Fearless Creativity, Eric Maisel, ISBN 0-87477-805-0
No other book explains and analyses the creative process so clearly or so thoroughly. Describes the blocks that
accompanies each stage of the creative process and offers techniques and exercises for managing those
blocks.
Coaching the Artist Within, Eric Maisel, ISBN 1-57731-464-6
A must read for all artists. If you want to create meaningfully, imaginatively, and productively, this book will
help you to begin developing the skills you need.
Art and Fear, David Bayles and Ted Orland, ISBN 0-9614547-3-3
A small paperback and an easy read yet full of wisdom and insights. For those of us who allow fear to limit and
stifle our creativity, this book is a life-saving oasis in the midst of the desert of fear.
Point Zero–Creativity Without Limits, Michele Cassou, ISBN 1-558542-085-9
A book for self-inhibited artists. It encourages and guides us to break out of our fear-based, self-imposed walls.
(See also Aviva Gold’s, Painting From the Source.)
The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle, ISBN 1-57731-152-3
With deceptive simplicity and clarity, Eckhart Tolle explains that which remains the root and goal of the
world's contemplative spiritual movements: living wholeheartedly in the present moment. And because the
creative trance can only take place when we allow ourselves to be in the present moment, this book is a must
read for every artist.
Loving What Is, Byron Katie, ISBN 0-609-60874-6
In this book Byron explains “The Work:” four simple questions that expose the mistaken nature of most of our
thoughts and leads to a more grounded and sane life.
The Work of This Moment, Toni Packer, ISBN 0-877773-536-0
A book for seekers of authenticity, meaning, and open, nonjudgmental inquiry. Simple yet profound.
Mindfulness in Plain English, Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, 0-86171-321-4
One of the simplest and clearest guides to the practice of mindfulness meditation. Although it comes from a
Buddhist perspective, the reader need not be knowledgeable of or committed to the practice of Buddhism.
Buddhism Without Beliefs, Stephen Batchelor, ISBN 1-57322-656-4
Probably the clearest, most accessible, and thorough book I’ve read for developing an understanding of the
egos, our emotions, and the entire mind-body system. A book for anyone of any religious tradition (or none).
The Fear Book, Cheri Huber, (http://keepitsimple.livingcompassion.org/catalog.html)
In an informal format, this warm, compassionate and brief book examines the mechanism of fear and its
relationship to our thoughts. Although Cheri is a contemporary Zen master, no knowledge of Buddhism or Zen
is needed to appreciate and learn from her writings.
When You’re Falling Dive, Cheri Huber, (http://keepitsimple.livingcompassion.org/catalog.html)
Similar in format to The Fear Book, in this book Cheri encourages us to surrender to circumstance of life,
fearlessly and joyfully.
The Places That Scare You, , Pema Chodron, ISBN 1-57062-409-7
From the first itch to create to finally selling the finished work, the creative process can evoke anxiety every
step along the way. Our typical reaction is to suppress, ignore, or flee from these uncomfortable emotional
states, which, in practical terms, means to avoid creating altogether. Pema Chodron, an American Buddhist
nun, is a master at encouraging us to see these transient states for what they are and to have the courage to
stay with and move through them. Comes from a Tibetan Buddhist perspective.
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook, Edmund Bourne, ISBN 1-56731-074-5
A practical and therapeutic workbook for those with deeply ingrained fears and anxieties.
Radical Acceptance, Tara Brach, ISBN 0-553-80167-8
Creativity flows freely only when our egos are out of the way. And we cannot release the steely grip of our egos
without first accepting ourselves, warts and all. This book shows us how to develop that kind of radical self-
acceptance.
Soul Without Shame, Byron Brown, ISBN 1-57062-383-x
A book which helps expose and silence the deadly inner-critic, sarcastic parent, and negative nay-sayer that
exists within each of us.
The Highly Sensitive Person, Elaine N. Aron, ISBN 0-553-06218-2
Most artists are HSPs: Highly Sensitive Persons. If you're in that majority, you’ll find yourself described within
the pages of this book and learn to better understand and more compassionately accept yourself.
The Gift, Poems by Hafiz, trans. Daniel Ladinsky, ISBN 0-14-01.9581-5
If the wildness, joy, and ecstatic freedom of creativity could be distilled into words they would belong to Hafiz
and Daniel Ladinsky would be their translator. Each poem is a slap in the face to wake up, to embrace our
lives, and to create. These are the poems of Rumi on joy-steroids.
