St. John of the Cross

E. Allison Peers, translator and editor

Dover Publications, 2008

The beautifully written spiritual classic by a 16th-century Carmelite monk, St. John of the Cross. 

Anonymous

Robert Powell, translator

Tarcher, 2002

This new edition, now indexed and with an afterword by Cardinal Hans Urs von Balthasar, is a fascinating part of esoteric Christian literature. The author is anonymous by choice and wanted to be considered as someone who is writing from another realm.

Jean-Yves Leloup

Paulist Press, 2003

Leloup, biblical scholar and contemplative, presents the writings from the ancient church's tradition of the Desert Fathers, including Evagrius, St. John Cassian, and Father Seraphim.  These works focus on the heart as the source of spiritual peace and opening, attained through stillness within.

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Henri Nouwen

Doubleday, 1989

Nouwen gives his insightful reflections on intimacy, fecundity, and ecstasy, looking at each of these three components of spirituality in the context of fear, love, and community.  His wisdom is timeless; his words will always speak to our hearts.

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Bruno Barnhart

Paulist Press, 1998

Highly-respected author in the contemplative movement and a monk, Barnhart delineates for his readers the four dimensions of the Christian spiritual experience which lead to a deeper union with God.

William Johnston

Fordham University Press, 1997

This brilliant book was originally published in 1978 during the earliest beginnings of the mysticism movement.  Johnston is an Irish Jesuit priest who has a deep understanding of the mystic spiritual path.

Jim Marion

Hampton Roads Publishing, 2002

A contemporary mystic, Marion delves into the meaning of the gospels from the perspective of Jesus' message of non-duality and development of levels of consciousness.  This book is a favorite in the contemplative movement.

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Jean-Yves Leloup

Inner Traditions, 2006

In deeper pursuit of the Jesus and Mary Magdalene mystery, LeLoup presents a thorough investigation of the scripture in order to explore and understand their profoundly transformative spiritual relationship.

Basil Pennington

Thomas Keating

Thomas E. Clarke

Skylight Paths, 2007

This is a 25th Anniversary edition of the fundamental book on Centering Prayer as developed by Pennington and Keating and now practiced by Christians around the world.  New is an introduction by Cynthia Bourgeault, one of their star pupils and a leader in the contemplative [prayer movement.

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Thomas Keating

Continuum, 2006

The bestselling classic guide on contemplative prayer celebrates its 20th year of publication. Thomas Keating's teaching has influenced millions who have discovered the spiritual awakening to be found in reclaiming the heritage of contemplative prayer in Christianity.

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