Good Books for Reading

1. The Collected Works of St Teresa of Avila, 3 volumnes, translated by Kieran Kavanaugh & Otilio Rodriguez, ICS Publications, Washington, DC, 1976. A true gem on mystical experiences and daily living.

2. Dark Night of the Soul, A classic in the literature of mysticism by St John of the Cross, Image Books. John of the Cross was a man imprisoned for his spiritual life and belief.

3. Breakthrough, Meister Eckhart's Creation Spirituality in New Translation, by Matthew Fox, Image Books. An excellent book on creation centered spirituality. especially concerning Letting Go and Letting Be.

4. Radical Optimism, Rooting Ourselves in Reality, by Beatrice Bruteau, Crossroad, NY; This book shines new light on the deepest truth we can know about ourselves: each of us has at-one-ment with God, here and now.

5. Touching, Body Therapy and Depth Psychology, by Deldon Anne McNeely, Inner City Books; the author attemps, in different ways, to establish a dialogue between consciousness and the unconscious with the emphasis on the somatic expression of emotional problems or complexes.

6. Mother of Jesus, by Jean-Pierre Prevost, Novalis Books; this book will lead the reader into a rediscovery of Mary as she appears in the Gospel. An excellent presentation.

7. The Pregnant Virgin, A Process of Psychological Transformation, by Marion Woodman, Inner City Books; this book is about the struggle to become conscious. It is about overcoming addictions to food, drugs, work, etc. It is about the wisdom of the body, initiaiton rituals, dreams. It is about relationship and the search for personal identity. It is a celebration of the feminine, both in men and in women.

8. The Angel and the Frog, Becoming your own Angel, A Spiritual Fable, by Fr. Leo Booth, SCP Limited Books, In this spiritual tale, he gives us keys to the Kingdom and wings to soar beyond our lesser selves.

9. Letters to Contemplatives, by William Johnston, Orbis Books; For the author the encounter with Eastern religion leads to a renewal of Christian faith, a spirituality of engagement with everyday life, and a spirit of openness with the experience and faith of others.

10. Anatomy of the Spirit, The Seven Stages of Power and Healing, by Caroline Myss, Three Rivers Press NY; the author presents a breakthrough model of the body's seven centers of spiritual and physical power, in which she synthesizes the ancient wisdom of three spiritual traditions - the Hindu chakras, the Christian sacraments, and the Kabbalah's Tree of Life - to demonstrate the seven stages through which everyone must pass in the search for higher consciousness and spiritual maturity. An excellent book for inner healing.

11. Sophia-Maria: A Holistic Vision of Creation, by Thomas Schipflinger, Samuel Weiser, Inc, ME; Sophia, or Holy Wisdom, is said to have appeared to us in the form of Mary, as foreseen by the prophet Baruch, and is deeply rooted within the Russian Church's devotion to the Virgin Mary. To meet the growing interest in Sophia outside the Russian Chrch, Father Thomas Schipflinger has compiled a timely, indispensiable source of reference - a veritable Sophia encyclopedia - for anyone wanting to learn more about the Sophianic Movement.

12. Saved by the Light, A True Story of a Man who Died Twice and the Profound Revelations He Received, by Dannion Brinkley, Harper Publ.; On Sept 17, 1975, after being electrocuted by a bolt of lightning, Dannion Brinkley died. When he revived twenty-eight minutes later in a morgue, he had the story of a lifetime to tell - a profoundly moving account of what happened to him during his near-death experience.

13. Any books by Anthony DeMello, SJ, will be most inspiring.

14. The Intimate Connection, Male Sexuality, Masculine Spirituality, by James Nelson, Westminister John Knox Publisher; The Intimate Connection" directs the reader's attention to specific areas of sexuality and a man's relationship to God, of a man's view and acceptence of himself in his totality as being key to his acceptence of God as living and vital. A necessary book for men!

15. Embraced by the Light, by Betty Eadie; This is her extraordinary story of the events that followed after physical death. She saw more, perhaps than any other person has seen before and shares her almost photographic recollections of the remarkable details. Compelling, inspiring, and infinitely reassuring, her vivid account gives us a glimpse of the peace and unconditional love that awaits us all.

16. Many Lives, Many Masters, by Brian Weiss; A practicing psychiatrist and past-life skeptic is amazed when one of his patients recounts past-life experiences and astounded when he personally undergoes regression and recalls detailed previous lives of his own.

17. Autobiography of a Yogi, by Paramahansa Yogananda; This is the life of a Hindu guru that loved the Lord profoundly and deeply. A very inspiring book especially for a Christian.

18. Sacred Pleasure, Sex, Myth and the Politics of the Body - New Paths of Power and Love, by Riane Eisler, published by HarperSanFrancisco. This is not a sex book, but it is a book that will shake men to their roots concerning their attitudes about sex. She presents two models of relationships: the dominator and partnership models. The dominator model is one of power and control. This is the model that has been in effect for over 5000 years as men maintain control and power over others, especially women. The partnership model is one of pleasure and love. It is a very long and documented book, but one must read Chapter 11 on Sex, Religion and Domination and Chapter 16 on Morality, Ethics, and Pleasures.

19. The Wedding of Sophia by Jeffrey Raff, Ph.D. An excellent study of Sophia, the Divine Feminine, and how She brings healing to us, how She leads us to an integrated human life. Prayer of the imagination is the instrument.

20. The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho. A story of his own spiritual experiences and growth as he walked the Road of Santiago. The book is filled with discernment for those who seek to know the inner self and its relationship with the Divine Persons of God.

21. Emissary of Light by James F. Twyman. The adventures with the secret peacemakers. His finding of the Modern Knights Templars in Bosnia and the mission of all peacemakers.

22. Enchanted Love, The Mystical Power of Intimate Relationships by Marianne Williamson. An excellent book exploring the issue of relationships. How, in this deeply personal collection of essays, prayers, and self-reflection, she turns to romantic love.

23. If God Is Love by Philip Gulley & James Mulholland. This book offers a beautiful portrait of the power of love and acceptance, challenging us to a new way of life. A remarkably readable and insightful description of two very different forms of Christianity.

24. A God of Incredible Surprises, Jesus of Galilee by Virgilio Elizondo. Why was Jesus, the Son of God, from an obscure village in Galilee? What does it mean to our spirituality that he chose not to seek favor from the powerful, but to identify with the marginalized, the powerless, and those in need of healing? Readers of this book will see Jesus in a new and powerful way. This is a thought-changing and life-changing book.

25. Entering the Castle, an inner path to God and your soul, by Caroline Myss. If you have had difficulty understanding Teresa’s Seven Mansions then you will enjoy this book. Caroline maintains that it was Teresa herself that “dictated” the book to her.

26. Hands of Light, A guide to helaing through the human energy field by Barbara Ann Brennan. Barbara’s book gives very practical insights on health, relationships and disease. It will be very helpful for one who has the gift of healing and can see the auras, human energy fields and chakras.

27. Wheels of Light, another wonderful book on chakras, auras and the healing energy of the body. By Rosalyn L. Bruyere. She connects the physical realms of manifestation with the dimensions of the spirit.

28. The Hidden Messages in Water, by Masaru Emoto. This book introduces the work of the Japanese scientist, Masaru Emoto, who has discovered that molecules of water are affected by our thoughts, words and feelings. His message is one of personal health, both physical and spiritual, especially when related to the Eucharist and Holy Water.

29. Conversations with God, by Neale D. Walsch, 3 volumes. All three volumes are the exact conversations that God had with Neale. He is responding to man’s eternal questions concerning life, good and evil. These books will challenge one’s ritualistic relationship with God.

30. The Silent Cry : Mysticism and Resistance, by Dorothee Soelle, Fortress Press 2001. An excellent book on mysticism, but not an easy one to read because of its depth. Robert McAfee Brown says, “Dorothee Soelle is an activist who is also a mystic. She refuses to separate prayer and politics and stresses the redemptive possibilities in every human situation.”

31. New Revelations by Neale D. Walsch. Atria Books 2002. This is a life-altering book. It provides the tools with which to pull ourselves out of despair, lifting the whole human race to a new level of experience, to a new understanding of life itself, to a new expression of its grandest vision.

32. Home with God, by Neale D. Walsch. Atria Books 2006. Through the author’s profound and personal dialogue with God, Walsch explores the process by which all human beings must end their days here on Earth and begin their new life in God’s Kingdom – to which all eventually return, regardless of their earthly deeds. This book offers hope, comfort, and surprising revelations for all humankind.