Here are six books to bring you through a bookish pilgrimage! Each nonfiction book explores different ways one can tap into a spiritual life. Some of these will take you on an existing journey of a world religion, such as The Catholic Case Against War by David Caroll Cochran, while others take a secular approach, still rooted in the core values of spiritual connections.
How to Be: Lessons from the Early Greeks by Adam Nicolson
The first stop on our tour around recent spiritual literature is by the award-winning writer Adam Nicolson. He brings on the road through the ancient societies of the world, namely the Greeks, and asks what the ancient thinkers can contribute to us now. How to Be explores ancient philosophies and carries a spiritual dimension. It is a deep dive into the early ideas. To the very beginning of the principles of the world.
Engage on this exposition with Nicolson, and be enthralled by the path the ancient philosophies can take you on.
The Catholic Case Against War by David Carroll Cochran
The Catholic Church has been repairing its war-torn history over the last few decades and is reflecting on its mantra: “Never again war!”
The Catholic Case Against War investigates the powerful ways the Church teaches alternatives to war. It is a book that draws from many documents from the Vatican and is analyzed and pulled together by the political scientist David Carroll Cochran. The case against war developed by the Vatican is not only realist but also relevant to world conflict.
If you are interested in diving down a political and religious book that toes the line of harmony and conflict, then Cochran’s ethical and spiritual investigation is perfect for you.
The Devil’s Best Trick by Randall Sullivan
Do you prefer more of a story in your spiritual novels? Take a look at The Devil’s Best Trick by Randall Sullivan. It combines true crime, religious and literary history, and the figure of the Devil into one unique book.
Randall Sullivan is an acclaimed journalist, and he has investigated the way evil has been explained throughout history. By passing through the centuries, The Devil’s Best Trick is its own Bookish Pilgrimage in one book.
The journey takes you from Mesopotamia and Egypt through European witch hunts and different cohorts of devil-worshipping. Sullivan pulls from a myriad of greats, both far in the past and close in the present.
He also documents his own journey, going through Mexico and the USA until we end up in modern times. The psychology of evil, of the Devil, and of how this faucet of religion has been interpreted is embedded in this novel, but the story will wrap you up as well.
What It Takes to Heal: How Transforming Ourselves Can Change the World by Prentis Hemphill
Does spirituality, to you, mean a set religion, or is it more of a way we connect with each other and the world?
Prentis Hemphill believes that tapping in with our joy and setting on a path to healing, connection, and values are the most important things. And for Hemphill, the connection and embodiment of healing is a spiritual journey.
He takes us through many different beliefs and how to put healing in the center of our society. It is meant to heal your body, mind, and soul. If we do that, we can accept the world we are in and begin reshaping it for equality and justice.
Embracing Hope: On Freedom, Responsibility & the Meaning of Life by Viktor E. Frankl
In a similar vein as What it Takes to Heal, is Embracing Hope by Viktor E. Frankl. He has dedicated his life’s work to teaching those who seek meaning and purpose. He has a large following for his four distinct themes.
While not overly religious in the text, the themes emphasize the importance of accepting one another. You should remain open despite injustice and despite mortality.
Frankl has a spiritual path to offer, and if you want to stop feeling gloomy about the prospect of the future, his book is for you.
Saint Hildegard’s Guide to Wellness by Holger Vornholt
Saint Hildegard was a 12th-century nun who was born in the German Rhineland. Her teachings span a set of holistic wellness rules that are still used even now. If you’re looking for ways to branch out of your normal spiritual takes, Saint Hildegard’s Guide to Wellness brings the medicinal approach to a contemporary audience.
The novel goes through a number of Hildegardian nutrition tips and her list of favorite herbs. For example, if you have high blood pressure, garlic could help you out! It is a book that overviews Hildegard of Bingen’s lifelong wisdom, and it can certainly bring about a balanced way of looking at nutrition with herbs.
Whether you’re looking to expand your own perspectives or maybe a fresh take, the above books are sure to leave you with much food for thought. Let us know if you have some recommendations we should try on our socials!
Interested in theology? Check out the Simplified Beginner’s Guide to Theology Filled With Spiritual Intellect!
Looking for something else? Check out some astrology books here!
