Buddhism
After a couple false starts with Buddhism (early attempts were very dry or challenging to understand), Tara Brach was by far my first amazing source of Buddhism learning and information. Her way of writing was very easy to understand, had a point, drew parallels, and hit home for me in so many ways. Almost every page I turned lead another epiphany; a deeper understanding of Self, and the trance I'd been under.
To me, Buddhism represents Mindfulness (loving-awareness) and Compassion (loving-kindness).
Tara's book Radical Acceptance along with the NVC Feelings and Needs knowledge were my game changing combination. While Tara walked through the unveiling of the Shared Human Experience, Compassion, The Pause, mindfully Investigating beneath the sensations, etc... NVC completely supported the exercise through its identifying the unmet need behind the thought/feeling... and having easy access to the feelings, needs, and evaluative words lists was instrumental in navigating these previously uncharted waters.
The completely free and online 8-week Palouse Mindfulness course was my first (unknowing) introduction to Buddhism. Mindfulness helped lay the foundation for self-discovery, being present, identifying/recognizing unhealthy patterns of reaction, and checking those assumptions/reactions for truth.
The Mindfulness course also provided many great videos from various speakers like Brené Brown and Kristin Neff... two amazing resources to expand ones understanding and application of Compassion... and its many related topics on vulnerability, empathy, courage, daring greatly, and self-compassion.