Resources
The list below includes the very best resources I've come across.
I hope you find them beneficial as I have.
Books
Loving What Is (Bryon Katie): This book is an extraordinary powerhouse, offering the "how to" for reaching the illusive state of presence, or "the Now". Turns out the freedom we crave is just on the other side of our uninvestigated beliefs of how the world "should be". It forces the reader to honestly assess whether they'd prefer to be "right" or at peace with what is.
Personally, I've found doing "the work" offered in the book to be both exhilarating and terrifying, unearthing several deep-seated fears I didn't even known existed. What do I really believe? What happens if let them go?
The Power of Now (Eckhart Tolle): The simple truth delivered without pretense. On the surface, life appears incredibly complex and chaotic. Yet, if we're able to really pay attention, we can see we aren't the life swirling around us, but the presence sitting behind our eyes and watching the show. I found the book to be incredibly expanding, forcing me to at least ask the question about what my experiences are here to teach me.
I found A New Earth equally impactful, especially when read in conjunction with the podcast Oprah hosted with Eckhart. Ultimately, I leaned toward the elegant simplicity of his first book for this recommendation. I also love his podcast.
The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership (Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, Kaley Klemp): Since hearing Jim Dethmer on The Tim Ferriss Show, I've become huge fan of all things from the Conscious Leadership Group. While I find the name to be a bit of a misnomer, the book provides a comprehensive framework for living a productive life while maintaining harmony with our family, friends and health.
My wife and I also loved taking the Conscious Parenting course with Jim, Diana and Erica, who live and breathe the 15 Commitments.
Autobiography of a Yogi (Paramahansa Yogananda): This was George Harrison's (from the Beatles) most gifted book. While definitely not a genre I'd typically be drawn to, this book is a thoroughly enjoyable autobiography written from the perspective one of the first yogis to come to America. Seeing the world through Yogananda's eyes is a revelation on a number of levels. Is it possible he really saw a yogi who fights tigers, another who doesn't eat, or another born 1000's of years ago? If you're willing to take a journey to the outer limits of possibility, I can't imagine a better place to go.
The Artist's Way (Julia Cameron): Whether we're artists, doctors or business people, we're all born with an innate hunger to create. Before diving into this book's 12 week program, and companion morning pages journal, I had very little understanding for how to tap into my creative urge. Within weeks, I was beginning to feel regular contact with the whatever it is that inspires my writing. Now when I write, I feel as if I'm being carried by that presence to create something infinitely better (and easier) than I could do on my own. I won't let a day pass without doing my morning pages (I never considered having a journal before this book).
Podcasts
The Tim Ferriss Show (Tim Ferriss): Not only does Tim get amazing guests, his interviewing skills are second to none in the podcasting world. Each episode is overflowing with interesting insights and practical tips for living a better life. I'm particularly inspired by Tim's unique combination of skill, curiosity and humility.
His first book, The 4 Hour Workweek, forever changed the way I think about "work-life balance." I also always look forward to his Five-Bullet Friday weekly newsletter.
Alan Watts Being in the Way (Alan Watts): In our insatiable quest to know completely, we're blinded to the fact that nothing is completely knowable. There is no one like the light and humorous Alan Watts to illuminate our folly and show us that "not knowing" is not only ok, but it's actually the way we're meant to live. I've found his teachings on the Dao and Relativity to be particularly enlightening.
Awake in the World (Michael Stone): I'd always been deeply interested in Buddhist philosophy, but had not found a dogma-free way in until Michael Stone, an ex-monk, an ex-psychotherapist and experienced Ashtanga yogi. Before tuning in, I'd not had any exposure. Now, having devoured a ton of his lectures, I've learned a ton about the Pāli Canon, koan practice, Zen, Bodhisattvas... the list goes on and on.