'Advanced List' means that we's about to get nerdy up in here AND that there has to be a genuine willingness to try on new ideas to receive the benefits available in these books. Many of these reads are based in paradigms that directly confront our current belief systems, so exercising an open mind is important for expanding our current paradigms.

This list concludes my 3 -part series on life-changing reads. While there are many other life-changing books out there (and I may share more lists in the future), I have chosen to share the books on this list because they have profoundly impacted how I see myself, human development, and my purpose on this earth. I hope you will explore some of them and find the same. If you do, or if you've read one of the books below, let me know in the comments! I'd love to hear about your experience.

1. Letting Go by Dr. Hawkins

2. Power Vs Force by Dr. Hawkins

I'm pairing these two together because not only are they written by the same brilliant person, the ideas he shares in each are related. These books were profoundly transformative for me and Dr. Hawkin's Map of Consciousness hangs in my room, which I hope conveys how much his work means to me. I regularly rely on and refer back to the principles in these books everyday. These are both dense reads, especially Power Vs Force, but applying these principles is truly life changing.

3. Switch On Your Brain

by Dr. Caroline Leaf

This is a unique glimpse into how the neuroplasticity of our brains opens up a deeper connection to spiritual principles. It empowers a new way of thinking and operating that's worth visiting and revisiting.

4. The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem

by Nathaniel Braden

Oooh-weee, this one is a heavy hitter and I find that I still have to work to integrate and apply the principles this brilliant mind bestows here. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up. Even one page at a time is dense with golden nuggets that can seed impactful internal shifts.

5. Super Attractor

by Gabrielle Bernstein

Sometimes books come into your life at the most divine times, as is the case for most of these books for me. This one was no exception. While I was not drawn to the title, my familiarity with the author coupled with the synchronicity of finding this book led me to a deep sense of relief and delight at how timely the lessons in this spiritual bible were for me. I strongly recommend if you are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or confused by your current circumstances.

6. Love and Respect

by Dr. Emerson Eggriches

Dense and helpful, especially if you're having communication challenges or want to improve in your close relationships. A bit of a Christian twang, which threw my non-religious spiritual self for a loop initially, but many of the perspectives on how male and female psychology seek connection is interesting.

7. The Places that Scare You by Pema Chodron

It's been a long time since I read this, but I remember feeling so comforted by the wisdom and peace offered by Chodron during a dark-night-of-the-soul type season in my life. I hope that is not where you are currently, but if you are stuck in fear, use this as an opportunity not to fight it, but embrace it with compassion.

8. The Book of Secrets by Deepak Chopra

I picked this book up several times, drawn to the cover, only to determine I wasn't ready for it until Spring of 2020 when quarantine hit. I'll admit, I found it disorienting at times in the best way. I still may reread it, as I often do, with books whose wisdom seems beyond my current grasp. There is a reason Chopra is one of the great minds of our day.

9. The Law of Divine Compensation

by Marianne Williamson

I love the emphasis on love and service as the doorway to greater abundance. I also love the idea that financial abundance is based on abundance of an internal reservoir of love and desire to do good in the world. When we are stuck in a paradigm of lack and fear, this can feel foreign and even so far as a lie. This book, along with all of the other reading I have done, served as the beginning of shifting my relationship to how I approach money and serving my community.

10. The Source

by Dr. Tara Swart

I almost didn't add this book because in truth I'm still not finished reading it, but I couldn't resist. I'm finding it to be a wonderful integration of many of the ideas explored in this and previous lists. Dr. Swart is a neuroscientist and psychologist who shares a scientifically validated perspective on how manifestation and visualization really works. She takes woo-woo ideas like abundance, harmony, and universal connection and breaks down what they mean from holistic, scientific lens. Plus, it all culminates in a creative project and you know I'm a sucker for making!

Well happy learning, folks! Go nerd out and then come back here and tell me if these changed you as much as they changed me.

Much Love,

Vita