Elevated Existence November 2018 Spiritual/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 November 2018. They are listed below in alphabetical order. Click on each title to go directly to Amazon and find out more about the book.

“The Buddha’s Guide to Gratitude: The Life-changing Power of Every Day Mindfulness,” by Becca Anderson
The Buddha had much to say when referring to gratitude, and nowThe Buddha’s Guide to Gratitude, by Becca Anderson, can jumpstart the journey towards Zen and gratefulness. Within these pages readers will learn to count their blessings, increase their own happiness, find ways to shift their thinking, and discover more about the four keys to the Gate of Heaven.

One of the key components, studies have shown, for generating our own happiness, is gratitude. People who are grateful for their experiences are typically the ones to find more satisfaction in the present moment- and rarely worry of the past. Something as simple as saying “Thank you” every day will generate positive feelings, such as love, compassion and hope. This book offers positive thinking “power tools” including mindful meditations, hands-on exercises, and more.

 

“Crystal Rx: Daily Rituals for Cultivating Calm, Achieving Your Goals, and Rocking Your Inner Gem Boss” By Colleen McCann
Since the beginning of time, cultures have been drawn to gemstones, using them in divination practice, healing rituals, spiritual attunement and more. These gems have been believed to restore not only spiritual balance, but mental, physical, and emotional balance as well. Even today they are a primary trend in regards to wellness and mental well-being.

Colleen McCann, certified Shamanic Energy Practitioner, has travelled the world teaching the ancient art of crystal healing, and in “Crystal RX,” she offers her knowledge, insight and clear directions for harnessing the power of these magical minerals. In this down-to-earth, beautifully illustrated guide you’ll discover the top 20 crystals every girl needs, how to care for crystals, how to create a “medicine bag” using crystals and more.

 

“Feel Better Fast and Make It Last: Unlock Your Brain’s Healing Potential to Overcome Negativity, Anxiety, Anger, Stress, and Trauma,” by Dr. Daniel Amen
Dr. Daniel Amen, renowned physician, psychiatrist, brain-imaging researcher, and founder of Amen Clinics understands the necessity of wanting to know what will help you feel better fast, now and later. In “Feel Better Fast and Make It Last, you’ll find powerful brain-based strategies to quickly gain control over anxiety, worry, sadness, stress and anger, strengthening your resilience and giving you joy

It’s normal to go through emotional crises or have times when you feel anxious or out of sorts, but Dr. Amen teaches that it is how you respond to these challenges that will make the difference in how you feel. Unfortunately, many people turn to self-medicating, toxic behaviors. And although these behaviors may give temporary relief, they only prolong the problems. In this book, Dr. Amen shares how to feel better for the long haul.

 

“The High Performance Planner,” by Brendon Burchard
The High Performance Planner was created by Brendon Burchard, a #1 New York Times best-selling author based on the research and information shared in his book “High Performance Habits.” This 2-in-1 day planner and journal helps readers organize their lives and bump up their performance via writing prompts, calendars and self-assessments — and is backed by science.

Based on the world’s largest study of high performers increase productivity, set goals, prioritize projects, outperform their peers and more, the Planner will help you think more strategically, prioritize properly, reach goals quicker, and become more focused and productive. It even includes a free online assessment to track your habits.

 

“Making Sense of Mindfulness: Five Principals to Integrate Mindfulness Practice into Your Daily Life,” by Keith Macpherson
Mindfulness has become a buzzword in today’s world, and yet few people understand what this concept means and how helpful it is to integrate this into their lives. In “Making Sense of Mindfulness,” Keith Macpherson offers an accessible, five-step system that clears up the concept of mindfulness and shares a formula to fight the high stress anxieties that plague daily life.

With noise and distractions everywhere we turn ― including cell phones, advertisements and increasing pressure from society ― it is no wonder there is such a large increase of anxiety and depression cases reported. This book will the tools and techniques to introduce a daily practice of mindfulness into your life.

 

“The Monkey Is the Messenger: Meditation and What Your Busy Mind Is Trying to Tell You,” by Ralph De La Rosa
Offering vast, evidence-based and trauma-informed insights and practices drawn from Ralph De La Rosa’s study of neuroscience and psychology, “The Monkey Is the Messenger,” introduces a cure for all those who want to meditate, but think they can’t because of their restless minds.

These days most of us know we should be meditating, but that doesn’t make it an easy process. It could be frustrating, seemingly pointless, sometimes hurtful, and rather hard to control. But instead of quitting meditation, Ralph De La Rosa suggests asking yourself this: If you were to stop demonizing your mind, could you learn from it? And could repetitive thoughts be pointing us in the direction of personal transformation? In this book, you will learn the remedy for meditation struggles.

 

“One Minute to Zen: Go From Hot Mess to Mindful Mom in One Minute or Less,” by Ali Katz
Sometimes life can feel overwhelming and exhausting, especially for busy moms. With the third in her Hot Mess to Mindful Mom series Ali Katz offers,“One Minute to Zen to provide various tools to help deal with stress in just one minute. Her goal is to put these tools into the hands of every mother who needs them and teaching them how to pass these tools on to their children to create in each family a chain reaction of calm and confidence when faced with any challenge. The tools in this book will help readers recalibrate, achieve balance and recover from stress quickly and with ease in order to live a more mindful and joyful life.

