Back in February of this year I went to a hidden book shop on Sydney Road (in Melbourne) with my best friend and we both went crazy buying a bunch of books. The novels that I bought vary in genre from being Spiritual, Philosophical, Religious and with high ratings of over 4/5 stars on Goodreads. If you’d like to watch my book haul feel free to click this link >> Story Time and Book Haul
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The books I picked up were:
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz:
Rated on Goodreads: 4/5 stars
Synopsis: “In The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, the Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love. The Four Agreements are: Be Impeccable With Your Word, Don’t Take Anything Personally, Don’t Make Assumptions, Always Do Your Best.”
The Voice of Knowledge by Don Miguel Ruiz:
Rated on Goodreads: 4/5 stars
Synopsis: “In The Voice of Knowledge, Don Miguel Ruiz reminds us of a profound and simple truth: The only way to end our emotional suffering and restore our joy in living is to stop believing in lies – mainly about ourselves. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, this breakthrough book shows us how to recover our faith in the truth and return to our own common sense. Ruiz changes the way we perceive ourselves, and the way we perceive other people. Then he opens the door to a reality that we once perceived when we were one and two years old – a reality of truth, love, and joy.”
The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz:
Rated on Goodreads: 4/5 stars
Synopsis: “In the tradition of Carlos Castaneda, the author distills essential Toltec wisdom on human relationships as well as techniques for integrating this awareness into daily life.”
The Power by Rhonda Byrne:
Rated on Goodreads: 4/5 stars
Synopsis: “The Secret revealed the law of attraction. The greatest power in the universe is the power to have anything you want. One thing can change your relationships, money, health, happiness, career, and life. The life you want comes from the Power.” The Power is the second book out of three in The Secret Series.
The Fruitful Darkness by Joan Halifax // Foreword by Thich Nhat Hanh:
Rated on Goodreads: 4/5 stars
Synopsis: “In this “masterwork of an authentic spirit person” (Thomas Berry), Buddhist teacher and anthropologist Joan Halifax Roshi delves into “the fruitful darkness”—the shadow side of being, found in the root truths of Native religions, the fecundity of nature, and the stillness of meditation. In this highly personal and insightful odyssey of the heart and mind, she encounters Tibetan Buddhist meditators, Mexican shamans, and Native American elders, among others. In rapt prose, she recounts her explorations—from Japanese Zen meditation to hallucinogenic plants, from the Dogon people of Mali to the Mayan rain forest, all the while creating “an adventure of the spirit and a feast of wisdom old and new” (Peter Matthiessen). Halifax believes that deep ecology (which attempts to fuse environmental awareness with spiritual values) works in tandem with Buddhism and shamanism to discover “the interconnectedness of all life,” and to regain life’s sacredness. Grove Press is proud to reissue this important work by one of Buddhism’s leading contemporary teachers.”
Healing Quest by Marie Herbert:
Rated on Goodreads: 4/5 stars
Synopsis: “The extraordinary description of Marie Herbert’s inner and outer journey toward renewed wholeness after the sudden, tragic death of her youngest daughter. Herbert’s quest was made possible with the guidance of Jamie Sams, creator of best-selling Sacred Path and Medicine Cards. Sams helps Herbert redirect her journey into a healing quest.”
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho:
Rated on Goodreads: 4/5 stars
Synopsis: “Paulo Coelho’s enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and soul-stirring wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried near the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles in his path. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.”
The Kindness Pact by Dominique Bertolucci:
Rated on Goodreads: 4/5 stars
Synopsis: “Most people are terribly unkind to themselves. They make harsh judgments, engage in endless self-criticism and are unforgiving of even the smallest of failings. At the same time these people are often loving and kind parents, generous and encouraging friends, and supportive and committed colleagues. They give everyone else their best, only to give themselves their worst. The Kindness Pact introduces the reader to the Eight Promises: commitments they need to make to feel good about who they are and the life they live and invite readers to be as kind to themselves as they are to others.”
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If you have read any of these books, what did you think of them?
For now, I hope you are enjoying your day and are indulging yourself in the addiction that is books. Devour. Devour. Devour.
Sidney xx
Sid's Take on Books 