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Spirituality

There are times in our lives when we want a new perspective, another mind to give us insight and inspiration about the fundamental issues of life, death and our role in the world. Here is a selection of writers and thinkers from a great variety of spiritual traditions, as well as individual spiritual paths. You may find just the right words as you look for a spark of light to expand your soul.

A Spiritual Life

Albom, Mitch
Tuesdays With Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and the Life's Greatest Lesson
(1997)
155.937 S399a
Live life robustly and fully
Blackburn, Simon
Being Good: An Introduction to Ethics
(2001)
170 B628b 2001
A clearly written introduction to modern secular humanist ethical philosophy
Chopra, Deepak
How to Know God: The Soul's Journey Into the Mystery of Mysteries
(2000)
291.44 C549h 2000
God as process — a guide to engaging in that process
Dillard, Annie
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
(1998)
570 D578p 1998
Life-affirming surprises, magic and drama in the natural world
Fanning, Patrick
The 50 Best Ways to Simplify Your Life: Proven Techniques for Achieving Lasting Balance
(2001)
646.7 F213f 2001
Finding the center of the focus between work, home, discipline, pleasure, relationship and solitude
Harvey, Andrew
The Direct Path: Creating a Journey to the Divine Through the World's Mystical Traditions
(2000)
291.422 H341d 2000
A spiritual map of a path to the divine using various mystical traditions
Millman, Dan
Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives
(2000)
291.44 M655w 2000
Piercing truths, lively narrative and humorous wisdom - to die - and live - like a warrior
Moore, Thomas
Original Self: Living With Paradox and Authenticity
(2000)
291.432 M824o 2000
Staying true to our original selves and nurturing our souls
Sheehan, Andrew
Chasing the Hawk: Looking for my Father, Finding Myself
(2001)
796.42 S541c 2001
A son's troubled relationship with his father as source of growth
Sinetar, Marsha
To Build the Life You Want, Create the Work You Love: The Spiritual Dimension of Entrepreneuring
(1995)
658.421 S616b
The spirituality of our relationship to the world of work
Vanzant, Iyanla
One Day My Soul Just Opened Up: 40 Days and 40 Nights Toward Spiritual Strength and Personal Growth
(1998)
291.44 V285o 1998
Lively counsel on exploring the human soul in the face of difficulties

Buddhist Spirituality

Bstan-'dzin-rgya-mtsho, Dalai Lama XIV
Ethics for the New Millennium
(1999)
294.35 B916e 1999
A nurturing compassion that recognizes the interdependence of all things
Chodron, Pema
The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times
(2001)
294.3444 C545p 2001
A Buddhist nun's words shape our understanding of the hardest of times
Kornfield, Jack
After the Ecstasy, the Laundry: How the Heart Grows Wise on the Spiritual Path
(2000)
294.3444 K84a 2000
Moving personal stories and traditional tales for the enlightened heart to navigating the real world
Nh^at Hanh, Thich
Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames
(2001)
294.35 N576a 2001
Lightheartedly serious, a handbook for living each moment beautifully
Steger, Manfred B.
Grassroots Zen
(2001)
294.3444 S817g 2001
Traditional Zen at its roots, American spirit at its best

Christian Spirituality

Chittister, Joan
The Rule of Benedict: Insights for the Ages
(1992)
255.106 C543r 1992
Benedict's advice for today's seeker
D'Avila-Latourrette, Victor-Antoine
Simplicity From a Monastery Kitchen: A Complete Menu Cookbook for All Occasions
(2001)
641.5636 D259s 2001
Spiritual simplicity in a collection of recipes and menus
Jones, Timothy K.
A Place for God: A Guide to Spiritual Retreats and Retreat Centers
(2000)
269.6 J794p 2000
The practical and the profound: what to pack, why go, and what to do
Lamott, Anne
Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith
(1999)
B-La193t 1999
A delightful and humorous journey stumbling through life's gritty details to a deep Christian faith
Merton, Thomas
A Thomas Merton Reader
(1996)
271.125 M57tm 1996
All aspects of Merton: spiritual writer, poet, peacemaker and servant of God
Meyer, Joyce
Reduce Me to Love: Unlocking the Secret to Lasting Joy
(2000)
241.4 M612r 2000
Loving another person according to First Corinthians, Chapter 13
Norris, Kathleen
Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith
(1998)
230.03 N8565a 1998
A contemplative look at the comfort and grace in the language of Christianity
Nouwen, Henri J. M.
Turn My Mourning Into Dancing: Moving Through Hard Times With Hope
(2001)
242.4 N934t 2001
Offers real comfort in the concrete truth of God's constancy

