Recommended readings

Meditation

“The healing power of loving kindness”  Tulku Thondup

Book about developing and cultivating good hart and loving kindness presented by the Buddhist master but taught in that way that is accessible for everyone regardless of beliefs.

“Training in Tenderness: Buddhist Teachings on Tsewa, the Radical Openness of Heart That Can Change the World” – Dzigar Kongtrul

A little guide to cultivating tsewa: the loving warmth of heart from which the awakened mind arises – from the popular Buddhist teacher and author of The Intelligent Heart.

This is a call to a revolution of heart. In Tibetan Buddhism, it is taught that one of the most essential qualities of enlightenment is tsewa, a form of warm energy and openness of heart. It is the warmth we express and receive through empathy with others, especially those closest to us. In this compact gem of an audiobook, Dzigar Kongtrul opens the door to this life-changing energy and shows us how to transform our attitude toward ourselves and those around us through its practice. And through its practice, we can actually heal our fractured world.

This is a guide to the building blocks of compassion and the purest and deepest form of happiness. And with these tools, we can awaken the most powerful force in the world – a tender, open heart.

“Feeding your demons”  Tsultrim Alinone

Tsultrim Alinone presents an ancient practice of Chod that originates from Tibetan Buddhism adapted to needs and abilities of modern men. FYD practice is highly effective in many areas of human experience.


Neuroscience

Whole Brain Living: The Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life Jill Bolte Taylor– 9 Aug. 2022

For half a century we have been trained to believe that our right brain hemisphere is our emotional brain, while our left brain houses our rational thinking. Now neuroscience shows that it’s not that simple: in fact, our emotional limbic tissue is evenly divided between our two hemispheres. Consequently, each hemisphere has both an emotional brain and a thinking brain. In this groundbreaking new book, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor presents these four distinct modules of cells as four characters that make up who we are: Character 1, Left Thinking; Character 2, Left Emotion; Character 3, Right Emotion; and Character 4, Right Thinking.

Everything we think, feel, or do is dependent upon brain cells to perform that function. Since each of the Four Characters stems from specific groups of cells that feel unique inside of our body, they each display particular skills, feel specific emotions, or think distinctive thoughts. In Whole Brain Living, Dr. Taylor shows us how to get acquainted with our own Four Characters, observe how they show up in our daily life, and learn to identify and relate to them in others as well. And she introduces a practice called the Brain Huddle–a tool for bringing our Four Characters into conversation with one another so we can tap their respective strengths and choose which one to embody in any situation.

The more we become familiar with each of the characters in ourselves and others, the more power we gain over our thoughts, our feelings, our relationships, and our lives. Indeed, we discover that we have the power to choose who and how we want to be in every moment. And when our Four Characters work together and balance one another as a whole brain, we gain a radical new road map to deep inner peace. (Google books review).

“Incognito -The Secret Lives of the Brain” David Eagleman (2011),

Why does your foot hit the brake pedal before you are conscious of danger ahead? *Why do you hear your name is mentioned in a conversation that you didn’t think you were listening to? *Why is a person whose name begins with J more likely to marry another person whose name begins with J? *Why is it so difficult to keep a secret? *And how is it possible to get angry at yourself: who, exactly, is mad at whom? A thrilling subsurface exploration of the mind and all its contradictions.

“My stroke of insight” – Jill Bolte Taylor (2008)

On the morning of the 10th December 1996, Jill Bolte Taylor, a thirty-seven-year-old Harvard-trained brain scientist experienced a massive stroke when a blood vessel exploded in the left side of her brain.

A neuroanatomist by profession, she observed her own mind completely deteriorate to the point that she lost the ability to walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life, all within the space of four hours. As the damaged left side of her brain – the rational, logical, detail and time-oriented side – swung in an out of function, Taylor alternated between two distinct and opposite realities: the euphoric Nirvana of the intuitive and emotional right brain, in which she felt a sense of complete well-being and peace; and the logical left brain, that realized Jill was having a stroke and enabled her to seek help before she was lost completely.

In My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey, Taylor brings to light a new perspective on the brain and its capacity for recovery that she gained through the intimate experience of awakening her own injured mind. The journey to recovery took eight years for Jill to feel completely healed. Using her knowledge of how the brain works, her respect for the cells composing her human form, and an amazing mother, Taylor completely repaired her mind and recalibrated her understanding of the world according to the insight gained from her right brain that December morning.


