It is up to each of us to do extra work in order to live as a full, responsible human being even while living in societies in which noble strivings can be systematically discouraged. Fortunately, there are some excellent guides to living a happy and productive life, and always seeking the deepest truths of our existence, despite the obstacles—both natural and manmade—that lie in our paths. Here are some of the best I have found, each from a variety of perspectives, each covering different important territory. (Not many of these people have read each other and some of them would probably be alarmed to find themselves in the same room
, but my point is, when I read each of these books, I was able to extract significant material that I have been able to put to productive use in shaping my own life. Maybe you can too.)
The Art of Living Consciously: The Power of Awareness to Transform Everyday Life by Nathaniel Branden
Honoring the Self: Self-Esteem and Personal Transformation by Nathaniel Branden
What Color Is Your Parachute?: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers by Richard Nelson Bolles
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Unweaving the Rainbow: Science, Delusion and the Appetite for Wonder by Richard Dawkins
Integral Life Practice by Wilber, Patten, Leonard, and Morelli