Hindu Spirituality

—
Teachings of the Hindu Mystics
(2001)
294.5422 T253 2001
Highly recommended introduction to Hindu practice and spirituality
Gandhi, Mahatma
The Way to God
(1999)
294.544 G411w 1999
His teachings on love, the soul, meditation, service, surrender and prayer
Shumsky, Susan G.
Exploring Meditation: Master the Ancient Art of Relaxation and Enlightenment
(2002)
294.5435 S562e 2002
Demystifies abstract concepts to provide a road map to the inner life especially for beginners

Jewish Spirituality

Bookman, Terry
God 101: Jewish Ideals, Beliefs, and Practices for Renewing Your Faith
(2001)
296.311 B724g 2001
A lively offering of concrete spiritual practices leading to God and more meaningful spirituality
Cardin, Nina Beth
The Tapestry of Jewish Time: A Spiritual Guide to Holidays and Life-cycle Events
(2000)
296.43 C267t 2000
Inspiration to live a life of sacred purpose and celebration
Kushner, Harold S.
Living a Life That Matters: Resolving the Conflict Between Conscience and Success
(2001)
296.36 K97L 2001
Ensuring one's life has meaning

Muslim Spirituality

Ali, Abdullah Yusuf
The Meaning of the Holy Qur'an
(2001)
297.122 A398m 2001
The best English translation of the Qur'an — authentic and reliable
Barks, Coleman
The Illuminated Prayer: The Five-times Prayer of the Sufis as Revealed by Jellaludin Rumi & Bawa Muhaiyaddeen
(2000)
297.43 B256i 2000
Takes us through the words, movements and hidden meanings

New Age Spirituality

Bennett, Hal Zina
Spirit Animals and the Wheel of Life
(2000)
291.212 B471s 2000
Animals reflect and express the spirituality that flows through the world
Castaneda, Carlos
Magical Passes: The Practical Wisdom of the Shamans of Ancient Mexico
(1998)
299.7 C34m 1998
Movements and gestures to achieve new levels of physical and mental vitality
Goldberg, Natalie
Long Quiet Highway: Waking Up in America
(1994)
291.092 G618L
A personal journey of faith and discovery of being present to life's experiences
Mountain Dreamer, Oriah
The Dance: Moving to the Rhythms of Your True Self
(2001)
299.93 M928d 2001
A central theme of "who we are is enough"
Ram Dass
Still Here: Embracing Aging, Changing, and Dying
(2000)
305.26 R165s 2000
A devastating stroke offers a new level of awareness of the core of who we are
Ribner, Melinda
New Age Judaism: Ancient Wisdom for the Modern World
(2000)
296.7 R485n 2000
The age-old traditional and kabbalistic teachings accessible in a new way
Ruiz, Miguel
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
(1997)
299.792 R9346f 1997
Self-limiting beliefs rob life of joy

Taoist Spirituality

Laozi
Tao Te Ching
(2000)
299.514 L298th 2000
A powerful translation that gets right down into the primary source

Yoga Spirituality

—
Teachings of Yoga
(1997)
181.45 T253
Anthology of the wisdom of the 4,000-year-old yoga tradition
Rapp, Steven A.
Aleph-bet Yoga: Embodying the Hebrew Letters for Physical and Spiritual Well-being
(2002)
613.7046 R221a 2002
Blends traditional Jewish wisdom with classic hatha yoga