NOTE: UNLESS YOU'RE A BOOKLOVER WHO CAN'T STAND TO SEE A BOOK DEFACED,
IF YOU'RE REALLY GOING TO GET INTO THESE (WE HATE TO USE THAT WORD
"STUDY") AND MAKE NOTES IN THE MARGINS, USE HIGHLIGHTERS, AND STUFF
LIKE
THAT, WE'D ADVISE LOOKING FOR BOOKS ON OUR TOPICS AT YARDSALES, USED
BOOKSTORES, AND LIBRARY SALES (SAVES LOTS OF MONEY). THAT'S WHAT WE DO,
SO WE CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT ALL OF THESE BOOKS ARE STILL IN PRINT, OR
ADVOCATE ANY PARTICULAR BOOKSELLER. HOWEVER WE ARE AFFILIATED WITH 
AMAZON.COM WHO HAVE MANY OF THE TITLES IN STOCK. JUST CLICK ON
THE HIGHLIGHTED TITLES TO CHECK PRICES AND ORDER. HAPPY HUNTING!

THE TAO OF POOH. Benjamin Hoff. New York: Penguin Books, 1983. (An
introduction to the philosophy of Taoism through a delightful
examination of A.A.Milne's "Winnie the Pooh" - a must.)

THE TE OF PIGLET. Benjamin Hoff. New York: Penguin Books, 1992. (An
equally delightful follow-up to THE TAO OF POOH, offering Taoism to the
western reader in a reader-friendly fashion - another must.)

THE MYTHIC IMAGE. Joseph Campbell. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton
University Press, 1974. (WARNING; textbook! If you can make it through
this one, you can call yourself an expert in comparative religion and
the psychology behind it, and you can argue with the literati - which
isn't us. This book is filled with fascinating photos, drawings, and
examples from around the world and throughout history. My torn, ragged
copy - not even in one piece, I might add - came from a library
booksale
for two bucks. One of the best references I ever bought. Joseph
Campbell, however, wrote many books in this field. Any of them would be
well worth checking out.)

THE SUPREME IDENTITY. Alan Watts. New York: Random House, 1972. (Alan
Watts was one of the masters of this field. Most of his books are
similar and all are definitely worth reading because of his style and
gift for explaining the unexplainable. This particular one has a bit of
a "technical" feel to it, but it's especially meaty. At least one of
Watts' books - any one of them - is a must.)

ZEN AND THE BIBLE. Kadichi Kadowaki. trans. Joan Rieck. Great Britain:
Arkana/Penguin, 1989. (Written by a Zen-Buddhist-turned-Jesuit-priest,
this book gives insight into two not-so-different belief systems.)


THE NEW THREE MINUTE MEDITATOR. David Harp. Oakland, California: New
Harbinger, 1990. (Not a replacement for counseling when needed, but a
good guide to de-stressing and a positive addition for one's emotional
health.)

THE MEDITATOR'S HANDBOOK, A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO EASTERN AND WESTERN
MEDITATION TECHNIQUES. David Fontana. Rockport, Massachusetts: Element,
Inc., 1992. (If you're not into meditation, you can skip those parts
and
still come away with a good appreciation of various faiths and their
similarities.)

BUDDHA, THE INTELLIGENT HEART. Alistair Shearer. New York: Thames &
Hudson, 1992. (Okay, so we bought this one just to look at the
pictures.
But it still gives a great explanation of Buddhist beliefs and their
origins.)

THE DHAMMAPADA. trans. Eknath Easwaran. Petaluma, California: Nilgiri
Press, 1985. (The Dhammapada is a part of Buddhist scripture - aside
from the better-known "sutras". It's a beautiful collection of poetic
verses that teach "the way of the dharma", the "law". The translator
gives excellent introductions to the chapters. It's easy to read and
helpful in differentiating Buddhism from Hinduism.

