Favourite spiritual books

[mbsreader555]

Hello, I am always looking for new books to read, I was wondering what are your favourite spiritual reads and why do you love them? xx

[holistichealer]

"Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah" by Richard Bach

Great inspirational story, full of metaphors to get points across. It's a modern- day story of a "messiah" who, tired of people wanting to be amazed by what he can do, rather than listen to what he has to say, has decided to travel anonymously. The central character of the story meets him and becomes a student of sorts as they travel together.

The movie theater metaphor for reincarnation is pretty "on target" and memorable.



"The Holy Man", by Susan Trott

Great story about humility and paying attention. It's the story of a "Holy Man", who people make pilgrimages to visit. The long line of people waiting for their chance to see him provides great insight into human nature. (It's the journey as much as the destination.) People who finally get their opportunity to go inside may not find who... what... they expect... especially if they see themselves as "important".

[holistichealer]

In considering the post I made above, the books I recommended are more "inspirational" novels, than what some might term, "spiritual".

My number one choice for a "spiritual" book is: The Magus of Strovolos. It's the first of 3 books written by an author about Stylianos Atteshlis, also known widely as "Daskalos", a contemporary Greek Christian mystic who lived on the Greek island of Cypress.

Daskalos was not what most "religious" people would refer to... or accept... as "Christian", because he taught many things that are at odds with the vast majority of "Christian" churches today. In my opinion, the term, "Gnostic" would be more accurate for his way of seeing things.

He taught about reincarnation. He taught that Jesus the Christ was literally God incarnate, here to show us the potential of who we really are. He taught that the idea of "Hell" is inaccurate because God does not punish us- we punish ourselves by wrong thinking that leads us to see ourselves as separate from God, but we all do eventually succeed at reconnecting to our highest purpose and eliminating the need to reincarnate. He taught about the power of thought- both good and bad- and the thought forms (he referred to them as "elementals) that we constantly create. He did instantaneous, miraculous healings. And more and more...

The real thing about Daskalos' teachings that "hit home" for me was how he integrated so many seemingly isolated mystical experiences and phenomenon into a congruent and understandable picture that makes perfect sense.

[vishal1sharma1]

Hii,

i like to share one book with you because it is not book, it is truth about what we are, why we are here, etc.
This book touches my mind : "Intelligent Design - Message from the Designers".

Peace

[Dancing Eagle (Ian Peric)]

Hi,

I believe the most profound spiritual information comes from introspection and experience. Asking "who am I" and following that to the depths of self realisation is a phenomenal practice. It's great to read, but nothing can replace experiencing your truth for yourself.

I wrote a book call "13 Weeks to Awakening" by Ian Peric(me). It is focused on experiencing and practicing spirituality for yourself and applying it to your life.

The main goal of this practice is living a life of lasting happiness; however that looks for you.

Shine On,
Ian.

[jonor]

A very spiritual book, about how 100 men and women recovered from alcoholism.
I believe it can be applied by all, who is willing to follow the 12 steps to recovery:

"Alcoholics Anonymous"

or an even better version (PDF only), imho:

"The Original Way Out Revealed:R.A.'s Annotated Multilith Big Book"

[abbylovespits]

"A Waste of Time Called Church A Stoner's guide to Salvation"


Not sure this falls into the category of Spiritual. But I did find it inspirational.

[cyberangel]

Hi All, I have read so many wonderful books that I dont know where to start. I suppose the first book I really connected with was 'Embraced by the Light' by Betty J. Eadie it is about her NDE and she goes into great detail on what she saw and experienced.

The Next book I really liked was 'Tuesdays with Morrie' by Mitch Album it is about facing death and acceptance along with continuing to live life and take in all the beauty that it represents.

I am currently reading 'The Camino - A Journey of the Spirit' by Shirley MacLane. It is about a pilgrimage that is over 1,000 years old to El Camino de Santiago and also known as The Way of St. James. Shirley brings you on her spiritual journey and you get to experience for yourself a bit of the journey of the Camino through her experiences.

[tribunalofmercy]

It's amazing to me how many books are a matter of Right Timing, lol - when I looked back over the books that made my "top spiritual" list, most of them fell into That category! (which is why we can google "Top Spiritual Books Ever" to find out what Really matters, and several have already been mentioned here!


It's also sad to me that I have Not read "most" of what people consider Important Spiritual Reads; practically Nothing from Eastern religions either. (not yet, anyway) (but I'm reading! I'm reading! lol)


Of course, the Bible has been Greatly meaningful to me in my life; also, The Cost of Discipleship, by Bonhoeffer, came along in college and was Immensely encouraging to me.


