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Recommended Reading for Spiritual Understanding and Growth

by Marina Michaels

For those who wish to further explore some of the concepts presented within The Lighthouse Online's pages, I recommend any of the following books. I've placed descriptions of books related to cats and cat health on a separate page.

For too long, this page had been static. When I was running my Web log the first time, I started to write extensive in-depth reviews of books; I am now starting to convert those reviews over to more permanent pages, and in the process I am adding those entries to this page. Eventually, this page will provide links to in-depth reviews of all the books here; meanwhile, I will be adding links to the more recent reviews, and when those are complete, I will create pages that review the existing books on this page. How will you be able to tell that I have created a review? The "buy this book" image will be relaced by a link to the review page. And I'll use a discreet little "New" image to set it off:

Wherever a link is to a book itself, if you click on the links, you will be taken directly to the page in Amazon.com where you can order the book. Order one or more for yourself or for family or friends. Important: If you use a link on one of my Web pages to view a book (or other item) at Amazon.com, and if you decide to buy it new through Amazon.com, and if you buy it right at the page you were taken too, I may get a small percentage of the sale, without it costing you anything more. (Amazon.com does not make it easy for their affiliates to earn any money through recommendation links.) Though I am not asking that you do so. There are often used versions of the same book for sale too, or you might be able to find the book at your local library. You can quite possibly find a link to your public library's online catalog here: UC Berkeley's LibWeb.

The books fall naturally into these useful categories, which is how I have the books arranged:

Personal workbooks, which provide you the space to write out your thoughts within a loosely structured format so you can discover things about yourself more quickly.
Explanatory works, or "how to" books, that tell how to accomplish specific goals or teach something specific, such as how to channel.
Channeled materials, which contain channeled information on life. I have selected those that I think are the best examples of channeling or that contain information that is essential to today's spiritual issues, even if the channeling is less than perfect.
Fictional and nonfictional works that superbly explore spiritual issues, even if the author is not aware they are spiritual issues.
Reference books that you will want to have on hand always.

Each of these types of books approach the ideas of spirit and spirituality from different perspectives, thus allowing you to more fully explore the concepts while engaging more of yourself—both the left and right brains, subjective and objective reasoning, hands-on practical experience, recreational reading that nonetheless informs and brings forth new ideas.

Recommended Approach

If it fits within your preferences, I recommend that you not approach these books linearly. Instead, try working on several different books at once. For example, try starting with two different workbooks, and alternate between writing in them—say, work on the spiritual workbook one day, and the mental/emotional one the next, or write in one for a week, then the other. Meanwhile, also be reading one of the fictional works I recommend, as well as one of the channeled works.

However, for the sake of those who like to approach things in an orderly, linear fashion, here is how I would recommend approaching these books.

Start with the workbooks by Christopher Biffle and Meredith Lady Young. These can help you assess where you are in terms of your beliefs (spiritual and otherwise) and emotional sate, and can help you become aware of those areas that might need healing or further attention.
Next, or at the same time, start reading Seth Speaks, one of the first channeled books by Jane Roberts. This book is an excellent introduction to channeling and channeled materials. It also provides a number of new ways to think about how the world works in a gentle way that almost anyone with a reasonably open mind can appreciate.
For some stronger, more challenging material, get, read, and work through A Course in Miracles. This set of books (listed under Workbooks) can take one or more years to complete. (It took me two.) For many people, it can take three or more years, so don't wait until you complete the Course to read other books on this list.
At the same time, try Ceanne de Rohan's channeled works. Although I think the channeling is uneven and strongly colored by Ms. de Rohan's own beliefs and filters, these books contain some very deep and strong truths about the nature of denial and of the Goddess that created everything. Read the books in order.
If you worry about spirit possession, or want to learn to channel, or both, check out the "how to" books.
For an break from all the non-fiction, try any one of the fictional works, in any order. Susan Howatch's works in particular are absolutely spectacular. She intelligently addresses a number of concerns about spirituality within the context of England's churches in a way I never thought I would see. No matter what your beliefs or religion, I think anyone can gain a great deal from reading her books.
Of course, at any point, you may want to purchase one or more of the reference works.

The books are arranged by type as listed above.

Channeled Materials

DeRohan, Ceanne. Right Use of Will: Healing and Evolving the Emotional Body. Santa Fe, NM: Four Winds Publications, 1986. For information, write to: Four Winds Publications, 535 Cordova Road, Suite 112, Santa Fe, NM, 87501 USA. This book is the first in a series. It addresses acknowledging and working with our emotions in order to heal and evolve ourselves and the planet.
Roberts, Jane. The Seth series of books. Jane Roberts was a wonderfully clear channel, and her series of books, both as she channeled the Seth entity and what she wrote herself, are level-headed and fairly objective about the channeling phenomenon. Seth is one of my favorite channeled entities: hearty, loving, humorous, with excellent information. Seth said at some point that his books are encoded, so that when you read them, you gain benefits on many levels that you may not bee immediately aware of.
The Nature of Personal Reality: Specific, Practical Techniques for Solving Everyday Problems and Enriching the Life You Know. This is my personal favorite. If you don't read any other books on this list, read this one.
The Unknown Reality, Volume One, and The Unknown Reality, Volume Two, also big favorites.
Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul, the book that started it all.

Back to the list of categories.

