The best spirituality books to read that will change your life - recommended by a Spiritual Coach & Psychotherapist
Here’s a wonderful collection of recommended self-help books for the spiritually curious. I hope you find something in there to satisfy your appetite wherever you are on your spiritual path, either a complete beginner or an advanced practitioner. There’s a whole variety of suggestions from lighter reads to more soul-searching offerings. Books have been a constant source of inspiration and accompaniment to my spiritual journey over the years. Hearing others' perspectives on the emotional landscape of life, being introduced to new concepts, having the treasures of ancient wisdom mapped out for me in modern language has all helped shape my spiritual perspective, bring meaning, healing and uplifting useful guidance at times.
Let me know how you get on, I’d love to hear from you. And to enhance our spiritual mindset of generosity and thinking of others, these best books for spiritual direction in life will make wonderful gifts too!
Best books on spirituality - my recommedations
Never without a book, either on my travels or on the sofa at home, so if you too like to grab a good read and head for the garden or beach then here’s our top recommended books on spirituality and psychology to read this season.
Or find out more on how we support you in your Coaching & Therapy sessions by incorporating spirituality and Eastern Philosophy:
List of best spiritual books that will stay with your forever - for beginners on the spiritual journey and for experienced soul-searchers.
“The Prophet” - by Kahil Gibran
This book was given to me by a friend from Poland, who I met while travelling in India and Nepal. I adored it from the moment I saw it, and have often used passages on postcards for friends, sharing the Lebanese-American poet’s wisdom on subjects like marriage, children and work. The book is a collection of 26 poetic essays that are philosophical, spiritual, and inspirational and took over 11 years to formulate. Each chapter covers a topic, like love, giving, eating and drinking, joy and sorrow, housing, clothes, buying and selling, crime and punishment, freedom, reason and passion, pain, self-knowledge, teaching, friendship, talking, time, good and evil, prayer, pleasure, death, beauty, and religion. This book is a life-long treasure.
“Eastern Body, Western Mind” - by Anodea Judith
A masterpiece in the field of best spirituality books, I use mine more like an encyclopaedia instead of a book to read from cover to cover. The sub-title is “Psychology and the Chakra System As a Path to the Self” and provides an in-depth interpretation of the Eastern chakra system, looking at the pathologies, which symptoms indicate whether they are lacking in energy or in overdrive, and many powerful remedies for each.
“Man's search for meaning” - by Victor Frankl
A collection of recommended spiritual books would not be complete without this great work of Victor Frankl. Written in 1946 it chronicles his experience as a prisoner of war in Nazi Germany and his understanding of the interconnectedness between survival and purpose in life. For anyone looking for a deeper, more meaningful experience of life, this is a must read.
Life changing best books in the field of Buddhism combined with spirituality and psychology
“Zen mind, beginners mind” - by Shunryu Suzuki.
One of the most renowned Zen Monks and teachers of the 20th Century who brought Zen Buddhism out of Asia and founded the first Buddhist monastery outside of Asia. He writes a helpful introduction to the concept of ‘Shoshin’ or ‘beginners mind’ as defined in Zen Buddhism. The book is taken from a series of Dharma talks by Suzuki and provides a very accessible overview of the true nature of Zen.
“When things fall apart, heartfelt advice for difficult times” - by Pema Chödrön.
Pema Chödrön is a Tibetan Buddhist nun who’s writing offers compassionate support for those struggling with anxiety, depression and pain. Her approach, rooted in Buddhist wisdom, provides a soothing balm for times when we feel life is falling apart. She invites us to move towards painful situations and to fall into deeper more compassionate relationship with difficulty thus finding greater inner peace. Pema Chödrön offers life-changing tools for transforming suffering and negative patterns into habitual ease, infinite love and boundless joy. She wrote another book, called “The places that scare you - A guide to fearlessness” which is a spiritual must read if you’d like to find meaning in anxiety, and how to overcome it in a loving, compassionate way.
“The heart of buddhas teaching” - by Tich Nhat Hanh.
A comprehensive introduction to the core Buddhist teachings.
“Being Peace” - by Thich Nhat Hanh.
This friendly book contains Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings on peace and meditation. In this read you get a real insight into the life of the ‘father of mindfulness’ and is rich with stories, poetry and key practices for embracing the present moment. It’s an easy read for beginners on the spiritual journey, yet full of profound wisdom.
“Sadness, Love, Openness: The Buddhist Path of Joy” - by Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche.
A very accessible, direct recounting of how everyday life translates into Tibetan Buddhist practice. A genuine guide to awakening from a beloved Tibetan Meditation Master and our Founder Karin Peeters’ own spiritual teacher.
“Buddhism plain and simple” - by Steve Hagen.
A book that is what it says, plain and simple and yet profound commentary on mindfulness, suffering and the nature of reality.
Curious to find out how Buddhism can be incorporated into your Coaching & Therapy sessions, in order to bring more forgiveness, compassion, generosity, patience and wisdom into your life?
