The books I've read that deal directly with affirmations are:
"Smart Talk" by Lou Tice. Very slow reading. Written mostly for the business world, he's a business consultant who uses affirmations with his clients. A lot of good theory about why affirmations work.
"Would you give Two minutes a day to a lifetime of love" by Daniel G. Amen, M.D. While not about affirmations specifically, the book is about identifying automatic negative thoughts (or as he calls them A.N.T.S.) and creating a two minute focus statement for your life, which is an affirmation. Interesting because as a medical doctor, he talks about how the brain works and why we think the way we do.
"Fearless Loving" by Rhonda Britten. Very, very good book. She has many exercises that help you examine your beliefs about love, relationships, etc. and she uses affirmations as well. This was the book that really got me to look at my own inner stuff and from which I started my daily affirmation practice. The personality typing books below have been invaluable in sorting out issues, and also in working to remove ego related issues that come up.
"The Wisdom of the Enneagram" and "Discover your Personality Type" by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson. Both Excellent. The "Discover" book contains the test for this system, while the "Wisdom" book contains the details of each type. Each type has it's "Basic Fear," "Basic Desire," and "Superego Message." Discovering these issues can help in figuring out what affirmations will be most helpful to you. Also useful, though similar to the "Wisdom" book is "Personality Types, using the Enneagram for self-discovery."
"The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram: Nine faces of the Soul" by Sandra Maitri. A great book based on the Enneagram as well. A different perspective than Riso/Hudson, and in some ways deeper. Very moving. "Love Types" by Alexander Avila. Based on the Meyers-Briggs personality indicator which I was introduced to through the book. Though not overly theoretical, it gives a good overview of the system and has a test for determining your own type. Using statistical data it tells you which type is best suited to your own and gives great advice on how to meet your type.
"Please Understand Me II" by David Keirsey. A more detailed and somewhat difficult read. It's interesting reading, but does not deal specifically with sorting out your own issues (If it did, I forgot)
"Are you really too Sensitive" by Marcy Calhoun. I think this book is out of print, since I had to buy it used. For very sensitive people, she uses affirmations as part of the process of recognizing and dealing with being a sensitive person.
"The Highly Sensitive Person" by Elaine N. Aron Ph. D. Very good for .... you guessed it, highly sensitive people. An interesting and useful perspective for being mindful of when you are being overloaded and need to limit your external stimuli. The books that started it all...
"When I say no, I feel guilty" by Manuel J. Smith. This book uses specific techniques to deal with people's verbal manipulations. For example, statements like, "Don't you think you should cut your hair?" I can not recommend this book too much.
"Your Erroneous Zones" by Dr. Wayne Dyer. In the first few chapters of this book he explains the relationship between what you think and how those thoughts affect how you feel. Last but not least, everyone I've met that has gifted me with their friendship and experiences both good and bad; that have allowed me to reflect upon myself and ask why I react they way I react. From that question, I've made many affirmations that have helped me changed long held beliefs, reactions and issues.
For Information on the Enneagram
For Information on the Myers-Briggs Personality Typing
www.personalitypage.com
For Information on Meditation and Yoga
Diana Lang's Meditation, Yoga and Spirituality Website
Information on Dr. Sheri Meyers Gantman and her wonderful TV show. I learned about many different authors of self-help and spirituality books from her.
Dr. Sheri Meyers Gantman's Website
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