Neuro Linguistic Programming

“The Structure of Magic” Volume 1 & 2  R. Bandler & J. Grinder

Volume 1 is the first NLP book ever published and is based around Richard Bandler’s doctorate thesis. It is the definitive text on the Meta-Model. Not the easiest of reads, but definitely worth reading for anyone who wants to get to know about linguistics in depth. The book contains excellent transcripts of therapy sessions where the therapist uses the meta-model questions to assist the client in achieving personal change. Volume 2 expands the use of the Meta-Model further and also introduces the topics of representational systems, incongruity, and family therapy.

 “The Patterns of Milton Erickson”  Volumes 1 & 2  R. Bandler & J. Grinder

Volume 1 was the first NLP book published on the subject of Milton Erickson. Milton Erickson is held as being one of the most influential people in modern day hypnotherapy. Richard and John used modeling techniques to model the language patterns of Erickson and created the Milton Model. The Milton Model is a linguistic model that enables others to create the same artfully vague language patterns Erickson is renowned for.

  Reframing”  R. Bandler & J. Grinder

Transcribed from a training seminar, Reframing introduces the concept around which the meaning of events and behaviours can be changed. This book includes how to work with parts and also how to reframe dissociated states like alcoholism and drug abuse. The book covers how to use these techniques with individuals, families, and organisations.
This book is now out of print, so you will need to purchase a second hand copy.

 “Tranceformations”  

R. Bandler & J. Grinder

Tranceformations is an easier read than Patterns I and covers the language patterns of Milton Erickson for the induction of trance states. This is an excellent book on the use of hypnosis from an NLP perspective. The book covers simple and advanced inductions, utilisation of trance states, pain control, amnesia, and using trance for generating new behaviours.

 “Using Your Brain For A Change”  R. Bandler

The first book on the use of Submodalities. This book teaches you how to take control of your mind and how to use your brain’s programming language to easily get yourself motivated, rid yourself of confusion, change limiting beliefs, and use the SWISH pattern to change unwanted feelings and behaviours.
 

“Magic in Action”  R. Bandler

Magic in Action is a collection of transcriptions of 20-minute therapy sessions Richard did with a number of clients. This book is an excellent read. Richard comments that all he is doing in these sessions is submodality work. On closer examination you get to realise how much work he is doing “below the surface” and what a master linguist he is.

 “Time For A Change”  R. Bandler

One of Richard’s books in which he relates the topics in hypnosis and beliefs. The book covers how to deepen the level of trance you can achieve, how to change limiting beliefs, create time distortion for yourself and others as well as entering states of heightened awareness.

 “Solutions: Enhancing Love, Sex, and Relationships”  L. Cameron-Bandler

A first-class primer, a well-organized and easily-read survey of all the basic premises and techniques of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Leslie Cameron-Bandler has learned and taught some remarkably effective ways for families and couple to succeed in their efforts to break through communication barriers. The author, an outstanding counselor and one of the developers of NLP, has compassionate friendliness and honesty as well as expertise. One could hardly ask for a better demonstration of NLP’s potential power or the effectiveness of Cameron-Bandler’s presentation. Solutions is a like a magical map, designed to assist anyone interested in more successfully getting to where they want to go and more happily navigating the realms of human interactions. It is well-written and does a good job of explaining both NLP and NLP techniques. I would recommend this book, even for the skeptics of NLP. This book is probably one of the best introduction to NLP. Leslie Cameron-Bandler is a highly-gifted and caring therapist.

“NLP Volume 1”  Bandler, Grinder, Dilts

The definitive text on strategies. This book is not an easy read but it is very complete. It covers how to elicit, utilise, design, change, and install strategies. There are also very useful sections on the application of strategies in education, organisational development, sales, advertising, health, law, and psychotherapy.

 Changing Belief Systems with NLP”  R. Dilts

Changing Beliefs Systems with NLP covers what beliefs are, how they work and how to change them. This is a very thorough book on one of the most interesting areas of NLP and personal development.

 “Modelling with NLP”  R. Dilts

The only book available at the moment on modelling. Modelling was how NLP came into being in the first place by modelling people who demonstrated excellence. This was done by analysing their internal thought process (Neuro) and their verbal and non-verbal communication (linguistic) and then putting these into a step-by-step procedure for replicating the original behaviour (programming). This book looks at the core principles of NLP modelling and then goes into some detail on using modelling in delegation and leadership.

 “Sleight Of Mouth Patterns”  R. Dilts

Sleight of Mouth patterns is a collection of elegant reframes for conversationally changing beliefs. Robert and a number of other early NLPers were fascinated by the language patterns that Bandler used when working with others. They drew from their investigation a number of linguistic patterns that can be used to change someone’s mind conversationally. This has applications in the field of personal development as well as in business and therapy.

