Tuesday 18 December 2007

Six Books From My Bookshelf


These six books I have referred to constantly since I bought them and they have helped me make sense of myself and the world.

Living Yoga by Georg Feuerstein, Stephan Bodian with the Staff of Yoga Journal. This was the book I bought when I first began Yoga. I knew that I liked everything about doing it, but realised I didn't know too much about it, generally speaking. This book is a "comprehensive guide for daily life" and was a great introduction. I knew I wanted more Yoga after devouring this dog-eared copy. I now get my Yoga fix on-line at Yoga Journal.

Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar. This is my Yoga 'bible'. I knew I was serious about Yoga when I bought this book! I refer to it when I am creating a new sequence of postures, or if I need a posture for a particular ailment. It has a great glossary, a whole section on pranayama and suggested asana courses, including hints and cautions.

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron This was given to me as a gift by my sister and I did the course by myself back in 2003. It was only when I began blogging that I discovered whole groups of recovering artists and revisited the book this year, with great results. It really got me thinking about creativity and where it comes from and how I could harness it fully. I know most of you reading this will have read this book already. I have not read Cameron's second book "Finding Water" yet, and due to not so wonderful reviews by the Finding Water group, I may not bother. Have you read it? What do you think?

The Western Guide to Feng Shui by Terah Kathryn Collins This is all about creating balance, harmony and prosperity in your environment. It gave me a simple de-cluttering technique to use and made me aware of the energy of my surroundings. I now see my world with "Feng Shui eyes".

The Celestine Vision by James Redfield This is a follow up book to "The Celestine Prophesy" which was written as fiction. The Celestine Vision is about the spiritual evolution of the world which sometimes seems a little fanciful, but it is a vision, so I guess it remains to be seen whether it all comes to pass. It did get me thinking though.

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.. I loved the simple message of this book - don't dwell in the past, don't engage in thought about what might happen in the future - simply live in the now. It is about living consciously in the present moment. This practice has brought new meaning to my everyday life, and my Yoga practice and meditation is way more peaceful. I loved this book!

Winging its way to me in the post, is "The Yoga of Eating" by Charles Eisenstein, which has been glowingly referred by Olivia.

Also on the reading list is "A Course In Miracles". I know that this book was first published in 1976 - has anyone else out there read it? Is it still relevant?

12 comments:

  1. Patti I bought The Power of Now as a Birthday present for myself. I think it should be required reading for everyone.

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  2. I agree Helen - we should be teaching our children this, as early as we can!

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  3. Patti - What a great choice of books (and a good insight into you!). Regarding "A Course In Miracles" - it's on my reading list too, but my Mum used to teach this through her church. I believe it is as relevant today as ever. Part of it teaches the power of thought and being aware of not only our thoughts but our words. I was telling Mum how much I enjoy the Buddhist meditation classes I take and what I'm learning, and I discovered many things that I'm learning through my meditation she'd been teaching all those years ago!

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  4. Thanks for sharing your list of books. I love that. And had been a teeny bit worried as no postings from you for awhile so glad to hear from you again.

    I own and have read, the Tolle book, the Cameron book and the Iyengar book. I've read a number of other books about yoga too and have gained from each of them. Thanks for the tip about a yoga fix on-line at the Yoga Journal. I'll give it a try.

    I hope you are having a lovely warm holiday season in your dreamland Australia. Blessings, Namaste, Suki

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  5. Love this post!
    I've not heard of "A Course in Miracles", but I thought it was really cool that I own 3 of those books in your stack!
    My books are a constant source of reference and motivation for me too.
    I think I'm going to start doing artists dates again in the new year.
    xo

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  6. I appreciate your sharing these books, Patti, and what they mean to you. What a lovely post!

    I think you will adore The Yoga of Eating.

    I have studied A Course in Miracles for two years. It is extremely relevant, a course in mind training. I found it difficult to read initially, and so read a few books about it first; however, I was coming out of a fundamentalist Christian background, so I needed assistance in transitioning, since it uses terms common to conventional Christianity in a completely different way. It is an unorthodox book that many people study their whole lives. I am currently focusing on being present ("The Power of Now", other Eckhart Tolle books, and other books related to mindfulness), and thus not currently studying "The Course" but I expect to go back to it in time with a whole new fresh understanding.

    Since you bring a rich spiritual background to it, ACIM may speak to you...or you may find it obscure...but I'll be interested to hear either way.

    Blessings to you today, and love,

    O

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  7. Hi, It is a "miracle" for me to find youe blog(from dear Suki's link). I love your painting. Do you have a gallery of your paintings? And may I ask where in Australia do you live? I will try to find and buy "The Artist's Way". From your comprehensive description I guess I will enjoy a lot reading it. Thank you for the great time. Myla

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  8. I have the Artist's Way book. I need to go back thru it again. Been awhile.
    Thanks for you comment on my blog. Annie is a Red & White Border Collie. I left a long comment about her on my blog comments. I just LOVE that breed. She is the Sweetist and Smartest dog I have ever had.
    Take care

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  9. Patti, I've read The Artist's Way, The Power of Now and the Course in Miracles. I agree, the Artists' Way is quite wonderful and the Power of Now was a huge leap for me in my spiritual practice. Staying in the moment was always an intellectual process that i found very difficult until I read that book and I read it at a time when I really needed to stay mindfully in the moment.

    The Course in Miracles is really just that...a course. I began studying it 20 years ago with a group and really got a lot out of it. I'm not sure how well I would have been able to wade my way through it on my own as the Christian terminology really bothered me at that time. It's a book that's worth finding a group to study with.

    Your yoga books look great...I've just come back to yoga after being away from it for about 8 years and I'm really enjoying it.

    Great post!

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  10. blogger's letting me comment today - so i'm wishing as many of my blog friends the blessings of the season xxx
    great books, by the way :o) i LOVE julia cameron's books especially!!

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  11. I, too, have my faves is stategic locations throughout my house. I need to get "The Power of Now", as so many people quote from that book. And since I'm all about living in the moment, this could only enhance that, right? I read the "Celestine Prophesy" many moons ago - and loved it. Maybe I'll give it a re-read. And Marianne Williamson is amazing - I am a big fan of her books, "A Woman's Worth" and "Everyday Grace." Actually, my Christmas List consisted of books - and only books. Hopefully Santa will decide that I am on the NICE list and stop in at Barnes & Noble!
    Merry Christmas, my friend!

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  12. I so must get the Power of Now. It is so where I am at. Thanks for the reminder!
    Annie
    xxx

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