I'm always recommending books (& talks & videos) which have inspired me, so here's some personal favourites: 

TAOISM / ZEN / BUDDHISM:

TAO TE CHING: A New English Version, with Foreword and Notes, translated by STEPHEN MITCHELL
-the book which opened me up to Eastern philosophy. Gifted to me 25 years ago, while backpacking in New Mexico, it's one of the few books I've held onto all this time, and have read over & over...A treasure!

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​ZEN MIND, BEGINNER'S MIND - SHUNRYU SUZUKI
- arguably the best book on Zen - especially for beginners (and really who isn't?)

 

Other recommended sources for learning about Zen & other Buddhist traditions:

BRAD WARNER:  author of many great books, his youtube channel Hardcore Zen is full of great talks and too.

SHOZAN JACK HAUBNER's youtube channel & book "Zen Confidential" are also worth checking out

JAIMAL YOGIS: author of SALTWATER BUDDHA and ALL OUR WAVES ARE WATER - beautiful, poetic & inspiring memoirs of a fascinating life path, weaving in Zen philosophy, surf wisdom, Buddhist meditation and the enchantment of the ocean...

TARA BRACH: her talks (on youtube here ) are excellent: insightful, compassionate, and especially heartening if you are going through tough times...She's also written several books.
PEMA CHODRON - obviously! So many books; "When Things Fall Apart" is a good place to start.

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INDIGENOUS & NATURE-BASED SPIRITUALITY & OTHER INTERESTING READS

THE EARTH'S CYCLE OF CELEBRATION - GLENNIE KINDRED - Her other books are great too. This is the one I first read in 2001 and was the start of really learning to tune into nature's cycles...and the ancient Pagan festivals which honour them.

PASSAGE TO POWER - LESLIE KENTON - an inspiring & natural approach to menopause

SHAKTI WOMAN -VICKI NOBLE - reclaiming the sacred feminine from millennia of patriarchy!  

WELCOME HOME: FOLLOWING YOUR SOUL'S JOURNEY HOME -  SANDRA INGERMAN 

FOOD OF THE GODS: A Radical History of Plants, Drugs and Human Evolution - TERENCE McKENNA

- A fascinating exploration of how plants have deeply shaped human consciousness & types of society over the millennia​​

SCIENCE & SPIRITUAL PRACTICES: RECONNECTING THROUGH DIRECT EXPERIENCE - RUPERT SHELDRAKE - Sheldrake is always interesting to read and listen to; his talk on "Rediscovering God" is well worth listening to.

THE TRUE HISTORY OF CHOCOLATE - MICHAEL D COE & SOPHIE D COE - a delightful and accessible book by two anthropologists who specialised in the Maya and chocolate...

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