many years and is considered a classic, the first time I was exposed to it was from a wedding reading 7 years ago; and just recently from another wedding of a dear friend of mine. It reminded me how much I loved that part of the book on love, so since I had never read the entire book, I picked it up and read it with my beloved. It really makes you think about the important things in life and Gibran gives you a unique perspective that is inspiring and profound. The nice thing is that the chapters are short, but the language is very different so you have to be open to poetry and translation. I would definitely recommend The Prophet, a book of timeless truths to be part of your library.
What I love about this book is not just the practical advice Amrit gives on relationships but how he explains each yama and niyama and how it pertains to your relationships. For those of you not familiar with the yoga yamas and niyamas they are in the simplest terms ten “guidelines” to incorporate into your life to lead a healthy lifestyle both physically and mentally/emotionally. They are the cornerstone of the way of yoga. This book is one I have read a few times now, it helps me with my relationship with my Beloved.
This book was introduced to me over 10 years ago but I never read it till about 5 years ago, and I have read it at least a dozen times since then. I also reference it in my yoga classes a lot. It is for anyone seeking the knowledge and skills to become free from their mental turbulence. What I love about it is that you can begin to practice immediately the tools to release your habitual reactions that cause you pain and suffering. It is a lifelong practice, believe me! This book is enlightening and inspiring and I would recommend it to everyone.
My Go to Books:
Return to Love, Marianne Williamson
Enchanted Love, Marianne Williamson
A Woman’s Worth, Marianne Williamson
The Gift of Change, Marianne Williamson
Everyday Grace, Marianne Williamson
Any books by her! My favorite author.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the Glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own Lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
– Marianne Williamson