Top 10 Spirituality Books
Begin your spiritual journey with these books. Get to know the philosophies of yoga, meditation, and spirituality!
1. Shrimad Bhagawad Geeta
Considered to be one of the main holy scriptures of Sanatana Dharma, The Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta (the song of god) is a 701 verse Sanskrit Text. The Geeta is a dialogue between Arjuna (also referred to as Parth) and Bhagawan Krishna at the Battle of Kurukshetra. The Geeta is considered by many scholars to be among the greatest spiritual books the world has ever known. Sri Krishna talks about and expounds on the science of self- realization.
2. Autobiography of a Yogi
Autobiography of A Yogi is an autobiography of Paramahansa Yogananda. Born as Mukunda Lal Ghosh in Gorakhpur, India, into a Bengali Hindu family, was initiated into monkhood by his Guru Sri Yukteshwar Giri Maharaj. The book talks about the author’s travels across America and encounters with spiritual figures of both the west and the east. The book also talks briefly about the Science of Kriya Yoga. Autobiography of a Yogi introduced meditation and Yoga to many in the west and has influenced people like Steve Jobs, George Harrison, Elvis Presley, Virat Kohli, etc.
3. Be Here Now
Published in 1971, Be Here Now became an instant spiritual classic. Authored by the American Yogi Baba Ram Dass, a disciple of Neem Karoli Baba, the book discusses the themes and philosophies of yoga, meditation, and spirituality. The first section of the book deals with the transformation of Harvard Professor Dr. Robert Alpert to Baba Ram Dass, the second section then talks about spiritualism and yoga, the third section is a guide for those on the spiritual path and the fourth section contains a list of books on religion and spirituality.
4. The Journey Home
The Journey Home is an autobiography of Gaudiya Vaishnava Guru His Holiness Radhanath Swami. Born in Chicago as Richard Slavin, he began his spiritual journey at the age of 19. Throughout his journey, he seeks the real meaning of human life. He travels for around 6 months to reach India through the Middle East. The book also includes Swami’s encounters with mystic yogis, gurus and hermits. A must read for those who want to embark on the path of Bhakti Yoga.
5. I Am That
Published in 1973, I Am That is a compilation of talks by Sri Nisargadutta Maharaj, a spiritual master from Mumbai, India. The English translations of the originally Marathi recordings was done by Maurice Frydman. A book for those who want to delve deep within themselves and understand the “I”.
“The real does not die, the unreal never live.”
“Once you know that death happens to the body and not to you, you just watch your body falling off like a discarded garment.”
“The real you is timeless and beyond birth and death. The body will survive as long as it is needed. It is not important that it should live long.”
-Sri Nisargadutta Maharaj
6. Inner Engineering
In this book, renowned spiritual teacher Sadhguru Jagdish Vasudev talks about his own life and how he embarked on the path of spirituality and self-realization. He also elaborates upon the true nature of yoga.
“When pain, misery, or anger happens, it is time to look within you, not around you.”
“Learning to listen is the essence of intelligent living.”
“Confidence and stupidity are a very dangerous combination, but they generally go together.”
“It is our compulsive reaction to the situations in which we are placed that causes stress.”
― Sadhguru, Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy
7. Freedom from The Known
Published in 1969, Freedom from the Known is a book by Jiddu Krishnamurthy (1895–1986). It is a collection of unpublished talks by J. Krishnamurthy. The author stresses upon the need to realize the true self and embrace the unknown. A title, which has helped many on the path to self-discovery.
“A man who says, ‘I want to change, tell me how to’, seems very earnest, very serious, but he is not. He wants an authority whom he hopes will bring about order in himself. But can authority ever bring about inward order? The order imposed from without must always breed disorder.”
-Krishnamurthy
8. The Seven Laws of Spiritual Success
Deepak Sharma has explicitly written down the natural laws that govern all of creation. The author stresses the fact that success is not a result of hard work, planning, or ambition but depends on the understanding human beings have of these natural laws. The seven laws of spiritual success are The Law of Pure Potentiality, The Law of Giving, The Law of Karma, The Law of Least Effort, The Law of Intention and Desire, The Law of Detachment, and The Law of Dharma.
9. Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master: A Yogi’s Autobiography
This book covers the amazing metamorphosis of the author Mumtaz Ali Khan to Sri M. He was born in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. At the tender age of 19, Sri M left for the Himalayan mountains where he stayed and traveled for many years with his spiritual teacher Sri Maheshwarnath Babaji who belonged to the Nath Sampradaya. The book has detailed and fascinating accounts of Sri M’s spiritual experiences. Sri M reiterates the fact that normal householders too can embark on the path of spirituality. The book also conveys the message of unity and communal harmony.
10. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
Following the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, Spiritual Teacher and speaker Sogyal Rinpoche elaborates on the method of Buddhist meditation and how to uplift our levels of consciousness. The book also talks about death and how to care for the dead with love, respect, and compassion. Extremely important for those who want to understand the Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and culture.
