Here is a list of some of my favorite books and web sites. I hope you will find inspiration and information that will remind you of what really matters: the deeper side of life, your soul's calling, the love and happiness you share with friends and family, and taking action to heal the world's suffering.

- The Care of the Soul, by Thomas Moore - Foremost on my list of well-loved classics, this book by a former monk and therapist writes with beauty and complexity about the inner life of the soul. In his discussion of jealousy, love, dreams, and psychological symptoms as doorways to the soul, he deepens contemporary ideas around spirituality. Readers will also appreciate other books by Moore, including The Soul's Religion, and Soul Mates.

- The Pursuit of Happiness: A Handbook for Living, His Holiness the Dalai Lama - For those who are looking for a respite from the demands of our consumer-oriented, goal-oriented society, this book by one of the world’s most loved spiritual figures offers healing wisdom. In it, he brings a balancing, Buddhist perspective to depression, anxiety, loneliness, and other ills of the modern era.

- The Inner Life, by Hazrat Inayat Khan - Three classic essays on the spiritual life by the Sufi mystic who brought Sufism to the West. Mysticism, preparation for the spiritual journey, and the path of initiation and discipleship are among the themes in this book. Readers will also appreciate other volumes by Hazrat Inayat Khan, including The Mysticism of Sound and Music.

- Memories, Dreams, Reflections, by C. G. Jung - This autobiography of one of psychology’s early pioneers is remarkable for its account of Jung’s richly active inner life - his visions, thoughts, fantasies, and nightly dreams - that paralleled his life and work. Readers will also appreciate The Portable Jung, edited by Joseph Campbell, a compilation of Jung’s essential writings. Jung: A Biography, by Deirdre Bair, is a fantastic read that details Jung’s personal life as well as his discoveries as an explorer of the human psyche.

- Boundaries of the Soul: The Practice of Jung’s Psychology, by June Singer
For those interested in taking the first steps on the Jungian path of individuation, this is a solid place to start. It clearly explains many of the more complex terms in the Jungian tradition, including the personality types; the anima and animus; complexes, the analyst/analysand relationship, and other Jungian concepts.

- Archetypal Dimensions of the Psyche, by Marie-Louise Von Franz
Written by one of Jung’s foremost followers, I love this book for its wisdom on dream interpretation, fairy tales, the shadow, and her invaluable knowledge as a Jungian analyst about the individuation process. Von Franz is the author of a series of books on fairy tales, including Shadow and Evil in Fairytales.

- When Things Fall Apart, by Pema Chodron - This is one of those books I always turn to when the going in life gets rough. Written by a Buddhist nun, it’s gentle lessons around acceptance and non-resistance are healing and bring compassionate insight into life’s most insoluble problems. A sage friend for the bedside table.

- Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience, by Sharon Salzberg - This book is a moving account of the personal spiritual journey of one of contemporary Buddhism’s most popular teachers. I was touched by the suffering Salzberg endured as a young girl, and how it eventually led her to a lifelong study of the teachings of the Buddha. Readers will also enjoy many other books by Sharon Salzberg, including

- Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha, by Tara BrachIf you have ever suffered the wounding pain of shame, this insightful book by an inspiring Buddhist teacher in the mindfulness tradition will bring gentle insight and healing compassion. I have turned to its pages many times, and given it as a “soul gift” to friends.

- The Enlightened Heart: An Anthology of Sacred Poetry, edited by Stephen Mitchell This book contains a wealth of inspirational poetry from a spectrum of sources: William Blake, Rilke, The Bhagavad Gita, Rumi, Lao-Tzu, the Odes of Solomon, and Wallace Stevens, among many others.

-The Dark Night of The Soul: A Psychiatrist Explores the Connection Between Darkness and Spiritual Growth, by Gerald May, M.D.
A guiding light for seekers on all paths who encounter confusion, darkness, and inexplicable suffering. This book is written in a very clear and wise voice by a well-respected psychiatrist who draws on his own personal life experience, and who is the director of the Shalem Institute of Spiritual Development.

- Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow, by Elizabeth Lesser This book by the co-founder of Omega Institute shares her own personal story of transformation through crisis, as well as the stories of many others who have endured the kind of great suffering that is the prelude to spiritual awakening. Lesser documents stages along the path of what she calls “The Phoenix Process” - rising newborn from the ashes of suffering and grief.

- Field, Form, and Fate:  Patterns in Mind, Nature, and Psyche (Spring Publications) by Michael Conforti.  Drawing on both Jungian psychology and the New Sciences, Conforti’s book is a unique exploration of how the “unconscious blueprints of archetypes” are reflected in the recurring patterns that occur in nature.  Most fascinating, however, are Conforti’s clinical descriptions of how these archetypes create invisible magnetic “fields” that powerfully influence our consciousness and shape our daily lives. 

WebSites
www.beliefnet.com
- This spirituality and religion website features a rich feast of daily articles, meditations, and newsletters that inspires the soul and stirs the mind.
www.sufiorder.org
- Website for the Sufi Order International
www.worldprayers.org
- This is a beautiful website with a library of prayers from all the world’s religious traditions.
www.meditationcenter.com
- A clearing house that provides links to alternative and spirituality web sites worldwide.
www.noetic.org
- Web site for the Institute of Noetic Sciences: an organization on the leading edge of research into consciousness.