When I was young, Corrie Ten Boom was an important "hero" to me, so her book The Hiding Place holds a special place in my heart. Also a book called The Cross and the Switchblade means a lot, just because I kind of was "a child of the 60s" in America, born when my siblings were already in their teens and Much affected by the Christian Freedom movements of the time.


The Wind Is My Mother, by Bear Heart; and Black Elk Speaks (by Black Elk) are very influential to me too.


Another meaningful one, because I am an empath as well as spiritual, is The Way of the Peaceful Warrior, by Dan Millman.

[mojomojo]

Hi all, I have read many books over the years, and do feel, certain books will resonate with you at specific times on your journey, a book read years ago that had a large impact, might do very little at a later date. Two books stick out in my mind, as regards the impact they had on me and still do , one was Eckhart Tolle, THE POWER OF NOW, very few books have I ever read twice, I have read this four times and it still has an effect, I strongly believe putting in practise, living in the now, can escalate someone on their journey,a very powerful practise.

My second book is probably the most powerful book I have ever read, if a book resonates with me I will finish it in two days easy, I rarely read a book twice, unless it has a profound effect, this second book I have read four times on the trot, again I emphasise if the timing is right. At the start of this book the author claimed that her book will have a spiritual effect, and that put me right off straight away. There is absolutely no reason why this book has had such a powerful effect , there is nothing in it I did not know, it's basically about people finding their creative self, it's full of wonderful sayings from great sages and the like, but she does get you to do certain writing exercises, one of which is called, THE MORNING PAPERS, where first thing every morning, before you do anything, you write an a4 size page of anything that comes into your head, but at the start you address it, Good morning GOD. It is meant to open up a direct channel to spirit.
Never in my life has a book had such a powerful effect on me, I'am still baffled about it, but for me, to this day, this is my number one.

THE ARTIST'S WAY. By. Julia Cameron.
'

[sparklekaz]

I have read so many really wonderful and inspiring books over the years, it is hard to pick a handful which made the most impression on me. I love anything that has a spiritual thread running through it, even though the book itself may not come from that one type of genre. I have found words of inspiration in fiction novels as well as the more serious works by by spiritual, inspirational and motivational authors.

Many years ago I read 'Magic & mystery in Tibet'. By Alexandra David Neel. Which introduced me to the world of the buddhist mystics and their beliefs. I then read 'I fly out with Bright Feathers' by Allegra Taylor. The tale of a novice healer. Her exploration of the different types of healing available, till she found the right 'fit' for her. Also a book about self discovery. I have read all of the books by Betty Shine, a medium and healer. She was a wonderful women who helped me a lot, when I first discovered the ability to feel energy and channel it. Living in an isolated rural area, she became my teacher.

I love the Brian Weiss books, particularly his first one 'Many lives, many masters'. For anyone interested in rebirth/past lives/reincarnation. These books are a really good read. M Scott Pecks book 'The road less travelled' was another book that made a deep impression on me and I felt helped me find answer to my own unresolved issues in life. This book gave me many Aah Haa moments. I've read many books by Paulo Coehlo, Thich Nhat Hanh and Paul Ferrini. These books were very much focused on self understanding, self realization and understanding how we process our emotions and how we react to others. It is really true, that the more we understand ourselves, the more we can relate with compassion and understanding to those whom we have struggled with, and caused us pain.

I have just finished a book called 'Eat Pray Love' by Elizabeth Gilbert. I had seen trailers for the film a year or so ago, and have to say didn't pay it much attention. I recently found the book in a little charity shop where I lived and thought I'd give it a go. Well, I really enjoyed it. I found many light bulb moments in this book, and there were passages where the things she spoke about, could have came out of my mouth, about my thoughts. Which was disconcerting, to say the least. It may seem on the surface, a women's book for women. But I honestly believe it' a book that men will also relate to. After all, emotionally though on the surface it may seem that we are different in how we deal with emotion, relationships and the way we go about our spiritual journey. Underneath I believe we are all the same and think alike. Below is a brief synopsis.

"A celebrated writer's irresistible, candid, and eloquent account of her pursuit of worldly pleasure, spiritual devotion, and what she really wanted out of life. Around the time Elizabeth Gilbert turned thirty, she went through an early-onslaught midlife crisis. She had everything an educated, ambitious American woman was supposed to want—a husband, a house, a successful career. But instead of feeling happy and fulfilled, she was consumed with panic, grief, and confusion. She went through a divorce, a crushing depression, another failed love, and the eradication of everything she ever thought she was supposed to be.

