Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. I found this post on TheGeekishBurnette and you should check out this blog if you are a big fan of book reviews and lists.
This week is a Freebie so I decided to focus on books that fed my soul. In other words, books that make me want to be a better person. For this post, I’ll focus on non-fiction books I’ve read and made a part of my library.
Ganbatte!: The Japanese Art of Always Moving Forward by Albert Liebermann
Ganbatte (gan-ba-tay) is a Japanese philosophy focused on doing the best you can with what you have. Though there is no direct translation, “Keep Going,” and “Give it your all,” embody the sentiments behind the word. Just as wabi sabi shows the beauty of imperfection in life, ganbatte teaches you how to get past obstacles and be motivated to keep moving forward.
In Ganbatte! author Albert Liebermann provides an inspirational, yet practical guide to becoming more resilient the Japanese way. In 50 short chapters, some deeper and some more playful, Liebermann guides you through ways you can adopt the ganbatte approach to achieve a happier, more fulfilling life–and a happier, more fulfilled self.
Synopsis via Goodreads
I love the idea of slowly put surely becoming more resilient as time passes. I’m also a big advocate from GROWING from my experiences rather than letting them negatively define me. Thus, I really enjoyed reading this book.
Shinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing by Dr. Qing Li
Shinrin-Yoku or forest bathing is the practice of spending time in the forest for better health, happiness and a sense of calm. A pillar of Japanese culture for decades, Shinrin-Yoku is a way to reconnect with nature, from walking mindfully in the woods, to a break in your local park, to walking barefoot on your lawn.
Forest Medicine expert, Dr Qing Li’s research has proven that spending time around trees (even filling your home with house plants and vaporising essential tree oils) can reduce blood pressure, lower stress, boost energy, boost immune system and even help you to lose weight. Along with his years of ground-breaking research, anecdotes on the life-changing power of trees, Dr Li provides here the practical ways for you to try Shinrin-Yoku for yourself.
Synopsis via Goodreads
If I could go anywhere in Japan, it would be to one of the forests there to sit in a hot spring by the mountains. I’ve always loved immersing myself in nature, so this book really hit home for me.
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
An invitation to a joyful and sustainable relationship with all aspects of eating, including gardening, food shopping, preparing, serving, and even cleaning up after a meal.
The second book in the bestselling Mindfulness Essentials series, a back-to-basics collection from world-renowned Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh that introduces everyone to the essentials of mindfulness practice.
These short meditations cover everything from eating with others and enjoying our food to connecting with the Earth. How to Eat is a welcome reminder that the benefits of mindful eating are both personal and global.
Synopsis via Goodreads
Behold the book that got me thinking about how I eat. I had never thought of eating as a meditation and enjoy going back to it when I find myself having a bad relationship with food.
Ignite Your Light: A Sunrise-to-Moonlight Guide to Feeling Joyful, Resilient, and Lit from Within by Jolene Hart
Whether it’s fresh flowers, old family photos, an intense sweat session, or a good friend, we all have things that light us up, that shift our energy and help us thrive. Ignite Your Light helps you shine, with the support of 13 key energy influencers in your life — from relationships and environment to food, creativity, and mindset.
Simple shifts that improve your long-term happiness via your mindset, actions, environment, and relationships Filled with colorful illustrations and photos, Ignite Your Light is both a beautiful and practical guide for anyone who wants to positively influence their own energy, grow the beauty in their daily life, and shine their light on the world around them.
Synopsis via Goodreads
Being able to heal and nourish my body through food, physical exercise and daily habits is one of my biggest goals. This book is a wonderful way to look at myself each moment of the day and see how I can enliven my daily tasks without destroying my passions and dreams.
The Power of Stillness: Mindful Living for Latter-day Saints by Jacob Z. Hess, Carrie Skarda, Kyle Anderson, Ty Mansfield
Latter-day Saints are great at getting things done. But for some, an over-emphasis on “doing” can cause us to go through the motions and miss the deep, rich spiritual power that can come from being still. Sometimes, we try to dig ourselves out of feeling spiritually drained by doing more. When that doesn’t work, we can feel stuck—and arrive at one of two conclusions: the Church “formula”’ isn’t working so it must have been wrong to begin with, or maybe something is wrong with us?
There is a third alternative—that our spirituality could reignite by approaching it from a more “mindful” place. When it feels like we’re on a runaway train, mindfulness returns us to a peaceful place where we can observe our thoughts and feelings without jumping on board with them. Using Latter-day Saint vernacular and examples, The Power of Stillness explores the ways in which mindfulness can deepen testimonies of the gospel. Practicing mindful principles can reinvigorate the joy inherent in our faith and helps us feel calmer, more present and engaged in our lives, and more spiritually connected to our Savior.
