CHAARG Book Club: Self-Love Reads
I frequently get asked — “What books do you recommend to start on the path of self-love//self-healing?” My immediate answer = A Return To Love. But, there are so many other incredible books that I’ve read that have also made an impact on my journey. I wanted to share with you all of my favorite self-love reads in one post! Here we go…
#1] A Return To Love + A Course In Miracles
How many times can I mention A Return To Love until you read it? : ) My absolute favorite quote is from A Return To Love [chances are you’ve heard of it] —
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves — Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. ++ as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”
A Return To Love is based off the channeled text, A Course In Miracles [ACIM]. I’m currently going through ACIM right now. It’s a massive book with a year long study guide [yes, year long… ; )]. Read A Return To Love first, ++ if you are into it, think about diving into ACIM! // Grab A Return To Love // Grab A Course In Miracles
#2] The Four Agreements
This is my second most recommended book : ) These four simple agreements have the power to change your life— #1] Be impeccable with your word, #2] Don’t take anything personally, #3] Don’t make assumptions, #4] Always do your best. I plan on reading this book every year until my death on earth. Also, it’s a great read for a *CHAARG Book Club* — see discussion questions here! // Grab The Four Agreements
#3] Radical Acceptance
The author of this book is one of my favorite meditation teachers, Tara Brach [listen to her guided meditations here!]. She shares stories + techniques that help awaken people from “ the trance of unworthiness” ++ instead, to hold every experience with compassion. // Grab Radical Acceptance
#4] The Universe Has Your Back
Gabby Bernstein is definitely on my *people I want to meet in this lifetime* list. This book led me to my sign [a purple tulip 💜] which has then led me down an incredibly beautiful path with a deeper spiritual awareness + self-love. Highly recommend this book to any of you guys looking for confirmation that THE UNIVERSE HAS YOUR BACK. // Grab The Universe Has Your Back
#5] Miracles Now
Another book by Gabby! The book’s subtitle — 108 Life-Changing Tools For Less Stress, More Flow, + Finding Your True Purpose — speaks to everyone’s souls. All of the “tools” are 1–2 pages + include miracle messages, such as — *give more of what you want to receive* + *let your intimate relationships be your greatest learning devices for spiritual growth + healing.* It’s a perfect book to open up whenever you need an immediate dose of inspiration. // Grab Miracles Now
#6] Perfectly Yourself
I’m going through this book right now with my bible study [the subtitle — “Discovering God’s Dream For You”]. Matthew Kelly addresses the opportunities ++ challenges we encounter when we ask ourselves: Who am I + what am I here for? Ultimately, it sheds light on how to embrace being ~perfectly yourself~ — finding the balance in accepting yourself, while striving to reach your fullest potential. Every chapter has reflection prompts, which I’ve been enjoying. // Grab Perfectly Yourself
#7] Resisting Happiness
Another Matthew Kelly book —this one talks about how we are constantly faced with resistance ++ that, ultimately, it is resistance that is preventing us from true happiness. I wrote about one of the chapters, “The Power of Habits,” in this post. // Grab Resisting Happiness
#8] Choose Yourself
I’m a big fan of James Altucher. While a lot of self-love books I’ve read are either very *lovey dovey* or ~new agey~, this one is very quirky + straightforward [the subtitle, lol: Be Happy, Make Millions, Live The Dream]. It’s about choosing yourself every day [if you don’t make courageous choices for yourself, nobody else will], + creating opportunities for yourself. // Grab Choose Yourself
#9] The Untethered Soul
Another book that I love + have written about : ) Both The Power Of Now ++ The Untethered Soul are featured in this post — The Voice Inside Your Head. I was actually just at a yoga event + the instructor shared that this book changed his life. This book dives into meditation + mindfulness ++ brings into awareness how incredibly powerful our conscious thoughts are. // Grab The Untethered Soul
#10] The Alchemist
This is a fun, easy read that I think everyone would enjoy. It tells of a boy’s search for “wordly treasure” that leads to a self-discovery journey… + ultimately, learns to listen to his heart + follow his dream. One of my favorite lines of the book — “He never realized that people are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.” // Grab The Alchemist
#11] Figure That Shift Out
I’ve worked with Chris for a couple years now — his coaching company, SightShift, is all about unblocking your fears + developing you to be the best leader//human ever. Check out his podcast for a great supplement to Figure That Shift Out [just make sure to start with the very first episode!]. // Grab Figure That Shift Out
#12] The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
This might seem like a strange recommendation for a “self-love” book — but hear me out. Marie Kondo share’s her program on how to create a clutter-free + [even more importantly] JOYFUL space. It’s amazing how getting rid of clutter truly opens up space to breathe + get to know who you are + what you want out of life. Sounds crazy, but give it a try : ) I wrote the *CHAARG notes* here, but I encourage you to go through the entire book yourself! Pick a weekend to stay inside + create the environment that is totally conducive to self-love!// Grab The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up
What are your fav self-love reads? Let me know in the comments below or on insta! Also — use the hashtag #CHAARGBookClub to share your thoughts on the books… or any others that you are reading!
Rooting for you always,
Elisabeth