five spiritual books to read this weekend
I was asked this recently and promised to share. I’ll keep it simple and to the point…just a few reads that have made a difference to me and might to you, too. Feel free to add to the list below…
image via pinterest
A Path with Heart by Jack Kornfield
A wonderful manual for deep meditation practice. His “choose the one seat” lesson sticks with me (choose one style of meditation or practice and just stick with it…because the style doesn’t matter, it’s the doing it part that does).
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
Sublime…the kind of thing that Lada Gaga gets tattooed on her arm. Insights like this: “I hold this to be the highest task for a bond between two people: that each protects the solitude of the other.” Word.
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Somehow this guy just nails the whole “oneness” concept better than anyone else. If you’re after a starting point or a refresher, this is your book. I refer back to it from time to time, opening it to where it naturally falls and reading a page. I finally got the beauty of the “present moment” with this exercise. He instructs you to ask yourself “what’s the issue right now?”. Not tomorrow, not in 30 minutes, not in 1 minute, not in one second from now. What’s the issue right now. Of course, you find yourself realising that there is no issue in the present. You just can’t conjure one. Only in the past and the future are there issues.
Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
When I was 21 going through a rough time, a stranger gave me a copy of this book. Out of the blue. It taught me how to do walking meditation. It’s a small book. Makes a great gift. And I really do recommend trying walking meditation.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
I wrote on this recently. You can learn what I took from this marvelous book here.
What must-read spiritual guides (not too much woo-woo!) do you swear by?
I love The Power Of Now – Profound yet simple (and timeless of course).
Also, I recommend:
Light on Life, by BKS Iyengar.
Life Ahead – Jiddu Krishnamurti
Krishnamacharya: his Life and Teachings
Hmm… just noticed the word “life” coming up a lot!!!
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Perhaps it doesn’t quite ‘fit the mold’, but I do like the narrative ‘Five People you meet in Heaven’. It just seems to give a very different type of persepctive – not a self-help/guide etc but a very poignant journey that makes you look outside the ‘norm’.
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October 11th, 2012 at 8:44 am
I agree
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October 11th, 2012 at 10:35 am
Is that the one about the old man? If so, i have read it and it is wonderful, very thought provoking.
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‘The Shack’ by William P Young is the most beautiful book I have ever read. It’s a novel about a man whose daughter is brutally murdered and who is disillousioned and furious at God for letting it happen.
Young presents God ‘Papa’ as a huge black woman who bakes and loves on the dad and nutrures him through the intimate process of healing.
The 3 ‘personalities’ of God are portayed in ways that woo the reader into wanting to be part of the beautiful experience that the dad is having. The Holy Spirit is an Asian woman who is multicoloured and relates to him through song! Loved it.
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Anything by Florence Scovel Shinn……talk about having an epiphany! From early last century, it’s her take on the bible. I’m not in the least bit “religious” but her books (you can get 4 in 1) made me look at life differently!
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October 11th, 2012 at 9:45 am
Will check it out…never hear of
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October 11th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
Really ??
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I really love Gabriel Bernstein at the moment, Spirit Junkie explained it all in a way that I could really absorb!
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Oh neat. I recently asked a bff for her “required reading” list and A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle was at the top. Also included The Hero with a Thousand Faces, which I’ll read next. Thanks for your list!
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Turning The Mind Into an Ally by Sakyong Mipham is a wonderful book.
Also – Happy for No Good Reason by Swami Shankarananda. This one is more like a manual with meditation techniques and comes with a guided meditation CD.
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I’ve read power of now. while i understood the gist of it i find mindfullness hard to do. especially when emotions come into it. i find it very hard just to observe these emotions i find i get badly tangled up in them. i do like his message though. i really loved the book dying to be me by anita moojani.
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Currently reading Born to be Free by Jac O’Keeffe and LOVING IT, making notes here, underlining there … also reading Ham on Rye and while it may not be classed as spiritual, apart from f*&%ing BRILLIANT writing, I find it very moving, devasting and hilarious all at once – almost confusing – but a great book for a new perspective (just over half way thru).
You Can Heal Your Life changed my life aged around 23 …good ol’ Louise L Hay! Brought so much spaciousness and liberation to my heart and soul and my behaviour …
The Heart of Yoga by Desikachar is easy to pick up and read and very accessible even if you’re not a yogi(ni)! Beautiful!
What We Say Matters by Judith Hanson Lasater (one of my teachers), a book on the importance and sense behind choosing your words wisely and choosing to interpret other’s words with perspective and wisdom also …. really interesting … she also wrote a book called “A Year of Living Your Yoga: Daily Practices to Shape Your Life”, which I really like and read to my yoga students!