 

 

“Tapping the Power Within: A Path to Self-Empowerment for Women: 20th Anniversary Edition,” by Iyanla Vanzant
The 20th-anniversary edition of Iyanla Vanzant’s first published work, “Tapping the Power Within,” is now revised and expanded offering a powerful path to self-empowerment. Featuring basic breathing and meditation techniques, instructions on setting up a home altar, connecting with ancestors and guardian spirits, and teaching the power of forgiveness, this edition also features Iyanla’s special “What I Know Now,” commentaries and an original CD.

Elevated Existence January 2018 Spiritual / 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 January 2018. They are listed below in alphabetical order. Click on each title to go directly to Amazon and find out more about the book.

“Bliss More: How to Succeed in Meditation Without Really Trying,” by Light Watkins
From one of America’s top meditation teachers comes a revolutionarily simple approach to everyday practice—especially if you don’t think you have the time or the patience. When properly understood and practiced, meditation should feel easy, calming, and comfortable. In Bliss More, Light Watkins provides the tools for making it E.A.S.Y. (Embrace, Accept, Surrender, Yield), dispels the biggest myths and misunderstandings, and shares real-world tips and straight talk for hacking into this ancient practice. Watkins also shares candid testimonials from people whose lives have been enriched through his method, and extensive resources for transforming a daily chore into an enjoyable activity.

“Get Over It!: Thought Therapy for Healing the Hard Stuff,” by Iyanla Vanzant
Today, many of us face fears about the future, struggle with tragedies, anxiety and more. In her new book, New York Times best-selling author and life coach Iyanla Vanzant challenges us, asking: What if it’s not them—what if it’s you? What if you need to “get over it” — and get over yourself?

Vanzant offers a unique spiritual technology called “thought therapy,” a process that harnesses proven spiritual tools with the science of neuroplasticity. The 42 prayers and affirmations, and complementary energy-clearing tools at the heart of the thought therapy process are designed to neutralize and eliminate the unconscious, unproductive, soul-destroying dominant negative thought patterns (DNTPs) and discordant emotional energies, allowing you to get to the root cause of your personal suffering, and make life-affirming choices.

“Judgment Detox: Release the Beliefs That Hold You Back from Living a Better Life,” by Gabrielle Bernstein
New York Times bestselling author Gabrielle Bernstein offers a step-by-step process to release the beliefs that hold you back from living a better life. This interactive, six-step process calls on spiritual principles from the text A Course in Miracles, Kundalini yoga, the Emotional Freedom Technique (aka Tapping), meditation, prayer and metaphysical teachings. Each lesson builds upon the next to support healing, and letting go, so judgment, pain and suffering will begin to dissolve.

 

“The Tapping Solution for Parents, Children & Teenagers: How to Let Go of Excessive Stress, Anxiety and Worry, and Raise Happy, Healthy, Resilient Families,” by Nick Ortner
In this new book, Nick Ortner encourages readers to first take a look at their own stressors and worry as parents, reminding them self-care is vital to helping others. In the first section of the book, parents are guided on using the revolutionary technique known as EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Tapping to release parental overwhelm, quiet worry, manage conflict and transform their experience of parenthood. And in the second section, it moves on to specific uses for Tapping with children, ranging from releasing negative emotions like anger, fear and phobias, sadness, grief, guilt, and shame, to overcoming specific challenges such as anxiety disorders, sleep, nightmares, performance anxiety, bullying, school jitters, divorce and much more. It includes diagrams, links to videos and more.

“Thriving Through Uncertainty: Moving Beyond Fear of the Unknown and Making Change Work for You,” by Tama J. Kieves
Tama Kieves shares that the moment your plans fall apart is precisely when your true destiny begins. In her new book, she guides readers to take hold of the blessings and opportunities hidden within uncertain transitional periods and begin to move forward. Weaving together practical exercises and techniques, along with anecdotes from her own experiences, readers will learn how to control their mindset and mood to stay focused and happy; how to have faith in themselves and their journey; how to allow themselves to feel pain and discomfort; and how to continue to thrive through future obstacles.

“Unmedicated: The Four Pillars of Natural Wellness,” by Madisyn Taylor
The cofounder of the holistic lifestyle website DailyOM presents a gentle and accessible step-by-step guide to moving from excessive reliance on medications to fundamentally healing yourself through four pillars of natural wellness. Madisyn Taylor was plagued by depression and anxiety, suffering from chronic physical problems. At first, she turned to the medical community, which put her on a rollercoaster course of numerous doctors, tests, and an unhealthy reliance on medications that left her numb and lifeless. Then she made the decision to become unmedicated, reaching out to the natural, holistic health realm. And after years of practice and research, Madisyn developed an integrative wellness program that put her back in the driver’s seat of her health, and ultimately, her life.

This book is her account of how she broke free and a guide for how to apply her practical techniques to your own healing journey. She offers a daily program of easy-to-follow actions based on four pillars that will build a lifelong foundation for health: clear your mind; strengthen your body; nurture your spirit; and find your tribe.

