Know of any good books to read?

[IrmaJean]

I've already read "Love's Executioner" and "Momma and the Meaning of Life" by Irving Yalom. I would love to know of any other recommendations anyone else might have for me. Anything psychologically related would be very interesting to me. I like the therapy books, but am also interested in this entire area. Any good ones out there? Thanks!

[Jetliner]

Well, in terms of, "therapy" books, I have two that I personally think are just great. Don't know if you're looking for a general read or specifics or what but, I would recommend these two to anyone. First is called, Helping Those Who Hurt by... ummm... by all means! Who the heck wrote that - hang on; can't find it - need google...

There! By H. Norman Wright. :p I especially love how it talks about the right way and wrong way to listen; what to say and what not to say, etc.

The second is Breaking the Chain of Low Self-Esteem by Dr. Marilyn Sorensen. EXCELLENT book! She makes a strong case for low self-esteem being the cause, not a symptom of depression and why often treatment for depression isn't as effective as treating LSE as the source. The book is filled with examples and illustrations of how the various aspects of LSE can develop and I must say, I spent more time nodding my head while reading this book than any other.

John

[David O]

I tend to read highly technical books, but also enjoy greatly those books that are enlightening ad a bit mind bending. Here are a very, very few:

The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo (a parable with deep spiritual meaning. Written in the form of a simple story)

A Joseph Campbell Companion (cultural anthropology piece that is extremely deep and eye opening. Any book that starts with: "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are" is designed to bend, unravel, provoke, confront and challenge who you think you are)

Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology... about understanding and bringing about positive emotion. It is the Anti DSM IV book in that it focuses on how happiness can be created by living life


Wisdom of the Desert Fathers-- parables and saying from the 400 year silent period during the exile when Jews were not allowed to write anything down, stories were passed down (you can get many of these off the web by simply putting in Wisdom of the Desert Fathers)

Forgive and Forget-- a religious and spiritual look at forgiveness written not as a Biblical book, but as a psychological masterpiece

The Power of Now- living in the present is the most real path to true happiness

There are so many more, but I'll end with a parable (one you've likely read) that started my journey nearly 30 years ago:

From the book Illusions by Richard Bach:

Once there lived a village of creatures along the bottom of a great crystal river. The current of the river swept silently over them all--young and old, rich and poor, good and evil, the current going its own way, knowing only its own crystal self.

Each creature in its own manner clung tightly to the twigs and rocks of the river bottom, for clinging was their way of life, and resisting the current what each had learned from birth. But one creature said at last, "I am tired of clinging. Though I cannot see it with my eyes, I trust that the current knows where it is going. I shall let go, and let it take me where it will. Clinging, I shall die of boredom."

The other creatures laughed and said, "Fool! Let go, and that current you worship will throw you tumbled and smashed across the rocks and you will die quicker than boredom!" But the one heeded them not, and taking a breath did let go, and at once was tumbled and smashed by the current across the rocks.

Yet in time, as the creature refused to cling again, the current lifted him free from the bottom, and he was bruised and hurt no more. And the creatures downstream, to whom he was a stranger, cried, "See a miracle! A creature like ourselves, yet he flies! See the Messiah, come to save us all!"

And the one carried in the current said, "I am no more Messiah than you. The river delights to lift us free, if only we dare let go. Our true work is this voyage, this adventure." But they cried the more, "Savior!" all the while clinging to the rocks, and when they looked again he was gone, and they were left alone making legends of a Savior.

[IrmaJean]

I love that! There's a lot of symbolism and deep meaning in that passage. And a great message too...

I think I'll start with The Alchemist. Deep spiritual meaning sounds right up my alley. :D

Thanks, Jetliner and David for all of the recommendations. :)