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 July 2018. They are listed below in alphabetical order. Click on each title to go directly to Amazon and find out more about the book.
“Healing the Soul of America – 20th Anniversary Edition,” by Marianne Williamson
In the twentieth anniversary edition of Healing the Soul of America, now updated with a new introduction, and updated material throughout, New York Times bestselling author Marianne Williamson reclaims her powerful voice for social conscience in American society. This is a time, according to Williamson, for Americans to return once again to our first principles, both politically and spiritually. Here, Williamson draws plans to transform the American political consciousness and encourage powerful citizen involvement to heal our society.
Williamson explores the current state of American politics, reminding us of her theory of holistic politics — the convergence of political activists looking toward spiritual wisdom and spiritual contemplatives extending their service into the political landscape. She believes that a morally concerned American must now take an active stand in turning this country away from its current identity as a nation obsessively in love with its money to a nation more seriously invested in all of its children and the potential brilliance of every citizen.
“The Heart of the Shaman: Stories and Practices of the Luminous Warrior,” by Alberto Villoldo
In his latest book, bestselling author Alberto Villoldo sets his focus on the dreaming and time-travel practices of the medicine men and women of the Andes and Amazon, whose wisdom radically changed his worldview. He shares some of their time-honored teachings that emphasize the sacred dream: an ephemeral, yet powerful vision that has the potential to guide us to our purpose and show us our place in the universe.
The practices in this book will help readers forge a sacred dream for themselves and craft a destiny infused with courage and driven by vision. Follow the footsteps of the luminous warrior and learn how to break out of the three nightmares surrounding love, death, and safety that have held us captive, and transform them into the experience of timeless freedom, known as the Primordial Light. This creative power exercised by shamans will lead readers to create beauty and healing, and dream a new world into being.
“Juice Guru’s Juicing for Rapid Weight Loss,” by Steve Prussack
Based on his proprietary Juice Guru Method, Steve Prussack (aka the Juice Guru) shares how to juice for weight loss. Packed with information on not only juice fasting, but the importance of juicing every day, Prussack packs more than 50 recipes into this new e-book specifically designed for weight loss!
Readers will find both juice and smoothie recipes for their weight loss journey, and they are designed to not only be healthy and healing (and of course encourage weight loss) but are also delicious.
“The Magic of Meditation: Stories and Practices to Develop Gratitude and Empathy with Your Child,” by Marie Champeaux-Cunin
More and more children are experiencing the benefits of mindfulness practices at home and in school to reduce stress, regulate emotions and improve concentration. But true mindfulness practice also opens the heart and increases compassion and empathy. This new book is not only a guide for parents to the basics and benefits of meditation for children, but also a concise practice program of mindfulness meditation for children, ages three to seven. The program includes stories, bedtime rituals, and an audio download, featuring Yupsi, a magical dragon. Yupsi’s boundless optimism and good nature will inspire children to feel confidence in their emotions and help them develop natural kindness and altruism.
“More Together Than Alone: Discovering the Power of and Spirit of Community in Our Lives and in the World,” by Mark Nepo
The #1 New York Times bestselling author and popular spiritual teacher presents a poignant and timely meditation on the importance of community, and demonstrates how we live more enriching lives by cultivating connectedness.
Nepo draws from historical events, spiritual thought leaders, and the natural world to show how, in every generation, our tendency is to join together to accomplish our greatest achievements, from creating education to providing clean drinking water, and preserving the arts.
His historical snapshots, from ancient times to contemporary examples, show how community creates a light in the darkest of times, and gets to the heart of how we come together in varied and beautiful ways, whether forming resistance groups during the Holocaust or rebuilding after the nuclear devastation in Nagasaki. These inspiring stories teach us that even in the bleakest days, we have the power to create connections and draw strength from one another.
“Natural Meditation: Refreshing Your Spirit through Nature,” by Barbara Ann Kipfer
Offering easy-to-follow meditation cues for meditating in natural settings or on natural images or objects, this guidebook also offers sidebars throughout to provide suggestions on how to incorporate nature into one’s mindfulness practice. Using short entries, it allows readers to open to a page during a lunch break, at home in the evening, or on the weekend for a short “retreat,” setting off down a quiet, natural path.
This book acknowledges that nature has a lot to teach us about going with the flow, letting go, awareness, calm, silence, and pausing. Whether you practice these meditations in actual natural settings or on a cushion at home, the book’s entries will inspire you to spend more time in nature.
“The Tao Made Easy: Timeless Wisdom to Navigate a Changing World,” by Alan Cohen
In his newest book, Alan Cohen delves into one of the world’s most venerated wisdom texts bringing the lofty and enigmatic concepts of the Tao Te Ching down to earth in fresh, easy-to-grasp language with practical, personal examples we can use to uplift our daily lives.
Most other interpretations of the Tao march through the stanzas one by one. Here Alan Cohen calls forth the ancient verses around themes that are central to our modern lives — from love to work to the lessons we learn from pain. Then he brings each message to life in short vignettes where he imagines himself a student of Lao Tse and interacts with the master directly and intimately. He invites you to join the ancient sage and the contemporary seeker as they wend their way through the challenges and triumphs of the same journey you’re taking yourself.
“A Walk in the Wood: Meditations on Mindfulness with a Bear Named Pooh,” by Dr. Joseph Parent and Nancy Parent
This book features life lessons grounded in the simple act of slowing down, observing what is around us, and being present in our lives moment by moment. In our frantic world, who better to guide readers through this transformative practice than a long-beloved bear who has perfected the art of simply being? And, not coincidentally, he lives in the woods.
There is a growing acknowledgment of the benefits of deeply experiencing nature. The calming quality of sounds like running water and rustling leaves; the soothing properties of smells like lavender and chamomile; and the emotional comfort of beautiful natural vistas are well known.
Dr. Joseph and Nancy Parent share stories with clearly stated goals and easy-to-follow exercises, providing all the tools readers will need to take the first step, or continue on their journey, toward a quieter and calmer way of living.
“Wishes Won’t Bring Riches,” by Napoleon Hill
In this lost classic, the pioneering motivational coach, Napoleon Hill teaches how to make the crucial leap from faith to action in bringing your dreams to life. In three hard-hitting chapters, Hill teaches readers how to transform belief to action, and faith into real-life plans. Application. Enthusiasm. Action. These are the three keys required to do more than just “believe in yourself,” but to actually BE the person you want to be. It provides you the missing link necessary to go from visualizing your dreams to living them.