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A Few Books To Help With Your Spiritual Growth

September 18, 2014 By Monica Stone 4 Comments

Most of my book collection is full of information about yoga, buddhism, mythology, and spiritual practice. These are the books that helped to change my mindset, and have been instrumental in my spiritual growth. 

I wanted to give a bunch of options because there are so many great ones that I’ve read, but I also wanted to give special attention to the ones that made an impact on me. These are the books that I pick up over and over, and they continue to teach me something totally new and insightful each time. 

Below are the four books that I felt were the stepping stones to my spiritual development, and hope they can help you too! Enjoy!

myths to live by

Myths to Live By – Joseph Campbell: 

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.” – Joseph Campbell

Link Here: Paperback 

Joseph Campbell was a famous mythologist, and George Lucas actually credits him for being an influence on the ideas behind the creation of Star Wars (Yes, it’s true!). When I was in college I fell in love with the humanities and mythology classes. They completely opened my eyes to the similarities in all religions. I remember it was the first time I heard the Old and New Testament referred to as mythology, which put everything in perspective for me.

I had to read this book, Myths to Live By, for my Mythology in Art and Literature class. Campbell discusses in this book how basic archetypes are not exclusive to a particular religion, but that they are the common denominator in all cultures to help reach human growth and potential everywhere. It was the first book that really opened my mind and heart to spirituality.

loving learning

Living, Loving, and Learning – Leo Buscaglia:

Love is always bestowed as a gift – freely, willingly and without expectation. We don’t love to be loved; we love to love. – Leo Buscaglia

Link Here: Paperback

Living, Loving and Learning is a bunch of essays from classes taught by Leo Buscaglia, also known as Dr. Love. He taught a class called LOVE at the University of Southern California, which was non credit, and always had 600 people on a waiting list! This was the second life changing book on my spiritual path. I was in my friends wedding, and this was part of her bridesmaids gift to me. 

At the time, I was in a relationship that wasn’t right. After so many years together, it was hard to understand why I wasn’t happy, and if I should or shouldn’t be in this relationship. This book helped me to look inside, and find the answer through self-reflection. 

His essays focus on immersing yourself in the challenges of life, and how to find love and compassion through places of suffering. His writing is free spirited, humble, and with lots of silliness. It’s impossible to read this without a smile on your face.

how to practice

How To Practice The Way to a Meaningful Life – Dalai Lama: 

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.- Dalai Lama

Link Here: Paperback

This was a book that presented itself to me during another breakup, and was what prompted me to explore and deepen my practice of yoga. What’s really helpful about this book, is that the Dalai Lama gives meditation practices, journaling exercises, and instructions on how to change your lifestyle at the end of each chapter. He discusses how we create our own suffering through conditioned beliefs, and practices on how to change our thinking so that we can live happier day to day, moment to moment.

This book helped me through some difficult times. My only two choices were to go into a depression, or to find the strength inside to walk out of a bad situation with grace and love. This book gave me the tools to find the strength I needed. 

yoga sutras

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali – Swami Satchidinada:

Sutra 1.2 Yoga Chitta Vritti nirodhah: Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind waves

Link Here: Paperback

I’ve talked about this book so much, but I can’t help it. It’s not even a book. It’s really the basis of my spiritual practice. When I signed up for my yoga apprenticeship, this was one of the books that we were assigned to read. I had all of these attachments; all of these things I was struggling with in my mind because my life wasn’t turning out how I thought it would. I realize now, all of these wants were just a form of materialism, and I was causing my own suffering. It was through the practice of yoga, and these sutras that helped pull me out of those conditioned beliefs.

I even realized that these were things I didn’t really want, but I had shaped my mind over a period of time to believe that I did. I actually remember the life changing moment was when I was driving home from yoga practice in my car. I was feeling anxious, and learned through the sutras that our suffering is based on our own attachment. I had a conversation with myself.

“How can I be happy? What is causing my suffering? What am I attached to?”

