Recommended Books

  Below is a comprehensive list of books that I recommend for understanding Eastern philosophy and spirituality at a deeper level. All of these books have contributed to my work and they have had a positive influence on my own spiritual path. This list will continue to grow as there are many books I haven’t added yet and obviously future books I read that I think are beneficial for one’s growth will make the list. Click the book you are interested in to know more about it.

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Taoism

1. Tao Te Ching Translated by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English

2. Tao Te Ching: Annotated and Explained Translated by Derek Lin

3. Daodejing: The New, Highly Readable Translation of the Life-Changing Ancient Scripture Formerly Known as the Tao Te Ching Translated by Hans-Georg Moeller

4. The Daodejing of Laozi Translated by Philip J. Ivanhoe

5. The Complete Works of Zhuangzi Translated by Burton Watson

6. Zhuangzi: The Complete Writings Translated by Brook Ziporyn

7. The Philosophy of the Daodejing by Hans-Georg Moeller

8. Daoism Explained by Hans-Georg Moeller

9. Genuine Pretending: On the Philosophy of Zhuangzi by Hans-Georg Moeller and Paul J. D’Ambrosio

10. You and Your Profile: Identity After Authenticity by Hans-Georg Moeller and Paul J. D’Ambrosio

11. The Moral Fool: A Case for Amorality by Hans-Georg Moeller

12. Zhuangzi and the Becoming of Nothingness by David Chai

13. Daoist Encounters with Phenomenology: Thinking Interculturally about Human Existence by David Chai

14. Awakening to the Tao by Lui I-Ming and translated by Thomas Cleary

15. The I Ching Translated by Richard Wilhelm and Cary F. Baynes

16. The Living I Ching: Using Ancient Chinese Wisdom to Shape Your Life by Deng Ming-Dao

17. The Secret of the Golden Flower Translated by Richard Wilhelm

18. Cultivating the Energy of Life: A Translation of the Hui-Ming Ching and Its Commentaries by Eva Wong

19. Cultivating Stillness: A Taoist Manual for Transforming Body and Mind by Eva Wong

20. Seven Taoist Masters: A Folk Novel of China Translated by Eva Wong

21. Harmonizing Yin and Yang by Eva Wong

22. Taoism: The Road to Immortality by Jon Blofeld

23. The Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity: A Modern Practical Guide to the Ancient Way by Daniel Reid

24. The Complete Book of Chinese Health & Healing: Guarding the Three Treasures by Daniel Reid

25. The Tao of Detox: The Secrets of Yang-Sheng Dao by Daniel Reid

26. A Complete Guide to Chi-Gung: The Principles and Practice of the Ancient Chinese Path to Health, Vigor, and Longevity by Daniel Reid

27. A Comprehensive Guide to Daoist Nei Gong by Damo Mitchell

28. White Moon on the Mountain Peak (Daoist Nei Gong) by Damo Mitchell

29. Daoist Nei Gong: The Philosophical Art of Change by Damo Mitchell

30. Hua Hu Ching : The Later Teachings of Lao Tzu Translated by Hua-Ching Ni

 

Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism)

Vedanta

1. The Principal Upanishads Translated by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

2. The Upanishads Translated by Eknath Easwaran

3. The Upanishads: Breath from the Eternal Translated by Swami Prabhavananda

4. The Principal Upanishads Translated by Swami Nikhilananda

5. The Bhagavad-Gita: A New Translation Translated by Georg Feuerstein and Brenda Feuerstein

6. Bhagavad-Gita: The Song of God Translated by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood

7. The Bhagavadgita Translated by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

8. The Bhagavad Gita Translated by Swami Nikhilananda

9. Brahma Sutra Bhasya Of Shankaracharya Translated by Swami Gambhirananda

10. Brahma-Sutras Translated by Swami Vireswarananda

11. Mandukya Upanishad With Gaudapada’s Karika and Shankara’s Commentary Translated by Swami Nikhilananda

12. Astavakra Samhita Translated by Swami Nityaswarupananda

13. The Heart of Awareness: A Translation of the Ashtavakra Gita Translated by Thomas Byrom

14. Astavakra Gita/Song Of Self-realisation Translated by Swami Chinmayananda

15. DATTATREYA’S Song of the AVADHUT Translated by S. Abhayananda

16. Avadhuta Gita Translated by Swami Chetanananda

17. Ribhu Gita Translated by Dr. H. Ramamoorthy and Nome

18. Lord Siva’s Song: The Isvara Gita Translated by Andrew J. Nicholson

19. Be As You Are: The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi by Ramana Maharshi  and complied by David Godman

