Recommended Books
The following books are some of my favorites in the world. They cover a fairly wide range of topics and genres, and I’ve created this list by placing my favorites at top and then working down from there. ALL of these books are excellent, and reading what’s suggested will also give you a good understanding of the basis for Seishindo.
Charlie
Our donation to charity:
We will donate to charity 75% of the commission to be made by us, by selling books via Amazon.com. This means that for every book you buy through our site, YOU will be giving approximately US$.50 (fifty cents) to charity. We are in the process of talking to various friends of the Seishindo community to decide on who and how to give to.
We will let you know as soon as we make a decision.
| Title & Author | Charlie’s Comments | |
 |
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values |
Ya gotta read it! A great philosophical book. |
 |
Sacred Unity: Further Steps to an Ecology of Mind by Gregory Bateson |
Gregory Bateson is considered to be one of the great thinkers of the 20th century. His books are never easy reads, but always fascinating. It might just be me, but I find this book easier to grasp than some of his other writing. As usual he covers a WIDE range of topics. Sex and Culture, Human Dignity, The Science of Knowing, Double Bind Theory, etc. If you like to do some creative wondering about life, this book is a must! |
 |
Steps to an Ecology of Mind: Collected Essays in Anthropology, Psychiatry, Evolution, and Epistemology |
If you know about Gregory Bateson you have likely already read this book. If you have yet to read this book, then do so at your earliest convenience. Gregory is brilliant! He can tie the whole world together with one long string. |
 |
Mind and Nature |
A brilliant book. If you really want to understand NLP and a LOT more, this book is a must read. |
 |
The Structure of Magic Volumes 1 & 2 (A Book About Language & Therapy / A Book about Communication & Change) |
Prime time and basic NLP by two of the main guys. An IMPORTANT book. NOT an easy read, but well worth your efforts. |
 |
Trance-Formations: Neuro-Linguistic Programming and the Structure of Hypnosis by Richard Bandler John Grinder |
Prime time and basic NLP by two of the main guys. An IMPORTANT book. |
 |
Frogs Into Princes |
Prime time and basic NLP by two of the main guys. An IMPORTANT book. |
 |
Reframing |
Prime time and basic NLP by two of the main guys. An IMPORTANT book. |
 |
Patterns of the Hypnotic Techniques of Milton H. Erickson |
An excellent beginners book for those interested in how hypnosis relates to high quality communication. |
 |
Turtles All the Way Down: Prerequisites to Personal Genius |
This book is a really fine book on NLP and a lot more. It is based upon/formulates what some people called “New Code” NLP. |
 |
The Courage to Love |
Stephen is a seminal thinker in the world of therapy. This book explores a soulful, heart centered approach to therapy. A great read if you are looking for a better way. |
 |
The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance |
Simple, and brilliant. Give his two books listed here, a try. I think that this is a MUST book for coaches of all kinds. |
 |
The Inner Game of Work: Focus, Learning, Pleasure, and Mobility in the Workplace |
|
 |
The Second Brain : The Scientific Basis of Gut Instinct |
Medical researcher Michael Gershon tells us all about the second brain we all have residing in our gut. A must read if you want to stay current in regard to mind-body concepts. |
 |
The Strange, Familiar, and Forgotten |
I think this is a brilliant book and it is hard to understand how it went out of print. Read this book if you would like to think about the brain and how it works, in a very different way than you were taught in school. |
 |
Molecules of Emotion |
A VERY interesting take on “mind” and emotion, by a well known scientific researcher. |
 |
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards |
A groundbreaking book on drawing, “seeing” and learning. I was amazed at how much my drawing ability improved when I followed the exercises in the book. |
 |
At Home in the Universe |
Not a simple read, but a fantastic one nonetheless. If you like to think about chaos, evolution, and other cool stuff, then you will find this book VERY interesting. |
 |
Mount Analogue |
This book is a 20th century classic. One of the very best books I have ever read. A beautiful metaphor of life. |
 |
Autobiography of a Yogi by Yogananda |
This book is filled with light. You will be touched by this story, and it also is a great book to learn from. |
 |
Gifts of Unknown Things: A True Story of Nature, Healing, and Initiation from Indonesia’s Dancing Island |
Lyall Watson is a genius and a great and prolific writer. This book I would call a “scientific novel.” It is very special. |
 |
Action Theater – The Improvisation of Presence |
This lady is very talented. She has some wonderful ideas and some fantastic exercises. A great book for anyone who teaches workshops and wants to learn how to be more improvisational, and how to have PRESENCE. |
 |
I Heard God Laughing – Renderings of Hafiz |
Great poetry from a Middle Eastern mystic of years gone by |
 |
Leadership and The New Science |
If you are a student of organizations and leadership, then this book is a must. Margaret Wheatley is a very engaging writer, and she is highly regarded worldwide. |
 |
Maverick by Ricardo Semler |
The cover says “The success story behind the world’s most Unusual Workplace”. I think that this man has some genius ideas on how to “manage” organizations and get people really involved. |
 |
New and Selected Poems |
Beautiful, heart warming, evocative. |
 |
Pure Heart, Enlightened Mind: The Life and Letters of an Irish Zen Saint |
This book is filled with energy. I mean this quite literally. It gives a wonderful glimpse into the life of a Zen monk. The monk is a young Irish American girl. A FANTASTIC read. |
 |
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy |
This is an awesome read. A fairy tale called “life.” |
 |
Open Space Technology |
A very workable wholistic take on groups, teams, resolving conflict, getting complex tasks done. A very special book. |
 |
Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre by Keith Johnstone |
Terrific book on improvisation, and more. |
Pages: 1 2