October 2021 Spiritual and Self-Help Book Picks

NOTE: Every month, bestselling author of “The Universe is Talking to You,” and founder of Elevated Existence, Tammy Mastroberte, chooses her picks for new books, audios and card decks in the spiritual and self-help field. None of these picks are sponsored or paid for — they are her honest picks that she shares with others!

 

 

 

“The Afterlife Frequency: The Scientific Proof of Spiritual Contact and How That Awareness Will Change Your Life,” by Mark Anthony
I’ve always been fascinated by scientific proof backing up spiritual concepts in in this new book, world-renowned psychic medium and Oxford-educated attorney Mark Anthony bridges the divide between faith and science in this fascinating afterlife exploration, taking readers around the globe, from the cosmic to the subatomic, and into the human soul itself.

Combining physics, neuroscience, and true stories, this book reveals how our “electromagnetic soul” is pure eternal energy that never dies, and takes spirit communication, near-death experiences, and deathbed visions out of the shadows of superstition and into the light of twenty-first-century science.

It also presents Anthony’s RAFT technique to recognize contact with spirits, accept it as real, feel it without fear, and trust in the experience and illuminates how contact with spirits is a powerful instrument of healing and love.

 

 

“Ancestral Healing Made Easy: How to Resolve Ancestral Patterns and Honour Your Family History,” by Natalia O’Sullivan and Terry O’Sullivan
Did you know you could inherit old family wounds, unprocessed emotions and more you’re your ancestors? This book will help you identify old family wounds, communicate with your ancestral guides, heal your lineage and achieve wellbeing for yourself and loved ones.

It explains anyone researching their heritage will uncover both positive and negative issues that pass through the bloodlines from one generation to the next, but once they understand the effects their family has had on their wellbeing, they can find ways to heal their influences and celebrate their legacy.

Renowned soul rescuers Natalia and Terry O’Sullivan have distilled an array of practices, rituals, exercises and meditations to help you explore ancestral healing, what it is and how it can help you, as well as to recognize how unresolved ancestral wounds have impacted your life. You will also learn how to use rituals and practical exercises to honour and communicate with your ancestors, and to balance your physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing through healing the family wounds.

 

 

“Becoming Aware: A 21-Day Mindfulness Program for Reducing Anxiety and Cultivating Calm,” by Daniel J. Siegel, MD
This is a hands-on user’s guide to the Wheel of Awareness meditation practice featured in the New York Times bestseller “Aware,” and will take you step-by-step through a twenty-one-day journey to discover what it means to be truly present and aware in your daily life.

This simple guide shows you how to strengthen your mind by learning to focus attention, open awareness, and develop a positive state of mind—the three pillars of mindfulness practice that research shows lead to greater physical and mental well-being.

Psychiatrist and cofounder of the Mindsight Institute, Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., created the science-grounded meditation practice called the Wheel of Awareness to unlock the power of the brain to integrate its many functions and develop internal resources that lead to an enduring sense of calm and quiet. This book is filled with guided meditation instructions, practical exercises, and everyday tools and techniques.

 

 

“The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times,” by Jan Goodall and Douglas Abrams
In today’s crazy world, it can be hard to feel optimistic, but hope is needed now more than ever. This book marries Jane Goodall, the world’s most famous living naturalist, and Douglas Abrams, the internationally bestselling co-author of “The Book of Joy,” as they explore through intimate and thought-provoking dialogue one of the most sought after and least understood elements of human nature: hope.

Jane focuses on her “Four Reasons for Hope”: The Amazing Human Intellect, The Resilience of Nature, The Power of Young People, and The Indomitable Human Spirit. And the book touches on vital questions, including: How do we stay hopeful when everything seems hopeless? How do we cultivate hope in our children? What is the relationship between hope and action? It’s also filled with stories and photographs from Jane’s remarkable career.

While discussing the experiences that shaped her discoveries and beliefs, Jane tells the story of how she became a messenger of hope, from living through World War II to her years in Gombe to realizing she had to leave the forest to travel the world in her role as an advocate for environmental justice. And for the first time, she shares her profound revelations about her next, and perhaps final, adventure.

 

 

 

“Just a Thought: A No-Willpower Approach to Overcome Self-Doubt and Make Peace with Your Mind,” by Amy Johnson
You are not your thoughts, and you CAN learn how to overcome negative thinking habits and self-doubt so you can experience more confidence, freedom, and peace of mind, and this book can help you get there.

When you understand how your mind works, unhelpful and noisy thoughts move to the background, and your awareness shifts to something quieter and deeper. Life coach and psychologist Amy Johnson, created this user-friendly guide to a no-willpower approach informed by ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience to help you change your negative thinking habits, make peace with your inner critic, and experience more self-confidence and freedom than you ever thought possible.

