Top 10 Deep Books Related to Religions but Not Too Religious

I would like to share some of the very profound and interesting books that I have read and found quite useful. I have already written a general article about some deepest books but this time they are related to religions. The books I mention here are related to Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and Taoism. I was raised a Catholic but I like to discover more about other religions. I believe that all religions share the same goal. As a wise Islamic scholar Rumi said in his poem The sun’s light looks a little different on this wall than it does on that wall, but it is still the same light. Here are books that helped me a lot to understand various religions and kind of opened my eyes. They are not necessarily religious texts! Some are just inspired and containing certain religious views. I will not include the main and well-known main religious books like Bible, Quran, Tao Te Ching, Bhagavad Gita, or Pali Canon. I would like to make this article useful so that you can maybe find something new and a little bit hidden.

10. Silence - Shūsaku Endō

This novel had a huge impact on me, especially regarding my Catholic background. The book is an interesting story, based on real historical characters, of missionaries who came to samurai-era Japan. The cultural and religious clash was something that they didn't expect and that shattered their view of the world. This book is an interesting contemplation about the so called truth we all think we have and need to show other people.

9. A History of God - Karen Armstrong

Jews, Christians, and Muslims all worship one God. The idea of God in these three religions comes from the same source of ancient Judaic literature. The author of this book explores the historical and cultural background of the origin of God. It seems like the Jewish God Yahweh was not so clearly distinguished from other existing gods in the times of Moses, Abraham and other spiritual leaders of the ancient times. This book is an exciting analysis and comparison of the evolution of God in the mentioned religions and other religions that existed nearby.

8. The Secret of the Kingdom - Mika Waltari

This book describes the story of Jesus but from a different perspective of a Roman who came to Judea and met these strange followers of the crucified rabbi. The story is told in a nonreligious and mysterious way. The modern and materialistic Roman mind is confronted with the spiritual teaching of Jesus based on ancient Jewish culture.

7. The Tao of Pooh - Benjamin Hoff

Who would have taught that the stories of Winnie the Pooh contain deep wisdom that is close to Taoism. Pooh might sometimes look like a fool because of his simple way of thinking but isn't it something that we all often lack? Something that our incredibly complex and all possibilites analyzing mind actually needs?

6. The Conference of the Birds - Farid ud-Din Attar

This book is a nice metaphor for the spiritual journey of each individual. Birds gather to decide their king. They go on a journey to find a legendary bird worth becoming their ruler. They overcome various obstacles and travel through places that represent our own mental obstacles to inner peace. This Sufi scholar shows how religion should follow the path of love and compassion, similarly to Rumi and other Sufi authors.

5. Myth and Ritual in Christianity - Alan Watts

The author analyses the meaning behind many symbols in Christianity. This view attempts to be objective study in contrast to theological contemplations of authors like St. Thomas Aquinas. Despite claiming that many rituals are divine will, there are reasons why people actually started performing them and these reasons might not be what even the most devoted practitioners believe in.

4. The Way of Silence - David Steindl-Rast

This Benedictine Catholic monk gave many talks on an important topic in spirituality. Gratefulness! Being grateful is a start of spiritual path. Every moment in life is precious even if the moment is dark. When the mind is still, the peace hidden in silence can be the thing that we all wish to achieve in our lives.

3. The Art of Happiness - 14th Dalai Lama

14th Dalai Lama is famous for his joyful nature and approach when explaining Buddhist teachings. He said: The purpose of human life is to be happy! and this is what the book is about. How do we seek happiness in our lives? Are the things we believe are good really leading to a peaceful and happy life? Sometimes losing might actually be a way to freedom in contrast to the idea of gaining more and more to be happy.

2. The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz

This short book is based on an old Toltec spiritual teachings and explore the expectations and limits of human mind that are not set but created by our own lifestyle. Anyone can reach happiness and freedom but the brain needs to be trained. The author here describes the teachings of, probably not well known religion of the ancient Toltecs who lived in the area of today's Mexico and were later replaced by Aztecs.

1. Opening the Door of Your Heart - Ajahn Brahm

This book along with other writings and talks by Ajahn Brahm helped me realize what Buddhism is about. Ajahn Brahm explains difficult Buddhist principles in simple stories that everyone can understand. This book contains a lot of such stories that contain a lot of wisdom and are deeper than they might seem at first glance. Being kind to other and to oneself is the key to Nirvana. Make peace, be kind, be gentle. These words are the key concepts in meditation and spiritual growth which is not meant to be a way of mindless serving or a war with one's own nature and body. It is simply a way to happiness and joy! It's free to read here.

I hope this list was useful for you. Let me know in the comments if you like other books like this and find them interesting.

Keywords: cinema, meditation, contemplation, deep story
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