Where I find inspiration, creativity, and wisdom to share.
While teaching, I provide my own musings and present readings from inspirational people who are far more eloquent than I am. After numerous requests, I am providing some of my favourite writers, philosophers, and poets here.
I won’t list all the purchase/publishing information, but I have tried to cover the ones I use most often. I will say that most of these books were purchased from local bookstores here in Victoria, and I encourage you to explore and support them. They can order many titles if the book you seek isn’t on their shelves already.
Readers List
Baba Hari Das
An Indian yoga master who practiced mauni sadhu (continual silence), Baba Hari Das (born 26 March 1923 in Almora, India; died 25 September 2018 in Bonny Doon, California, USA) emigrated to North America in 1971, where he taught and inspired generations of yoga practitioners with his system of teaching Ashtanga Yoga. Throughout that time, Sri Rama Publishing was created to publish his works, including transcribed study guides to The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, instructional materials to support his teaching, collections of his letters to students, and his philosophical writings. I own and work with the following books, but there are more available through the publisher: https://srirampublishing.org/
Books I reference:
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Study Guides for Books 1-4
Essays on the Search for Peace in Daily Life, Volume 1: Binding Thoughts and Liberation
Silence Speaks
Yung Pueblo
Diego Perez is an author known by his pen name, Yung Pueblo. His writing focuses on the power of self-healing, the creation of healthy relationships, and the wisdom that comes from truly working to know ourselves. Much of Diego’s inspiration comes from the many silent meditation courses he has sat in over the last 13 years. You can order his books through his website: https://yungpueblo.com/books-1
Books I reference:
inward
clarity & connection
the way forward
Richard Wagamese
Richard Wagamese, novelist, journalist, mentor (born 14 October 1955 in northwestern Ontario, Canada; died 10 March 2017 in Kamloops, BC, Canada). A well-known Indigenous writer in Canada, Richard Wagamese, won several awards, including the Canada Council for the Arts Molson Prize (2013) and the Writers’ Trust of Canada’s Matt Cohen Award (2015). His works speak about the historical and contemporary socio-economic issues affecting Indigenous communities in Canada. They also bring attention to issues regarding Indigenous identity, culture and truth and reconciliation. A beloved writer, Wagamese’s works have inspired many Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and writers alike. You can purchase his books locally from any local bookstore, or through the publisher, Douglas and McIntyre: https://douglas-mcintyre.com/collections/Richard-Wagamese
Book I reference:
Embers: One Ojibway’s Meditations
Rebecca Campbell
Rebecca Campbell is a transformational author, mystic, artist, speaker, teacher, and podcaster who supports people in connecting with their soul. Rebecca Campbell is an international bestselling writer, poet, healer, ritualist, spiritual teacher, visionary, artist and mystic who has been featured in Vogue, The Sunday Times, Oprah.com, and Psychologies Magazine. You can purchase her books locally from any local bookstore or through her website: https://shop.rebeccacampbell.me/
Jess Housty
Jess is a Haíɫzaqv parent, land-based educator, and award-winning poet living in their homelands in the community of Bella Bella, BC.
Jess serves their Haíɫzaqv community as the Executive Director of Qqs (Eyes) Projects Society, and serves the wider BC Central Coast region as the Lead at Coastal Foodways. They also serve as a Co-Lead with the Right Relations Collaborative to support just and equitable relationships between Indigenous changemakers and the philanthropic sector. You can order Jess’ debut book of poetry directly from Harbour Publishing or from your favourite local bookstore.
Book I reference:
Crushed Wild Mint
Courtney Peppernell,
Courtney Peppernell is an internationally best-selling author from Australia, known for her deeply moving poetry and storytelling. You can purchase her books locally from any local bookstore or through her website: https://www.peppernell.com/
Book I reference:
Watering the Soul
Poets and Philosophers
There are so many brilliant poets and philosophers who share their ideas in beautiful ways. Here are the ones I keep coming back to, again and again, for reference during my practice.
Emory Hall, made of rivers
Robert Frost, The Poetry of Robert Frost
Thich Nhat Hanh, the pocket
Mary Oliver
Danna Faulds
David Whyte
Wendell Barry
I am happy to discuss these (or any) books anytime. If you have any recommendations that I can add to my reading list, please share them with me.