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Interest in mysticism, witchcraft, magick, and contemplative practices has skyrocketed in recent years. As the era of scientism and material reductionism comes to a close, humanity has found that perspective lacking and is looking for a new perspective which, for the first time in history, will integrate both the scientific and<\/em> spiritual into a coherent worldview. A task once thought impossible.<\/p>\n

But that is no longer the case.<\/p>\n

Due to recent research on meditation, psychedelics, and religious experiences the fields of science and religion have been in fruitful communication with each other and each has provided insights which benefit the other. So we have proof, at least at the academic level, that there can be a meaningful integration of the two. I must stress this next point because I think it is of the utmost importance\u2014it is a fatal mistake to attempt to revert to a prescientific worldview or spirituality.<\/em> I say it is fatal because any such attempt is doomed to fail. Unfortunately, these attempts are all too common. Here I’m referring to both religious fundamentalism and modern pagan reconstructivism. Many who are turning towards mysticism, witchcraft, and modern paganism are understandably put off by both religious traditions and modern, industrial scientific secularism. Both were systems of meaning making which worked for a particular time but which are now insufficient. However, in their search for a new system of meaning making these people are attempting to reconstruct pre-Christian, and pre-industrialization perspectives because those perspectives worked for people in the past, and it seems that some parts of those perspectives could be potential solutions to urgent crises that we are facing today. Unfortunately, those perspectives are simply not viable for us today.<\/p>\n

We are burdened with knowledge that was unavailable to those ancient people. We’ve eaten from the tree of scientific knowledge and have been cast out of the garden in which they dwelled. There is no going back. And that’s a good thing. Our goal should never be to regress. Nostalgia warps our view of the past to make it seem better than it was. But that doesn’t mean that it all should be forgotten and left behind. That was precisely the mistake that was made when mankind ditched religion for science when science was new and shiny and promised to solve all of our problems. We threw the baby out with the bathwater. This is how the cultural rhythm has operated for all of human history. We swing from one pole to the other. But now we are poised at a particularly auspicious moment. We can step back and view human history from a more expansive perspective than has ever been possible. We can become aware of the patterns which captured our ancestors and break free of them. We can recognize the insights from both religion and science and integrate them into a worldview which is more expansive, more inclusive, more rational, and more loving than anything that was available to previous generations.<\/p>\n

The creation and indwelling of this modern, rational but mystical worldview should be the goal of the modern mystic, or witch, rather than the futile attempt at regression I described above. Therefore, when considering which books to recommend to a beginner on this path I’ve carefully chosen those which present a mature and integral perspective. It is inevitable that each book will lean more to one side than the other but, taken as a whole, these five books present profound insights and meaning making tools from both sides. Taken together they should provide the reader with the philosophical and scientific insights necessary to cultivate a rational mystical worldview and the practices necessary to continue to evolve, expand, and indwell that worldview.<\/p>\n

What this should provide those who do the work is a radical transformation of the way they view the world, the way they relate to it, clarity on what their own unique contribution can be, and inspiration to manifest that. All of which works to provide them with a profound sense of meaning, something which is greatly lacking in the world today. I must warn you, however, the middle road is not an easy path. There will be those still desperately clinging to one extreme or the other who will entice you with promises of ease, certainty, and belonging. And this call is so enticing because what they are offering is very real. However, it is all misleading. The ease offered appeals to our instinct to preserve energy and avoid difficulty, but it is precisely and only<\/em> in overcoming difficulty that we gain strength. The certainty offered is false and based on ignorance and will eventually be shattered, leading to existential crisis. And the belonging offered is narrow, exclusive and divisive. It severs more connections than it creates.<\/p>\n

Keep this in mind and persevere. This path is not for the faint of heart. There will be many trials and obstacles to overcome both within and without. These books will point out many of the obstacles others have faced while walking this path before you so you might be prepared when they arrive. The obstacles you will face are not<\/em> an indication of being on the wrong path. The opposite<\/em> is true. Ease is a very alluring demon which will lead to stagnation, fragility and weakness. Whereas overcoming obstacles leads to growth, strength, resilience, and confidence.<\/p>\n

With that out of the way, let’s get to the good stuff, what you’re really here for, the five books I recommend for beginner mystics or people who are interested in starting down the path of spirituality…<\/p>\n

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5 Book Recommendations for Beginner Mystics<\/h1>\n

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These are not listed in any particular order. This is not a ranked list. I feel they are all equally important, equally accessible, and I believe that together<\/em> they cover the necessary practices, mindsets, philosophy, and science to give the reader a very firm foundation upon which to build a profound spiritual practice.<\/p>\n

There are also a few books which many people would include in a list like this that I have specifically chosen to leave out. The reason for this is that I wanted this list to be as accessible as possible, so I have chosen not to include certain books which are older and more difficult to read. This would include books such as The Varieties of Religious Experience<\/em> by William James and The Perennial Philosophy<\/em> by Aldous Huxley. Both of which are highly important and influential books and I may include them on a future list for those who desire to go deeper.<\/p>\n