20. Secret of the Veda by Sri Aurobindo

 

Yoga

1. The Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali: A New Translation with Commentary Translated by Chip Hartranft

2. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Translated by Sri Swami Satchidananda

3. Yoga Sutras of Patañjali Translated by Edwin F. Bryant

4. The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice by Georg Feuerstein

5. The Psychology of Yoga by Georg Feuerstein

6. The Eight Limbs of Yoga: A Handbook for Living Yoga Philosophy by Stuart Ray Sarbacker and Kevin Kimple

7. Yoga Mythology: 64 Asanas and Their Stories by Devdutt Pattanaik  and Matthew Rulli

8. Shiva: The Lord of Yoga by David Frawley

9. The Inner Tradition of Yoga: A Guide to Yoga Philosophy for the Contemporary Practitioner by Michael Stone

10. Tracing the Path of Yoga by Stuart Ray Sarbacker

11. The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice by T. K. V. Desikachar

12. The Path of Modern Yoga: The History of an Embodied Spiritual Practice by Elliott Goldberg

13. Integral Yoga: Sri Aurobindo’s Teaching & Method of Practice by Sri Aurobindo

14. Seven Quartets of Becoming: A Transformative Yoga Psychology Based on the Diaries of Sri Aurobindo by Debashish Banerji

 

Hindu Psychology and Culture

1. Being Different: An Indian Challenge to Western Universalism by Rajiv Malhotra

2. Breaking India: Western Interventions In Dravidian And Dalit Faultlines by Rajiv Malhotra

3. Sanskrit Non-Translatables : The Importance of Sanskritizing English by Rajiv Malhotra

4. Academic Hinduphobia by Rajiv Malhotra

5. India that is Bharat: Coloniality, Civilisation, Constitution by J. Sai Deepak

6. The Foundations of Indian Culture by Sri Aurobindo

 

Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism and the Pali Tradition

1. In the Buddha’s Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi

2. Great Disciples of the Buddha: Their Lives, Their Works, Their Legacy Edited by Bhikkhu Bodhi

3. The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: A Complete Translation of the Anguttara Nikaya Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi

4. The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya Translated by Bhikkhu Nanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi

5. The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya Translated by Maurice Walshe

6. The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A New Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi

7. The Buddha’s Teachings on Social and Communal Harmony: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi

8. The Suttanipata: An Ancient Collection of the Buddha’s Discourses Together with Its Commentaries Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi

9. Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benares to Modern Colombo by Richard F. Gombrich

10. The Theravada Abhidhamma: Inquiry into the Nature of Conditioned Reality by Y. Karunadasa

11. Reading the Buddha’s Discourses in Pali: A Practical Guide to the Language of the Ancient Buddhist Canon by Bhikkhu Bodhi

12. The Foundations of Buddhism by Rupert Gethin

13. The Dhammapada: A New Translation of the Buddhist Classic with Annotations Translated by Gil Fronsdal

14. The Dhammapada Translated by Eknath Easwaran

15. The Dhammapada: The Sayings of the Buddha by Thomas Byrom

16. Esoteric Theravada: The Story of the Forgotten Meditation Tradition of Southeast Asia by Kate Crosby

17. Buddhism and Pali by Richard F. Gombrich

18. The Art of Listening: A Guide to the Early Teachings of Buddhism by Sarah Shaw

19. Satipaṭṭhāna: The Direct Path to Realization by Bhikkhu Anālayo

20. Perspectives on Satipatthana by Bhikkhu Anālayo

21. Satipatthana Meditation: A Practice Guide by Bhikkhu Anālayo

22. Introducing Mindfulness: Buddhist Background and Practical Exercises by Bhikkhu Anālayo

23. Mindfulness in Early Buddhism: Characteristics and Functions by Bhikkhu Anālayo

 

Mahayana Buddhism and the Sanskrit Tradition

1. Nagarjuna’s Middle Way: Mulamadhyamakakarika Translated by Mark Siderits and Shoryu Katsura

2. The Heart Sutra Translated by Red Pine

3. The Heart Sutra: A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic of Mahayana Buddhism Translated by Kazuaki Tanahashi

