A shelf full of books on purpose.

When I was in my late thirties, I was going through some very challenging times in my life and suffered an existential crisis.

I didn’t know I was going through one at the time and kept thinking that I must be going crazy because I felt so lost.

I didn’t know where to look for help and was too proud to ask, let alone admit that I had a problem.

Fortunately, you don’t have to suffer like I did in order to find your purpose in life.  If you are going through something similar, I want you to know that it’s not a sign of weakness to search for help.

This is why I made a list of 9 best books on finding purpose, passion, and meaning in life.

Your purpose in life is the reason behind the things that you do.  While I was going through my existential crisis and health challenges, I knew that I had to find my purpose in life if I was going to thrive in all areas of life.

Studies have even found that having a purpose in life can help you become more resilient, live longer, feel happier, and improve your health!

The books in this list are informational and not meant as a substitute for professional help.

Some of the books in this list are easier to read than others and some of them have exercises to help you get clear on your purpose in life; while others have great stories that will inspire you not just to find your purpose and meaning in life, but to experience life with more joy and happiness.

CONTENTS

1. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
2. You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
3. Dying to be me by Anita Moorjani
4. The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
5. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
6. The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
7. The Path Made Clear by Oprah Winfrey
8. Life on Purpose by Victor Strecher
9. Find your passion by Henri Junttila

1. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

This book was written for artists who needed help removing blocks to their creativity. It’s full of stories and exercises that take 12 weeks to complete.

You don’t have to be an artist to make this book useful for you.  The book can help you find your purpose in life through all the writing and exercises that help you dig deep into your soul.

It doesn’t even have to be used to unblock your creativity.  The morning pages help you get the thoughts out of your head so you can see them with more clarity.

You learn how to recognize the things that hold you back in life, such as self-doubt, self-criticism, fear, and anger.

It’s a great book for anyone who wants to find their purpose, know themselves better, or get unstuck.

2. You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay

This was one of the first books I read to help me find purpose and meaning in life.  What’s great about this book is that the author guides you and helps you search for the answers from within.

It is more than a book about healing.  It’s about self-empowerment and learning to trust in yourself and your higher power.

Louise Hay doesn’t tell you but gently shows you how to live your life with more meaning through overcoming self-criticism, affirmations, and so much more.

3. Dying To Be Me by Anita Moorjani

Anita Moorjani wrote this book after suffering for years from cancer and then having a near-death experience or NDE.  During her NDE, she learned how to love herself unconditionally and live her life without fear.

She said that she lived most of her life pleasing others and lived a life that was not her own.  She stated that this was one of the reasons why she suffered a serious illness and almost died.

This book teaches the importance of self-love, which is crucial for living your life on your own terms and living a life with meaning and purpose.  Anita’s story will resonate with you if you are a people pleaser and you want to start living a life you love.

4. The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

I first saw this book on my parents’ bookshelf when I was in high school and the title caught my eye.  I was immediately hooked after the first page and read the entire book within a few days.

This book on purpose has a Christian theme within it, although anyone who aspires to live a purposeful life will find it useful.

It teaches you how to focus on what’s most important in life, which is one of the tenets of living a purposeful life.

5. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Although The Alchemist is a fictional book, you’ll be inspired by the underlying theme of living a life that is meaningful and heart-centered.  I don’t want to give too much away because the story is so good.

It is about a shepherd boy from Spain who goes out into the world seeking treasure.  He goes on his journey and finds what he was looking for in the most unexpected place.

This is a book about following your heart, chasing after your dreams, and living a life that is meaningful to you.  It is a deeply endearing and humbling story that will touch you long after you’ve finished it.

6. The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer

The Untethered Soul is a book that helps live a life of purpose by uncovering who you truly are using the principles of mindfulness.

When you complete the book, you realize how much you attach your identity to things that may not really be your true self, such as beliefs, societal norms, political views, social ties, and even how you feel and react to situations in your life.

If you want to live a life that feels peaceful, free, and truly yours, then this book is for you.

7. The Path Made Clear by Oprah Winfrey

The Path Made Clear by Oprah Winfrey is a book about finding your purpose in life through personal stories from the author herself, thought leaders, and people who have been successful at finding & living their own purpose in life.

It’s a great beginner’s book if you enjoy reading about other people’s experiences, insights, and anecdotes on living a life that is in alignment with what matters most.

If you’re looking for a book that is a very quick read and will satisfy your burning questions about how to live life with purpose and meaning, then this one is it.

8. Life on Purpose by Victor Strecher

Vic Strecher is a professor and has been at the forefront of research about living a purposeful life.  He’s even given TED talks and courses about living a purposeful life.

If you want a comprehensive book about how to find purpose in life and actually live it, then I highly recommend this one.

This book goes into great depth on the how-to’s of finding purpose and meaning in life in a way that is simple to understand but is very informative.

The author even shared his own personal, poignant story of how he began his journey of finding his own purpose in life that will leave a bittersweet but hopeful feeling inside.

The book is divided into four parts with twelve chapters.  Each section of the book gives practical and educational information on living your life on purpose.

9. Find Your Passion by Henri Junttila

I read this very book about finding your passion in life on Kindle, when I was at the beginning stages of my journey to finding purpose and meaning in life.

This book is very practical if you need a step-by-step guide on finding your passion in life.  Oftentimes, your passions become your purpose in life, which is why I recommend this book.

Each question reads like its own chapter because the author goes into depth explaining the reasoning behind them, and he even says so at the beginning of the book.

If you’re not in a rush to find your purpose in life and need a good guide on how to get there, this book is for you.

“Remember, unlike your past (or for that matter, most tattoos), your purpose can be easily changed! You can refind, update, edit, expand, reduce, or overhaul it any time you like.  In fact, I’ve done all of these things over the years, and my purpose – and life – is a lot better for it.” – Victor Strecher

Related books on purpose and meaning.

Here is a list of related books on purpose that have helped me find meaning in life.  They’re a collection of stories, anecdotes, and studies that will educate, inspire, and motivate you to find your purpose and meaning in life.

  • The Book of Forgiving by Desmond Tutu & Mpho Tutu
  • The Art of Happiness by The 14th Dalai Lama & Howard C. Cutler, MD
  • You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
  • You Are Here by Thich Nhat Hanh
  • Sensitive Is The New Strong by Anita Moorjani
  • The Experience of Meaning in Life by Joshua A. Hicks

Closing thoughts.

Finding purpose, passion, and meaning in life is not always easy.  Every day, we make decisions that affect the trajectory of our lives.

If we desire to live with purpose, passion and meaning, we will have to change our mindset from living a life that is neutral and complacent, to living a life of intentionality.

In order to do this successfully, we have to trust our instincts and listen to that small voice inside of us that knows what is best for us.

Whether you’ve been struggling your whole life or just started asking the tough questions lately, I hope that these books enlightened your personal path to fulfillment and happiness.

I hope you found this list of books on finding your purpose, passion, and meaning in life helpful. If you want to take a spiritual path toward finding purpose in life, be sure the check out, What it means to have a higher purpose.

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