libraryMy Recommended Reading List includes books and authors I found particularly helpful in my fifties and sixties. The middle years are uniquely fertile ground for internal change and an expanded view of self. Some call this “becoming conscious” ~ an awareness of why we do what we do; bringing the forces that motivate our actions and choices into our conscious awareness.

Over the years, books have been instrumental in expanding my awareness and understanding of many things. I therefore offer these picks here with the hope that they will do the same for you.

A WORD ABOUT TRANSFORMATION

Most of us face a period of upheaval in our lives somewhere around the start of menopause. For some, it is a particularly fierce period of change, and one that will invite you to wrestle with your beliefs and choices. We are coping with aging and dying parents, and sometimes spouses, children are fleeing the nest, careers are peaking — or not — and our bodies are going through an enormous change.

We are catapulted into a period of chaos, and there is no better place for change and transformation to take place. If you are in this place, I encourage you to grab hold, hang on and dive deep. Yes, it will hurt. Yes, it is challenging. But, I promise, you will not regret it. You are learning to listen to your inner voice and will discover, if nothing else, a better life.


RECOMMENDED READING LIST

This is a list of my favorite teachers and guides. Come back now and again as I will keep adding to the list.

AUTHORS

A GREAT PLACE TO BEGIN

SELF-AWARENESS

EXPANDED AWARENESS

TRAUMA, PTSD, DEPRESSION, HEALING

TRANSFORMING TRAUMA: Uncovering the Spiritual Dimension of Healing by Caroline Myss and James Finley, Ph.D. If you are interested in understanding trauma and acquiring tools to manage it, this book is indispensable. James Finley is a powerful teacher, offering listeners a lifetime of experience, education, deep reflection and passes on many of the spiritual teachings of his mentor Thomas Merton.

WARMING THE STONE CHILD: Myths and Stories about Abandonment and the Unmothered Child 

INSPIRATION

DISCOVER YOUR SOUL SIGNATURE: A 33-Day Path to Purpose, Passion and Joy by Penache Desai – I stumbled across this book somewhere and was so glad I did! I worked my way through it several times and found it to be a wonderful way to drift off to sleep with good vibes floating wafting in the air.