Reading too much is detrimental for your spiritual life. Take it from someone who knows. Also consider that the great spiritual giants throughout time haven’t been readers: Buddha, Krishnamurti, Ramana Maharshi, Nisargadatta, etc. My recommendation, for what it’s worth, and that’s not a lot, is choose one book you resonate with, and absorb it like the sun on a warm and sunny San Diego beach — preferably a beach without too many bikini distractions, which makes Pacific Beach a big no-no.
If you read one of these, let me know what you think! Best wishes.
- No River to Cross: Trusting the Enlightenment That’s Always Right Here by Zen Master Daehaeng. One of my favorite books. I did a review of it here.
- Dhammapada by the Buddha. Translated by Gil Fronsdal. Everyone needs to read this classic.
- Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness: Walking the Buddha’s Path by Henepola Gunaratana. Another Buddhist classic, covering the basic doctrine, applicable to all Buddhist schools. If I read one book to get a decent overview of what the Buddha taught, I’d choose this one.
- The Mirror of Zen: The Classic Guide to Buddhist Practice by Zen Master So Sahn. Beop Jeong A staple text for Korean monks, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Pithy verses with a practical commentary. A Zen Master’s compilation of the most important verses from the Korean Tripitaka — or what was known of it by him in the 16th century.
- Nothing Special: Living Zen by Charlotte Joko Beck. My first Zen teacher. According to many, this is one of the best Zen books of all-time. It’s one of my favorites. Good for those who want a real, life-based practice stripped of all the metaphysical baggage (rebirth, Buddha, etc.)