Anam Cara by John O’Donoghue, which my mum gave me, and I love his book of blessings called Beannacht – he is just so poetic, deep and lyrical and I’m crying just writing this (emotinonal much?!)
For the ladies: The Red Tent by Anita Diamant About the tent in which women of Jacob’s (of the biblical times) tribe must, according to the ancient law, take refuge while menstruating or giving birth, and in which they find mutual support and encouragement from their mothers, sisters and aunts. It’s a great “sistawoman” book!!
I HAVE The Power of Now, but haven’t read it yet, am reading Stillness Speaks along with the other two – it’s the kind you can dip into, I like to read a paragraph or a chapter at bedtime …
I’d better stop now!! But I can’t guarantee I won’t spurt out another couple or suggestions!!
I have two on my shelf yet to read called “The Power of an Open Question” by Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel and “The Journey” by Brandon Bays which were recommended to me by my dad’s partner – anyone read these? I’ll get round to them …
OH OH and for kids, this is GORGEOUS & I give it to all my friend’s when they have a child:
The Little Soul and the Sun by Neale Donald Walsch … if I’d had a child I would want them to know this message!
Great post Sarah!! I LOVE books! But buy them ALOT faster than I read them!! (Sarah heard you met my gorgeous man the other day!! I saw you on Saturday morning but you were gliding towards the beach and I didnt want to interrupt your flow!!)
Thanks for this post, hello Book Depository!!
Eeek! Sorry for the long post!!!!
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October 12th, 2012 at 11:19 am
LOVED born to be free!! Jac O’keeffe is AMAZING I love her.! I made so many notes and took a lot away from this book!
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October 12th, 2012 at 11:51 am
I also LOVED “The Red Tent”. Great book.
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At the moment I’m reading ‘The Antidote: Happiness for people who can’t stand positive thinking’, by Oliver Burkeman. The first 6 chapters were great, chapter 7 was a little boring, but overall it’s a great book. He discusses Buddhism, stoicism and other perspectives and puts a good case forward as to why it can be harmful to try and only think positively and shut out all negative thoughts and emotions.
He references Eckhart Tolle, Brené Brown and Barbara Ehrenreich, who wrote ‘Smile or die’.
It sounds like a negative book, but it really isn’t. The author writes well and has a great sense of humour.
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A return to love – Marrianne Williamson. It’s all you need x
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Care of the Soul by Thomas Moore is lovely – his take on dealing with depression as a gift is interesting & Women, food and god (can’t remember author) was a nice read too.
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October 24th, 2012 at 5:08 am
Women, Food and God is by Geneen Roth. I’m halfway through it. Was intrigued for ages but ignored it because of the G word (I’m not a Christian). So far, brilliant!
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I’m halfway through The Power of Now at the moment, actually. I really wanted to hate it, because Tolle is incredibly arrogant… but he is also incredibly right. I find myself unable to argue!
Otherwise, Paulo Coehlo’s The Alchemist, or Jonathon Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach are classics. Also Illusions, also by Richard Bach. I loved the adventures of the reluctant messiah
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Forgiveness and Other Acts of Love by Stephanie Dowrick was helpful to me when I was an angry 19 year old grappling with a few issues.
I also appreciate anything by Pema Chodron and Thich Nhat Hanh.
A real sweet picture book I love is The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell…always makes me smile.
Thanks for the post Sarah!
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“According to Mary Magdelene” – Marianne Fredriksson
Interesting female perspective on the life and times of Jesus.
“Credo” – Melvyn Bragg
Fictional account of the spread of Christianity through the British Isles in the 6th,7th and 8th centuries. Well researched and easy to read. Surprisingly relevant !
“The Prophet” – Kahlil Gibran
Bit of a Chestnut .. fun for dipping your toes if you’re new to this kind of literature.
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Falling Upward – Richard Rohr (A Franciscan priest)
The Message – Eugene Peterson (a modern paraphrase of the Bible).
What’s So Amazing About Grace? – Philip Yancey
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I’ve just read Tattoos on the Heart: The power of boundless compassion by Gregory Boyle it’s essays about his work with the gangs in LA. Some chapters made me laugh, some made me cry, some made me both laugh and cry. Such a fantastic example of the power of love and a real reminder that no life is less valuable than another.
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The Alchemist is a great little book. Simple and yet profound. Everyone can find their own message in it.
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I definitely second (or perhaps third) The Alchemist. I’ve read it so many times and each time gained something new. Also The Little Prince (by Antoine Saint de Expury). Read it first as a young girl and many times since… Helps me find perspective.