Must read best spirituality books on Taoism (Daoism)
Our recommended popular spiritual reads to explore Taoism
These books are on my own wish-list to read. The essence of the Tao is The Philosophy of Flow, meaning that all living creatures ought to live in a state of harmony with the universe, and the energy (chi or qi) found in it. Sounds wonderful doesn’t it? The way Taoists live seems very similar to embracing the way of the sacred feminine, as they talk about giving up force, fret or struggle to control and manipulate reality, but instead to relax, smile, and surrender. That balance between actively pursuing what we long for, and yet letting go of the outcome and trusting that life will naturally unfold in ways we cannot even imagine has always intrigued me.
“Tao Te Ching”
The place to begin would possibly be the foundational text of the Tao itself by Lao Tzu. A short work that contains immense wisdom and a lifetime of perspective to explore and delve into.
“The Tao of Pooh” - by Benjamin Hoff.
This sweet little book combines the principles of Taoism with characters from A. A. Milnes’ much loved Winnie the Pooh. For those that would like the depth of the Tao presented in a light-hearted and accessible way, a lovely read for adults and children alike.
“The Taoist Inner View of the Universe and the Immortal Realm” - by Liu l-Ming.
Explores the philosophical and spiritual aspects of Taoism including meditation, inner alchemy and the pursuit of immortality.
“The Way of Chuang Tzu” - by Thomas Merton.
This book provides a slightly more intellectual interpretation and commentary on the teachings of Chuang Tzu, it includes reflections on the nature of self, society and the spiritual path.
“Knowing others is intelligence;
Knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
Mastering yourself is true power.”
- LAO TZU -
Best spiritual reads - for beginners on the journey and advanced practitioners
Recommended spiritual books with practical guidance that will stay with your forever
These spirituality books have some very practical tools and techniques for beginners, some are renowned best sellers, other perhaps less well known, but no less profound for your healing journey. And guess what, each of them has been recommended to me by my own clients! They have found these gems on their own spiritual path, and shared the insights they gained from them during their Coaching and/or Therapy sessions.
“The Untethered Soul” - by Michael A. Singer.
This book delves into the nature of consciousness and the process of self-discovery. It offers practical insights and exercises to help break the spiritually interested readers free from limiting beliefs and embrace a more liberated, authentic existence.
“Becoming supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon” - by Joe Dispenza.
Not a spiritual book for beginners, but rather a deep dive into transforming your consciousness, mindset, and beliefs to heal and live a more mystical life.
“Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead” - by Brené Brown.
Dr. Brené Brown has become famous for challenging everything we think we know about vulnerability, and banishes the myth that it's a weakness. The essence of her mission is to invite us all to have the courage to be real in a world where everyone wants to appear in control, confident, strong and like they know what they're doing.
“The ‘Here and Now’ breathing practice” - by Dan Joy.
This is a practical, innocent means to get out of your head; for those more familiar with non-dualistic teachings, this is just a harmless addition to the non-existent toolkit as, of course, there are no methods and there is no teaching. This is a short spiritual book for beginners, a guide to a very simple breathing practice that the author has dedicated much of his life to practicing with profound results. It focuses on the power of the inhalation and exhalation to root us firmly in the present moment.
“Inhale – be here. Exhale – be now. Simplicity at its best. Dan Joys’ invitation to his readers is to explore and find a deeper connection to ourselves and ultimately each other. ”
And obviously the last recommended spiritual book needs to be on the theme of love. It’s written in the style of a novel, so very easily accessible and a nurturing, friendly read.
“Forty Rules of Love” - by Elif Shafak
Written by Turkey's most acclaimed and outspoken author, this book follows the parallel life paths of an unhappily married 40 year old woman, Rumi (a 13th-century Persian poet) and the whirling dervish known as Shams of Tabriz. This is a beautiful novel full of Sufi mysticism. Shams's lessons, or forty rules of love, offer insight into an ancient philosophy based on the unity of all people and religions, and the presence of love in each and every one of us.
Hope you loved these best books for spirituality, it was my pleasure to share my favourites.
And on the subject of spirituality books, I been interviewed to contribute to a book on a wide range of spiritual practises. The chapter I am contributing to is about the benefits of mindfulness from a psychotherapeutic / mental health perspective, and the main principles behind mindfulness-based stress reduction, and what the differences are with a Buddhist understanding of meditation. When it’s published and ready to be enjoyed, I’ll let you know!
These are but a few of the litany of great works for the spiritually curious, and I invite you to follow your own inner guidance as to which you choose to delve into and discover. I hope whichever you choose that your reading brings you solace, guidance and is a worthy companion to your ever increasing serenity and stillness.
PS. Whilst you’re here, feel invited to download this inspiring FREE coaching exercise to help you find the right direction in life. This will automatically register you for the mailing list, and you’ll receive more life changing gems straight into your inbox. Looking forward to seeing you there!