10 Best Spiritual Books for Enlightened Beginners (2024)
Dec 21, 2022
"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience." ― Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.
Chardin was a French philosopher, scientist, and Jesuit Priest who deeply explored the meaning of human existence and how it relates to the divine. This quote has stuck in the minds of many seeking the same answers and beginning to explore spirituality for the first time.
Spirituality, different from religion, is often experienced more at an individual level. As a spiritual being, you recognize that you are more than your personality, identity and self that has been taught to you through society or familiar conditioning. As you begin your spiritual awakening journey, you may seek connection and guidance from others who have dedicated their lives to understanding the Spiritual experience.
How to Choose Between These Books
As a spiritual being having a human experience, you’ll likely be drawn in many directions seeking answers and meaning. Ultimately, I hope you find that the meaning and answers you’re seeking reside within you and the following books simply act as a tool to awaken your truth. Each book on this list was chosen for its unique perspective and to support the reader with various goals, intentions, and stages of a spiritual awakening.
Clicking on the links below each book will provide you with detailed information and a clearer idea of where to begin. I listed these books in this particular order because some of the general concepts build upon one another. I also tried to put myself in your shoes and so I imagine what you may first need to hear if you have just begun seeking spiritual guidance. Perhaps, like many people, this has come due to tragic circumstances or a spiritual awakening. So the books are listed in an order that may first resonate and then pick you up into lighter material and then deeply resonate again. Hopefully, not everything resonates with you completely so you can begin the deeper work of self-discovery and uncovering what is true for you.
The ratings provided are accurate as of date of publishing.
Affiliate link disclosure: I recieve a tiny commission for purchases made through links in this post
1. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
(13,319 reviewers) on Amazon
This book is one of a kind and was never meant to be published. Meditations is the private journal of the former Roman Emperor who was also a philosopher. Marcus Aurelius wrote Meditations to console himself as he struggled to understand life, death, and the meaning of existence. Although this book was written around 161 AD, the recent translation is a simple and easy read. These reflections have been admired by statesmen, thinkers and readers throughout history. I could read this book every day for the rest of my life and still learn something new.
“It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.”
― Marcus Aurelius
Who It’s Best For
Those seeking universal truths and advice. This book is for anyone at any stage of spiritual curiosity and is considered one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written.
2. When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron
(6,709 reviewers) on Amazon
AUDIO CD ALSO AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Chordon is an American Buddist Nun. This book beautifully depicts the human experience and clearly explains the concept of moving towards discomfort as a way of healing and opening your heart. I highly recommend this book to anyone overcoming pain and loss. Some of the topics explored are: using painful emotions to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and courage, communicating so as to encourage others to open up rather than shut down, practices for reversing habitual patterns, methods for working with chaotic situations, and ways for creating effective social action.
“Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.”
― Pema Chödrön
Who It’s Best For
Those who are struggling with heartache, loss, or facing challenges. This book is full of wisdom and inspires perspective for life’s tragedies.
3. Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life by Cleo Wade
(2,929 reviewers) on Amazon
Wade is an American Artist, poet and activist. Her poetry centers around inspiration, affirmations, activism, and empowerment. Heart talk is full of poetry, practical advice, and universal truths that will leave you feeling hopeful and uplifted. I’ve given this book as a gift several times. I recommend it to beginners because it helps the reader to understand how deeper spiritual principles apply in everyday life.
Who It’s Best For
Spiritual activists, positive thinkers and those who appreciate poetry, practical advice, and accessible wisdom.
4. A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
(12,432 reviewers) on Amazon
This book has sold over 5 million copies since it was published in 2005 when it became the fastest selling title in Oprah’s Book Club. Marketed as a self-help book, most concepts have been taken from other religions and Tolle readily admits this in the beginning of the book. The ideas presented (mindfulness, enlightenment, ego, and attachment) are universal concepts that will resonate with anyone beginning a spiritual journey. Understanding the concept of mindfulness alone is a game changer, hence a lot of people have told me this book has changed their lives.
Who It’s Best For
Those curious about the concept of ego and shifts in consciousness. The idea behind the book is to create a more loving world and explore who we truly are.
