can you recommend insightful books?

August 20, 2011 10:50 AM

Ask for book recommendation for personal growth

I am a middle-aged mother with young kids and working in academic setting doing research. I had depression 4 years ago. Recovered without professional help. Dr. Scott Peck's books are my main source of guidance. I will continue to read his books again and again and again. But I feel that I need new inspiration. I'd love to have a few more authors to guide me through the new road to travel. Any suggestions? I am not a Christian, or have taken in any religion yet. But I am curious on this. Religion, history, philosophy, psychology, mythology are all interesting to me. Thanks

posted by akomom to religion & philosophy (10 answers total)

I love Brene Brown's The Gifts of Imperfection. She studies shame, vunerability, and authenticity. She sometimes talks about prayer or spirituality, but mostly in the context of having intentional gratitude: she doesn't advocate a particular religion or religious practice.
posted by Meg_Murry at 11:24 AM on August 20, 2011

Focusing by Eugene Gendlin
posted by zeek321 at 11:30 AM on August 20, 2011 [1 favorite]

Thich Nhat Hanh: The Miracle of Mindfulness, Peace is Every Step, etc.
posted by Monsieur Caution at 12:28 PM on August 20, 2011

Pema Chodron and Tara Brach pretty much rock.
posted by indognito at 1:18 PM on August 20, 2011 [2 favorites]

seconding Brene Brown, who gave a wonderful TEDTalk on vulnerability

Other than that, books that fit the bill and helped me on my path:

MeFi perennial recommendation Feeling Good by Dr David Burns gives a simple, accessible guide to noticing when your thoughts are working against you (hint: they often are) and tips on how to not let them get to you that much.

The other one that is less recommended is Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach, which connects similar themes to a more spiritual (but NOT religious) theme. I found it to hit much closer to home for me when i was going through a bout of really bad depression, and have adopted many of the ideas contained within into my daily life.
posted by softlord at 1:18 PM on August 20, 2011 [1 favorite]

Alan Fletcher's The Art of Looking Sideways has helped me.
posted by Gentlemanhog at 2:14 PM on August 20, 2011

Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl is a most inspiring book.
posted by PaulBGoode at 4:24 PM on August 20, 2011 [1 favorite]

Mark Epstein writes interesting Buddhist-based books.
posted by bquarters at 8:06 AM on August 21, 2011 [1 favorite]

Being, Belonging, Doing is one I've just started, and its first few chapters are good enough for me to give an early 'recommend'. Simple yet effective exercises. It does speed through a lot of different material so a background in self-help terminology is useful.
posted by Hardcore Poser at 9:51 PM on August 21, 2011

My general outlook on life has been considerably improved since reading Marcus Aurelius' Meditations.

(The translation by Gregory Hays is especially good.)
posted by The demon that lives in the air at 9:22 AM on August 28, 2011