The most creative activity books for mind, body, and spirit

Why am I passionate about this?

I grew up in Los Angeles and attended a progressive experiential learning school. The libraries were my classroom, the parks my playgrounds, and our twice-weekly field trips developed my journalistic skills. The week began with a contract agreement between myself and my teacher. My education made me a self-starter. My home was emotionally volatile. I became curious about healing: aligning my heart, mind, body, and spirit. My path unfolded to me. I became an actress on Broadway as my parents divorced and my school fell apart. My training in my mobile school delivered me into the real world. I was hungry to feel whole. Thus began my journey. 


I wrote...

Yogalosophy: 28 Days to the Ultimate Mind-Body Makeover

By Mandy Ingber,

Book cover of Yogalosophy: 28 Days to the Ultimate Mind-Body Makeover

What is my book about?

My wellness workbook reveals my health and fitness philosophy. I provide a comprehensive workout plan with yoga at its core. Yogalosophy® helps readers align heart, mind, body, and spirit through daily action plans and short-term goals.

As one of the most sought-after fitness and wellness advisors in Los Angeles, my clients include Jennifer Aniston, Kate Beckinsale, Helen Hunt, and Brooke Shields. In my book, I offer a unique 28-day plan. This handbook provides an accessible program of proven workouts, eating guidelines, meditations, daily playlists, breathing techniques, and extra credit activities designed to transform and strengthen your mind, body, and spirit.

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Artist's Way

Mandy Ingber Why did I love this book?

This book was a perfect companion for my creative process. I first tried it when it was originally published, and I wanted to jump-start my creativity.

As an actor, author, and artist, I needed something to motivate me. When I put myself into action and got help with a daily structure, my mindset and life completely shifted. It helped me tap into and stretch myself to do what I would normally not do alone.

By Julia Cameron,

Why should I read it?

13 authors picked The Artist's Way as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"With its gentle affirmations, inspirational quotes, fill-in-the-blank lists and tasks — write yourself a thank-you letter, describe yourself at 80, for example — The Artist’s Way proposes an egalitarian view of creativity: Everyone’s got it."—The New York Times 
 
"Morning Pages have become a household name, a shorthand for unlocking your creative potential"—Vogue

Over four million copies sold!

Since its first publication, The Artist's Way phenomena has inspired the genius of Elizabeth Gilbert and millions of readers to embark on a creative journey and find a deeper connection to process and purpose. Julia Cameron's novel approach guides readers in uncovering problems…


Book cover of The Creative Act: A Way of Being

Mandy Ingber Why did I love this book?

Rick Rubin is the prototype for my perfect man. Since I have a huge crush on his brain and voice (I could listen to him have a conversation all day), it is no surprise that I love his book outlining the creative process. It feels like it was channeled.

I use it as a daily reader, selecting a page for the day to contemplate during my morning meditation. I love the bite-sized wisdom, which feels like I could have thought of or written it myself—universal truth nuggets. 

By Rick Rubin,

Why should I read it?

12 authors picked The Creative Act as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The #1 New York Times bestseller.

From the legendary music producer, a master at helping people connect with the wellsprings of their creativity, comes a beautifully crafted book many years in the making that offers that same deep wisdom to all of us.

"A gorgeous and inspiring work of art on creation, creativity, the work of the artist. It will gladden the hearts of writers and artists everywhere, and get them working again with a new sense of meaning and direction. A stunning accomplishment.” —Anne Lamott

“I set out to write a book about what to do to make a…


Book cover of Draw Every Day, Draw Every Way (Guided Sketchbook): Sketch, Paint, and Doodle Through One Creative Year

Mandy Ingber Why did I love this book?

I was bed-bound, post-car accident. I was so injured that I was unable to open a window on my own for several months. I needed a routine and an outlet to help me have purpose without being mobile. Journaling was great, but I wanted something non-verbal and non-linear that helped me to feel joy.

Each daily prompt gave me a subject, art material guidance, and a theme without having to come up with the idea myself. At the end of 3 months, I had 90 new drawings. I even sold a couple of the drawings that I posted and got hired for a commissioned piece. All because I followed along. It made me feel like a kid again.

