Dedicated to Recovering Co-Dependents

• by Toma. Serendipity: A Journal of Recovery.

  The recovery topics on this website, self-published by the author. Indexed. FREE UPON REQUEST!

• A.A. World Services. Alcoholics Anonymous. "The Big Book" Third Edition.

  The best known resource for information about the Twelve Steps. Offers many personal stories and insights from recovering individuals.

• Allen, James. As a Man Thinketh.

  A classic, inspiring text on how our attitudes affect our daily lives.

• Beattie, Melody. Codependent No More.

  The definitive primer for understanding co-dependency. A "must-read" for all recovering co-dependents.

• Beattie, Melody. Codependents' Guide to the Twelve Steps.

  Specifically addresses how to apply the wisdom of the Twelve Steps to the issues surrounding co-dependency. A wonderful starting place for co-dependents new to recovery. Includes an excellent reading list and a glossary of recovery terms and slogans.

• Beattie, Melody. The Language of Letting Go.

  A daily meditation book. Each day addresses a specific co-dependency issue. Includes daily affirmations and prayers.

• Cameron, Julia. Blessings : Prayers and Declarations for a Heartful Life.

  A truly inspirational book of blessings, prayers, and affirmations. Those in recovery from co-dependence will find this a valuable resource, overflowing with ideas focused on how to take care of one's self, rather than being overwhelmed with thoughts of caring too much for others.

• Carlson, Richard. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff--It's All Small Stuff.

  A book that shows you how to keep from letting the little things in life drive you crazy. Includes 100 essays for making your life more calm and stress-free.

• Carlson, Richard. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff With Your Family.

  A book that shows you how to keep from letting the little things in your family life drive you crazy.

• Covey, Stephen R. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

  Life-changing principles for achieving your full potential as a human being, instead of a human-doing. Addresses attitude changes (paradigm shifts) and discusses many of the core relationship issues which recovering co-dependents struggle to understand and incorporate into their recovery.

• CoDA Service Office. Co-Dependents Anonymous. First Edition.

  A newly released guide to the Twelve Steps specifically for co-dependents. Includes personal stories of recovering co-dependents. Highly recommended. Is quickly becoming the "big book" for CoDA meetings.

• Chapman, Gary. The Five Love Languages. (7/9/97)

  Learn how to speak and understand the unique languages of love and effectively express your love as well as feel truly loved in return. Great for anyone who is involved in relationships.

• Chungliang, Al Huang and Jerry Lynch. Mentoring: The Tao of Giving and Receiving Wisdom.

  An excellent source of definitions for the attitudes and spiritual principles (e.g., compassion, patience, detachment, self-love, simplicity) necessary for recovery.

• Chopra, Deepak. The Path to Love.

  A wonderful program of self-love. Highly spiritual, nurturing, and affirming. Encourages self-love from a spiritual perspective.

• D., Frank. The Annotated AA Handbook: A Companion to the Big Book. (3/1/97)

  Contains the entire text of the AA Big Book, along with comments to explain and clarify the meaning. Includes extensive cross-references to recovery concepts found throughout the Big Book. More details.

• Dreher, Diane. The Tao of Inner Peace.

  Outlines practical ways to live the core ideas of the Taoist philosophy, with particular regard to gaining and maintaining serenity.

• Evans, Patricia. The Verbally Abusive Relationship. (8/6/97)

  Describes the power / control dynamics of a verbally abusive relationship, how to identify verbal abuse, and how to respond to it. Includes an excellent model for healthy relationships, based on equality, mutual-support, nurturing, and verbal affirmation.

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  Frankl, Viktor. Man's Search for Meaning.

  Perhaps the greatest book of this century. Focuses on attitude and how the quality and meaning of our lives, despite our circumstances, are shaped by the attitudes we choose. A beautiful example of how a holocaust survivor overcame victim mentality.

• Gray, John. Mars and Venus in Love : Inspiring and Heartfelt Stories of Relationships That Work

  Available in Hardback, Paperback, or Cassette.

