The hustle and bustle of life is increasing day by day. Every new day comes with new challenges, new fights, new opportunities and in all these people tend to lose themselves and their inner peace completely. So, in todays unsettled and stressful times the only thing that can give you peace or make you connect with your inner self and the divine is ‘Spirituality’. Maybe you have heard of this but there is a great depth to it and its meaning. Spirituality involves the realization of a feeling or sense or belief that there is something greater than me, something more to being human than sensory. It is more of an individual practice and has to do with having a sense of peace and purpose. It relieves you from dependence on material things and help you to understand your life’s greater purpose. Spirituality cannot be attained within any timeline or days limit; it is a continuous practice. And what better than the most powerful medium ‘Books’ to learn, practice and explore about Spirituality and Mindfulness. Books really have a certain kind of magic to transform the reader into the depth of everything he/she is reading. So, here are the 10 best books on Spirituality and Mindfulness that are must read for everyone who wishes to explore and gain in-depth knowledge on spirituality and mindfulness.
1. The Power Of Now
“If your mind carries a heavy burden of past, you will experience more of the same. The past perpetuates itself through lack of presence. The quality of your consciousness at this moment is what shapes the future.”
― Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle is one of the highly influential books and also it is on the top ten lists of many people including Oprah Winfrey. The book is remarkably simple yet very profound realization of our powerful selves. The best part of the book is that it easy to put the author’s teachings into practice with very minimal efforts. The book tends to make people learn how to get out of their self-inflicted suffering thoughts and find peace in everyday life.
2. The Untethered Soul
“The only permanent solution to your problems is to go inside and let go of the part of you that seems to have so many problems with reality. Once you do that, you’ll be clear enough to deal with what’s left.”
― Michael A. Singer, The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself
The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer is New York Times Best Seller. The book moves you away from your mind-body unconsciousness and enables you to consciously watch your thoughts and emotions. The book takes you on a journey to untie yourself from the illusion of the ego mind. The author stresses on meditation to strengthen our center of consciousness so that we are always aware enough to not let our heart close. The book also clearly explains the principles of Vipasana Meditation.
3.Inner Engineering
“The whole effort of the spiritual process is to break the boundaries you have drawn for yourself and experience the immensity that you are. The aim is to unshackle yourself from the limited identity you have forged, as a result of your own ignorance, and live the way the Creator made you—utterly blissful and infinitely responsible.”
― Sadhguru, Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy
Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy by Sadhguru is a spiritual book that shines a light on to the path which one can take to become the ultimate truth. The book is filled with provocative statements and ideas that make the readers rethink how they deal with problems or life situations. The book also delves into the specifics of yogic practice, suggesting several methods of working with the body, mind, and energies.
4. The Book of Awakening
“We are so unused to emotion that we mistake any depth of feeling for sadness, any sense of the unknown for fear, and any sense of peace for boredom.”
― Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have
The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have by Mark Nepo, a poet and philosopher provides insights of what really matters, simple truths, and stories for everyday lives. The book is formatted into a daily meditation guide that is designed to awaken you, using quotes, and many spiritual precepts. Each reading provides a window to a deeper, richer, and examined life. The book simply changes the angle at which people see things and opens your eyes to a new way of approaching your life or your thoughts.
5. Siddhartha
“Wisdom cannot be imparted. Wisdom that a wise man attempts to impart always sounds like foolishness to someone else … Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.”
― Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha
Siddhartha is a novel by Hermann Hesse that provides beautiful insights into the life of Siddhartha. The book is a complete journey towards finding the true meaning of life. The author beautifully differentiated between knowledge and wisdom. He also talked about unity of all life forms, about time being unrealistic and about transitions one goes through in life and how one can begin his life all over again and giving up the mistakes of past. The highlight of the book is the message that one should not be loved for their thoughts but for their deeds and that everything that exists in the world is good.
6. The Prophet
“You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance.”
― Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran is a book of 26 poetic essays with spiritual, yet practical, inspired advice on love, marriage, beauty, life, and death. The Prophet has sold over 100 million copies, making it one of the best-selling books of all time. The book is a wonderful journey filled with incredible life lessons and impacted with spirit and joy. A must read for all who have a poetic and more importantly a philosophic bend of mind.
7. The Alchemist
“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.”
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
The Alchemist is a novel by Paulo Coelho that is topping bestseller lists in 74 countries worldwide. The book has been translated to about 80 languages and holds a Guinness Book record of highest translated novel till date. The novel is a visionary blend of spirituality, magical realism, and folklore. It is a highly inspirational story that owns the power to change people’s life. A must read for all those who are striving hard to make their dreams come true.
8. You Are the Universe
“Humans are in the ironic position of knowing for certain that we have a mind, while at the same time finding that our mind can’t explain itself.”
― Deepak Chopra & Menas Kafatos You Are the Universe: Discovering Your Cosmic Self and Why It Matters
You Are the Universe: Discovering Your Cosmic Self and Why It Matters co-written by Deepak Chopra and Means Kafatos is a book that delves into questions pertaining to existence, human existence, consciousness, reality, and perception. For those who wish to study consciousness, the ideas presented by Chopra and Kafatos are very logical. The highlight of the book is the way the authors provide clear examples to prove their points.
9. The Book of Secrets
“Remember, it is ultimately your mind which makes anything attractive or unattractive. It is you who is the deciding factor.”
― Osho, The Book of Secrets
The Book Of Secrets: 112 Meditations to Discover the Mystery Within by Osho is a comprehensive and practical guide where the author unravels the secrets of the ancient science of Tantra. Tantra is often misunderstood and misinterpreted, but the author has explored and mentioned that it is a complete science of self-realization, based on the cumulative wisdom of centuries of exploration into the meaning of life and consciousness. It is a meditation manual and a guide, to a very personal journey. The book is a compilation of Osho’s sessions on meditation mainly on the ancient Indian meditation book – “Vigyan Bhairav Tantra”.
10. The Seven Spiritual Laws Of Success
“But first, become aware of the choices that you are making in every moment. The more you become aware of your choices, the more you will make choices that are spontaneously correct — both for you and for those around you.”
― Deepak Chopra, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams by Deepak Chopra is a book that transcends perceptions guiding to evolve one’s better being. The essence of the book is the way the author has conveyed his thoughts. The book provides knowledge on spiritually nurturing yourself and your family through giving back, expressing gratitude, enjoying the journey of life and realizing you are here for a reason.
