A Reading List Worth Considering

If there is one thing which anyone knows about me, it is how I love to read. This is rather funny considering that when I was in Mrs. Johnson’s third grade class, I fought tooth and nail with her and my parents not to read. I dabbled a lit bit when I was teenager, but the reading bug never hit me until I graduated from tech school. Today my library holds over 1,000 books on a variety of subjects from business and economics to American history, construction and woodworking to psychology and personal development.

The largest section in my library encompasses the area of religion/spirituality. I have over the course of the past 7 years actually purged this section quite a lot, probably down 200 books from its height. I am a firm proponent in that if it doesn’t align with your current view after 6 months, it needs to go.

However, spirituality is an evolving reality in most of us and to toss something out on a contrived date really isn’t a proven system yet. Yes, there have been instances when I purged a few books then I went and purchased them again sometime later because their message resonated with the place where I was currently at.

Being an avid reader, my friends have tried to stay abreast with me in what I am currently reading. I must admit that it is not easy for them since I often am in the middle of several books at one time covering multiple areas of interest. Often when they ask, I try to determine what they are seeking in a book and whether they are prepared to entertain what I am currently reading or whether an older book better fits their interests.

I have had a number of people recently ask what my favorite book is, or which one has had the greatest impact on my world view. Answering this question is difficult because each one that I have read has left a mark on my development. So, to provide you with my favorite isn’t going to further this discussion any further either.

However, I am going to offer an alternative. Since I don’t know what your perspective is in this arena we call life, I am going to provide you with somewhat of a review of books from various authors which touch on a number of matters within a range of abilities. To some of you these books may seem humdrum or way over your head. I leave the decision up to you on how you wish to proceed with the information I will provide.

As a teacher, my entire purpose is to explore different interpretations of insight expecting the Spirit to highlight the flesh of truth and discard the bones. I know that this has been the case with me in selecting the books I read. Spirit knows what I need at each particular moment of my life and has brought the right book into my path time and again. So, while you may pass over a certain book or author on what follows, it may come back to you at a later date.

There is a path here that I must divulge to. Actually, you stand at a fork and must determine which course you are going to take. One path before you is clearly trodden by the masses of historic theological rhetoric. Denominations of all kinds have taken this route and so trampled the spiritual landscape that it is difficult to see how there could even be a spiritual presence on the trail. It’s safe – but the end of the destination is mired by a languished robotic plodding throughout a lifetime of dullness of the senses.

The second path is dark and wild looking from the get-go. It too is a safe trail but the appearance of a sign of heresy has been planted by those who decided to take the first path. The spiritual terrain is always fresh and rejuvenated daily, possibly by the few numbers who throughout history have traversed the land. Whereas the first path has signposts almost every few feet describing the achievements from past generations, along this path the markers are more like an oasis that nurtures the soul on an extended journey.

On the first path there are billboards promoting the destination of a faith hoped for. The same destination on the second path seems like a mirage fading in and out of focus with no reminder except through a rested assurance. Herein is where many falter through uncertainty on the second path feeling that they made a mistake and scurry about looking for any route to certainty which will return them to the first path.

There are a rare few, who having traveled a distance along the first path, halted their journey and elected to reverse course to enter onto the second path. These unique individuals express this move as a “calling from the deep.” Their revised journey awakens their true identity and magnetizes their resolve to allow them to be pulled onward and upward.

I offer this description to you as a warning because, whether you recognize it or not, you’re already on one of these paths. Yes, each path has authors who have assembled their collective diaries and journals to present a snapshot of what they perceive to be reality. As you might expect the published works from the first path are numerous as a whole, not to mention even within the denominational terrain. The published works from the second path, while fewer in number, are indicative of the nature of the oasis they linger at: inviting, refreshing and inspiring.

Grace has been my focus since 2012. I’ve written extensively on the subject both here and in the many books I have authored. To embark on this assignment with me, I am extending grace to you since I recognize how some of these books will challenge your faith tremendously which will change how you interact within your faith community. Some will dismiss these books due to their own tightly held doctrinal beliefs (first path sojourners) while there is silence from others (second path sojourners).

As a sidebar to this endeavor, I must let you know that I receive no monies from the endorsement or promotion of these books either from the author, publisher, or affiliated retailers and their links. Any bias I have is simply mine and is not swayed by any monetary gain.

Any project you undertake must start somewhere. Some will recognize that progress is built on the shoulders of those who have been before us. The Apostle Paul stated that everything must be founded on the rock of Christ. I could start by offering books that I began reading on my journey, however, most of those have been purged over the years. Therefore, I am going to start with where I’m at now since “now” is really all that matters.

