The best books to level-up spiritual entrepreneurs & artists

Why am I passionate about this?

After decades of trial and error, reading hundreds of books and applying the lessons I learned, practicing thousands of hours of meditation & emotional integration work, landing in jail multiple times, battling 20 years of chronic fatigue, surviving a prolonged life/death illness, losing everything, becoming homeless, and rebuilding myself anew, I’ve seen a few things. When I emerged from the abyss, and without my conscious awareness of the fact, I had become transformed. I had become who I’d been seeking all along. Now I hold the space for my clients to express themselves unconditionally, access their deeply held suppressed emotional charges, and shatter the beliefs that keep them tethered to an outdated reality that is fast becoming obsolete in the New Earth.


I wrote...

State of Mind 2.0: 11 Lessons of the Most Productive People on the Planet

By Christopher A. Pinckley,

Book cover of State of Mind 2.0: 11 Lessons of the Most Productive People on the Planet

What is my book about?

You have a big idea and you want to shock the world. But, you’ve tried to get yourself going and constantly get sidetracked. Or, you’re trying to expand your business to go global, but you can’t seem to break through the barriers to entry. Or, you’re a business leader, but you don’t seem to command the level of respect that you need in order to make the kind of impact that you want.

In State of Mind 2.0 spiritual performance Coach Christopher Pinckley explains the secret formula that creates the type of individual who will achieve any goal, command the utmost respect as a leader, and has the ability to create a global impact.

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

The books I picked & why

Book cover of The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

Christopher A. Pinckley Why did I love this book?

A must-read for any entrepreneur or artist, Pressfield eloquently and deftly ferrets out the #1 killer of all dreams of all time: resistance. He gives countless real-life examples that the reader can relate to and leaves no stone unturned. Regardless if you are an athlete, entrepreneur, artist, actor, or writer, you must defeat your own inner resistance in order to gain forward momentum. This book lets you know, in no uncertain terms, that your problems aren’t special, they’re ordinary. This book helped to turn me into a goal-achieving, resistance defeating assassin that gets the job done!

By Steven Pressfield,

Why should I read it?

22 authors picked The War of Art as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A succinct, engaging, and practical guide forsucceeding in any creative sphere, The War ofArt is nothing less than Sun-Tzu for the soul.

What keeps so many of us from doing what we long to do?

Why is there a naysayer within? How can we avoid theroadblocks of any creative endeavor—be it starting up a dreambusiness venture, writing a novel, or painting a masterpiece?

Bestselling novelist Steven Pressfield identifies the enemy thatevery one of us must face, outlines a battle plan to conquer thisinternal foe, then pinpoints just how to achieve the greatest success.

The War of Art emphasizes the resolve…


Book cover of Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers

Christopher A. Pinckley Why did I love this book?

The magic of Tim Ferris is that his attention to detail is second to none. Thus, when he decided to turn his insanely insightful podcast with an ‘A List’ of some of the most amazing, goal-achieving maniacs on the planet, I was excited to see how it would turn out. And, let me tell you, he did not disappoint! If you want a detailed list of the habits, tactics, rituals, routines, diets, supplements, exercise routines, and mind/body practices of the world’s best of the best, then you’ve got the book of all time. I can’t recommend it enough. If this book doesn’t help you to level up, then go back and reread it, and take notes this time.

By Timothy Ferriss,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Tools of Titans as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

#1 New York Times Bestseller

The latest groundbreaking tome from Tim Ferriss, the best-selling author of The 4-Hour Workweek.

From the author: "For the last two years, I've interviewed nearly two hundred world-class performers for my podcast,The Tim Ferriss Show. The guests range from super celebs (Jamie Foxx, Arnold Schwarzenegger, etc.) and athletes (icons of powerlifting, gymnastics, surfing, etc.) to legendary Special Operations commanders and black-market biochemists. For most of my guests, it's the first time they've agreed to a two-to-three-hour interview, and the show is on the cusp of passing 100 million downloads.

"This book contains the distilled tools,…


Book cover of Oneness

Christopher A. Pinckley Why did I love this book?

The thing is, you might not understand how this book fits into this category. At first glance, it doesn’t. Yet, if you want to negotiate this powerfully unprecedented time period in history, then this is the book to do it. The value in understanding what this chaotic time period, filled with massive upheaval and unconscious reactivity, is that you can begin to utilize it to leverage your growth and expansion. This book will help you to make sense of it all and definitely harness your energy to manifest the life that you want. Oneness seamlessly ties in the art of utilizing your energy to manifest, the esoteric concept of ascension, integrating your suppressed emotional charges, and bringing outdated life themes to an end. This book gave me more ‘ah ha’ moments than any other ten books I’ve ever read together.

By Rasha,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Oneness as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Every now and then a book comes along that is so powerful that words cannot describe the experience people start having when they read it. These rare, life-changing books always seem to show up at the perfect moment in time, exactly when we all need it the most. Oneness is such a book--one that will change your life.