Our minds are hardwired to expect the worst. They love to replay the past and predict the future. They have strong opinions that feel solid and meaningful, but are always changing and contradicting themselves. When we think our thoughts define who we are, we suffer. But when we see the truth—and we glimpse the space that lies beyond those self-created stories—we suffer far less. This book will help you glimpse that truth, and use it to find lasting peace.

 

 

“Self-Care Wisdom Cards: A 52-Card Deck,” by Cheryl Richardson
From #1 New York Times best-selling author Cheryl Richardson, this card deck is meant to inspire you, replenish you, and help you take back your life. Richardson has dedicated her life to exploring and sharing the importance of self-care by sharing what she has learned from her own experience. This illustrated card deck, based on Cheryl’s classic Self-Care Cards, has been fully revised with new artwork and fresh ideas to meet today’s needs.

This deck puts the power to care for yourself, and thereby for others, in your hands, as each card carries a gentle but clear reminder of what’s essential for self-care: to slow down, trust yourself, honor your body, release judgment, open yourself to change, say no when you need to, and more. Shuffle the cards and see what your soul wants you to know that day.

 

 

“The Shift: 7 Powerful Mindset Changes for Lasting Weight Loss,” by Gary Foster, PhD
I’ve never been a proponent of “diets,” which often mean deprivation, and much more open to ways of eating and changes in lifestyle. I like this book because it doesn’t matter what you are eating or what diet you may be on because it’s not about what to eat or not eat. It’s not about when to eat. It’s about building thinking habits, proven through science, that help you lose weight.

Dr. Gary Foster’s 7 Mindset Shifts show you how to―and why you should―treat yourself in a way that feels better and primes you for likelier success. His argument and the techniques in each chapter, built on years of research and breakthroughs in cognitive behavioral therapy and positive psychology, can lead to results on the scale―but, more important, in your own thinking.

The Shift flips old-fashioned weight-loss theory on its head, training you to recognize when your thinking is taking you away from your goals, to focus on action rather than outcome, and to value non-scale victories more than the number on the digital display.

The 7 Mindset Shifts include treating yourself with compassion, leaning into your strengths, appreciating the power of small steps (and more frequent rewards), finding your people, and truly relaxing into happiness and gratitude.

 

 

“You Are Stronger than You Think: Unleash the Power to Go Bigger, Go Bold, and Go Beyond What Limits You,” by Joel Osteen
I don’t know about you, but every time I am flipping through television stations and come across Joel Osteen, I always end up hearing a message I need at the time. No matter what your belief system or background, I love that his teaching can truly be seen as universal.

In his new book, he encourages you to stand firm when the difficulty is not turning around. When the pressure mounts, when you feel overwhelmed, when the struggle looks too big, or the goal is out of reach, you have to remember that is not your destiny. You are more powerful than you think. You need to see yourself the right way and realize what’s already inside you. You were made to outlast the competition, to go further than you thought you could, and live a life beyond what limits you.

The book shares how to break the cycle of defeat, and gain the courage to set a new standard for your family, and to find the hope to conquer your fear, and the confidence to accomplish every dream.

Elevated Existence August 2018 Spiritual and Self-Help Book Picks

Each month, a ton of new spiritual and self-help books hit the market. It’s easy to get overwhelmed or miss out on some new releases.

I created Elevated Existence Monthly Book Picks to help narrow down your search, and make sure you don’t miss some great options!

Here are the picks for August 2018. They are listed below in alphabetical order. Click on each title to go directly to Amazon and find out more about the book.

 

“Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence — The Groundbreaking Meditation Practice,” by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D.
From New York Times bestselling author, Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., introduces readers to his pioneering, science-based meditation practice in this new book, providing practical instruction for mastering the Wheel of Awareness, a life-changing tool for cultivating more focus, presence, and peace in one’s day-to-day life.

An in-depth look at the science that underlies meditation’s effectiveness, this book teaches readers how to harness the power of the principle “Where attention goes, neural firing flows, and neural connection grows.” Siegel reveals how developing a Wheel of Awareness practice to focus attention, open awareness, and cultivate kind intention can literally help you grow a healthier brain and reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in your life.

No matter what level of experience you have with meditation or mindfulness, this book is a hands-on guide to becoming more focused and present, as well as more energized and emotionally resilient in the face of stress and the everyday challenges life throws your way.

 

“The 5 Essential Principles of Think & Grow Rich: The Practical Steps to Transforming Your Desires into Riches,” by Napoleon Hill
Drawn from the modern-day classic, “Think and Grow Rich” ― this new edition dives deeper into the 5 core secrets that have shown the greatest success. With these 5 lessons, you have the power to change your life and set you upon the path of learning and self-development. Originally published in 1937, Napoleon Hill draws on stories from Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and more than 500 other men of great wealth to demonstrate his moneymaking philosophies. With simple and practical techniques, Hill teaches that great and lasting success is possible with nothing but thoughts, ideas, and organized plans.