In case you haven’t realized it yet, I’m a second path traveler. Hence, I could offer to you a series of books from the likes of Meister Eckert, Brother Lawrence, George MacDonald, Jacob Boehme, St. Teresa of Avila, and many more but those are voices from the distant past and is a foreign as Shakespeare is to rap music because we don’t have ears attuned to it. So, I am going to offer voices which are more current, who speak the language of the recent generations and yet recognize the valuable truths of a foundation built on Christ. To this end, let me begin.

Joel S. Goldsmith (1892-1964) is the founder of the Infinite Way, a spiritual teaching with principles which anyone can follow and practice without any religious affiliation. The office for the Infinite Way was established in 1951 and still offers materials, internet classes, books and teaching from the vast archive of lectures which Joel recorded during his ministry. His monthly letters to his ministry supporters have been collected into books which are a treasure trove of insight into the practice of the Infinite Way.

Of the 56 books published by Goldsmith, I have read and reread 43 of them. For me to make a recommendation as to where to start is difficult, but If you’re new to Joel’s writings the best place would probably be the book The Infinite Way where Joel lays out the basis for the teachings he uncovered.
In this writing you will be introduced to Christ consciousness; meditation and prayer; the source of all supply; metaphysical healing; and the immortality of being. There is a chapter devoted to the wisdoms of the Infinite Way also. The following are a few gems from this chapter:

“To an advanced student: You have reached the place where you know every truth that can be known, understood, or received humanly. Now you must reach higher for the Truth what reveals Itself through spiritual means – without human means of communication.”

“There is no such thing as ‘my harmony,’ ‘my health,’ or ‘my supply.’ His peace passeth all understanding. His grace is sufficient.”

“Consciousness lives Itself – you do not live It.”

“Any response on a lower plane than pure consciousness is from one’s self rather than one’s Self.”

While this has been a glimpse into the beginning of Joel’s first writings on the Infinite Way, it is foundational to all the writings which follow it in the evolution of the Infinite Way message. This is one book you will reread time and again with fresh eyes.

When I first encountered the writings of Joel Goldsmith, I was profoundly struck by the simple spiritual truths conveyed through his insights. Time after time, page after page I would stop, scratch my head and exclaim, “Where has this been all my life?” or “Why hasn’t anyone ever brought this out until now?” I quickly realized that highlighting a passage or making notes in the margins wasn’t going to hack it in the wealth I was discovering. The least intrusive method became dog-earing the bottom of the page for a great passage and the top of the page for the entire page or section.

The one book with the most dog-eared pages is entitled, Consciousness is what I Am. It is a collection of Joel’s messages given in multiple venues during the last few years of his life in this realm. Having read this more times than I can count, only 20 of its 143 pages aren’t dog-eared – yet! This book, more than any other book I have suggested to friends, has wrecked the spiritual house of cards people have built up around themselves.

If there is one item I can directly connect to these writings of Joel, it must be a deep and profound appreciation and understanding of what I have described as the Omni-God. Our western religious institutions are simply bankrupt from any teaching of this fundamental nature of God. Meditating on this nature of God is an endeavor I wholly recommend if you are serious about advancing your spiritual journey. If you doubt the veracity of this advice, then you’re probably not ready for the next series of books.

Paul Gorman, author of The Miracle Self and 22 other books, credits the very existence of his writings to the Infinite Way writings of Joel Goldsmith. Gorman has taken the principles of Goldsmith and updated their use in a way which applies to the various issues which confront humanity today. Rather than relying on a preponderance of biblical citations to drive home his point, Gorman has the faith to allow his reader to adapt the meaning of a single biblical reference into their daily lives by demonstrating the many facets such a reference might reflect.

My go-to book by Gorman is entitled, One. This book will plunge you deep in a dive into an expansive understanding of the Omni-God and the claim made by Jesus, “My Father and I are one.” I can assure you that while this is written in simple language, it does not read swiftly since insights, which must be pondered upon, jump off each turning of the page. In the end, you are One with what you have read. Here is a sample of what I am referring to:

“It is a strange thing that as we seek God for corporeal good, we cannot find it, but as we seek God for God alone, we find God everywhere as corporeal good.

The reason is that God is one. If we bring even one additional idea or name to one, if we add even one belief, then we have two, which is not one. One cannot be two; one can only be one, and is only evident in a conscious state of oneness.”

From these two authors I could spend quite some time reviewing the 79 total books they offer. However, this is not about what I’ve read more than what you intend to do to begin the second path journey you face. I have present to you just two authors who are more than eager to assist you in this venture. There are more authors and I will unveil them over the next few writings. For now, you need to find a book or a teaching that can challenge your perceptions of reality and meditate on it. There is a reason the path you’re on is less traveled – discovery awaits only those of a strong heart.