A Journey with Jonah: the Spirituality of Bewilderment
Paul Murray OP, The Columba Press, Dublin 2002.
A short but charming study of the story of Jonah and
the whale. While being theologically sound, is both amusing
and inspiring in our struggle to recognize our human failings
and the voice of God in our lives.
A Thirst for God: Daily Readings with St. Francis de Sales
D LT, London 1985. A very old spirituality book but one which
remains ever popular for its direct manner and appeal to the
way most people feel. Perhaps an old-fashioned kind of language
but still very helpful in the spiritual life.
Bhagavad-Gita
Chapters 1-6 Mahrarishi Mahesh Yogi, Penguin, London 1969.The
more we become aware of the world’s religions, the more
we can see the common threads of life woven by God. Here are
excerpts from the great Hindu sacred spiritual masterpiece.
Confessions Saint Augustine
Trans. R.S. Pine-Coffin, Penguin Books, London 1961 One
of the most famous of all confessions of a soul. It remains
a work which inspires us to realise that no matter how low
we fall in life there is hope that we can rise again. The
story of a sinner who became one of the world’s most
loved and influencial saints.
Crossing-Reclaiming the Landscape of Our Lives
Barrett, DTL, London 2001. A new and fresh look at
the famous Christian Divine Office which is the book of daily
prayers used by monks and nuns. Brother Mark, a monk himself,
takes us on a journey through his days with prayers with thoughts
and observations on God and life that have been written with
love and understanding.
Dark Night of the Soul: St. John of the Cross
A new translation and introduction by Mirabai Starr, Rider,
London 2002. St. John is one of the greatest poets of
Spain and Spanish literature and among the most famous Christian
saints and mystics. Previous translations in English have
been done from a strictly traditional Christian point of view
and often in obscure and out-of-fashion language. Starr’s
new translation is done from an wide-open spirituality perspective
in everyday modern language. It is a wonderful way to discover
the thinking and inspiration of this mystic and it makes him
available to everyone.
The Desert Fathers
Helen Waddell, Vintage Books, New York, 1998. Put
aside all those’little books’ that they sell today
and try this one instead. Here is wisdom from men and women
who went to the wilderness and listened to God. Short, snappy,
and right to the point saying. Some will make you laugh with
self-recognition and others help you to live a sacred life.
You may be like thousands before you and find you love these
first hermits who yearned for God above all else.
Essential Rumi
Translated by Coleman Barks, HarperSanFrancisco, USA 1995.
The most beauty of Sufi mystics and one of the world’s
great poets. No mind that seeks God should be without knowledge
of this remarkable and gifted holy man.
Essential Gay Mystics
Andrew Harvey, HarpersCollins, New York 1997. A collection
about saints and holy men and women who were gay. This book
will help to heal the wounds of all who have experienced rejection
and exclusion from organised religions and to inspire everyone,
gay or not.
Faith beyond Resentment: Fragments Catholic &
Gay James Allison, DTL, London 2001. Written
by a respected Roman Catholic theologian, this book is directed
at lesbian and gay people but is an inspiration for anyone
who may read it. Hard hitting, bibically sound, and doesn’t
avoid current church issues.
Golden Age of Zen
John C. H. Wu, Image Books, Doubleday, New York, 1996.
Here is a good beginning to understand the silent and still
power of the spirituality of Zen Buddhism.
Good News Bible
The Bible Society, HarperCollins. London 1994 Immensely
popular and easy to read modern translation of the bible.
Likle mopst people you probably use many expressions every
day which springs from the bible. Here is a chance to find
out the story behind those words – and to be inspired
by the ‘greatest book ever written.’
In Search of Nature
Edward O. Wilson, Island Press, Washington DC, USA 1996.
The teacher of the importance of bio-diversity in nature and
our need to recognize its importance. This book may seem strange
on a list of spirituality readings, but read it and you will
regain consciousness of the wonder of our earth and the marvel
of life.
Interior Prayer: Carthusian Novice Conferences
Darton, Longman & Todd, London 1996. Here we
share in the initiation of a group of young monks as they
are introduced to the practice of prayer. We learn about the
prayer process. A dazzling insight into little known and traditionally
hidden ways to God.
Introducing The New Testament
John Drane, Lion Books, Oxford, 1986. Introducing
the Old Testament John Drane, Lion Books,Oxford, 1987. John
Drane explains in an easy to understand way these most famous
of all sacred texts. People, places, and the meaning of events
bring a deeper and clearer understanding of the message of
God.
Koran
Translated by N.J. Dawood, Allen Lane, 1978 This
is a good translation into English of the sacred book of Islam
which all serious pilgrims on the spiritual path should read
and study for inspiration and guidance on their journey.
Meister Eckhart, The Essential Sermons
Paulist Press, New York, 1981. The thoughts of a
profound mystic which are as meanful for our lives today as
when they were first written centuries ago.
Muhammad: A Short Biography
Martin Forward, Oneworld, Oxford 1998. If we are
to understand the importance and place of Islam in our lives
and to be helped spiritually, then it is important to read
about the life of the last prophet of God.
Native American Spirituality
Dennis Renault & Tomothy Freke, Thorsons, London 1996.
Here are just a few of the profound aspects of a spirituality
that could not be killed or forgotten and that lives today
in our modern lives, answering many of our quests for a more
spiritual life and one which is connected to the life of all
things.
New Jerusalem Bible
Darton, Longman & Todd, London 1990. One of the
very best translations of the history of God in the lives
of men and women. These words are meant for everyone. The
holy scriptures that changed the world.
New Seeds of Contemplation
Thomas Merton, A new Directions Books, 1972. Christian
monk and a writer who reached the hearts of many men and women,
Merton is always seeking God and inspires us to do the same
through this book and his many others.
Path of Life
Cyprian Smith, Gracewing, 1995. Another monk writing
here for us in a time of the world which finds everything
we know and understand changing. A book which helps all who
wish to accept the challnge of living to the full their Christian
vocation… and for all perhaps who want and need structure
and comprehension in the way they live out a sacred life.
Paths of Solitude
Eve Baker, St. Pauls, 1995. If you have ever been
drawn to live alone in solitude for spiritual reason, then
Eve Baker's book will be a good introduction to the solitary
life as a part of your spiritual journey.
Practice of the Presence of God
Brother Lawrence, Mowbray, London, 1980. The happiest
of spiritual guidance books! Written centuries ago by a modest
monk in plain language, this little book explains how to live
in the presence of God every minuteb of the day – not
just when you pray but when you cook and scrub and go to your
office and drive the car. This humble but holy man really
got it right.
Souls on Fire
Jewish Hasidism produced many rabbis whose deeds and stories
still can impact on our souls and inspire our lives. Elie
Wiesel, Editor is one of the great tellers of tales in
our time and here he brings us the delight and adventure of
the Hasidic spiritual masters.
Teachings from the silent mind
Ven. Ajahn Sumedho, Aamaravati Buddhist Centre,1987 A
selection of talks to help you along your spiritual journey
by a Buddhist monk who was born and educated in America, Japan
and Thailand.
Way of the Shaman
Michael Harner, HarperCollins, New York, 1990. The
classic book about shaumanism and the way of the spirit world
by a man who not only studied the subject but who made his
own journey through this invisible realty.
Western Buddhism
Kulananda, HarpersCollins, 1997 An excellent book
about Buddhism which explains this religion in ways easy to
understand for Western men and women.
