Reading is one of the most powerful ways to expand your mind and get introduced to new ideas. But sometimes finding a book that really resonates with your path can be a chore. Over the years, there are several books that have really stuck with me, books that I think of or reference from time to time. I can honestly say these books have actually added substance to my life.

Next time you are looking for a new book to dive into, check out these titles below and leave a comment if you’ve read any of these wonderful life-changing books.

The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho

You have probably heard of this book, it’s an incredibly popular novel, especially among spiritual folks. So popular that I thought it was overrated until I finally gave it a chance. I was glad that I did.

The Alchemist is about a young man following his path no matter what boundaries get in his way. It is also set in the middle east which is a very colorful and interesting setting.

Being a quick read, its story is impactful and if you are into the “magic” behind our lives, this is a super insightful read. Not only is it an entertaining and fun read, but you will also be able to recount the story and discuss the meaning behind the story with practically every yogi you will ever meet. Paulo Coelho also has a large array of other books that I have heard are quite good.

The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle

There are enough spiritual books out there to make your head spin… But if you are going to read just one, make it this one. This is one of the most powerful spiritual books I have ever read. It put the world of attaining peace in the moment and a higher level of spirituality in layman’s terms. So much so that I have gifted this to folks that perhaps have never even stepped inside a yoga studio.

Tolle explains ways to calm your body and mind in ways that just make so much sense. I was so calm while reading it and I also felt incredibly empowered to continue using the techniques. Using the practices in this book also helped me greatly deepen my meditation practice.

Breath – James Nestor

Breath is such an intrinsic part of the yoga and meditation practice, but how much do we really know about our own breath or the history of how it’s been studied or practiced? That’s just what you’ll learn in this super well-researched and fascinating book all about the one thing we do all day long mostly without even thinking about it.

Nestor goes back in time to the early days of monks using their breath to achieve insane feats, to the modern day of utilizing the breath to attain the highest level of fitness and mental acuity. This book should be required reading for every human on the planet, let alone every yogi.

How to Change Your Mind – Michael Pollan

This was a very entertaining and mind-expanding read. It is not necessarily spiritual or about yoga but it is in the realm of spirituality and being able to heal oneself naturally and radically. Pollan is an excellent journalist and he dives head first into the world of psychedelics and how and why they are important in our lives and in the day and age of humanity.

I found this book incredibly insightful because yoga and meditation are used universally as a natural way to enhance our bodies and heal both physical and emotional trauma. Pollan explains how things like magic mushrooms can also help people heal in a natural way. A lot of folks in the yoga community are savvy to this idea already, so if this is something you are interested in, this book gives an overhead view of what’s happening in the world of ‘changing your mind.’

The Untethered Soul – Michael Singer

The Untethered Soul was borderline life-changing, similar to The Power of Now, this book makes climbing higher into enlightenment seem incredibly attainable. Not only that, I found this book so focused on happiness, if you or someone you know is struggling with finding happiness, this book was a great compass.

This is another book I have gifted to people I thought it could help. The way it was portrayed by the author, made being happy and open a very exciting idea and you just immediately want to start improving yourself while reading this book.