Synopsis via Goodreads
I struggle with staying still. This may seem strange for some people who know me, especially since I am usually very quiet but I am constantly thinking about something, studying, reading, planning, or delving deep into one problem or another. When I read this book, I realized how little time I take to truly and sincerely sit still in my life. I used to love doing it as a child, but adulthood always seems. . . too cramped to make time for such things.
Strength in the Storm: Creating Calm in Difficult Times by Eknath Easwaran
Gone are the days when anxiety was an uncommon affliction. Today, it’s a chronic, low-level interference that affects everyone, sometimes with devastating results. In Strength in the Storm, one of the 20th century’s great spiritual teachers addresses this issue. Drawing on his observations of modern life and his teachings, this compact book shows readers how to make the small choices every day that help them build better families, work environments, and communities – transforming themselves in the process.
With gentle wisdom and humor, Easwaran offers specifics on finding the calm center of chaos. He urges readers to take their time, showing how it is the mind, not external events, that drive a sense of urgency and restlessness. He stresses meditating on words that embody one’s highest ideals, allowing them to take root and bring about wonderful life changes. Additional inspirational passages invite the reader to achieve deeper healing and reflection.
Synopsis via Goodreads
Much like the first book, I loved reading this because it got me pondering how I would like to face and conquer challenges in my life. I enjoyed reading this while I walked and truly connected to the sections he had on how entertainment can damage our minds and souls if we aren’t careful.
A Little Book of Japanese Contentments: Ikigai, Forest Bathing, Wabi-sabi, and More by Erin Niimi Longhurst
Discover the Japanese philosophies for living a happier, more balanced life in this beautifully illustrated guide.With the longest healthy life spans in the world, Japanese people understand the art of living well. This beautiful book distills traditional Japanese philosophies intrinsic to the culture of wellbeing and provides easy-to-follow exercises for those who want to incorporate these ideas into their daily lives.
With sections on kokoro (heart and mind) and karada (body), plus a guide on how to form and nurture good habits, the book includes entries on ikigai (living with purpose), wabi-sabi (the beauty of imperfection and impermanence), shinrinyoku (forest bathing), ikebana (the art of flower arranging), and much more. Richly illustrated, A Little Book of Japanese Contentments is a warm invitation to cultivate contentment in everyday life.
Synopsis via Goodreads
I had never really wanted to go to Japan until I read this book. Their simplistic way of life and work ethic really appeal to me. It also got me thinking about how I can appreciate where I grew up and what my own version of this book could look like.
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García
According to the Japanese, everyone has an ikigai–a reason for living. And according to the residents of the Japanese island of Okinawa–home to the world’s longest-living people–finding it is the key to a happier and longer life.
Inspiring and soothing, this book will bring you closer to these centenarians’ secrets: how they leave urgency behind; keep doing what they love for as long as possible; nurture friendships; live in the moment; participate in their communities; and throw themselves into their passions. And it provides practical tools to help you discover your own personal ikigai. Because who doesn’t want to find the joy in every day?
Synopsis via Goodreads
Though I’m still trying to truly grasp what Ikigai means, I do think it’s gotten me thinking about what I want my life’s passion and purpose to be. Meaning, what do I still want to be perfecting once I’m no longer “working” at a job? It also made me think about how much I value my life and if I’ve appreciated it.
The Bhagavad Gita – Introduced & Translated by Eknath Easwaran
This early epic poem recounts the conversation between the warrior and his charioteer, the divine manifestation. It sets out the important lessons to learn to change the outcome of the war in the moments before a great battle that the warrior fights, and culminates in revealing the true cosmic warrior and counselling him to search for the universal perfection of life. This most important work ranges from yoga postures to dense moral discussion and serves as a practical guide to living well.
Synopsis via Goodreads
This may seem like a strange entry, but this book truly inspired me. Although I don’t follow any of the Hindu religions, I found this was one of the first times I realized how much in common each major religion has with each other. I also love to read this book when I need to strengthen my resolve while facing difficult decisions.
The Book of Mormon– Translated by Joseph Smith
The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel.
The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C., and afterward separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. Thsi group is known as the Jaredites. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are the principal ancestors of the American Indians.
The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the Nephites soon after his resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.
Synopsis via churchofjesuschrist.org
Last but not least I have this one. Since this book is an integral part of my religion, I would be remiss not to include it. Since I was a young child, I’ve gone back to this book and the Bible many, many times and I never get tired of what I can learn from it. It has helped build a foundation of faith in my life and I’m very grateful I’ve had it.
I’ll see you next time! Have fun reading and enjoying life!
From the Perspective of an Old Soul 