To recover from all this, Gilbert took a radical step. In order to give herself the time and space to find out who she really was and what she really wanted, she got rid of her belongings, quit her job, and undertook a yearlong journey around the world—all alone. Eat, Pray, Love is the absorbing chronicle of that year. Her aim was to visit three places where she could examine one aspect of her own nature set against the backdrop of a culture that has traditionally done that one thing very well. In Rome, she studied the art of pleasure, learning to speak Italian and gaining the twenty-three happiest pounds of her life. India was for the art of devotion, and with the help of a native guru and a surprisingly wise cowboy from Texas, she embarked on four uninterrupted months of spiritual exploration. In Bali, she studied the art of balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence. She became the pupil of an elderly medicine man and also fell in love the best way—unexpectedly.

An intensely articulate and moving memoir of self-discovery, Eat, Pray, Love is about what can happen when you claim responsibility for your own contentment and stop trying to live in imitation of society’s ideals. It is certain to touch anyone who has ever woken up to the unrelenting need for change."

Love and light
Kaz

[aceofcups]

Hi mbsreader..

if your still around?,,, I see your original post here was from almost two years ago. If you are , maybe give us maybe a list of last spiritual books you enjoyed which can give us an indication of type of books or authors you have found useful.

But even if your not around anymore, your question led others to post some of books they found useful.

so thanks,
aceofcups

[tribunalofmercy]

Hey Kaz - it's Thursday I'm picking up my copy of Eat, Pray Love today and will read it immediately-

[sparklekaz]

Aaah that's great Mary Anne.. I really hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I look forward to discussing it with you, when you've read it.

Love and light
Kaz

[tribunalofmercy]

...well, I am 34 pages in....is it safe to say, 'OMG - I am Hooked'? (and feeling woefully inadequate)

[sparklekaz]

I know!! I was the same. I am going to re-read it. I think it's one of those books that can be a revelation each time it's read. Something you've missed will jump out! Why inadequate?

[tribunalofmercy]

I am halfway through the book now, Kaz - I have laughed myself Silly but it hits home in many ways :/ Never fear; the inadequacy was a passing moment

[tribunalofmercy]

I've finished it; wow, and yes, I will likely read at least parts of it again I So enjoy reading the works of authors who can bring you Inside their books, their minds, help you feel you are There with them, you know? She can do that


I've finished my own too, done, published and am 30+ pages into the Next one....can't...stop...writing.....lol

[hera]

I am reading Eckhart Tolle's 'A New Earth' which I am finding hugely enlightening.

I'll be honest, i've been in a difficult place for quite a while now, searching, pleading for help etc and then a couple of weeks ago I was doing some housework and this book which has been sitting on my bookshelf for years, unread, practically jumped out at me and I just had a gut feeling that I should read it.

Sure enough it has spoken to me and seems to be giving guidance which has been much needed. I am not reading it as you would read a novel or similar, just picking it up once a day and concentrating on what Tolle describes so eloquently as a means to find enlightenment and peace.

Interestingly since I have been reading him, I have had two vivid, wonderful dreams about moving to a beautiful new house, which from past experience with dream work is symbolic of self so I am hoping that the practice I am doing with this book's guidance will eventually enable me to move on from this place where I have felt trapped and stagnant for far too long.

[aceofcups]

Hi Hera...

I loved that book when I "got into it" in about 2007 ..   I was on a Spiritual Week Retreat in Ojai Ca. at a Theosophical Study Center.   The place and surrounding were perfect place to get into it.   When I returned home to NY I got into watching the 10 weekly classes that Oprah Winfrey and Eckhart Tolle did on the book via Skype with millions on-line viewers at the time.
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=oprah+and+eckhart+tolle+a+new+earth+class+1+
the 10 classes are on youtube.

www.youtube.com/results?search_query=oprah+and+eckhart+tolle+a+new+earth+class+1+

peace
Aceofcups

[hera]

Thanks for the link Ace, that's this evening's viewing taken care of haha.
Joking aside it sounds just my cup of tea, so thanks again.

[hera]

After reading Tolle's A New Earth, I picked up The Power of Now, which is quite a bit deeper, but Wow, it has spoken directly to me and has made me do a lot of work, both for myself and for everything and everyone in the universe, because of course we are all connected.

I watched the Oprah Winfrey/Tolle classes on You Tube and found them very enjoyable, so thanks for that Ace