These are not required reading but will definitely support your learning journey & are highly recommended.
1 // ‘The Experience Machine’ by Andy Clark ~ one of the most compelling models for how our brains and nervous systems work is that they are a powerful, dynamic prediction engine, mediating our experience of both body and world and that perception itself is revealed to be something of a controlled hallucination. Highly highly recommend.
2 // ‘Somatic Descent’ by Reggie Ray (audio) ~ a highly practical and experiential book that will guide you into and through the process of somatic descent (overlaps with our NSDR or nidra practice) to cultivate not only exquisitely attuned interoception but a foundational sense of embodied safety.
3 // ‘**Anchored’ by Deb Dana –** my perhaps controversial perspective o polyvagal theory is that it’s generally wrong but useful, this is a highly accessible and practically books on the science of Polyvagal Theory & how to apply it to your everyday life with field-tested techniques.
4 // 'The Breathing Cure' by Patrick McKeown — an in-depth collection of breathing protocols backed by 20+ years of field research. You’ll never mouth breathe again after reading this…
5 // 'Widen the Window' by Elizabeth Stanley – a superb introduction to the science of trauma, what it means to increase resilience & research-backed tools for increasing your capacity in life.
6 // ‘**Nurturing Resilience’ by Kathy Kain** – a superb read, although more of a book for clinical practitioners or those who are looking for a deep dive into the world of somatic therapy & working through developmental trauma.
7 // ‘**The Practice of Embodying Emotions’ by Raja Selvam**, PhD ~ this is a book containing a treasure trove of research + practices for building greater embodied capacity to be with intense emotions. Highly recommended for those wishing to dive deeper.
8 // ‘**The Myth of Normal’ by Gabor Maté -** Fresh off the press (I’m still making my way through the 500+ pages myself) is Gabor’s attempt to distill over 4 decades of his clinical experience, making the case that the common definition of 'normal' is false & painting a compelling picture of what a saner society might look like.