We all want to find meaning, get wise advice, and have a map for living our best lives.
While the answers aren't always easy, these amazing books offer timeless guidance on how to live with purpose, strength, and fulfillment.
The Lasting Wisdom of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations
Written by the Roman leader almost 2,000 years ago, Meditations contains mind-blowing wisdom that is still so relevant today.
Through powerful philosophy, Aurelius teaches us how to live with virtue, self-control and inner peace even when life throws us curveballs.
Just as a sturdy oak tree withstands storms by being rooted in strength and flexibility, his words help make your mind and soul more resilient.
Thoreau's Walden: A Call for Simple, Intentional Living
When Henry David Thoreau retreated to a cabin in the woods near Walden Pond, he discovered deep insights on finding meaning beyond just making money.
Much like peeling away the inessential layers of an onion, his memoir inspires us to live simply, be self-reliant, and grow your spiritual side through solitude and enjoying nature's bounty.
Walden will motivate you to live more intentionally, being selective about what you let occupy your time and energy.
The Transformative Eastern Way of Thinking
Constantly pulled between opposite forces like work and rest, ambition and contentment?
François Jullien's The Philosophy of Living draws from Chinese and Japanese thought to develop an enlightening strategy for navigating life's inherent uncertainty and imbalances.
Like walking a tightrope, Jullien reveals how to find equilibrium between opposing forces by living in the present moment and the "in-between" state.
Siddartha: A Journey to Spiritual Awakening
We've all felt restless and questioned our purpose at times, just like the young protagonist in Herman Hesse's classic novel.
Through his relatable search for enlightenment and life's deeper realities, Siddartha contains profound insights on finding your authentic path.
Like a lotus blossoming out of muddy waters, the book explores themes like ego, suffering, and the importance of living fully with compassion and mindfulness.
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
If anyone understood the human capacity to overcome unimaginable suffering and find meaning, it was Viktor Frankl.
This memoir by the Holocaust survivor and psychologist details his experiences in Nazi death camps and his therapy method of finding purpose even amid extreme adversity.
Like a lone flame continuing to burn during a raging storm, Frankl's timeless lessons about discovering your life's meaning and cultivating an unbreakable spirit have inspired millions.
The Consolations of Philosophy by Alain de Botton
Got troubles?
Like a reassuring friend, De Botton draws on the wisdom of famous philosophers to help us deal with all-too-relatable modern problems like being unpopular, feeling inadequate, heartbreak, and job difficulties.
This book shows how philosophy, when embraced with open arms, can truly console us through life's challenges.
The Book of Joy by Dalai Lama & Desmond Tutu
What makes a life truly joyful?
Two of the warmest, most resilient human spirits on the planet share their perspectives in this book.
Even after experiencing immense suffering and adversity akin to being pounded by crashing ocean waves, the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu's dialogue blends ancient wisdom with modern insights on achieving lasting happiness and spreading more compassion in the world.
Letters from a Stoic by Seneca
Before the self-help aisle was even a thing, the ancient philosopher Seneca was sharing wisdom to help his friends and students live their best lives.
This collection of his moral letters contains insights as profound as they are practical, covering virtue, human nature, anger, grief and other core aspects of the art of living well.
His advice is like a steady lighthouse beam helping navigate rough waters.
The Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle
Just as a master craftsman lays out a blueprint before building, Aristotle constructed one of the most important philosophical game plans for living an ethical, flourishing life.
His famous work is considered one of the most influential accounts of how to cultivate virtue and practical wisdom to achieve eudaimonia - the ultimate goal of truly flourishing as a human being.
Aristotle's teachings continue influencing modern ideas about character and happiness.
And That’s It
The diverse perspectives in these books - philosophical, religious, and secular - can serve as insightful guides for living a meaningful, ethical, and fulfilling life.
No matter your background, these transformative reads can help light your path toward deeper meaning, wisdom, and personal growth.
The journey to living well is an eternal one.
These books will show you the way.
-Hakan
Eternal Reads