 

“The Five Hurdles to Happiness: And the Mindful Path to Overcoming Them,” by Mitch Abblett
A practical approach to becoming aware of the “five hindrances” or negative qualities that inhibit living an awakened life, and how to break free of them in order to live more mindfully, effectively and compassionately, author Mitch Abblett draws from Buddhist traditions to offer a modern, secular interpretation to identify the hurdles blocking contentment — desire, hostility, sluggishness, worry, and doubt and how you can take your first steps to overcoming them.

Combining traditional wisdom with contemporary psychology and using examples from his psychotherapy practice, Abblett uses the hurdles as a frame for engaging you in a process of contemplating your own life and learning to lean into your experience rather than merely repeating bad habits. By doing this, you can break free from the hurdles and live more mindfully, effectively, and compassionately.

 

“Hack Your Anxiety: How to Make Anxiety Work for You in Life, Love and All That You Do,” by Alicia H. Clark, PsyD
What if the way we’re thinking about anxiety is off base? What if there’s something about anxiety that can be used for you instead of against you?

In this revolutionary new book, Dr. Alicia H. Clark recognizes anxiety as an unsung hero in the path to success and wellbeing. Anxiety is a powerful motivating force that can be harnessed to create a better you, if you’ve got the right tools. This book provides a road map to approach anxiety in a new ― and empowering ― light.

Weaving together modern neuroscience, case studies, interviews, and personal anecdotes, Clark demonstrates how anxiety can be reclaimed as a potent force for living our best lives.

 

“How to Be a Happier Parent: Raising a Family, Having a Life, and Loving (Almost) Every Minute,” by K.J. Dell’Antonia
An encouraging guide to helping parents find more happiness in their day-to-day family life, from the former lead editor of the New York Times Motherlode blog, KJ Dell’Antonia.

In this optimistic, solution-packed book, Dell’Antonia asks: How can we change our family life so that it is full of the joy we’d always hoped for? Drawing from the latest research and interviews with families, KJ discovers it’s possible to do more by doing less, and make our family life a refuge and pleasure, rather than another stress point in a hectic day.

She focuses on nine common problem spots that cause parents the most grief, explores why they are hard, and offers small, doable, sometimes surprising steps you can take to make them better. Whether it’s getting everyone out the door on time in the morning or making sure chores and homework get done without another battle, this book show having a family isn’t just about raising great kids and churning them out at destination: success. It’s about experiencing joy — real joy, the kind you look back on, look forward to, and live for — along the way.

 

“Journey to the Afterlife: Comforting Messages & Lessons from Loved Ones in Spirit,” by Kristy Robinett
Revealing the true nature of heaven, hell, and the in-between from spirits who are there, Kristy Robinett shares soul-stirring messages from her many years of practice as a professional psychic medium. This book answers the most persistent questions about the afterlife, showing what kinds of lessons are learned as spirits evolve and grow in light and peace. Have you ever wondered what heaven is like? Or how a child’s experience of the afterlife is different than an adult’s? Is there such a thing as hell or purgatory?

With dozens of moving case studies and remarkable examples, the book shows how our loved ones are given the opportunity to grow and find happiness on the other side. These messages are a great comfort to Kristy’s clients, and they will touch your heart while helping you move forward on your own personal journey.

 

“The Pomodoro Technique: The Acclaimed Time-Management System That Has Transformed How We Work,” by Francesco Cirillo
Francesco Cirillo developed his famed system for improving productivity as a college student thirty years ago. Using a kitchen timer shaped like a pomodoro (Italian for tomato), Cirillo divided the time he spent working on a project into 25-minute intervals, with 5-minute breaks in between, in order to get more done, without interruptions.  By grouping a number of pomodoros together, users can tackle a project of any length, and drastically improve their productivity, enhance their focus, and better achieve their goals.

Originally self-published, and shared virally online, this new publication of “The Pomodoro Technique” includes several new chapters on how teams can use the method to save time and increase productivity. The process underlying Cirillo’s technique includes five stages: planning the day’s tasks, tracking your efforts, recording your daily activities, processing what you have done, and visualizing areas for improvement. With this tried and tested method, readers can simplify their work, find out how much time and effort a task really requires, and improve their focus so they can get more done in the same amount of time each day.

 

“The Practice of Pure Awareness: Somatic Meditation for Awakening the Sacred,” by Reginald A. Ray
A respected teacher, Reginald A. Ray presents the core and essential wisdom of Tibet and shows us the possibilities of “enlightenment in this present life” through the meditative and somatic practice of Pure Awareness — a unique kind of meditation thoroughly grounded in the body and in ordinary experience. This fundamentally transformative practice offers the possibility of enlightenment in this present life and invites us into the immensely powerful journey that Tibetan tantric spirituality has to offer. Includes a link to a free download of audio meditations.