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I’ve read a few really good books lately. The Gift of Imperfection by Brene Brown is a great read, Quiet by Susan Cain helped me understand that I am an introvert (thus need my solitude and space).
But my favourite so far has been Looking inThe Distance by Richard Holloway. He writes about the need for spiritual practice, but more about the approach to wholehearted ness and healing. I love the idea that for all that we carry on the journey we take through life, at the end of the day there is nothing more soul satisfying than being able to sit and look into the distance and just ponder our existence.
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big breath have never been able to read The Power of Now as the pictures of the author are so off putting to me – that weird facial hair NO NO NO
erhem
Here are mine
84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff – when my life appeared to be going wrong it encouraged me to keep going
The Artists Way by Julia Cameron – accessing your creativity but also your true self
How to be Free by Tom Hodgkinson which has really helped me think about work/quality of life
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I love ‘A New Earth’ by Tolle. I think it is amazing.
I love ‘The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success’ and ‘The Book of Secrets’ by Deepak Chopra. I love the way he articulates the mind-body-spirit connection, and I find his writing very truthful and his suggestions very realistic.
I quite liked ‘Five wishes’ by Gay Hendricks, about the five things that people wish for on their death-beds, and using those points to inform how you live your life in the present. It was short and sweet.
‘Women, food and God’ was pretty fascinating. I sat there with my highlighter for that one. Lightbulbs kept on flashing as she discussed the spiritual connection between how we treat our bodies and how we relate to the ‘divine’ (whatever that may be for you).
I love ‘Healthy at 100′, by John Robbins, which sounds like a crash-diet-lose-weight sort of book, but is actually a treatise on wellness and the common threads between cultures that live the longest (hint: amongst other things, it’s love!)
Sarah, could you please do another list at some stage on your favourite health and wellness books? I would be interested to hear… I so love perving on other people’s book-shelves!!!
Oh, and am I allowed to say ‘Oh the places you’ll go’ by Dr Seuss?!!
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October 12th, 2012 at 1:54 pm
I agree Jess- you can really get to know a person by their book shelves
Or book shop browsing with a friend……
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Oh oh oh, forgot to say ‘The war of art’ by Stephen Pressfield… Don’t quite know if it officially counts as a ‘spiritual’ book, but in terms of looking at the spiritual struggles behind the creative process, it is top-fricking-notch!!
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Pema Chodron is a perennial fave of mine. She articulates things clearly and with true compassion. Love. Start where you are. When things fall apart. The wisdom of no escape. The titles are insightful in themselves. Great post. xx
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I loved the Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield, read it many years ago and loved it.
You can heal your life by Louise Hay
The body is the barometer of the soul by Annette Noontil
A course in Miracles – still working through this
Tuesday’s with Morrie by Mitch Albom
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My all time favourites are ‘Broken Open’ by Elizabeth Lesser, “Being Nobody Going Nowhere’ by Ayya Khema, ‘The Soul of Money’ by Lynne Twist, ‘Care of the Soul’ by Thomas Moore.
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I love ‘cultivating inner peace’ and ‘healing the healer’ by Paul fleischmann. Blessings on your day!
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I love Caroline Myss’s writing. The Anatomy of the Spirit is amazing. Also The Creation of Health. Another of my favourites is Donald Epstein’s 12 Stages of Healing.
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Thank you Sarah, I am always looking for new spiritual books to read.
I love Anything by Dr.Wayne Dyer. My favourite is Power of Intention and also he’s latest book Wishes Fulfilled is brilliant!
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‘Initiation’ by Elisabeth Haich is pretty powerful stuff -
about the authors lucid memories of initiation into the hidden mystical teachings of the priesthood in ancient Egypt.
‘Kundalini Rising’ – Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Andrew Newberg, Sivananda Radha, Ken Wilber, John Selby .. I believe this is the book we all need to help guide us through our health issues and the experience of life really..
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Love your post Sarah. A different read I loved was Amazing Grace by David Wolfe and Nick Good. For me it came a close second to Eckhart’s books.
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What a wonderful list – thanks everyone for sharing your favourites.
For me, Buddhism for Mothers saved my sanity when I was home with my newborn daughter. It was a great introduction to the concepts of Buddhism which I have read further on since, but it reminded me to be present in the moment and enjoy the details of every day.
My children were recently given Have You Filled a Bucket Today which is a wonderful lesson for kids in how rewarding it is to do for others – such a tough concept to teach but this book makes it simple. My daughter references it pretty much every day.
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Loving everyone’s suggestions. My book shelves will be groaning with the weight soon…..or E-reader jammed up…..?!!
