7 Life-Changing Books

📷: Aziz Acharki

“Reading gives us the tools we need to heal our lives when we have to start where we are.” – Antasha Durbin

When I first started my spiritual journey 10 years ago, I had no idea how powerful I was. I didn’t know I was a creator. I didn’t know my thoughts and actions were creating my experience. I also didn’t know I was starting a “spiritual journey.” The only thing I knew was that I needed an escape from my (then) reality — a place of morbid unhappiness that was becoming more and more intolerable by the day. 

My transformation began by reading ONE book. And that book was sent to me unexpectedly, as a gift from my grandfather, during a time in my life when I couldn’t see a way out of the mess I was sitting in. As I read through the first few pages I thought, “this is such bullshit!”

But something inside of me compelled me to continue, so I did. And I took a hard look at my life that day — the deflating airbed I was sitting on, my empty bank account, the mound of debt I had gotten myself into, the bad relationships I was in and out of, and I realized I’d allowed myself to spiral completely out of control because somewhere along the way, I’d lost belief in myself.

My life changed on that day (although it took me some time to realize exactly HOW much it changed). And that one book led into many other books, and many new opportunities. 

Reading is powerful — when we read something inspirational and impactful, we’re able to remove ourselves from limiting thoughts, beliefs and ideas. And this enables us to transform our reality from the inside out! 

And if you’re where I was — lost, broken (and broke), confused and wallowing in self-doubt, then you’re ready to begin your transformation. And it might start with ONE book. 

Here are 7 books that completely changed my life, starting with that very first one! Perhaps they’ll change yours too:

1.) The Secret, By Rhonda Byrne 

I know, I know. You’ve probably heard of this book, and you may even be rolling your eyes right now. But, this stuff works. We’re all made up of energy, our thoughts included. And like energy attracts like energy so if you need a starting point, start here. 

As Rhonda Byrne says in the book, “There is no such thing as a hopeless situation. Every single circumstances of your life can change!“

The Secret is full of inspirational quotes, personal examples of others who have used its wisdom to change their lives AND you can finish it in an hour or two. 

2.) Proof of Heaven, By Eben Alexander

Reading this book will CHANGE your life. I was so impacted by its message, that I ended up buying a copy for everyone in my immediate family and lending out my copy on a rotational basis to friends.

In Proof of Heaven, Dr. Eben Alexander (who is an acclaimed neurosurgeon btw) writes about his near death experience and how it transformed his life from non-believer to believer (in the spirit life and beyond…). Alexander takes readers through an INCREDIBLE and highly detailed journey of his experience beyond the physical realm, and shares all of his learnings and discoveries within the pages of this book. 

After I read Proof of Heaven, I felt an immediate sense of certainty and peace. And now more than a year later, that feeling is still present. If you’re looking to transcend this physical realm while still here, READ THIS BOOK! 

3.) The Brain That Changes Itself, By Norman Doidge

If you’ve ever questioned your ability to break your bad habits (for good), create new habits, learn new skills at any age AND push your mind and body to do more than you ever thought possible, then this book is for you. 

The Brain That Changes Itself is a riveting read that will change the way you think about thinking and living — and ultimately change the way you THINK and LIVE!

The author, Norman Doidge, is a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who brings together a series of riveting, easily-digestible research and case studies from his interviews with patients, clinicians and research scientists to show you how the brain works, and how you can begin to rewire your brain to work WITH you rather than against you. 

After I finished this book, I finally got up the courage AND determination to launch this website and follow my dream of becoming an inspirational writer — something I continue to commit myself to on a daily, ongoing basis. And whatever your dreams are, know that you can do the same. 

4.) A Course in Miracles 

“Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists. Herein lies the peace of God.” -A Course in Miracles 

I’ll admit, this book is a massive undertaking (at a whopping 1,333 pages!) and really does merit a year’s worth of ongoing study — but, that’s the point. A Course in Miracles was created to help you, the reader, achieve spiritual transformation by gaining a real awareness of who and WHAT you are — namely, love. 

So if you’re in the throes of life, and asking yourself the big WHY questions: “Why am I here?” and “Why do I exist?” then you may be ready to tackle this yearlong course book and begin your transformation…

5.) Big Magic, By Elizabeth Gilbert

“The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them.” – Elizabeth Gilbert 

Have you ever wondered WHERE to start when you have a great idea that you want to manifest into reality? You know, that idea that is so enticing, exciting AND terrifying that you can barely keep it in? Or perhaps you want to know HOW to find the creative person within yourself.

Well, this book IS your starting point. Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love) wrote Big Magic to help inspire readers to embrace their curiosity and let go of limiting thoughts and beliefs that ultimately create unnecessary suffering. 

By adopting new habits, attitudes and approaches to life (all of which are outlined in this book) you’ll be well on your way to finding the jewels within yourself, and manifesting them into your physical reality.  

6.) The Law of Divine Compensation, By Marianne Williamson

“Spiritual growth involves giving up the stories of your past so the universe can write a new one.” –Marianne Williamson

Close your eyes and imagine your life free from financial worries. How would you choose to spend your time if money was a non-issue? Would you travel? Would you give up your 9 to 5 and finally do the thing you want to do? Would you be less stressed? Would you give more to others?

For a lot of people (myself included), money equates to freedom. Why? Because when we aren’t concerned with the numbers in our bank account, or how we’ll pay our bills, we can focus on things that TRULY matter, like creating the life we want to live and harnessing our innate talents. 

If you’re looking to understand how you can begin to overcome your financial stresses, or are wanting to attract more abundance into your life then check out The Law of Divine Compensation. You won’t be disappointed. 

7.) The Law of Attraction: The Basics of the Teachings of Abraham, By Ester and Jerry Hicks

Life. Sometimes it can seem so chaotic, overwhelming and unfair, right? But, what if I told you that you’re the creator of your own reality? What if I told you that you write the story of your life everyday from the moment to wake up until the moment you fall asleep at night? Would you believe me? 

Or would you call bullshit? I know when I first picked up this book and read it, I wondered how on earth I could have possibly created my then-reality:

“So, I’m not a victim of my circumstances?”

“I attracted these bad people into my life?”

Sometimes the truth is hard to accept, and this is no exception. It’s a shocking realization to wake up one day in the middle of a self-induced shit-storm and realize YOU are the tornado wreaking havoc on your own life. 

As Ester Hicks writes in the book, “If you knew your potential to feel good, you would ask no one to be different so that you can feel good. You would free yourself of all of that cumbersome impossibility of needing to control the world, or control your mate, or control your child. You are the only one who creates your reality. For no one else can think for you, no one else can do it. It is only you, every bit of it you.”

This book is a force to be reckoned with. It presents the teachings of Abraham — a spiritual powerhouse of beings who, through Ester Hicks, drop some serious truth bombs about life, creation, and the universe to anyone brave enough to read it. If you don’t read anything else on this list, read THIS book! 

Xx,

Antasha

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 About Antasha Durbin: Antasha is a spiritual writer, life-long student of the universe, and psychic tarot card reader. Her website, cajspirituality.com, is dedicated to casualizing the spiritual experience and making it attainable for anyone, anywhere, anytime. Follow her for free, easy-to-digest and highly actionable advice on spirituality, mindfulness and empowered living.

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