PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT BOOKS

Hello, readers of Varoluş Magazine.

I frequently read personal development books to be able to write for you and to support my spiritual growth. Over time, I have realized that I pay attention to certain aspects while benefiting from these sources. I would like to share them with you.

First, I want to talk about books written for people who live a stagnant life, hesitate to try new things due to self-imposed rules, and perceive life as a threat. These books are often filled with high-adrenaline motivation, urging readers to take action with messages like, “Get up, if we want it, nothing can stop us!” Honestly, reading such works is quite enjoyable, as they remind us of the things we deeply desire but struggle to accomplish. However, authors who are truly devoted to this field—those who have transformed their own lives, helped many others in their personal development journeys, and truly know what they are talking about—never conclude their books without mentioning love, the duality of good and evil, and the idea that we are all part of a greater system.

In awareness-focused writings, I have observed that certain words may carry different meanings for the author and the reader, leading to misinterpretations or shifts in meaning. This is especially common in books translated into Turkish. However, books containing such examples should not be dismissed as entirely flawed. The real-life experiences shared within them can shift one’s perspective on a subject and deepen future actions related to what has been read. Approaching these books with unnecessary prejudice can result in both a significant loss of time and mental confusion.

Of course, when we talk about personal development, many things come to mind—after all, a human being is an ocean. Each person carries a small universe within them. To aid our thinking process, let’s examine psychologist Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory, which he introduced in 1943. This theory organizes human needs throughout life into a pyramid divided into five levels.

1. Physiological Needs (breathing, food, water, sex, sleep, a healthy metabolism, excretion)

2. Safety Needs (security of body, employment, resources, morality, family, health, and property)

3. Love and Belonging Needs (friendship, family, sexual intimacy)

4. Esteem Needs (self-respect, self-confidence, achievement, respecting others, being respected by others)

5. Self-Actualization Needs (being virtuous, creative, sincere, problem-solving, unbiased, and accepting truths)

The key message here is that a person cannot move on to the next level without fulfilling the previous one. However, this does not mean achieving it 100%; rather, it implies that as one level is nearly completed, the need to transition to the next arises naturally. For instance, a person who has not met their basic needs for food and water will constantly focus on fulfilling those needs for survival. It would be unrealistic to expect such a person to reach their true potential. Someone struggling with basic physical needs is unlikely to engage in painting, music, or starting a family while barely taking care of themselves.

Another example is individuals who are neglected, disregarded, or mistreated within their family. For such individuals, security needs become a priority, and they begin to see the world as a dangerous place. Until they address these fundamental needs, they are unlikely to seek fulfillment in higher levels of the hierarchy. I believe we should evaluate the information we gain from personal development books within the framework of this hierarchy.

One common theme in personal development books is avoiding energy-draining people. While this is a valid point, it is also essential to remember that the perception that everyone is draining our energy originates from our own minds. Conditioned thoughts like "Everyone is bad, and I am good" reinforce this illusion. The real solution lies in love and peace—accepting others as they are, recognizing that they are also part of us, and understanding that they, too, may have moments of low awareness.

Personal development books suggest many techniques—shadow work analysis, awareness analysis, mindfulness, and newly introduced concepts by different authors. Sometimes, they even use acronyms to name their new methods. However, what truly matters is not trying a method once and expecting immediate results. First, we must break free from the subconscious patterns that have conditioned our thoughts, behaviors, and attitudes. We must also allow so-called failures to become our teachers. In other words, just like reading a book, we must read ourselves—understanding, transforming, and persistently working on our growth.

Another frequently mentioned topic in personal development books is money—stocks, dollars, compound interest, gold, investments… You have probably come across phrases like "Everyone has their own financial destiny, but how much? Your thoughts are blocking the flow of money to you!" The only thing I can say for sure on this matter is about selfless giving. Many individuals on the path of personal development struggle with the balance of giving and receiving—some do not know how to receive, while others do not know how to give. Helping someone in need without expecting anything in return adds positive value to the world. This value may not be tangible, but it is very real.

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