‘Dieing to Be Me’ by Anita Moorjani…….i heard her speak at Wayne Dyer’s last visit in Sydney- so so so moving and inspiring. Gives her perspective on life and what it all means after going through a near death experience. An easy and quick read. Recommended for poeple who are dieing or people with someone they know who are dieing. It really gives a beautiful take on life and death and healing.
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Wherever You Go, There You Are and Full Catastrophe Living by mindfulness master Jon Kabat-Zinn
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‘Living with the Himalayan Masters’ by Swami Rama is wonderful read. ‘Grist for the Mill’ by Ram Dass and ‘The Power of Now’ really does nail it ! I don’t think that the normal Eckhardt Tolle wrote it but a previously inspired version, cheers,
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Hmmm…. I find it interesting that no one is listing ‘The Bible’. The bible for me is the ultimate ‘spiritual’ book because for me, God’s word is central to everything that I do because he created me to be all that I am and will be. My favourite verse right now is this one from Romans 5 and my favourite translation is ‘The Message’ version because it’s so easy to read and understand.
3-5 There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
I also love ‘Heaven is for real’ by Todd Burpo… very thought provoking.
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October 13th, 2012 at 12:36 am
I listed the The Bible Steph, ( see Oct 11, 14:57).
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My favourite little book is Hector’s Search for Happiness, by Lelord Francis. Got to love Hector!
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The Power of Now is the book I’ll pick up first. I remember other people referring me to it but for some reason…
I’d add a book that is not per se spiritual. Well, it’s spiritual to me in many ways. I keep going back over again. If you haven’t had a look yet you might want to pick up the Four Hour Work Week by the author Tim Ferriss. If a spiritual book can be defined as one potentially changing your life than this is spiritual.
If any of you read the 4HWW already I’d love to know if you have the same feeling about this book.
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The Tao of Pooh…by Benjamin Hoff
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Interesting post! I just read a great book you might like called “Lifting the Wheel of Karma” by Paul H. Magid, you can check it out and get it right off of his website http://paulhmagid.com/. It’s a great read and you might find it quite interesting.
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Anything by Paulo Cohelo.
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A friend put me onto ‘The Ringing Cedars of Russia’ it’s a series of about 10 easy to read books that are apparently life changing like none before.
I’ve only just started reading the first book ‘Anastasia’, it’s hard to put down!
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I think any book that one gets a profound message/s from can be deemed “spiritual”. When I was suicidal long ago, The Power of One by Bryce Courtney helped immensely. As did the all-time classic, Conversations with God, when I was wondering about my purpose. Have just finished reading The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware. A beautiful & loving story told by a beautiful soul. I have just found out an old friend of mine has 2nd stage cancer, so book was a timely gift. All books were passed along to me just when I needed them. Life can be wonderful like that!
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I would second
- Power of Now
- MIracle of Mindfulness (Or perhaps Peace is Every Step?)
- Man’s Search for Meaning
Plus add
- Tao Te Ching (Stephen Mitchell version is the one I find most accessible but I love all translations as they present it in different lights)
- Awakening the Buddha Within (Lama Surya Das) The first book on Buddhism I read and went “Ahh, that’s what it’s about”
- What the Buddha Taught (Walpola Rahula) the only other book on Buddhism that made me go, “Wow, smart dude that Siddhattha fellow …”
- Seven Masters One Path (John Selby) – um, they’re all saying the same thing – duh
- Conversations with God series (Neale Donald Walsch) yeah, hokey, but I loved ‘em.
Oh, and I couldn’t forget…
- Lovingkindness (Sharon Salzberg)
- The Road Less Travelled (M Scott Peck)
And, perhaps…
Walden (Henry David Thoreau)
Hmmm, that may be more than a weekend’s worth of reading…
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‘The Monk who sold his ferrari’ by Robin Sharma… brilliant!
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40 days of purpose by Rick Warren is an amazing book, the first few chapters were hard to read as everything i thought my life was meant to be wasn’t the real purpose of why i was here. we are all blessed with gifts and talents that make us unique and i also think that we have eternity placed within us, by that i mean a desire to live beyond this life. a great read and it has challenged me in how i want to live and has given me peace and contentment about where i spend my time…
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WOW what a great post, I just loved going through and looking at what everyone has read, my favourite is Louise Hay, You can Heal your Life, I pick it up time and time again. There has been a few on here that I haven’t read so I have noted and I am off to research, buy or download, thanks to all who have shared
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Anything by Thich Nhat Hanh, Especially “Peace Is Every Step” “True Love” and “Anger” Really beautiful books and easy to read…
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Plant Seed, Pull Weed – Nuturing the Garden of Your Life, Geri Larkin. My sister gave me this book just when I really needed it, she’s clever that way! It’s a book I always come back to, one of my treasures.
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