In February 1998, Rasha began a profound dialogue with the universal Presence, "Oneness"--the Divinity we all share. Word for word, she transcribed the principles for a new understanding of the mystery we call "life." These teachings empower us to take a quantum…


Book cover of How to Use the Laws of Mind

Christopher A. Pinckley Why did I love this book?

The first, biggest breakthrough I had in life with business, money, and creating what I wanted came when I began reading Dr. Joseph Murphy. I started with his first book The Power of Your Subconscious Mind but my favorite is How to Use the Laws of Mind. Dr. Murphy explains how it became his life mission to interpret the metaphors and hidden messages within the bible into real-life methods on how to harness your own subconscious mind to create the life that you deserve. When I began utilizing affirmations it changed my life.

At the time I was a struggling personal trainer trying to figure out how to get clients in an area swarming with hundreds of other trainers trying to do the exact same thing. When I began utilizing the affirmations in his books it changed everything. Overnight, I booked out solid and became successful. If you want to unlock the power of your subconscious mind then this book will do it, no question.

By Joseph Murphy,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked How to Use the Laws of Mind as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This is one of Dr. Murphy’s best books, on a par with his classic The Power of your Subconscious Mind.<.I> It explains the difference between the conscious and subconscious mind, and how the two work together to create the reality of the individual.

As in Murphy’s other books, examples are given of how people overcame problems or manifested their desires by changing their minds through belief, affirmation, and visualization. The chapters deal with: HEALING PRAYER BECOMING SPIRITUAL-MINDED THE CREATIVITY OF THOUGHT THE MEANING OF EVIL THE MEANING OF LIFE CONTROLLING ONE’S FEAR THE POWER OF SUGGESTION MARRIAGE, SEX, AND DIVORCEIn…


Book cover of Power vs. Force

Christopher A. Pinckley Why did I love this book?

The first book to ever quantify levels of consciousness. This book gave me an understanding of how everything in existence has an inherent level of consciousness as well as the value in working to elevate my own. A key component of this book comes when you begin to see the amazing benefits of aligning yourself with high-level attractor patterns. Once you realize that everything has a unique level of consciousness then you realize that you want to align to the highest potential level possible. Understanding this will help you to break barriers in life and business.

By David R. Hawkins,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Power vs. Force as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This classic text explores how we as individuals can move towards our ultimate potential through understanding human behaviour and enhancing our level of consciousness.

Building on the accumulated wisdom of applied kinesiology (diagnostic muscle-testing to determine the causes of allergies and ailments) and behavioural kinesiology (muscle-testing to determine emotional responses to stimuli), David R. Hawkins MD, PhD has taken muscle-testing to the next level, in an effort to determine what makes people and systems strong, healthy, effective and spiritually sound.

Power vs. Force has become a spiritual classic and massively influential across the world. Now, Dr Hawkins reflects on his…


You might also like...

Creativity, Teaching, and Natural Inspiration

By Mark Doherty,

Book cover of Creativity, Teaching, and Natural Inspiration

Mark Doherty Author Of Creativity, Teaching, and Natural Inspiration

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a highly experienced outdoorsman, musician, songwriter, and backcountry guide who chose teaching as a day job. As a writer, however, I am a promoter of creative and literary nonfiction, especially nonfiction that features a thematic thread, whether it be philosophical, conservation, historical, or even unique experiential. The thread I used for thirty years of teaching high school and honors English was the thread of Conservation, as exemplified by authors like Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson, Edward O. Wilson, Al Gore, Henry David Thoreau, as well as many other more contemporary authors.

Mark's book list on creative nonfiction books that entertain and teach through threaded essays and stories

What is my book about?

I have woven numerous delightful and descriptive true life stories, many from my adventures as an outdoorsman and singer songwriter, into my life as a high school English teacher. I think you'll find this work both entertaining as well as informative, and I hope you enjoy the often lighthearted repartee and dialogue that enhances the stories and experiences.

When I started teaching in the early 1990s, I brought into the classroom with me my passions for nature, folk music, and creativity. This book holds something new and engaging with every chapter and can be enjoyed by all sorts of readers, particularly those who enjoy nonfiction that employs wit, wisdom, humor, and even some down-to-earth philosophy.

Creativity, Teaching, and Natural Inspiration

By Mark Doherty,

What is this book about?

Creativity, Teaching, and Natural Inspiration follows the evolution of a high school English teacher as he develops a creative and innovative teaching style despite being juxtaposed against a public education system bent on didactic, normalizing regulations and political demands. Doherty crafts an engaging nonfiction story that utilizes memoir, anecdote, poetry, and dialogue to explore how mixing creativity and pedagogy can change the way budding students visualize creative writing: A chunk of firewood plunked on a classroom table becomes part of a sawmill, a mine timber, an Anasazi artifact...it also becomes a poem, a song, an essay, and a memoir. The…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in life satisfaction, procrastination, and subconscious?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about life satisfaction, procrastination, and subconscious.

Life Satisfaction Explore 209 books about life satisfaction
Procrastination Explore 15 books about procrastination
Subconscious Explore 24 books about subconscious