Spiritual Stories

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A New Earth was the beginning for me, it introduced Consciousness and the Ego in a clear and simple way, it explains the Power of  Now in more basic concepts than the more famous book of that name. Be warned, once you have read this book it cannot be unread, despite your ego and painbody getting in the way you will always be aware of them and you will see them in your actions. I was reading this book on a flight to Basel and a young Sikh approached me and said if I was reading A New Earth he would recommend to me to read Siddhartha (also in this list). No one has had ever randomly approached me before with a reading suggestion, at that point I knew this was a sign.

The Untethered Soul is a great follow on point from the Power of Now or A New Earth. There is almost a  practical guide how to view how your ego and pain body react to certain situations, memories and associations. The only way to free yourself from the mental suffering is to surrender to it. There is also an important section about Conscious relationships which is a small but powerful chapter in the book. The story about the man who builds his house in the field and the splinter are useful analogies for life today but I'll let you discover that on your own. 

Put bluntly, this is the best story I have ever read (followed very closely by The Way of the Wyrd). Siddhartha follows a young prince on his path through the ancient world accompanied by his old friend Govinda. It neatly dovetails with another book on this list 'The Hero's Journey'. Siddhartha turns his back on his comfortable life to travel the world meeting priests, beggars, women, businessmen and ferrymen on his way. I won't spoil the story but it is absolutely fantastic. Must read.

This book is another fantastic story that I was lucky enough to be gifted from my Father. We are taken through the eyes of a young trainee Monk called Brand on his journey from the comfort of his candlelit scriptures at a Mercia Monastery to meet with and understand the ways of a mystical peoples who live in the West (I like to think it is Wales). Brand meets Wulf, a Celtic shaman who takes him under his wing to show him the Ways of Wyrd. Needless to say Brand embarks on a journey of self discovery he couldn't have imagined. This book is a helpful reminder than shamanism developed in the West as well as the East and there are many overlaps. 

This book was another gift from my Father, for which I am very grateful. How could we have a list on a site about Motorcycles and Mindfulness without including this book. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a very difficult read and you may need to re-read chapters to fully understand them. The book follows the story of a Father and Son as they embark across across America's Northwest, to complete the Chautauqua spiritual journey. It is a very powerful book that examines the relationship we have with technology, relationships, values, and eventually, enlightenment and meaning – resonant with the confusions and wonders of existence. It's a book you need to be ready for, but when the time is right it will be rewarding.

This book I heard recommended on a YouTube channel so I decided to order it myself. The book is an in depth, cross cultural analysis of hero stories across the world and through the ages. Including for example, Greek Mythology The Buddha, African Tribes, Celtic Folklore. Interestingly all hero tales have the same basic tenements, which if you want to understand you'll have to read the book and I should add it's not the easiest to read. It goes some way to explaining the frustrations of men in the modern world and how each of us needs to go on his own Hero's Journey. If you are to return with the boon, then you have to face your enemies, trials and tests. Are you ready to answer the call?

There is no denying that The Way of Men is counter to a lot of the other reading material on this list. It promotes tribalism, an us and them mentality, is fairly negative and is a long way from the uber inclusive one consciousness concept we see in other texts. Where The Way of Men does have important lessons for us is in understanding the difference in being good at being a man vs being a good man as they are not the same. Ideally one would be strive to be both a good man and good at being a man. It explains the ideal male virtues of Strength, Honor, Courage and Mastery, that are both desired by men and admired by women. It helps understand why in the 21st century men have lost their way and commonly turn to video games, watching sports and stupid behaviours. If you want to stand in your Shiva power in today's world then this somewhat controversial volume will assist you.

The Wheel of Initiation is a book I picked up by chance in a small bookshop in the Lake District, England. The author has designated the process of initiation into spiritual practices as a wheel with the South, West, North and East being stages one progresses through. There are some overlaps with The Hero's Journey. As I have only just started this book I will come back and complete this when I have finished it.

The Alchemist is another story that dives into adventure and spirituality. We begin with Santiago a young shepard boy who wants to explore the world and find the ultimate treasure. In his quest he hopes to find The Alchemist, who can show him the way to the treasure. It's about not giving up on your goals. Quite a few people don't get or dislike this book and that's fine. If it is for you and you're at the right stage in your journey then it works. I enjoyed it.

Man's search for Meaning I was given to borrow from my mentor Mike at my first job. It is a two part book by Viktor Frankl which begins detailing his experiences in the concentration camps of Nazi Germany. Frankl observed the men and women with purpose tended to survive and those who gave up immediately died, this seemed to be true regardless of their state of apparent health. The second part explains Frankl's novel pyschotherapy based on his experiences in the camp, which is equally interesting. Find meaning in what you do and always have something left to accomplish are just two of the ideas that speak across the years and if you are looking either to overcome suffering or find your purpose then this book is a short but powerful read.