 “Time Line Therapy® and The Basis of Personality”  T. James & W. Woodsmall

An excellent book by Tad James and Wyatt Woodsmall. It is the first book on Time Line Therapy® and is also a definitive text on meta-programmes and values. This book covers how to enable someone to emotionally heal their past, remove limiting decisions made in past events as well as work with meta programmes and values. Highly recommend this book.

“Transformational NLP”  Cissi Williams

This book shows you how to use the techniques of Neuro-Linguistic Programming to bring about profound and lasting personal transformation. Healer and NLP practitioner Cissi Williams reveals how NLP can be a powerful tool for helping people free themselves from the grips of their ego and connect more fully with their spirit. She explains what NLP is and how it relates to spiritual wisdom. You will access your wise inner self and experience extraordinary new levels of awareness. Packed with practical exercises and case studies based on the author’s many years of coaching and training experience, this book provides an exciting new dimension to the ever-popular subject of NLP.


Personal development 

“The 5 Second Rule: The Surprisingly Simple Way to Live, Love, and Speak with Courage” by Mel Robbins

How to enrich your life and destroy doubt in 5 seconds. Throughout your life, you’ve had parents, coaches, teachers, friends and mentors who have pushed you to be better than your excuses and bigger than your fears. What if the secret to having the confidence and courage to enrich your life and work is simply knowing “how” to push yourself? Using the science of habits, riveting stories and surprising facts from some of the most famous moments in history, art and business, Mel Robbins will explain the power of a push moment. Then, she ll give you one simple tool you can use to become your greatest self. It takes just five seconds to use this tool, and every time you do you ll be in great company. More than 8 million people have watched Mel s TEDx Talk, and executives inside of the world s largest brands are using the tool to increase productivity, collaboration, and engagement. In “The 5 Second Rule,” you ll discover it takes just five seconds to: Become confident Break the habit of procrastination and self-doubt Beat fear and uncertainty Stop worrying and feel happier Share your ideas with courage T”he 5 Second Rule” is a simple, one-size-fits-all solution for the one problem we all face we hold ourselves back. The secret isn t knowing what to do it s knowing how to make yourself do it.”

“The Einstein Factor”  Win Wenger & Richard Poe

Book about using brain natural abilities to maximize our mind’s potential. Techniques from this book can increase IQ very quickly.

“PhotoReading”  Paul R. Scheele

In this book Paul R. Scheele presents unique technique for super fast reading and absorbing knowledge.

“Goal Mapping” Brian Mayne

Goal Mapping is a combination of ancient wisdom and cutting-edge accelerated learning woven together with goal setting principles into one holistic system for success.


Psychology/Self-help

“:59 Seconds: Think a little, change a lot” –  Prof. Richard Wiseman

Most people would like to be more creative, more persuasive and more attractive… psychologist Richard Wiseman is on hand to provide fast-acting, myth-busting scientific answers to a huge range of everyday problems. From job-hunting to relationships, and from parenting to self-esteem, personal and professional success may be less than a minute away . . .

“The as If Principle: The Radically New Approach to Changing Your Life” –  Prof. Richard Wiseman

Victorian philosopher William James had a theory about emotion and behaviour: It isn’t that our feelings guide our actions (feel happy and you will laugh). On the contrary, it is our actions that guide our emotions (laugh and you will feel happy). This led James to a remarkable conclusion: “If you want a quality, act as if you already have it.”

Roused by James’s astonishing discovery, renowned psychologist and bestselling author Richard Wiseman confirms James’s principle and shows how the self-help genre has for too long put the cart before the horse in trying to help us take control of our lives. Bringing to the table a dazzling array of first-hand experiments, surprising histories, and psychological case studies, Wiseman illustrates in brilliant detail how we can apply this principle in our daily lives:

  • Smile to become measurably happier
  • Wash your hands to drive away guilt
  • Clench your fist to increase your willpower
  • Eat with your non-dominant hand to lose weight
  • Nod while speaking to become more persuasive
  • Act like a newly-wed to rekindle your marriage

“The Power of Focusing: Finding Your Inner Voice” – Ann Weiser Cornell

“Focusing”–defined as a body-oriented process of self-awareness and emotional healing–is employed today by thousands of psychotherapists with their patients. This book, the first to make the methods of this treatment accessible to laypersons, outlines in friendly, non-technical language how to effectively use focusing to address a variety of issues.

 

INSPIRATIONAL

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

the book is available online on the Guttenberg project here