4. The Diamond Sutra Translated by Red Pine

5. The Diamond Sutra and the Sutra of Hui-neng Translated by Wong Mou-Lam and A. F. Price

6. The Way Of The Bodhisattva: A Translation of the Bodhicharyavatara Translated by Shantideva

7. The Lotus Sutra: A Contemporary Translation of a Buddhist Classic Translated by Gene Reeves

8. The Threefold Lotus Sutra: A Modern Translation for Contemporary Readers Translated by Michio Shinozaki, Brook A. Ziporyn, and David C. Earhart

9. The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra Translated by Thomas Cleary

10. Madhyamika and Yogacara: A Study of Mahayana Philosophies by Gadjin M. Nagao

11. The Lankavatara Sutra: Translation and Commentary Translated by Red Pine

12. Lankavatara Sutra: An Epitomized Version Translated by D.T. Suzuki

 

Zen Buddhism and the Chinese, Korean, and Japanese Tradition

1. The Heart Sutra Translated by Red Pine

2. The Heart Sutra: A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic of Mahayana Buddhism Translated by Kazuaki Tanahashi

3. The Diamond Sutra Translated by Red Pine

4. The Diamond Sutra and the Sutra of Hui-neng Translated by Wong Mou-Lam and A. F. Price

5. The Lankavatara Sutra: Translation and Commentary Translated by Red Pine

6. Lankavatara Sutra: An Epitomized Version Translated by D.T. Suzuki 

7. The Platform Sutra: The Zen Teaching of Hui-neng Translated by Red Pine

8. Sutra Of Hui-Neng, Grand Master of Zen: With Hui-Neng’s Commentary on the Diamond Sutra Translated by Thomas Cleary

9. The Zen Teaching of Bodhidharma Translated by Red Pine

10. Zen Doctrine of No Mind: The Significance of the Sutra of HuiNeng by D.T. Suzuki

11. An Introduction To Zen Buddhism by D.T. Suzuki

12. Zen and Japanese Culture by D.T. Suzuki

13. The Way of Zen by Alan Watts

14. Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki

15. ZEN: The Authentic Gate by Koun Yamada

16. Classics of Buddhism and Zen, Volume One: The Collected Translations of Thomas Cleary by Thomas Cleary

17. Classics of Buddhism and Zen, Volume Two: The Collected Translations of Thomas Cleary by Thomas Cleary

18. Classics of Buddhism and Zen, Volume Three: The Collected Translations of Thomas Cleary by Thomas Cleary

19. Classics of Buddhism and Zen, Volume Four: The Collected Translations of Thomas Cleary by Thomas Cleary

20. Classics of Buddhism and Zen, Volume Five: The Collected Translations of Thomas Cleary by Thomas Cleary

 

Vajrayana Buddhism, Dzogchen, Mahamudra, the 14th Dalai Lama, and the Bon Tradition of Tibet

1. The Tibetan Book of the Dead: First Complete Translation Translated by Gyurme Dorje

2. The Tibetan Book Of Living And Dying: A Spiritual Classic from One of the Foremost Interpreters of Tibetan Buddhism to the West Translated by Sogyal Rinpoche

3. The Tibetan Book of the Dead: Or the After-Death Experiences on the Bardo Plane Translated by W. Y. Evans-Wentz

4. Flight of the Garuda: Dzogchen Teachings of Tibetan Buddhism: The Dzogchen Tradition of Tibetan Translated by Keith Dowman

5. Approaching the Buddhist Path: Volume 1 by the Dalai Lama and Thubten Chodron

6. The Foundation of Buddhist Practice: Volume 2 by the Dalai Lama and Thubten Chodron

7. Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature: Volume 3 by the Dalai Lama and Thubten Chodron

8. Following in the Buddha’s Footsteps: Volume 4 by the Dalai Lama and Thubten Chodron

9. In Praise of Great Compassion: Volume 5 by the Dalai Lama and Thubten Chodron

10. Courageous Compassion: Volume 6 by the Dalai Lama and Thubten Chodron

11. Dzogchen: Heart Essence of the Great Perfection by the Dalai Lama

12. Perfecting Wisdom: How Things Appear and How They Truly Are by the Dalai Lama

13. Kindness, Clarity, and Insight: The Fundamentals of Buddhist Thought and Practice by the Dalai Lama

14. Science and Philosophy in the Indian Buddhist Classics: The Physical World: Volume 1 by the Dalai Lama and Thupten Jinpa

