Books are my life… my addiction… In 2021, I kept my practice of one book a week… Yet, I decided to slow down on buying new books and try to re-read, re-explore some of my old favourite and classics. Here is the list of my favourite read and re-reads in 2021:
1. The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion
With all the talk about inclusivity, tolerance and diversity; and, with all the polarization happening right now, this is a must read book. It explores how Western education have shaped or changed our definition and interpretation of ethics and morality. Although I disagree with some of the author’s ideas, I still see it as a brilliant unpacking of a serious dilemma we are facing.
2. Ideas Have Consequences
A classic! How simple seemingly innocent and harmless idea could shape the future of human kind and change our lives forever.
3. Entering the Castle: Finding the Inner Path to God & Your Soul Purpose
This book is Caroline Myss’ take on St. Teresa of Avila’s masterpiece, The Interior Castle. It explores the interpretation and application of st. Teresa's teachings in our modern everyday life. How to be a mystic without a monastery?
4. Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life
At a point in our life, we find ourselves craving deeper connection with our soul that takes our spiritual/religious practice into a higher level. Although it is written from a Christian perspective, I believe that the teachings are universal pertaining to all traditional schools of thought.
5. The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe
This book is a much more accessible and reader-friendly description of the Polyvagal Theory than dr. Porges’ first book, The Polyvagal Theory. If you work with stress, trauma, or attachment theories, this book is an important addition to your practice.
6. Soul Searching: Why Psychotherapy Must Promote Moral Responsibility
With all the hype of self-help, self-empowerment, individualization, personal freedom and all those post-modern ideas, are we taking it too far? Are we, as counsellors and therapists, catering to narcissists? Where does morality fit in our practice?
7. Ancient Beliefs and Modern Superstitions
Written in 1965, this book discusses the radical difference in worldview between the traditionalists and the modernists. It is written from a Sufi perspective and discusses whether what we call “ancient beliefs” are superstitions or are our modern theories (which are just that: theories and hypothesis) the real superstitions?
8. Physicians of the Heart
This book takes us into a deep dive into the 99 Names of God in the Muslim faith discussing how to apply and embody their meaning to reach our full potential as human beings.
9. Applying Islamic Principles to Clinical Mental Health Care
Finally!!! A book on Islamic psychotherapy that does not simply Islamize Western views. Yet, it does not ignore Western, modern, or conventional science either. It combines the best of both worlds in the ultimate benefit of the Muslim client. The book is written by Western trained psychologists and psychiatrist who are deeply rooted in their Islamic tradition.
10. The Philosophy of Tolkien: The Worldview Behind The Lord of the Rings
The book discusses the Worldview of Tolkien as a Christian author who wrote one of the best stories/myth/fairy tale in the modern era, and how he brilliantly yet subtly portrayed this worldview in The Lord of the Rings…
Although there is some ontological difference in Tolkien's worldview and the Islamic cosmological standpoint, yet, the book is valuable in showing how a well-written novel can re-enchant our arid profane world.
The book discusses the Worldview of Tolkien as a Christian author who wrote one of the best stories/myth/fairy tale in the modern era, and how he brilliantly yet subtly portrayed this worldview in The Lord of the Rings…
Although there is some ontological difference in Tolkien's worldview and the Islamic cosmological standpoint, yet, the book is valuable in showing how a well-written novel can re-enchant our arid profane world.
11. Unimaginable: What We Imagine and What We Can't
Imagination has been considered as a faculty of the human soul since the time of Plato, passing by St. Augustine till our modern era. Imagination is such a powerful tool yet it is a double-edge sword that could wreck havoc if left to roam “freely.”
12. Layers of Meaning: Elements of Visual Journaling
An art therapist’s beautifully illustrated colourful book that teaches the basics of the use of art journaling as a tool for excavating layers of meaning from deep within our soul.
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