The Art of Happiness by H.H. The Dalai Lama

Despite what society may sell you to believe, happiness is not attained through material goods, but rather is an attitude that is cultivated and sustained. His Holiness the Dalai Lama sits down with western psychiatrist Howard C. Cutler to discuss the concept of happiness, as it pertains to the modern occidental inhabitant. The book is a great introduction to the pragmatism of Buddhism and its relentless analysis of consciousness. Not steeped in esoteric phrasings or instruction, this book is truly an "easy" read from beginning to end. The knowledge contained is perfect for the western mind searching for a way out of the suffocating fog of modern life.

The Mayan Factor: Path Beyond Technology by Jose Arguelles

The Mayan Factor: Path Beyond Technology by Jose Arguelles tipped the world on its side when it appeared in the early 1980's. Arguelles' interest in the I Ching and ancient algorithms for prophecy drove him toward breaking the complex code embedded in the Tzolkin, or Mayan Sacred Calendar. Arguelles' conclusions are astonishing. He posits that the calendar, in fact, measures mathematics that undulate to and from the center of the galaxy (Hunab Ku) in different tones each moment. The complexity of tones and directionality can be represented by the 260 day calendar, which is in fact a code for understanding the rhythms of the universe, and in turn, life. The essential book carries the serious student into a deep understanding of human purpose and evolution in the coming 2012 consciousness change.