9 Books That Will Guide You Towards The Spiritual Realm
Our generation is dealing with a crisis that has arisen because of the influx of information, which can sometimes become unbearable for the mind. It is hard to imagine our lives without these resources such as phone and internet as they have made our lives relatively easy, however, it is immensely important to be conscious and channelise your energies in the right direction. Therefore, we have compiled a list of books that can be considered as a guide towards self- actualization and will definitely acquaint you with certain perspectives that are required to stay sane in this world of ambiguity.
1. Ikigai, Hector Garcia & Albert Liebermann
What is it that motivates you to jump out of bed each morning?
Do you really know what your purpose is in life?
If you are someone who is struggling to find answers to such questions, it’s time to dive into ‘Ikigai’- The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life. This book will act as a driving force in helping you discover your ‘Ikigai’ with guidance from the centenarians of Okinawa.
Ichi- go Ichi- e: one opportunity, one encounter
2. The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
This novel encapsulates the adventures of a young shepherd boy from Andalusia, Spain. His recurrent dreams about a hidden treasure in the pyramids of Egypt set him on to a journey filled with self- exploration, wisdom and his encounter with the alchemist. This book will urge you to listen to your heart, follow your dreams and trust the process that will lead you towards your destiny.
3. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Mark Manson
This particular book revolves around the argument that, in life, only certain things require our attention and besides them, everything else just adds on to our suffering. The author will shatter your preconceived notions about happiness and pain, building stronger beliefs backed by facts. He calls a spade, a spade and does not glorify pain but provides the readers with life-changing tools that help address issues rather than running from them.
4. Rumi - A New Translation, Farrukh Dhondy
This book incorporates a collection of Jalaluddin Rumi’s finest poems that have been translated to English by the author Farrukh Dhondy. Rumi’s work is an embodiment of Sufism with a mystical touch. It is endowed with spiritual insights and beautifully reflects a blend of the divine and the human. Although these poems were composed almost eight centuries ago, Rumi’s work continues to resonate with the contemporary audiences who are willing to delve deeper into the spiritual world.
5. the sun and her flowers, Rupi Kaur
Rupi Kaur explains the essence of life with the example of a flower and the stages it goes through. This poetry book comprises of five chapters namely wilting, falling, rooting, rising and blooming. The broad themes covered by the author in this book are love, heartbreak, femininity and intimacy, with text that is accompanied by illustrations which enhance its visual appeal.
6. The Secret, Rhonda Byrne
This book explores the law of attraction and explains how our thoughts can ultimately change how we live. Bryne uses various examples in her book that demonstrate the power of thoughts and press on that fact that when you ardently think about something, you subconsciously attract it towards yourself. She further integrates a three-step process: ask, believe, receive, and also highlights the importance of gratitude in life.
7. Everything Is F*cked, Mark Manson
Followed by the ‘Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck’, this book by Mark Mason serves as a counterintuitive guide to the problems of hope and as mentioned by the author himself, hope must rest on the acceptance of nihilism first. In this book, Mark draws on the experiences of various philosophers and challenges the readers to be more honest with themselves, accepting their inherent imperfections as well as the stark reality of the world around them, in order to be better connected.
8. Forty Rules of Love, Elif Shafak
An International Bestseller, ‘The Forty Rules of Love’ provides insights about the life of the famous Sufi poet Jalaluddin Rumi and his companion Shams Tabrizi. The story begins with Ella Rubinstein reading a manuscript about Rumi and the forty rules of love that urges her to break out from the shackles of her mundane life and thereafter, she embarks on a journey to meet the author of the book from where there is no looking back.
9. The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, Robin S. Sharma
A well-crafted tale that gives a new meaning to life with its spiritual lessons. This book will encourage one to lead a disciplined life endowed with healthy and happy thoughts. It follows the events that take place in a lawyer, Julian Mantle’s life after he is confronted with a spiritual crisis but one that leads him on to a road where he encounters wisdom, courage and life-changing tools to a balanced life.
By Vedika Vohra (for Suggest Nest)