Your Life's Calling

- Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live, by Martha Beck
This is a practical, step-by-step book that outlines a path to finding your life purpose. I have recommended it many times over, and always received good feedback. One friend said it changed her life.

- The Soul's Code, by James Hillman
This book is one of those classics I couldn’t live without. In it Hillman, a leading scholar in the Jungian tradition, turns traditional psychology on its ear by showing how our childhood pathologies and symptoms are clues to our destiny. There are fascinating accounts from the lives of famous people that illustrate Hillman’s “acorn theory,” as well as wonderful writing on invisible guides and the daemons that guide the creative process.

- There Are No Accidents: Syncronicity and the Stories of our Lives, by Robert H. Hopcke
This is a book that flows with interesting stories and accounts of people who have experienced “syncronicity” – those magic moments of fate and destiny when the invisible world intersects with the visible, inalterably changing the course of our lives.

- Freedom and Destiny, by Rollo MayThis classic by one of the pioneers of American psychology is a timeless study of the twin forces that shape our lives. It is rich with case studies of his patients, revealing his perspective on how these two forces work together to create our individual fates.

- Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life, by Greg Levoy
This is another insightful book by a contemporary writer on how to discover the unique meaning and purpose of your life. It is clear, colorful, and courageous in its embrace of individualdestiny.

- The Artist's Way, and The Vein of Gold, by Julia CameronIf you have ever wanted to write a book, paint a picture, compose music or undertake any other creative endeavor, writer Julia Cameron’s books are an invaluable source of wisdom and practical advice.

- Creators on Creating: Awakening and Cultivating the Imaginative Mind, edited by - Frank Barron
An inspiring collection of essays by a wide range of artists, writers, thinkers, and inventors on the creative process.

Healing the World

- Spiritual Politics: Changing the World From the Inside Out, by Corinne McLaughlin and Gordon Davidson - This unique book by two longtime spiritual teachers/social activists applies the perspective of ancient spiritual wisdom to the political arena. The book contains a wealth of esoteric knowledge and insight into the soul of America, and shows how individuals can integrate their inner work with bringing evolutionary change to the outer world.

-The Awakened Warrior, edited by Rick Fields
A collection of essays on enlightened approaches to political activism as well as “spiritual combat with our inner enemies.” Gloria Steinem, Robert Bly, Angeles Arrien, Joseph Campbell, Martin Luther King, are among the contributing writers.

–Being Peace, by Thich Nhat Hanh
This little book by a Vietnamese Buddhist monk who lives in exile in France is a timeless piece of wisdom on the art of peace. In this book of talks to American peace activists and students of meditation, Hanh discuss the importance of being peace in order to make peace. Hanh’s many other books are highly recommended as well.

-A Terrible Love of War, by James Hillman
A penetrating analysis of the archetypal force of war by a well-known Jungian scholar. In it, he discusses the god of Mars/Aries, and examines humankind’s assumption that “war is normal.”

WebSites
www.foe.org
- A website for the environmental and public health organization, Friends of the Earth.
www. amnestyinternational.com
- Official website for the international human rights organization.
www.visionarylead.com
- The Center for Visionary Leadership; linking spirituality with politics
www.bpf.org
- This is the website for The Buddhist Peace Fellowship, an organization with centers around the country that brings together Buddhism and progressive social change

Women’s Spirituality

Sacred Circles: A Guide to Creating Your Own Women’s Spirituality Group, by Robin Deen Carnes and Sally Craig. - This is a practical, inspiring account of how to begin, maintain and nurture a women’s spirituality circle. It is based on the real life experiences of two women and the circle they have participated in for many years. It contains helpful suggestions, rituals, and a list of resources.

The Millionth Circle: How to Change Ourselves and the World, The Essential Guide to Women’s Circles, by Jean Shinoda Bolen - This well-loved book has been a source of inspiration for women all around the globe who are participating in the ongoing women’s spirituality movement.

Rebirth of the Goddess: Finding Meaning in Feminist Spirituality, by Carol P. Christ - This is a scholarly, though deeply felt, study of the emerging mythos of feminine spirituality. It articulates the values and principles of a feminine “Thealogy” based on the forgotten history of the Goddess religions.

Lost Goddesses of Early Greece: A Collection of Pre-Hellenic Mythology, by Charlene Spretnak -This lovely pocket-sized book offers an accessible, clear re-telling of the Greek goddess myths before they became distorted by later patriarchal versions. One of my favorites.

The Creation of Patriarchy
The Creation of Feminist Consciousness, By Gerda Lerner - This two volume classic belongs on the shelf of any practitioner of feminine spirituality. Written by a renowned historian, these two books document the history of Western women and shows the gradual emergence of the feminist spirit over time. It is a rich collection of stories of women saints, activists, muckrakers, goddesses, slaves, mothers, and concubines.

Living Islam Out Loud: American Muslim Women Speak
Edited by Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur - This is a timely, edgy, smart book that articulates the modern-day voice of contemporary Muslim women. It’s series of essays by a variety of different women shatters stereotypes and offers hope in the progressive face of Islam.

WebSites
www.womenforwomen.org
- The website for Women for Women International, providing financial assistance and friendship to women in war-torn countries.
www.gatherthewomen.org
- A clearing house for women’s groups around the globe. A valuable resource for contacts, rituals, and inspiration for the burgeoning women’s spirituality movement.