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We usually talk about our physical journeys, but there are plenty of spiritual adventures worth taking as well.
My own spiritual journey began when I picked up a copy of Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. It wasn’t the first “New Age” book I had read, but for the first time, I felt open to receiving the guidance within those pages.
I don’t know whether I was just in the right frame of mind when I came across this book or whether it was Coelho’s parable about life that spoke to me, but from then on, I felt compelled to take Coelho’s words to heart, and look inside myself.
Similarly, the following ten books have been largely influential for spiritual seekers all over the world.
While some are more timeless than others, each will likely inspire to further your own spiritual journey.
1. The Secret
Written by Melbourne television producer Rhonda Byrne, and based on a film she created in 2004 of the same title, The Secret tells of the laws of attraction: Asking for what you want, believing in what you want, and being open to receiving it.
With a historical basis in the 19th century New Thought movement; Byrne’s book has proven to be a cultural phenomenon, making the number one spot on the New York Times bestseller list.
While some consider the book little more than slick marketing and the re-packaging of many other spiritual beliefs, the book’s cultural significance cannot be denied. It remains to be seen whether Byrne’s The Secret will stand the test of time.
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2. The Celestine Prophecy
In 1992, author James Redfield wrote and self-published his first book, The Celestine Prophecy. Since its initial publishing, it has gone on to become the most successful self-published novel ever.
The book is part adventure story (think The Da Vinci Code
While many have found the plot corny, the insights within captivate the reader into shifting their perspective.
3. The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist tells the simple tale of a shepherd who journeys to the pyramids of Egypt to find his treasure is truly timeless. The lessons told of the discovery of your personal legend, being your one true purpose, and of understanding omens, are ones that speak to all people regardless of religion.
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4. The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living
Inspired by the Dalai Lama’s joyful nature despite the political situation in Tibet, author Howard Cutler wanted to write a spiritual book focused towards a Western audience.
The Art of Happiness talks about the importance and attainability of happiness in everyday living. The purpose of life is to find happiness, which is determined by one’s mental state, despite outside circumstances.
This is a book likely to stand the test of time because it speaks to people without the use of spiritual rules or religious guidelines.
5. A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose
In spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle’s book, A New Earth, the author talks about reducing the ego as a means to feeling the abundance of life, because the ego is the source of all inner and outer conflict.
Tolle’s New Earth gained in popularity after Oprah selected it for her book club. Since then, Tolle’s book about the awakened consciousness has influenced millions.
6. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
In his classic book, Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Chopra discusses the importance of success in life. For Chopra, success is defined as happiness and the realization of goals, although success is not limited to wealth.
Chopra lays down 7 laws found in nature used to create spiritual success. These laws include karma (cause and effect) and dharma (purpose in life). Chopra’s popularity lies in the way he is able to take ancient Vedic teachings and present them to a Western audience.
7. The Road Less Traveled
Psychiatrist M. Scott Peck’s 1978 The Road Less Traveled book takes his ideas from his background both as a psychiatrist and as a born-again Christian.
His book details the attributes that Peck feels make a fulfilled human being. Split into three sections, his book talks about discipline (as a means for spiritual evolution), love (as a force for spiritual growth) and grace.
Though this book remains popular, some may find the psychological ideas of the book to be somewhat dated.
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8. Jonathan Livingston Seagull
The tale has captured readers’ imaginations for nearly 40 years. Richard Bach’s novella reveals the story of Jonathan, a seagull whose passion for flying makes him different from other gulls.
Jonathan’s wish to perfect his flying results in being outcast from his group. At first devastating, the experience culminates in him moving to a “higher plane” where he meets other gulls like him, and his subsequent return to his flock.
Jonathan is a symbol to all those who refuse to conform for the sake of conforming, instead teaching love, forgiveness, and how to reach your true potential.
9. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
After a bitter divorce, author Elizabeth Gilbert took a year off to travel. She visited Italy, where she ate copious amounts of good food. She went to India to learn about spirituality. And finally, ended her journey in Bali, where she was able to discover a balance between the two: love.
Gilbert’s book Eat, Pray Love details the spiritual journey of someone in a tremendous amount of pain, to a balanced, loving human. Her story has resonated with readers everywhere, landing on the New York Times bestseller list, with plans to be made into a movie.
10. Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson
Even after his death, Morrie has continued to touch people as he relates his ideas of love (both accepting love and giving love), shunning popular celeb culture in favor of more nurturing values and non-attachment.
What books have inspired your spiritual journeys? Share your favorites below.
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18 Comments... join the discussion!
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Interesting titles, though not sure if they're the MOST influential. I'd add Joseph Campbell – at least "The Power of Myth" to a list like this. But hey – not my list. I enjoyed some of the titles, though – so thank you for sharing!
Coelho's book is actually from a Polish story, but tramping through a desert is maybe a more romantic image.
