What books can you recommend that will teach me about the reality of life.?

Question

My parents didn't do a good job and now I find I am sorely lacking the tools to get what I want in life.

Answer 1

"How Life Really Works"
Book I: Objective Reality
Chapter: 01.14 The Meaning of Life

Chapter 01.00: Objective Reality
Sub-Chapter 01.07: Free Will vs. Determinism

Chapter 09.03: GENERAL ASPECTS OF RELIGION
1. Prehistoric Benefits of Religion
2. Religion versus Rationality and Science
3. The Existence of God
a. Pascal's Wager
b. Epicurean Postulate
c. Rock Lifting Paradox
d. Conclusion: The Existence of God
4. Miracles
5. The Equivocation of Deism/Pantheism
6. The Origins of God and the Universe
7. Atheism

Book II: Man and Society
Chapter 10.00: Paranormal Phenomena

Appendix A
Entropy

Appendix B: The Prisoners' Dilemma
Game Theory and the "Prisoners’ Dilemma"

Answer 2

The thing is, there is nothing that can teach you. You're a
separate, unique person with individual needs and opinions.
Trial and error methods are set up so that you can tailor
your own life rules to suit your special personality. There
are sets of certain accepted "rules" that most people live
their life by. The Golden Rule is a good place to start.
It's a nonpartisan take on being a fairly balanced human
being. They seem trite, but there's a few expressions that
I've always kept in the back of my mind and use when I'm
sort of on the fence about something: If you lie down with
dogs, you'll end up with fleas. You're known by the company
you keep. This too will pass. Better to have loved and lost
than never loved at all. Listen and learn. Re: work....
be the first one in and the last to leave. And develope these
qualities: Forgiveness, courage, faith, heart, hope, love,
imagination, kindness and humor. With these as your
tools, you should do great. That's the reality of life.

Answer 3

There are no philosophical books which answer to your needs. Philosophy is consider by most philosophers to be a search for understanding. They haven't found it as the name suggests.

Understanding is available but it appears many people are not willing to make the effort it requires. Is it worth attaining? Absolutely! There is nothing better for human existence but I am not sure you are a candidate for it because you seem to have already decided what you want. If you want tools you can get skill instruction in anything, anything that is except self-understanding.

If you want self-understanding you will have to change perspective because understanding is not possible when your perspective includes the material and the spiritual. More than one perspective always introduces contradictions and contradictions prevent any movement towards self-understanding.

The only single perspective making realistic sense is that everything is made of value including you. It is the only true perspective and it gives one solid and secure meaning every moment of his existence.

Answer 4

I am not sure what you mean about the reality of life, whether you mean you were too sheltered, or what. But, I agree with The Alchemist and The Little Prince. Other nice short works are The Angry Clam and The Giving Tree. You should also try to get an anthology of world literature; read a variety of authors to widen your perspective. I advise you to read openly, but remember that even the great authors are not infallible--you don't have to agree with everything they say. Believe it while you are reading it, but afterwards, ask yourself provoking questions (many books now include questions for analysis).

Answer 5

Many of us have been self raised. Congratulations on your wisdom in asking.
I,. too, would recommend the Bible as your first book. Pertaining to the question you asked,
the books within the Bible to read would be,
Proverbs,
the Books of Solomon,
and Ecclesiastes.
These are written by Solomon himself, the wisest man ever to live. The Book of Proverbs are messages to his own son, and how he should aim his life, after all he was to be a king one day. The truths in these books, are just as good today as they were then. You can't go wrong, following his advise.
The other books of the bible also are good for learning too.
If any leave you with questions, continue to seek help as you just have.
Wishing you the very best in life!

Answer 6

Theres no other book in the world since 2000 years ago that has fashioned the lives of multitudes of Christians but the Holy Bible. The authenticated reality is that they are the most advanced nations in the world, the most powerful and the most givers because its the teaching of the God of the Bible. There are 57 Bible Protestant dominated nations in the world.
There are 55 Roman Catholics, 50 Muslims, 11 Eastern religions of Buddhism etc. nations in the world.

Answer 7

The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint Exupary.
Seeds of Greatness, by Denis Waitley
The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran
The Alchemist, Paulo Cuelho
Awaken the Giant Within, by Antony Robbins

I wish you well on your path ahead. Life is a remarkable journey. Treat it with gratitude.

Answer 8

Look for Science of Survival and New Slant on Life on Amazon. They are by L. Ron Hubbard. They have a fantastic explanation of the working parts of life, and give you tools to do better. Not just philosophy, but applicable stuff. Fascinating reading. Changed my whole life around.

Answer 9

Schopenhauer's "The Wisdom of Life" is a good one. Also Sartre's works are good. I suggest you start with Plato, and some of the early philosophers, though. It helps you get into that philosopher's mind-state.

The first step to wisdom is to question everything, especially the things you have taken for granted your whole life.

Ditto on "The Prophet" by Gibran.

Answer 10

Try What Should I Do With My Life by Po Bronson. I also like the Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield.