Spiritual perspectives

David Godman, editor
Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi. The Hindu master Ramana Maharshi had his first powerful awakening at the age of 17 when he collapsed and felt he was dying. The story of his spiritual journey and insights are inspiring reading. Arkana, 1985. Available: UK, USA.

William Johnston, translator
A fourteenth century Christian mystic describes to a novitiate how to enter the contemplative life and begin meditating on God's presence within. Includes a brief history and description of the work's influence by the translator. Doubleday, 1996. Available: UK, USA.

Coleman Barks, translator
A beautiful description of a renowned Sufi master's spiritual history and a collection of inspiring poems which sprang from his realization. HarperSanFrancisco, 1995. Available: UK, USA.

Sushila Blackman
How great beings die. More than a hundred extraordinary death stories of Tibetan, Hindu, and Zen Masters from both recent and ancient history. Weatherhill, 1997. Available: UK, USA.

Brother David Steindl-Rast
Rather than simply reciting prayers, Steindl-Rast invites us to fully enter into relation with God, based on a sense of gratitude for all that is given. Paulist Press, 1984. Available: UK, USA.

Tulku Thondup
Wonderful descriptions of meditations drawn from Buddhism which support physical healing as well as dissolving harmful emotions and fears. Penguin, 1996. Available: Germany, UK, USA.

Larry Dossey, M.D.
The power of prayer and the practice of medicine. The prayer, kindness, and mindful presence of a medical caregiver can have a dynamic impact on the patient's course. HarperSanFrancisco, 1993. Available: UK, USA.

Thomas Keating
Father Keating teachings for modern Christians the practice of Centering Prayer, a meditation method drawn from The Cloud of Unknowing. Crossroad, 1997. Available: UK, USA

Sharon Salzberg
The revolutionary art of happiness. Salzberg describes meditations that enable us to open our hearts, and find forgiveness, healing, connection and a recapturing of life's beauty with our peaceful and expansive heart and mind.
Shambhala, 1995. Available: UK, USA.

Viktor Frankl
A beautifully written account of insights Frankl drew from his time in a concentration camp about our fundamental drive for meaning, and what this means whether we are living or dying. Simon & Schuster, 1959. Available: UK, USA.

Brother Lawrence
Brother Lawrence's way of being is an unfolding example of how to live each moment feeling connected to God's presence within. Paraclete Press, 1994. Available: UK, USA.

Pema Chödrön
When we enter a spiritual path we must have compassion and love for ourselves. Rather than deny our suffering, we bring our present experiences onto the spiritual path so we can become more genuine human beings. Shambhala, 1994. Available: Germany, UK, USA.

Harold Kushner
Kushner examines the trials suffered by Job, and how his friends failed to understand God's purpose. The books shows how we can grow closer to God even as we experience suffering and losses in life. Schocken, 1981. Available: Germany , UK, USA.

Pema Chödrön
This gem by Tibetan Buddhist nun and teacher Pema Chödrön shows how we can confront painful situations instead of avoiding them and find trust and love within ourselves. A guide for when we need simplicity and directness. Shambhala, 1997. Available: France, UK, USA.

Jon Kabat-Zinn
Mindfulness meditation in everyday life. An excellent and clear guide to mindfulness meditation, based on what Kabat-Zinn has used in his pain clinic at the Massachusetts Medical Center. Hyperion, 1993. Available: France, UK, USA.

Shunryu Suzuki
Clear, astute, sometimes poetic teachings and insightful stories from a Japanese Zen master to western students learning Zen meditation. Weatherhill, 1970. Available: France, UK, USA.