I disagree with above. Self-help is a crappy name for a genre, and easy to trash because of it. But they can hold worthwhile ideas from time to time – or what's the point of reading a book, anyway? But true, the genre is questionable for real discovery or practical advice – caveat emptor. Whatever help you get, it's half in what you get out of the book, half in what you do with the insight. In terms of self-development, if the book traps you in some little role, like being a perpetual victim, it's no better than sitting on your butt watching TV. Self-help books help those who help themselves.
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I guess that is why they are called "self-help" not "book-help"
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I meant the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying written by Sogyal Rinpoche which is different to the Tibetan Book of the Dead. I recommend the first one a lot, the second one is very hard to follow. True, Sidharta was written in 1922.
Ian you are right, these books have been read by a lot of people. But for me that doesn´t make them influential… well… now that I think about it , which is the most read book of all times?… the bible!!! and there is no argument about it being influential… Whether we like it or not.About self help books… ¨Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open, except yourself¨ (Krishnamurti) … (yet I read his books… kind of a contradiction
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"Help-help" would sound kinda stupid…
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I have read most of the books on this list and while the article's title can be quibbled about, it's unnecessary to trash the popular self-help genre. They bring fresh ideas and new perspectives to Westerners, when we'd otherwise just go on blithely day by day as we're sucked into the immense cog of daily life. Not everyone knows where or how to start their personal journey, all they know is that they are searching. The book store comes in handy when the yearning strikes. First, Eckart Tolle. Tomorrow, maybe, Siddharta.
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I could change the list to "Mostly Influential" instead? Or how about "Possibly Influential?"
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I just finished A New Earth. I would definitely agree that it is a very influential book. Tolle has a great approach when discussing our egos, in that he makes it sound like it's an invading alien that will go at odds with your true happiness to survive. That we're all essentially spiritual beings at one with the universe but our egos get in the way. He talks of the next step in our evolution, the shedding of our egos, the awakening to our life purpose.
I can't pick apart anything he says. It seems pretty bang on to me. Read this book.
I think Ishmael (Daniel Quinn) should be on this list. That is a true eye opener and has influenced the way I view the world the most.
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How about:
"10 Books Most Likely to Punch Their Way Out of a Spiritual Paper Bag"
"10 Books that Might Just Talk You In Off of the Ledge"
"10 Thought-Provoking Books that Made It Without Oprah's Help"
"10 Spiritual Books that Some People Rip On Because They Just Don't Get It, Man"
"10 Largely Influential Books with Content Intended to Have Spiritual Overtones that Many Readers Have Enjoyed While Others Are Free to Voice their Opinions Respectfully and Maybe Something Good Will Come of It"↵ -
Great comment Laura. I'm in complete agreement. I personally found "The Secret" to be a silly rehash of better books that have come before. But that didn't stop it from becoming massively popular and getting everyone and their grandma to start talking about how "our thoughts create this world" – one of the most profound ideas ever.
In the end, who cares whether they got it from Rhonda or the Buddha? As long as they get it.
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I agree big time with Ishmael as a suggestion. It was the freshman reading book for my class when I started college, and I was really grateful that it was. If you can still see the world through the same eyes, then you're a step beyond me.
Also, Jonathon Livingston Seagull has enjoyed the popularity throughout the years but Bach's Illusions is without rival. Anyone who enjoys The Alchemist or the ideas from that book should check it out…and between the two I would choose Illusions hands down.
And you can't possibly overlook the classic The Little Prince. Read beyond the lines.
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Most of them are New Age..
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The Alchemist is amazing! It's my favourite book by my favourite writer. I have a large Paulo Coelho section on my blog you should check out sometime. Inspiring list… I think Siddhartha by Herman Hesse should be added to it. I will check out the books that I have yet to read. Many Thanks….
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What about Be Here Now by Baba Ram Das
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read a couple of them and they were great,i think different books affect different people depending on the stage of life they are in,i just love to hear more and more people are opening their minds up to the spiritual world,i know i pass on what i can,the buddhas ancient path is a great book,i just think it all links up with each other and you choose your own path,keep it up people.
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interesting to read the list and find I have already read 9/10 so I need the next 10 please? Anyone got some good recommendations along this genre?Liked all of these books and particularly anything by Coelho (though least of all his latest, The Winner Stands Alone). Tolle & Myss are also favourites. Thanks in advance
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Just finished Eat, Pray, Love and I’m still buzzing about it. Ishmael was great too, I read it again every few years to refresh myself. Mutant Message Down Under has a great message, but there is controversy surrounding the author and whether the book is fiction or non-fiction as the author claims. Thank you for the suggestions! I love adding new books to my forever growing list!
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The author’s list is for self-help beginers. Life is about self acceptance. Try “Who Dies ?” by Stephen Levine; “Island” by Aldous Huxley; “The Myth of Freedom” by Chogyam Trunpa Rinpoche: “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Willigis Jaeger; “The Denial of Death” by Becker…and many more…
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