By Jennifer Orkin Lewis,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Draw Every Day, Draw Every Way (Guided Sketchbook) as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Embarking on a daily creative project has become a phenomenon in recent years. Conceived by illustrator Jennifer Orkin Lewis, this guided journal is both a container and a cheerleader for carving out a moment of self-expression each day. To conquer the intimidating prospect of filling 365 blank spaces, Lewis divides the journal into twelve monthly themes and provides prompts suggesting what to draw each day. Each month begins with an inspiring tutorial that shows you how to draw with different materials: ballpoint pens, metallic gel pens, coloured pencils, paint and collage. The entries are not dated. You can work through…


Book cover of Awakening the Heroes Within: Twelve Archetypes to Help Us Find Ourselves and Transform Our World

Mandy Ingber Why did I love this book?

This book is an incredible reference book. I used it as an actor in one of my favorite acting classes. During rehearsal, we used archetypes to help flesh out and explore our characters. This technique felt groundbreaking.

Since archetypes are essential to character development, and we each possess every archetype within us, this book was a staple for me in my creative development. I will go so far as to say that this book was a portal for me to access the teacher in me and expanded me out of my actor self and into my author self.

By Carol S. Pearson,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Awakening the Heroes Within as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This companion to the bestselling THE HERO WITHIN outlines twelve archetypal patterns that can aid inner development and the quest for wholeness.


Book cover of Astrology for the Soul

Mandy Ingber Why did I love this book?

I give this book to all of my clients. It’s a reference book that helps to identify the individual soul’s purpose for being. I love this book because it permitted me to lean into the leadership part of myself. It encouraged me to lean into what was uncomfortable.

When I follow an aspect of my nature that I know I need but am afraid to be, my life falls into place. For me, being selfish is a virtue. Who would have thought?! When I find myself saying, “That’s not fair,” or thinking in a “tit for tat” way, I can be sure that I am falling into old habits.

It’s different for everyone, but take my word for it: this book is mind-blowing. It includes meditations and questions to ask yourself.

By Jan Spiller,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Astrology for the Soul as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

For the first time ever, a famous spiritual astrologer shares the secrets, previously known only to professionals, that hold the key to your future.

Astrologer Jan Spiller shows you the key to discovering your hidden talents, your deepest desires, and the ways you can avoid negative influences that may distract you from achieving your true life purpose, as revealed in your chart by the position of the North Node of the Moon. With insight and depth impossible to gain from the commonly known sun-sign profiles, the enlightening self-portrait offered by the Nodes of the Moon can explain the life lessons…


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Mindleap: A Fresh View of Education Empowered by Neuroscience and Systems Thinking

By Jim Brown,

Book cover of Mindleap: A Fresh View of Education Empowered by Neuroscience and Systems Thinking

Jim Brown Author Of Mindleap: A Fresh View of Education Empowered by Neuroscience and Systems Thinking

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I have spent my entire professional life quietly patrolling the frontiers of understanding human consciousness. I was an early adopter in the burgeoning field of biofeedback, then neurofeedback and neuroscience, plus theory and practices of humanistic and transpersonal psychology, plus steeping myself in systems theory as a context for all these other fields of focus. I hold a MS in psychology from San Francisco State University and a PhD from Saybrook Institute. I live in Mount Shasta CA with Molly, my life partner for over 60 years. We have two sons and two grandchildren.

Jim's book list on brain, mind, and consciousness

What is my book about?

In this thoroughly researched and exquisitely crafted treatise, Jim Brown synthesizes the newest understandings in neuroscience, developmental psychology, and dynamical systems theory for educators and others committed to nurturing human development.

He explains complex concepts in down-to-earth terms, suggesting how these understandings can transform education to engender optimal learning and intelligence. He explores the nature of consciousness, intelligence, and mind.

Brown then offers a model of optimal human learning through lifelong brain development within a supportive culture--drawing on the work of Piaget, Erickson, Maslow, Kohlberg, and Steiner--and how that work is being vastly expanded by neuroscience and dynamical systems thinking.

Mindleap: A Fresh View of Education Empowered by Neuroscience and Systems Thinking

By Jim Brown,

What is this book about?

In this thoroughly-researched and exquisitely crafted treatise, Jim Brown synthesizes the newest understandings in neuroscience, developmental psychology, and dynamical systems theory for educators and others committed to nurturing human development. He explains complex concepts in down-to-earth terms, suggesting how these understandings can transform education to truly engender optimal learning and intelligence. He explores the nature of consciousness, intelligence, and mind. Brown then offers a model of optimal human learning through life-long brain development within a supportive culture--drawing on the work of Piaget, Erickson, Maslow, Kohlberg, and Steiner--and how that work is being vastly expanded by neuroscience and dynamical systems thinking.


5 book lists we think you will like!

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11,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about creativity, archetypes, and self-actualization.

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