Explanatory Works or "How To" Books

Roman, Sanaya and Duane Packer. Opening to Channel: How to Connect With Your Guide. Tiburon, CA: H. J. Kramer, Inc., 1987. A good introduction to channeling and to learning how to channel.
Opening to Channel
Fiore, Edith. The Unquiet Dead: A Psychologist Treats Spirit Possession. A hair-raising book (nonfiction!) on spirit possession: How to recognize it, how to deal with it. A must!
The Unquiet Dead

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Baldwin, William. Spirit Releasement Therapy: A Technique Manual. An in-depth look at all the different ways spirits can attach to other spirits, with clear information on how to detach them. This is a good book to read after reading The Unquiet Dead .
Spirit Releasement Therapy: A Technique Manual

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Fiction and Other Works

Coelho, Paulo. The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream. In simple yet elegant style, this book tells the story of a boy who follows his Personal Legend (his dream), and learns to listen to his heart and gain the world.
The illustrated version of this lovely book.
A hardcover version of this book.
A very nice paperback version of this book.
Coudert, Jo. Seven Cats and the Art of Living. I didn't know whether to place this little gem on this page or on my recommended reading for cat owners page. Jo Coudert's writing is straightforward and easy, and the book is short, but she packs a lot of knowledge into it. For one thing, she nicely illuminates how none of us, cat or human, are victims of our past; that we have choices and can keep making new choices in the face of changed circumstances, or we can stubbornly hold onto old ideas, values, and fears despite new experiences, often to our detriment. Reading this book can help a person come to understand that their cat has its own path and its own choices to make, and in understanding that, perhaps we can learn to allow both cats and humans the grace of making their own choices, instead of trying to impose upon them what we in our arrogance think is best for them.
(Hardcover) (Paperback) (Audio cassette)
De Mello, Anthony, SJ. One Minute Nonsense. Brief excerpt from my review: "Published posthumously, it turned out to be one of those subversive little books that has deceptively simple tales of "the Master." As the blurb on the back of the book says, the Master could be anyone—a Muslim mullah, a Hindi guru, a Jewish rabbi, a Zen roshi, a wise Christian, or any sage. He could be a monk or married, or he could even be a she...." (Read the whole review.)
Howatch, Susan. These books are spectacular. My favorite is Mystical Paths. When reading them, read them carefully; these are not books to skim lightly or quickly.
Absolute Truths
Glamourous Powers
Glittering Images
Mystical Paths
Scandalous Risks
Ultimate Prizes
Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal. Brief excerpt from my review: "Mr. Schlosser has a straightforward way of telling his story that grips you and pulls you in, a willing companion on his verbal journey. He also has a great deal to say about how we are not victims of circumstance, and how so much of the grim realities he describes in this book could be avoided if enough people become aware of how effective they can be as individuals." (Read the whole review.)

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Reference Books

Fillmore, Charles, and Michael Maday. Metaphysical Bible Dictionary. This is a classic in the field, published by the Unity church. This book belongs on the shelf of every serious seeker on the path. It contains a thorough set of biblical definitions with the addition of the metaphysical meanings of people, places, and events in the bible. For example, here is the entry for Melchizedek (Meta. refers to the metaphysical meaning):
Melchizedek (Heb.)—king of righteousness; righteous rule; upright counselor; righteous judgment; king of justice.

"King of Salem" and "priest of God Most High," who "brought forth bread and wine" for Abram on his return from the slaughter of the heathen kings who had taken Lot captive (Gen 14:18; Heb. 7). Of Jesus Christ it was said that He should be a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek (Psalms 110:4; Heb. 5:6).

Meta. The divine will established in man in righteousness, justice, and peace (king of righteousness, king of justice, king of Salem, Salem meaning peace). Melchizedek really refers to the Christ mind or superconsciousness, that which when ruling in man's consciousness establishes and maintains right doing, perfect adjustment, peace, and perfection.
Melody. The Love is in the Earth series of books. My recent channeling indicates that there is indeed something to crystals beyond a simple mineral existence. I hope to post more on this topic in upcoming months. Meanwhile, these books describe crystals from both a mineralogical perspective and from a spiritual perspective. They are the books on crystals to own, even if you own no other books. For example, if you want to find a stone that is compatible with your astrological sign, or that will absorb negative energies (sugilite, for example), you can find them in these books.
Love is in the Earth: A Kaleidoscope of Crystals This book is the first one in the series, and the largest and most comprehensive.

Love is in the Earth Mineralogical Pictorial: Treasures of the Earth. A lovely companion to the Kaleidoscope of Crystals book, this book has high-quality, full-color photos of each mineral in the book. It continues with describing the crystals, and is a complement to the Kaleidoscope book.
Love is in the Earth: Laying on of Stones. This book tell show to use crystals for healing purposes.

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Workbooks

Biffle, Christopher. The Castle of the Pearl. New York: Harper and Row, 1990. A workbook that can help you assess where you are mentally and emotionally. An excellent complement to Meredith Lady Young's book cited below. Currently out of print. You can try Bookfinder, a site where you can search for and buy used books.
Foundation for Inner Peace. A Course in Miracles. Explores the concept that we are none of us guilty and that the only two choices in life are between love and fear. Includes a year-long course of study with daily exercises, a student's text book, and a manual for teachers.
A Course in Miracles.
Young, Meredith Lady. The Language of the Soul. Stillpoint Press. An excellent workbook for assessing your spiritual beliefs. Includes instructions on how to contact or connect with your guide(s) in order to channel.
The Language of the Soul

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