Michael Singer really spoke to me. His books and lectures helped me understand I can live a happier, healthier, more balanced life if I learn to accept the world as it is and let go of some of the things that have held me back. More than anyone else, he helped me see life as a gift, not a grind. His series of eight lectures on Amazon/Audible are brilliant. So too is "The Untethered Soul Guided Journal" which has a series of practical steps to helping you live a more centred life.

Bruce Perry is a brilliant psychiatrist and neuroscientist. His major insight is that we approach difficult people with the wrong question, "What's wrong with you?" Instead, if we asked, "What happened to you?" we might understand them better. It's hard not to think that the history of our planet would have been very different if we had applied this level of empathy across the board.

"Katie" (as she is known) has a very practical approach to problems and suffering. She get you to look at how you believe the world should be and then shakes you out of it by asking a series of questions, starting with the simple, but effective, "Is it true?" The audiobook includes live recordings of what she calls "The Work" in practise which are at times hilarious and at other deeply moving.

A Princeton psychologist makes the case for why much of our current understanding of what makes us tick is already encapsulated in Buddhism. The book manages to take some complex and challenging thinking and make it accessible and practical.

Ekhart Tolle applies the wisdom of eastern philosophies and religions to modern psychology. He points out that too many of us are obsessed with the thinking mind, which can be profoundly unhelpful. He guides us to just be in the present, and not a slave to the past or the future.

A series of wonderful conversations between two charming, mischievous, spiritual, practical and wise men, who don't shy away from how tough the path can be.

The title says it all. The book is about dealing with toxic events and feelings that stop so many people living a peaceful, fulfilled life.

For me, the most practical book on trying to live mindfully. Will utterly change your view on menial tasks and even making and drinking tea.

Suffering occurs when we try to cling to the things we love (think an over attentive parent) or try to avoid and not properly process things that cause us pain. How can we let go of these approaches? David Dawkins shows us how.

The subtitle of this book is: Overcome fear, insecurity and depression and love yourself back to happiness, confidence and peace - the book delivers on the promise.

In just a few thousand words, this book captures a way of living that has so much to teach us. It begins with a warning that any attempt to sum it up is doomed to fail - but for me it is about finding the sweet spot where we are at peace. It teaches there is no need to push and grab and struggle if we tune into the way of things. Mitchell's translation is a marvel, bringing a modern sensibility to something eternal.

Billy Connolly called John Bradshaw a genius - and I can see why. His belief is that all of us have an inner child that was formed by early experiences. Often it is frightened, confused and yearning for love. The result is people can be irrational or self-destructive for no apparent reason. He argues that we can parent that child and change how it behaves in the world. It may sound strange - but many people, including me, have found it profoundly helpful. His other book, "Healing the Shame that Binds You" is also worth a read.