15. Science and Philosophy in the Indian Buddhist Classics: The Mind: Volume 2 by the Dalai Lama and Thupten Jinpa

16. Naked Awareness: Practical Instructions on the Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen Translated by B. Alan Wallace

17. Tibetan Buddhism from the Ground Up: A Practical Approach for Modern Life by B. Alan Wallace

18. Stilling the Mind: Shamatha Teachings from Dudjom Lingpa’s Vajra Essence by B. Alan Wallace

19. Fathoming the Mind: Inquiry and Insight in Dudjom Lingpa’s Vajra Essence by B. Alan Wallace

20. Heart of the Great Perfection: Dudjom Lingpa’s Visions of the Great Perfection Volume One Translated by B. Alan Wallace

21. Buddhahood without Meditation: Dudjom Lingpa’s Visions of the Great Perfection Volume Two Translated by B. Alan Wallace

22. The Vajra Essence: Dudjom Lingpa’s Visions of the Great Perfection Volume Three Translated by B. Alan Wallace

23. Buddha Nature: The Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra with Commentary by Arya Maitreya

24. The Six Lamps: Secret Dzogchen Instructions of the Bön Tradition by Jean-Luc Achard

25. Essence of Vajrayana: The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Heruka Body Mandala by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

26. Mahamudra: A Practical Guide by the Twelfth Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche

27. Wonders Of The Natural Mind: The Essense of Dzogchen in the Native Bon Tradition of Tibet by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche

 

The Perennial Philosophy and Traditionalism

Rene Guenon

1. The Reign of Quantity and the Signs of the Times by Rene Guenon
2. The Crisis of the Modern World by René Guénon
3. Introduction to the Study of the Hindu Doctrines by René Guénon

4. The Symbols of the Sacred by Rene Guenon
5.The Essential Rene Guenon: Metaphysics, Tradition, and the Crisis of Modernity by René Guénon

 

Ananda K. Coomaraswamy

1. Time and Eternity by Ananda K. Coomaraswamy

2. Metaphysics by Ananda K. Coomaraswamy

3. Hinduism and Buddhism by Ananda K. Coomaraswamy

4. The Dance of Shiva by Ananda Coomaraswamy

5. Christian and Oriental Philosophy of Art by Ananda Coomaraswamy

6. The Transformation of Nature in Art by Ananda K. Coomaraswamy

7. The Door in the Sky by Ananda K. Coomaraswamy

8. Guardians of the Sundoor by Ananda K. Coomaraswamy

9. The Essential Ananda K. Coomaraswamy by Ananda Coomaraswamy

 

Aldous Huxley

1. The Perennial Philosophy by Aldous Huxley

2. Divine Within: Selected Writings on Enlightenment by Aldous Huxley

 

Frithjof Schuon

1. Transcendent Unity of Religions by Frithjof Schuon

2. The Essential Frithjof Schuon by Frithjof Schuon

 

Other Notable Authors

1. The Essential Seyyed Hossein Nasr by Seyyed Hossein Nasr

2. The World’s Religions by Huston Smith

3. The Life Divine by Sri Aurobindo

4. The Sword of Gnosis Edited by Jacob Needleman

 

20TH CENTURY PHILOSOPHERS

Jiddu Krishnamurti 

1. Total Freedom: The Essential Krishnamurti by Jiddu Krishnamurti

2. The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with Krishnamurti by Jiddu Krishnamurti

3. Freedom from the Known by Jiddu Krishnamurti

4. The First and Last Freedom by Jiddu Krishnamurti

5. The Awakening of Intelligence by Jiddu Krishnamurti

6. As One Is: To Free the Mind from All Conditioning by Jiddu Krishnamurti

7. On Fear by Jiddu Krishnamurti

8. On Love and Loneliness by Jiddu Krishnamurti

9. This Light in Oneself: True Meditation by Jiddu Krishnamurti

10. Krishnamurti to Himself: His Last Journal by Jiddu Krishnamurti

 

Alan Watts 

1. The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are by Alan Watts

2. Tao: The Watercourse Way by Alan Watts

3. The Joyous Cosmology: Adventures in the Chemistry of Consciousness by Alan Watts

4. Wisdom of Insecurity: A Message for an Age of Anxiety by Alan Watts

5. Psychotherapy East and West by Alan Watts

6. Nature, Man and Woman by Alan Watts

7. Out of Your Mind: Tricksters, Interdependence and the Cosmic Game of Hide-and-Seek by Alan Watts

8. Become What You Are by Alan Watts

 

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