8 Inspirational Books on Finding Your Purpose

In this book, a monk shares some unconventional wisdom. He does, however, point out that while this is not a Buddhist book, it does employ Buddhist techniques.

He begins by writing that he has met people who don’t feel fulfilled in their lives despite appearing happy on the outside. He has a feeling that something’s wrong with them, and though he wasn’t able to help them, he hopes that reading this book will help you find clarity.

In the latter part of the book, he delves into many subjects in life and death that are common in Buddhism, including your own self (how you can improve and accept things you can’t control), hopes and dreams, emotions, and death. His thought-provoking commentaries may change your perspective on the world.

“It’s okay not to constantly look for meaning,” he writes, adding that you don’t need to have a “meaningful life” for a “life worth living.”

The author describes dharma as a “calling,” “essence,” or “inner necessity,” something you truly want to do in life. In this book, he shares some practices he learned from his journey, which he wrote when he returned to India after years of not following his true aspirations, leaving him burnt out, lost, and frustrated with his current situation.

He contends that success begins within and radiates outward. He promises that this book will help you “reconnect with your life,” regardless of where you are in it.

With anecdotes about other people and their dharma, the book’s unorthodox wisdom may be helpful for those seeking something different.

The author suggests ways to achieve contentment rather than happiness, drawing on her experiences as a therapist as well as her personal experiences to provide advice. She argues the importance of contentment over happiness, saying that contentment is what keeps us on track.

On the subject of finding purpose, she writes that “our culture these days appears to pressure us to find our purpose, fight for happiness, and unleash our passions” but that this can be dangerous. “We don’t need to earn our value as human beings.”

The author begins by describing how she felt after her husband murdered their child. “There are days when it feels like I will never be able to ‘see’ my way through,” she writes. Following this horrific tragedy, she wonders what comes next for her. Surely, she won’t be able to reclaim her old life; she feels uncertain about how to proceed.

That’s the foundation of this book, as the author draws on her own experience to provide solace for people who are questioning their life’s purpose, “searching for meaning in the pain.” “Although there is loss, we also have so much in our lives to still love. To still share. We must give ourselves permission to once again experience joy,” she writes.

The book is filled with advice for people in their late stages of life. It’s full of self-reflection, with a strong emphasis on inner work. The authors argue that if we can rethink our lives and sense of purpose, we can live a “more fulfilling, meaningful life at any age.”

In here, they mostly explore the so-called late-life crisis, in which older people often experience loss. According to them, this is a period “characterized by dissatisfaction; a loss of identity; an expectations gap; and the feeling that life has peaked, so it’s all downhill from here.” However, they contend that “we don’t find our purpose, because it’s not something we have to go out and look for; rather, it’s something we unlock by going inside—by getting to know what we stand for, what we won’t stand for, and who stands with us.”

Both of the authors also acknowledge their wealth and privilege as white men. Though they say they can’t promise you’ll find purpose in this stage of your life, they can offer “tragic optimism” instead.

Readers in their 60s and up who are curious about what comes next in their lives may find this useful.

When we’re lost and don’t know where to go next, we may feel anxious. The anxiety sets in, and we lose trust in ourselves. “Some things in life don’t make any sense. And yes, there’s plenty in life to be afraid of … It’s chock-full of nonstop unpredictable events,” the author writes.

If you’ve always struggled with facing fears, the book may “offer you a road map.” In it, the author delves into the realm of anxiety, explaining why you’re stuck there and encouraging you to get out. She also explores its various manifestations, such as in relationships, at home, in our body, and elsewhere, using anecdotes from her clients through her work as a therapist.

While sharing accounts, she also acknowledges her various privileges as a white woman and never claims to understand the anxiety that marginalized communities face.