A CHRISTIAN'S SECRET OF A HAPPY LIFE. Hannah Whitall Smith. Springdale,
Pennsylvania: Whitaker House, 1983. (This is an updaated, revised
version of a Christian classic. It's easily read and highly
inspirational, as well as comforting.)
THE TAO OF INNER PEACE. Diane Dreher. New York: HarperPerennial, 1990.
(A more complete guide to "living the Tao" - a must for any Taoist.)

PROSE POEMS BY KAHLIL GIBRAN. trans. Andrew Ghareeb. New York: Knopf,
1934. (Obviously, we didn't pick this up off the shelf just yesterday.
Used bookstore, great find; but you can find Gibran's work in various
forms almost anywhere. The work of this Lebanese poet, artist, and
philosopher is deep, spiritual - although not necessarily religious -
and absolutely gorgeous.) Get some of Gibran's Work

FAERIES. Brian Froud and Alan Lee. ed. David Larkin. New York: Harry N.
Abrams, Inc. Publisher, 1978. (A picture and legend book beyond
compare.
If you can get this one, you'll never let it go!)

MAGIC SYMBOLS. Frederick Goodman. London: Brian Trodd Publishing House
Ltd., 1989. (A superb color picture book and a great introduction to
ancient symbols which have represented the mysterious in western,
Oriental, and Arabic traditions.)

-

MEISTER ECKHART. trans.Raymond B. Blakney. New York: Harper & Row,
1941.
(Christian tradition sermons from the middle ages on mysticism and the
spiritual life. An absolute must for the Christian mystic.)

PRAYER OF HEART AND BODY: MEDITATION AND YOGA AS CHRISTIAN SPIRITUAL
PRACTICE. Thomas Ryan. New York: Paulist Press, 1995. (Christian
tradition utilizing eastern practices to achieve a deeper and richer
spiritual life.)

CHRISTIAN YOGA, THE MYSTICAL JOURNEY FROM JESUS TO CHRIST. BOOK I,
INITIATION INTO THE HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF MYSTICAL CHRISTIANITY.
Muata Abhaya Ashby. Miami: Cruzian Mystian Books, 1998. (Excellent
source of information on the development of Christianity in comparison
with other beliefs at the time. NOT traditional Christian reading! Good
drawings, charts, explanations, and diagrams, too.)

MAXIMUM SELF-ESTEEM, THE HANDBOOK FOR RECLAIMING YOUR SENSE OF
SELF-WORTH. Jerry Minchinton. Vanzant, Missouri: Arnford House
Publishers, 1993. (Not a replacement for therapy when needed, but a
wonderful start to loving yourself - a prerequisite for loving others!)

A HISTORY OF GOD, THE 4000-YEAR QUEST OF JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY AND
ISLAM. Karen Armstrong. New York: Knopf, 1994. (A great history book of
these religions relating their evolutions and connections. Somewhat
tedious reading - i.e., have your dictionary nearby - but remarkably
informative and in-depth.)

BUTLER'S LIVES OF THE SAINTS, CONCISE EDITION, REVISED AND UPDATED. ed.
Michael Walsh. New York: HarperCollins, 1991. (Christian, particularly
Catholic, tradition. Primarily inspirational; fascinating fact and
legend.)

TAO TE CHING, A NEW ENGLISH VERSION. trans. Stephen Mitchell. New York:
HarperCollins, 1988. (There are many different translations of this
Chinese philosophical classic, but this one is exceptionally readable,
beautifully written, and as clearly as possible presents the basis for
Taoism. Helpful explanatory notes at the end. Another must.)

DHARMA'S DAUGHTERS. Sara S. Mitter. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers
University Press. 1991. (A look at the effects of Hinduism and the
culture of India on women. Insightful and informative as to Hindu
traditions. Wonderfully written as the western reader cannot help but
feel compassion and kinship with the eastern woman.)

Send in your book reviews. We would love to know what your reading.
Let us know if you decide to read one those we list and what you thought of it.

Attention: Unified Spirits is now accepting submissions. This is a non-paying market. Writers retain all rights to their materials. Reprints welcome. If you have a story to tell we would love to hear from you. For more information please contact Tina at [email protected]  Thank You.