  A collection of first-person stories that illustrate how couples have successfully put Gray's principles to work in their own lives to create fulfilling, long-lasting relationships.

• Gray, John. Venus and Mars on a Date.

  Explains the dynamics of the dating relationship. Gray's insights into attraction and how relationships develop are invaluable for co-dependents, whether they are dating or not.

• Hammarskjöld, Dag. Markings.

  Devotional readings from the journals of a spiritual mystic. Examines many of the spiritual paradoxes that are crucial to recovery.

• Heatherly, Joyce L. Balcony People. (1/16/97)

  The perfect "how-to" book for becoming a positive, nurturing, and affirming person to yourself and the people in your life. Ideal for those who have suffered from the verbal and emotional abuse so often accompanying co-dependent relationships.

• Hemfelt, Robert and Richard Fowler. Serenity: A Companion for Twelve Step Recovery.

  Examines each of the Twelve Steps from a Biblical perspective. New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. Includes devotions, scripture references, and prayers for those in any program of recovery.

• Hoff, Benjamin. The Tao of Pooh.

  The perfect introduction to the attitudes and principles of Taoist philosophy that are at the center of real recovery.

• Howard, Alice and Walden Howard. Exploring the Road Less Traveled.

  A workbook specifically for groups studying "The Road Less Traveled." Contains additional material that is quite helpful in uncovering the hidden self, self-love, and building healthy, spiritual relationships.

• Kreidmen, Ellen. Light His Fire. and Light Her Fire.

  Practical advice for men and women on how to create and keep romance, passion, and excitement alive in a relationship. Contains excellent insights into the power of unconditional love, appreciation, esteem, and nurturing.

• Leggett, Trevor. A First Zen Reader.

  An introduction to the philosophic principles of Zen that lend themselves to achieving serenity, balance, and harmony in life.

• Lloyd-Jones, Martyn. Enjoying the Presence of God.

  The definitive text for achieving an enduring friendship with God.

• McMahon, Susanna. The Portable Therapist.

  Examines and defines basic recovery issues of attitude, self-love, paradox, and healthy relationships. Very readable and informative. Presented in Question and Answer format.

• Ming-Dao, Deng. 365 Tao.

  A daily meditation book. Each day presents a different perspective of the Taoist philosophy. Many of these topics relate well to recovery issues.

• Nhat Hanh, Thich. Peace is Every Step.

  Examines the Zen approach to acquiring the various mental disciplines conducive to living a serene life.

• Nhat Hanh, Thich. Zen Keys.

  Introduces the core principles of Zen. Many of these principles are applicable to recovery and mirror the mindfulness real recovery requires, especially as regards inner attitudinal changes.

• Peck, M. Scott. The Road Less Traveled.

  The widely-acclaimed book on healthy relationships, spiritual growth, and self-love. Essential reading.

• Shinoda Bolen, Jean. The Tao of Psychology.

  Discusses the principles of serendipity and synchronicity in the quest for self-awareness. The writing style is extremely informative, without getting overly technical.

• Schuller, Robert H. The Be Happy Attitudes.

  An important work regarding our attitudes and how to improve them.

• Stagg, Hilary. Sweet Return (Audio CD).

  This is an incredible music audio CD. The songs are very melodic and serene, perfect for meditation or romance. Beautiful and unforgettable.

• Suzuki, Shunryu. Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind.

  A practical introduction to the underlying Taoist principles of Zen. Focuses on compassion, attitudes, paradox, and simplicity.

• Thomas Nelson Publishers. The Holy Bible. "Serenity" Edition. (New King James Version)

  The oldest and wisest book on self-love and recovery in existence. New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. This version includes meditations and scriptures related to each of the Twelve Steps. (Same as Hemfelt and Fowler above.)

• Tzu, Lao. Tao Te Ching. (various translations; Stephen Mitchell's recommended)

The sourcebook of Lao Tzu, the original Taoist philospher. Poetically illustrates many of the principles, paradoxes, and attitudes that are integral to achieving serenity and successful recovery.

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