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Science and Spiritual Practices by Rupert Sheldrake<\/h2>\n

Isn\u2019t it ironic that scientific progress is what originally deemed religion and spiritual practice irrelevant and scientific progress is exactly what is now making them relevant again?<\/p>\n

Rupert is keenly aware of this irony and that is precisely why he wrote this book\u00a0Science and Spiritual Practices.\u00a0<\/em>He is well aware that people won\u2019t take up any practice these days without \u201cevidence\u201d or, more specifically, without scientific research into the mechanisms of action. So he decided to take up the cause and discuss seven of the most common spiritual practices found across the world\u2019s religions and break down what they are and what science can tell us about how they work.<\/p>\n

This book addresses the very important question of why? Why are spiritual practices important and how do they benefit us? Which is absolutely essential to anyone embarking on a new path.<\/p>\n

For more information check out my full review<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The One Year Manual by Israel Regardie<\/h2>\n

The shortest book on this list. This book just provides instructions for a set of spiritual practices. A very thoughtfully designed set of practices from one of the world’s greatest spiritual masters. It does not cover any of the science or philosophy. That information is covered in other books on this list.<\/p>\n

The One Year Manual<\/em>\u00a0presents a linear course of study which includes thirteen practices. Each chapter gives instructions for a specific practice which is meant to be performed daily for at least one month until mastered before moving on to the next.<\/p>\n

This course of study has the potential for radical personal transformation by developing intuition, mental and body awareness, developing skills such as visualization, concentration, and directing energy, and techniques for altering consciousness and calming the mind and body. It then moves into more elaborate and complex rituals and unitive practices once the required skills have been developed. Rituals which have the capability of producing gnosis and powerful spiritual awakenings.<\/p>\n

For more information check out my full review<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Psychic Witch by Mat Auryn<\/h2>\n

This one will probably turn some heads for people who aren’t familiar with it, and it is different than the books I typically read and write about. For that reason, I was hesitant to purchase it. But it did win several awards and received really high accolades from a lot of people so I eventually did purchase a copy for myself. I was not in the least bit disappointed.<\/p>\n

I found it to be a really well written book with a ton (93 in total!) of powerful and effective practices and exercises for developing intuition, visualization, and other indispensable techniques and skills for any mystic. Even though<\/em> I am highly skeptical of anyone claiming to be a psychic, or wanting to develop psychic skills, and that is precisely who and what this book is written for. If you have any interest whatsoever in witchcraft and want to know where to start, look no further. I have several other books which are similar and aimed at the same audience and this one is far superior.<\/p>\n

When it comes to magick, mysticism, and witchcraft, most people, and most books, focus on the outward actions, items, and spoken words and rarely talk about the inner mental and energy work that really provides the power to the practices and rituals. The outer acts are meaningless and completely devoid of any potency if they aren’t aligned with and coherent with inner acts of the practitioner. And this is where Psychic Witch<\/em> shines. It focuses on what should be happening inside<\/em> the practitioner where the real magic happens. And it also introduces relevant symbols and philosophy so you can gain a better understanding of what is going on in the practices and rituals and why they are designed the way they are.<\/p>\n

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A Path with Heart By Jack Kornfield<\/h2>\n

An elder or guide is indispensable for those on a spiritual path. It is so important to have a voice of reason and maturity to turn to for guidance in our lives, especially when venturing into the territory of altered states of consciousness.<\/p>\n

Jack Kornfield has been practicing and teaching meditation for a very long time and has been through all the ups and downs of spiritual life and leadership and in this book he reveals what he’s learned, how to overcome the inevitable obstacles that arise, how to avoid self-deception and discouragement, and how to grow and lead a heart-centered spiritual community.<\/p>\n

He also shares a number of meditations and practices from his training as a Buddhist monk and psychologist, and translates much of the timeless wisdom Buddhism has to offer into language any modern reader can easily understand and incorporate into their lives. He discusses visions and mystical experiences and how to make sense of them, he shares practices to help us integrate our emotions and experiences to propel us down our spiritual path. And he addresses many of the concerns of modern spiritual seekers.<\/p>\n

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Recapture the Rapture by Jamie Wheal<\/h2>\n

One of my favorite books of all time, Recapture the Rapture<\/em> is the most scientific and secular of the books included on this list and it may seem like a strange inclusion at first. But Jamie is one of the world’s brightest thinkers in the domains of flow and meaning in life. And it is written for the explicit purpose of helping guide people through the process of designing and implementing an ecology of spiritual practices that can provide meaning in our lives, and then building an ethical spiritual community so we can share and grow together.<\/p>\n

Essentially three books in one, Recapture the Rapture<\/em> is broken up into three parts: part one details the current collapse in meaning, or meaning crisis, and how we got here, part two discusses ways we can cultivate meaning through ecstatic flow and catharsis, and part three discusses how to build a spiritual community while avoiding the many common pitfalls that have derailed such communities in the past. Few books have had as great an impact on me and my work as this one.<\/p>\n

For more information check out my full review<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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