There’s a powerful trend in the world lately, at least, that I’ve noticed. More and more people are becoming concerned with environmental waste and recycling, organic health and beauty, and simple and joyous living. A big part of this is personal development, and I whole-heartedly support it.

Whether it comes in the form of psychology, science, religion, relationships, or any other experience in the world… personal growth is amazing, and has massive implications and wide-ranging effects. Its been touched upon by so many notable figures throughout history:

"Love is a simple practice yet it is very beneficial for the individual who practices it as well as for the community in which he lives, for the nation, and for the whole world" – Dalai Lama

"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." – Ayn Rand

"The individual activity of one man with backbone will do more than a thousand men with a mere wishbone.” – William Boetcker

"The only journey is the journey within." – Rainer Maria Rilke

"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." – Aristotle

"If we all did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves." – Thomas Edison

"There’s only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self. " – Aldous Huxley

"What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: Our life is the creation of our mind." – Buddha

The list can go on and on, life, history, etc. tends to repeat itself until everyone who needs to learn the ‘lesson’ does so, and so quote after quote on focusing on one’s own growth is easy to find through a simple google search. My personal contributions to this trend are not difficult to notice: SpiritSentient Lifestyle Design and Creative Living Guidance is an excellent example. So are the various creations on this site prime offerings of my own personal growth, and I’m extremely excited about the upcoming Simple Living project.

The internet is an amazing and powerful step for humanity, bringing tremendous value, information, and experiences very quickly to anyone with access and knowledge of how to use a computer. Its also filled with tons of relatively current (as in not authored ages ago,) perrsonal development articles from truly beautiful people with tons to offer, and I’ve collected some of them for you here.

	1. Chris Guillebeau’s The Art of Non-Conformity Article: The Anarchist Professor – Interview with Dennis Rancourt Notes: Chris’s site is amazing and filled with value. I believe many people find him for his astonishingly free and cheap travel tips, or his inspirational writings on working for one’s self as well as others, instead of… "the man." but his blog has soooo much in it. I’ve chosen this particular article mainly for the inspirational factor, and because Chris asks good questions and Dennis has good answers, and also for the comments section. Great stuff.
	2. Liana G’s Blue Truth – The Work of David Deida Article: Where Is Up? Notes: David Deida is a brilliant spiritual teacher and author who’s primary vehicle is male/female relationships. I highly, highly recommend his books for a deeper, more spiritual, more intimate understanding of sex, love, gender and polarity. This particular article is a deviation from this focusing on the nature of reality, and how to best navigate it, you know, its all a dream… like in the matrix
	3. Stephen Cox’s Balanced Existence Article: Skillfully Deal With Suffering In The World Notes: An interesting sharing and perspective of ‘truth’ from someone very knowledgeable in matters of health and fitness. Again, I’ve chosen an article which deviates a bit from what might appear to be the main focus of the site, but its an extremely good article about how to understand suffering in the world in a different light.
	4. Stephane Hemon’s Ideagasms Article: Why We Drink And Do Drugs Notes: Another contemporary spiritual relationship master, inspired by and a great companion to Deida, Stephane elaborates on the ‘pleasures’ to be found in certain substances and our motivations for seeking them out.
	5. Jae’s Kinowear Article:7 Traits of a Highly Remarkable Man Notes:Kinowear started out as a personal style blog for men but has become so much more. Jae’s brilliant look at personal development in this article could very well change your life
	6. Ariel Bravy’s We Are All One Article: You Are Abundant Notes: Ariel is a very prolific and talented spiritual author. This article really touched me personally at a challenging time in my life, perhaps it can help you too.
	7. Ryan Randolph Article: The Power of Being a No-Man Notes: Ryan has an awesome down-to-earth style of personal and spiritual development, and this article on saying ‘No’ I can see being extremely valuable to a number of readers. Enjoy.
	8. Zen Moments Article: Grace In Receiving Notes: So awesome. Zenmoments.org often touches my (he)art.
	9. Steve Pavlina’s Personal Development for Smart People Article: You Are Self Employed Notes: Last and definitely not least, this stands out in my mind as one of the most impressive and eye-opening articles I’ve read in my lifetime. Its inspired by something Brian Tracy said, and Steve has a beautiful take on it. Steve Pavlina is a genius who, to me, so clearly shines and focuses on doing good things in the world, that one can’t help but appreciate him. The amount and quality of writings on his site available to such a massive audience is stunning. The openness and honesty of both he and is wife is commendable and I highly recommend browsing his site, you ‘never know’ what you’ll find.

Whew… okay, as far as I’m concerned above are some of the best personal development authors, their websites, and articles that I feel are outstanding. I believe this is the first list of its kind on the net, but I’d love to hear if anyone else has seen/compiled some. Focus on the growth of the individual is focus on the growth of the world — and it really feels like the time for it.

Love and respect,
-J.