5. All About Love: New Visions by Bell Hooks
(8,699 reviewers) on Amazon
Bell Hooks is a feminist, activist, and author with many other books worth exploring. Having published more than 30 books, her work addresses race, class, and gender in education, art, history, sexuality, mass media, and feminism. Sometimes I carry this book around with me simply because I feel comforted by it’s presence. Essential reading to understand how we think, feel and talk about the presence of love as it’s shaped by society.
“When we can see ourselves as we truly are and accept ourselves, we build the necessary foundation for self-love…whether we learn how to love ourselves and others will depend on the presence of a loving environment. Self love cannot flourish in isolation.”
― Bell Hooks
Who It’s Best For
Feminists, activists, and those who want to redefine their understanding of love and how it can save us.
6. How to Breathe by Ashley Neese
Ashley Neese is a renowned breathwork teacher and author. How to breathe is a beautiful resource and guide to breathwork. Our breath is one of the most powerful tools we have access to and this book has many practices you can easily start implementing into your daily life.
“Deep self-care, focused inner awareness, and empowered relational presence: this is why we breathe, this is how we change the world, and this is the work I am here to do.”
― Ashley Neese
Who It’s Best For
Those want to expand their awareness of self through the power of breathwork. This book is for anyone wanting simple practices for everyday situations, such as de-stressing, managing anger, falling asleep, connecting with others, and more.
7. You Were Born for This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance by Chani Nicholas
Chani is a New York Times bestselling author and astrologer with a community of over one million monthly readers, guiding people to discover and live out their life’s purpose through understanding their birth chart. This book is a modern take on astrology, spirituality and self empowerment.In this book she explain the three keys to understanding your chart:
The First Key: Your Sun (Your Life's Purpose)
The Second Key: Your Moon (Your Physical and Emotional Needs)
The Third Key: Your Ascendant and Its Ruler (Your Motivation for Life and the Steersperson of Your Ship)
Who It’s Best For
Astrology enthusiasts or beginners. This book is for anyone who wants to better understand their life’s purpose in connection to the universe through an astrological lens.
8. Be Here Now by Ram Dass
(12,322 reviewers) on Amazon
A highly influential book that takes the wisdom of Eastern philosophy and presents it in a way that is easy for westerners to understand. A most unique book, it is written in 4 sections. The first is a short autobiography of the American yogi and spiritual teacher Ram Dass (born Richard Alpert). The second, is a free-form collection of metaphysical, spiritual, and religious reflections accompanied by illustrations. The third section of the book is a manual for starting a yogic or spiritual path, and the fourth contains a list of recommended books on religion, spirituality, and consciousness.
“We're all just walking each other home."
― Ram Dass
Who It’s Best For
Those seeking enlightenment and curious about what happens when we follow a spiritual path. Ram Dass tells the story of how he evolved from an establishment academic to one of the great spiritual teachers of this Age.
9. The Seven Types of Spirit Guide by Yamile Yemoonyah
(477 reviewers) on Amazon
Great for beginners looking to connect to their Spirit Guides and understand the soul’s experience. The book includes a quiz to see what type of Spirit Guide you have. Yamile Yemoonyah will introduce you to each of the seven types: angels, ancestors, nature spirits, star beings, animal spirits, ascended masters and deities. This book is great for beginners because it gives practical exercises to connect with, identify and communicate with your guides.
Who It’s Best For
Those seeking a deeper connection with and understanding of their Spirit Guides.
10. The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
(89,036 reviewers) on Amazon
This is a simple and direct book that explains some deep concepts. Published in 1997, it has sold around 10 million copies and been on the New York Times Bestsellers List for almost a decade. It centers around the concept that “everything we do is based on agreements we have made - agreements with ourselves, with other people, with God, with life. But the most important agreements are the ones we make with ourselves”.
The Four Agreements are:
1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
2. Don't Take Anything Personally
3. Don't Make Assumptions
4. Always Do Your Best
A quick read and very easy to understand, many clients have told me this is one of the first books on spirituality they read.
Who It’s Best For
Those looking for a framework for rapid transformation through ancient Toltec wisdom.
If you're looking for more resources to strengthen your spiritual journey, download Guided Meditation: Connect to Your Own Energy and discover how your own energy feels, rather than how it's perceived by others.
Or Keep Reading: 15 Key Symptoms and Signs of a Spiritual Awakening