Additional Recommended Books...
art & creativity
Heart Steps, Julia Cameron, 0-87477-899-9
The Courage to Create, Rollo May, 0-393-01119-4
Serious Creativity, Edward De Bono, 0-88730-566-0
Make Your Creative Dreams Real, SARK, 0-7432-6924-1
How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Gelb, 0-440-50827-4
Spirit Taking Form, Nancy Azara, 1-59003-016-8
The Van Gogh Blues, Eric Maisel, 1-57954-570-x
The Artists Way, Julia Cameron
The Zen of Creativity, John Daido Loori, 0-345-46201-7
The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women, Gail McMeekin
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, Anne Lamott
Aha! 10 Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Your Great Ideas, Jordan Ayan
Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention, Mihaly Csikszentmihaly
The Nine Modern Day Muses: 10 Guides to Creative Inspiration for Artists, Poets, Lovers, and Other Mortals
Wanting to Live a Dazzling Existence, Jill Badonsky
Inspiring Creativity: An Anthology of Powerful Insights and Practical Ideas to Guide You to Successful
Creating, Ed. by Rick Benzel
The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life, Twyla Tharp
On Becoming an Artist : Reinventing Yourself Through Mindful Creativity, Ellen Langer
Cracking Creativity, Michael Michalko
A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative, Roger Van Oech
What We Ache For: Creativity and the Unfolding of Your Soul, Oriah
Path of Least Resistance : Learning to Become the Creative Force in Your Own Life, Robert Fritz
The Highest Goal: The Secret That Sustains You in Every Moment, Michael Ray
Breakthrough Creativity: Achieving Top Performance Using the Eight Creative Talents, Lynne Levesque
Creators on Creating (New Consciousness Reader), anthology published by Tarcher
The Exquisite Risk: Daring to Live an Authentic Life. 2004, Mark Nepo.
Trust the Process-An Artist’s Guide to Letting Go, Shaun McNiff, 1-57062-357-0
The Blank Canvas, Inviting the Muse, Anna Held Audette, 0-87773-938-2
Painting From the Source, Aviva Gold, 0-06-095272-5
The Gift, Lewis Hyde, 0-394-71519-5
fear & anxiety
When Things Fall Apart, Pema Chodron, 1-57062-969-2
Being Zen, Ezra Bayda, 1-57062-856-4
On Fear, Krishnamurti, 0-06-251014-2
Overcoming Anxiety, Reneau Peurifoy, 0-8050-4789-1
Full Catastrophe Living, John Kabat-Zinn, ******
Breathe In, Breathe Out, James Loehr and Jeffrey Migdow, 0-7370-1611-6
The Confident Performer, David Roland, 0-325-00092-1
self-awareness / mindfulness
The Key, Cheri Huber, 0-9636255-4-3
How You Do Anything Is How You Do Everything, Cheri Huber, 0-9636255-5-1
The Wonder of Presence, Toni Packer, 1-57062-875-0
The LIght of Discovery, Toni Packer, 0-8048-3063-0
Wherever You Go, There You Are, John Kabat-Zinn, 1-56282-769-3
This Light in Oneself, Krishnamurti, 1-57062-442-9
When Things Fall Apart, Pema Chodron, 1-57062-969-2
Full Catastrophe Living, John Kabat-Zinn, 0-385-30312-2
There is Only Now, Scott Morrison, 1-882496-10-8
Enlightenment is a Secret, Andrew Cohen, 1-883929-08-3
Yoga and the Quest for the True Self, Stephen Cope, 0-553-10313-x
self-awareness / mindfulness (overtly Buddhist)
Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, Shunryu Suzuki, 0-8348-0079-9
Everyday Zen, Charlotte Joko Beck, 0-06-060734-3
Nothing Special, Charlotte Joko Beck, 0-06-250256-5
Being Zen, Ezra Bayda, 1-57062-856-4
The Path of the Human Being, Dennis Genpo Merzel, 1-57062-948-x
Seeking the Heart of Wisdom, Joseph Goldstein & Jack Kornfield, 0-87773-327-9
A Path With Heart, Jack Kornfield, 0-553-37211-4
Only Don’t Know, Seung Sahn, 1-57062-432-1
It’s Easier Than You Think, Sylvia Boorstein, 0-06-251294-3
Going To Pieces Without Falling Apart, Mark Estein, 0-7679-0234-3
Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away, Ajahn Chah, 1-59030-217-6
Wake Up To Your Life, Ken McLeod, 0-06-251680-9
Breath by Breath, Larry Rosenberg, 1-57062-350-3
It’s Up To You, Dzigar Kongtrul, 1-59030-148-x
relationships, personal transformation
How Long Till My Soul Gets It Right, Robert & Jane Alter, 0-06-098749-9
How To Be An Adult, David Richo, 0-8091-3223-0
The Five Things We Cannot Change, David Richo, 1-59030-209-5
compact discs
“Getting Unstuck,” Pema Chodron, 1-59179-238-x
“Living the Liberated Life...,” Ekhart Tolle, 1-56455-945-9
“Yoga for Emotional Flow,” Stephen Cope, 1-59179-053-0
poetry
The Essential Rumi, Coleman Barks, 0-06-250958-6
Leaves of Grass, Walt Whitman
Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke, trans. Stephen Mitchell, 0-679-72201-7
Five T’ang Poets, David Young, 0-932440-55-x
The Enlightened Heart, an Anthology of Sacred Poetry, ed. Stephen Mitchell, 0-06-016208-2
*** anything by Billy Collins, Mary Oliver, or Kenneth Rexroth’s translations of Japanese and Chinese poets.
And... I highly recommend visiting Dr. Eric Maisel's list of recommended reading. Click here.
