I’ve not been outside for three days.

Does this give credence to the vampire-geek attributions bloggers get these days?

I will go for a run today. Running affords me an ‘idea transfusion’. Not only does it get me out the house, it also adds cardio to my exercise. The endorphin kick afterwards is priceless. Yesterday evening I practiced yoga at home. Yoga stretches and lubricates my body. It prevents me from solidifying in front of a computer screen. If I don’t run or practice yoga, I can’t write.

I eat fruits, nuts, salads, and plenty of protein bars. Occasionally I cook the odd pasta or rice. I go to bed at 8-9 PM and wake up at 6 AM. I’m currently experimenting with oil-pulling and ice-cold showers but they are not daily habits just yet.

All this for what? I spent the last 72 hours doing two things. Reading and writing. “Are you nuts?” some ask. I ignore them. Each of us climbs their very own mountain. Life is too tiny and insignificant to worry about opinions or critiques. Does this make me arrogant or self-righteous? Does it matter?

So, without further ado, here are three books—out of several hundred I’ve come across—that shaped my thinking more than any other. I suggest them in this order, but it’s a personal thing.

1. Mindfulness, by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

A few lines in and I knew the spade had hit on something. This book is the best introduction to Eastern Wisdom, Meditation and Buddhism I’ve ever come across. Every single word is purposeful and potent with inspiration.

2. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, by Sogyal Rinpoche

I remember when I read the first few chapters a couple of years ago. I got so immersed I zoned out and ignored even rudimentary human needs of mine. Eventually I had to drag myself to the supermarket and get something to eat. I was walking down the busy isle when it hit me. The penny dropped. Such was the shift in my belief system at that very moment. I stood there, gazing into probiotic yoghurt like a one year old.

3. Yoga and Vegetarianism, by Sharon Gannon

Listing Sharon Gannon’s achievements as a Yoga teacher, animal advocate and artist would need an article on it’s own merit. She is also one of the most eloquent and powerful writers I know. After reading this book I turned Vegan. Clean, in one go, I never ate meat again.

I could give a lengthy list of other authors—Marianne Williamson, Julia Cameron, Sharon Salzberg, Anne Lamott, Seth Godin, Alain De Botton, Haruki Murakami’s and Stephen King’s memoirs, along with so many other inspiring books, but if the house was on fire and I could only grab three books…these would be my three.

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Creatively maladjusted author and blogger, Jivamukti yogi, ethical diet advocate and corporate drone, Max Zografos loiters internet cafes, libraries (anywhere with a roof and Wi-Fi really) for hours on end until he finds inspiration to write or gets kicked out, whichever comes first. You can find him on www.maxzografos.com.