“The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store,” by Cait Flanders
In her late twenties, Cait Flanders found herself stuck in the consumerism cycle that grips so many of us: earn more, buy more, want more, rinse, repeat. Even after she worked her way out of nearly $30,000 of consumer debt, her old habits took hold again — until she realized nothing she was doing or buying was making her happy. So she decided to set herself a challenge: she would not shop for an entire year.

This book documents her life for twelve months during which she bought only consumables: groceries, toiletries, gas for her car. Along the way, she challenged herself to consume less of many other things besides shopping — decluttering her apartment; getting rid of 70 percent of her belongings; learning how to fix things rather than throw them away; researching the zero waste movement; and completing a television ban. At every stage, she learned that the less she consumed, the more fulfilled she felt.

“Your Best Year Ever: A 5-Step Plan for Achieving Your Most Important Goals,” by Michael Hyatt
If you are tired of not seeing progress in your personal, intellectual, business, relationship, or financial goals then New York Times bestselling author Michael Hyatt’s new book, “Your Best Year Ever,” is for you. Readers learn how to design their best year ever in just five hours, including three simple ways to triple the likelihood of achieving goals; how to quit-proof goals; what to do when feeling stuck; and more.

Iyanla Vanzant MasterPeace Prayer Cards

Created by bestselling author and star of “Iyanla Fix My Life” on the OWN Network,  Iyanla Vanzant designed these MasterPeace Prayer Cards to support seekers’ exploration of daily affirmative prayer or the art of talking to God.

Each of the 50 prayer-card principles will help clear and surrender outmoded beliefs and toxic emotions, raise our energetic vibration, and align the mind with life’s most benevolent and powerful truths.

These cards will help one follow their Spirit and connect to a new level of consciousness where every thought we think is a prayer, each word we speak is a prayer, and everything we do is a prayer.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network’s Spiritual Fall Line-Up

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is planning a jam-packed fall premiere schedule, with new episodes of “Oprah’s Master Class,” “Iyanla: Fix My Life,” “Super Soul Sunday” and a seven-night landmark television event called “Belief.”

Below are the shows set to premiere, along with the dates and times:

IYANLA: FIX MY LIFE
“Iyanla: Fix My Life” premieres on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 9 p.m. with a three-part special. From pastors leading secret gay lives to a fallen Olympic star to a former model who risked her own health with dangerous butt injections for beauty, spiritual life coach Iyanla Vanzant tackles thought-provoking issues over eight emotional episodes.

SUPER SOUL SUNDAY
On Sunday, Oct. 4, new episodes of the two-time, Emmy award-winning “Super Soul Sunday” premieres in its new time slot at 7 p.m. eastern/pacific. The series features all-new conversations between Oprah Winfrey and top thinkers, authors, visionaries and spiritual leaders exploring themes and issues including happiness, personal fulfillment, spirituality, conscious living and what it means to be alive in today’s world.

Episodes this season include President Jimmy Carter; television creator Shonda Rhimes; professor and TED speaker Dr. Brené Brown; women’s rights activist and humanitarian Zainab Salbi; pastor and education activist Wintley Phipps; human rights activist Bryan Stevenson; “Chicken Soup for the Soul” co-creator Jack Canfield; happiness expert Gretchen Rubin (“The Happiness Project”); groundbreaking psychologist Daniel Goleman (“Emotional Intelligence”); and more.

BELIEF
Narrated by Oprah Winfrey, the television event series, “Belief,” airs Sunday, Oct. 18-24 at 8 p.m. eastern/pacific, and will explore humankind’s ongoing search to connect with something greater than ourselves. This groundbreaking original series invites viewers to witness some of the world’s most fascinating spiritual journeys through the eyes of the believers. Traveling to the far reaches of the world, and to places cameras have rarely been, “Belief” searches the origins of diverse faiths and the heart of what really matters.

Each episode presents stories of people on spiritual journeys, taking them to sacred spaces, including: the largest peaceful gathering in the history of the world as a group of believers seek redemption along the banks of a holy river; a free climber on the side of a mountain who believes there is no greater power than just being present as he climbs without rope; inside the ceremonies of the past as a 21st-century woman seeks to find a miracle cure using ancient ceremonial treatments; the quiet of the night as a culture seeks to hang on to its 50,000-year-old history by searching the stars for insight to share with future generations; and, a courtroom and prison where a grieving mother must grapple with forgiveness as she comes face-to-face with her son’s killer — all leading viewers to ask: “What do you believe?”

OPRAH’S MASTER CLASS
Returning for its fifth season, Sunday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. eastern/pacific is the Emmy-nominated and NAACP and Gracie award-winning series “Oprah’s Master Class,” with masters handpicked by Oprah Winfrey, including Ellen DeGeneres, Robert Duvall, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Smokey Robinson, Jeff Bridges, James Taylor and Patti LaBelle. Chosen for their unique impact on the world, these true modern masters share the greatest lessons they’ve learned along the way, including their successes, failures, triumphs, disappointments and heartbreaks.