Leo Babauta - books that influenced me.
Leo Babauta writes the highly successful site zenhabits.net. He writes about finding simplicity in the daily chaos of our lives. Clearing the clutter so we can focus on what’s important, create something amazing, find happiness. Zen Habits features one or two powerful articles a week on: simplicity, health & fitness, motivation and inspiration, frugality, family life, happiness, goals, getting great things done, and living in the moment.
1, Walden: Introduction and Annotations by Bill McKibben (Concord Library)
The simplicity and thoughtfulness of this book stirred me to think about what's important, and to take a closer look at society and whether I wanted to be a part of what everyone else is doing.
2, Tao Te Ching: A New English Version (Perennial Classics)
Although I've learned much from Zen writings, the Tao Te Ching has probably been a bigger influence on my philosophy. I love its simplicity, and the power that comes from that simplicity. It's a powerful manual for living, and Zen Habits is not much more than a modern take on this book.
3, Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media
Chomsky’s writings awoke in me, as they did in many others, an awareness of the political and corporate machine that affects all of our lives. When people ask me how I can boycott reading and watching the news for years now (“You need to be aware of the world around you!”), I would point them to this book. The reading is a bit dense, but it’s powerful.
