Favorites of 2023

My favorite books and content from 2023

Favorites of 2023

Favorite Books

My favorite books read this year, not ranked in any particular order.

I. The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

Wonderful, delightful, and timeless. The only thing I hate about this book is I wish I had written it.

You can tell Rick Rubin is familiar with Zen/Tao or maybe Zen/Tao is simply the poetry of Truth: Simple in language, rich in feeling, and timeless in message.

This book is like Tao Te Ching, but for Creativity. I tend to pick this up whenever I feel creatively blocked or creatively inspired.

Favorite Quote:

“Ultimately, the act of self-expression isn’t really about you.”

— Rick Rubin

II. The Natural State by U.G. Krishnamurti

After U.G., you're done.

I've been exploring philosophy and spirituality for years, and U.G. woke me up with the realization that I was foolishly wasting time. This book, to me, was the start and finish of The Journey. It's great and his clips on YouTube even more so.

Favorite Quote:

“Nobody needs to give it to you.
Nobody can take it away from you.
He who lets that express itself in its own way is a natural man.”

— U.G. Krishnamurti

III. The Art of Peace by Morihei Ueshiba

It's a mistake to view this as a martial arts book. It's so much more.

I remember reading this almost 10 years ago because I appreciated his approach to combat. But having reread it this year, I don't think it's about combat at all.

This book is the enlightenment of Morihei Ueshiba (the founder of Aikido). This piece of work is Morihei's expression of himself, similar to that of Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do.

This book is beyond martial arts, it's the expression of the individual–the indivisible. Beautiful book and it has only gotten better over time.

Favorite Quote:

“Rather than being captivated by the notion of “winning or losing,” seek the true nature of things.”

– Morihei Ueshiba

IV. Living on Your Own Terms: What is Real Rebellion? by Osho

Still, my favorite person to converse with.

Not a surprise for those who know my love for Osho. All of Osho's books (transcribed lectures) are similar in answers, but the specificity in topics is always so vast. He turns your mind over while giving you a hug or laughter.

The following quote alone made this book, one of my favorite reads this year.

Favorite Quote:

“I am leaving, and leaving forever. I am finished with books.

Although I am much too old.… But perhaps a few days may be enough, or at least before I die I should begin rightly.

Perhaps in the next life, I can complete my search, but at least I should begin.”

- Osho

V. Make Something Wonderful by Steve Jobs

From a human being for human beings.

A compilation of all of Steve's emails and speeches. After reading this, I couldn't help but be inspired. An inspiration to express oneself as a human being for human beings.

Favorite Quotes:

“If this was the last day of my life, would I rather have dinner with the important customers or her?”

I raced back to her car, just as she was about to drive off, and asked her “How about dinner tonight?”

She said: “Sure,” and we were married 18 months later.”

- Steve Jobs

“I love and admire my species, living and dead, and am totally dependent on them for my life and well-being.”

- Steve Jobs

As I'm writing this, I realize all the books stated above are books, not on self-improvement or seeking to "better yourself." It's all books on self-exploration and expression.

If anything, these books are advocating to NOT self-improve.

For the following reasons:

There is no self. (Too long to explain)
There is no improvement. (A little to explain)

The ultimate barrier to improvement is the idea of improvement itself because improvement talks about where you "should" be, and not where you are.

"Should" comes from a false space. If you start from a false space, you end in a false place.

Everything begins (and ends) with understanding where you are because that is reality, Here and Now.

If you understand where you are, and you understand what is happening, you will naturally negate what's not working. In turn, inviting all that does work.

"Improvement" will come naturally because now you act in accordance with Nature...and Nature is never wrong.

This year has been the least amount of reading I've done. Unregrettably so due to more travels and finding myself writing more often. Meaning, I've been creating more often.

Creating is an act of self-discovery. This has been far more effective in the "improvement" of my well-being than the cult that is self-improvement.

Creating, whether it be creating friendships or creating art, is much more fulfilling than consuming–regardless of the quality.

Plus, it's much more fun. What else is there to do but enjoy and give ourselves as ourselves for the time we have left?