Books | emilyklikcst

Listed below are some of the books I've enjoyed about healing, bodywork, human physiology, meditation, and more.

Breath by James Nestor. "The New Science of a Lost Art" https://www.mrjamesnestor.com/

Everyone who is alive breathes. In this book, the author has explored research from all over the world and multiple cultures. He interviewed therapists, dentists, and pulmonologists. He took part in a Stanford experiment concerning breath. He includes breathing techniques that anyone can access, and his techniques are also changing my breathing for the better. Here are some of the instructional videos he offers about breathing: https://www.mrjamesnestor.com/breathing-videos

Stolen Focus by Johann Hari. "Why you can't pay attention - And how to think deeply again". https://stolenfocusbook.com/

In this book, the author has performed and described extensive research into our human attention span. He gives many reasons behind our challenges to paying attention and gives some very useful tips on how to get your focus back.

Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers (and why humans do) by Dr Robert Sapolsky PhD. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why_Zebras_Don%27t_Get_Ulcers

This is a highly useful book for understanding the science behind our human experience of stress, and all the harm that stress inflicts. Dr Sapolsky's writing is humorous, thorough, well-written, and easy to digest. He offers deep insight about our human stress response. Plus he has a magnificent beard.

Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst, By Dr Robert Sapolsky PhD https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behave_(book)

In this book, Dr Sapolsky details the influences on our behavior. He includes those that happen seconds before, such as neurological responses, to thousands of years prior, such as the genetics that hardwired our brains. Again, his writing is humorous, insightful, intelligent, and moving. I've read it twice already, and love it.

The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk MD. "Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma" https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score

In this book, the author describes how trauma impacts our mind, body, emotions, physiology, neurology, and spirit. He goes into depth why healing trauma can seem monumentally impossible. He includes various modalities that have been effective for healing and re-integrating the mind and body, and releasing the long-term effects of trauma.

How the immune system works, by Lauren Sompayrac

This book is a crash course in immune function. The author covers the immune system in great detail, how the various layers of our immune system function to constantly protect us from actively decaying where we stand (seriously). He describes the relationship between innate and adaptive divisions of immune function, and how that balance keeps us alive, while staying in check.

Bodhisattva Mind: Teachings to Cultivate Courage and Awareness in the Midst of Suffering (audiobook) by Pema Chodron

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pema_Ch%C3%B6dr%C3%B6n_bibliography

I've listened to her words at least a dozen times now. She describes the way of the Bodhisattva, and how to connect with inner peace, while serving a healthy dose of humor and insight. I plan to read much more of her work, and recommend anything she offers.

Peace Is Every Step, by Thich Nhat Hanh

This is a sweet book that teaches inner peace, how to find it, how to express it, with every step. He speaks of smiling with your energy, with your breath, with the spirit.

The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama

As someone who previously wrestled with anger, this book was a game changer. Currently, when I mention having anger-management issues, the response is usually disbelief. This suggests progress, and reading this book helped me to take the first step.

Healing Anger by the Dalai Lama

This was another step in my journey toward shedding anger. I recommend thoroughly.

The Universe in a Single Atom the convergence of science with spirituality, by the Dalai Lama

This book describes the Dalai Lama's journey and appreciation for exploring science and spirituality.