That was the moment I didn’t want to suffer anymore, and realized I didn’t have to. I changed my mindset, let it all go, and felt this huge weight release from my being. That’s when I knew the life changing benefits of yoga. 

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali can be confusing at the beginning, but there will be sutras that really jump out at you when you first read it. I am constantly reading this over and over, and there is always a sutra that I didn’t understand previously that comes to fruition. I believe the beauty of these sutras are that they present themselves when you are ready. 

MORE:

more spirital books

There are so many other books I have read that have helped progress my spiritual practice at different times in my life. I created a widget below of the books listed above (if available), and some other ones to look into if you’re interested! Go with what jumps out at you! 

Filed Under: Daily Life, Spiritual Book Club

Monica Stone

About Monica Stone

Monica is a lover of all things yoga, a vegetarian, an avid tea drinker, and never gets sick of soup and noodle dishes. She teaches yoga, practices daily, and runs a Spiritual Book Club in Orlando, FL. She likes to challenge the strict rules of yoga, and makes it accessible for everyone - especially people who suffer from daily life and work stress.

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Hi! I’m Monica

Monica StoneWell hello there! I'm Monica. I'm a yoga & meditation teacher (and junkie). I teach yoga practices that are quick and effective for the busy person who just needs a few minutes of quiet time in their day. Click around and you'll find quick meditation tips for calming the mind to simple stretches to relieve stress and tension. If you are sick of being intimidated by yoga or just confused by all of the different styles out there - then this page is for you. Yoga helps me daily & I know it will help you too! I'll show you how! Welcome to The Yogi Movement :)

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Testimonials

  • Jaime ShearerJaime ShearerYoga Student Since 2012

    Monica is dedicated to her own practice and the true path of yoga - the one of personal experience - which makes her an outstanding teacher. She is warm and easy to talk with, and she allows the student to have their own experience on the mat. She explains postures and breath in ways that are understandable so that the student "gets it." She makes yoga real and tangible in ways that truly serve the student. Work with Monica. You'll be glad you did.

  • Jacob AbercrombieJacob AbercrombieYoga Student Since 2011

    have always wanted to try yoga, but was always nervous. Monica took that fear away and made me feel like i was the only one in class with a room full of strangers. She is able to work with multiple students during the same move and still make it a personalized class for one.

  • Serena JonesSerena JonesYoga Student Since 2010

    Monica has been a highly influential teacher to me. She creates a safe environment for learning and practice. I have always felt grounded in her classes, and she pushes me beyond my own expectations. She inspires and motivates! I can't imagine my life without sharing a path with her!

  • Angela OrofinoAngela OrofinoYoga Student Since 2011

    Monica is a caring, wise, thoughtful, and talented yoga instructor. She has an in-depth knowledge of the philosophy and spirituality of Ashtanga yoga. My previous yoga experience had mostly just been at my local gym. Luckily, last year I found Monica. She has been guiding my practice at least once a week since then. As a newcomer to Ashtanga yoga, Monica made me feel comfortable and had the patience to teach me the basics. She also encouraged me to start an at home practice so that I was able to obtain a deeper understanding of Ashtanga. Monica is always encouraging and lets me know in subtle ways when she feels that I am ready to move deeper into my practice. I feel that the growth in my practice over the last year has been tremendous. Not only do I notice the change in me but others around me do as well. I am so grateful to have found Monica!

  • Sasha TamarSasha TamarYoga Student Since 2012

    I’ve come across many a yoga instructor over the years, but Monica stands out as genuinely amiable, as she glows with an infectious inner light, and highly devoted to and passionate about her practice. Her dedication to Ashtanga as a lifestyle is very clear, and creates for a contagious motivating force. Every time I’ve practiced with her, she eagerly transmits her devotion and passion of Ashtanga and meditation to everyone in class; she makes the most fledgling beginner feel at home, and simultaneously challenges the more advanced students. While I only practice Ashtanga with her, I know she provides therapeutic yoga sessions as well as meditation. And, if her methods of guiding students out of the Ashtanga vigor into the more meditative savasana are indicative of her meditational techniques, I’d recommend her to anyone

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