The best spiritual books are not just for reading, but for practicing.

Whether you are after searching the deepest meanings of life or you simply want a better understanding of what is going on around you, this list of esoteric and spiritual books will seriously enlighten you. These books are not necessarily about religion, although it classifies among the topics we cannot really understand.

Instead, you will discover a hidden sense of thinking, love and human relationships. The point behind this list is fairly simple. Some say that if you cannot see it, it does not exist. Well, things like love and thinking can never be seen, but everyone knows they are there.

Enough with the philosophy though – here are some of the best spiritual books to read in your lifetime:

What Are The Best Spiritual Books That Will Grow You?

The Celestine Prophecy, by James Redfield (fiction)

This lovely spiritual fiction is a good start for everyone.

Traveling to Peru with the protagonist involves discovering a mystical manuscript that hides lots of secrets. Not only does this kind of adventure give you joy, but it also raises some questions about life. What if coincidences are not actual coincidences, but they happen with a reason?

James Redfield aims to describe how unseen energies can help people guide their lives and make their own destinies.

Proof of Heaven, by Eben Alexander (non-fiction)

This book is definitely a good read if you want answers to one of the most common questions in the world – what happens after you die? There are lots of theories out there and the ones explained in this masterpiece seem to make lots of sense. Although it is not considered a fiction book, it was plenty of interesting aspects that can raise some question marks.

Dr. Eben Alexander suffers a rare brain disease, so the part of his brain controlling emotions is no longer working. However, his thinking principles are unchanged, so he sees everything from a completely new perspective.

Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul, by Jane Roberts and “Seth” (non-fiction)

Channeling has a fairly old history, but no one can really bring in a clear explanation of the afterlife. The author has managed to change all these. Seth's words are simple and connect a few obvious dots. Unlike other channelers, this book brings in a bit of realism and actually makes sense. It aims to discover the unknown meanings of both life and death.

This spiritual book is an early channeled message of Seth, and contains stunning discoveries about life and death.

Way of The Peaceful Warrior, by Dan Millman (fiction)

Dan Millman wrote a spiritual book that explains why the egocentric aspect of life feels so empty. It feels hard to understand at first, but with time, you realize that there are no real feelings involved if you are just living for today and for the Ego.

People pursue things for all kinds of reasons – sometimes because everyone else does the same thing. People run after wealth and success, but they fail to discover happiness in small things.

In Dan Millman's book you will meet a kind wise car mechanic, Socrates, who will open a new perspective towards life for young Dan.

The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho (fiction)

Paulo Coelho has described life without making it obvious in The Alchemist – a simple and efficient way to disclose a different point of view. The story follows the fictional journey of Santiago, which gave him several insights into life and how intentions become reality.

The book is excellent from more points of view – whether you are after some motivation, a feeling of good on the inside or a smoother understanding of how life works.

Journey of Souls, by Michael Newton (non-fiction)

The author uses a special hypnosis technique to reach the hidden primary non-physical memories of human souls. During the years he had many patients and revealed extraordinary stories about the afterlife (or beforelife). I must admit this is one of the best described reality what could wait us in-between our reincarnations.

One thing I noticed that the author likes ranking even in the spiritual world, which doesn't really useful to understand the real nature of spirits. So we need to filter the described stories through our inner sense of truth. Anyway it is a good read for everyone who are into the exploration of heaven.

The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle (non-fiction)

In his spiritual book The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle discusses the importance of living in the present moment. He argues that the present moment is the only moment that truly exists, and that by dwelling on the past or future, we lose sight of what is happening in the present. The author believes that by focusing on the present, we can achieve a state of peace and happiness that is unavailable to us when we focus on the past or future. The basic idea of this spiritual growth book connect to Dan Millman's fiction book.

The Power of Now is a perfect introduction to the spiritual life beyond religions. The author does not bother telling you what to do, when to do it or how to work things out. It is not a motivational guide written with step by step instructions. Instead, Eckhart Tolle tells helps you realize that there are more opportunities around you – opportunities that you may not even notice.

The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne (non-fiction)

The Secret is a classic. Chances are you might have heard about the movie made after this book. Some say it works, while others say it does not. Generally speaking, this book studies the laws of attraction. If you are the negative type of person, it may not necessarily give you a good vibe. But on the other hand, if you are positive about life, it will certainly lift you up.

What do you want? Make sure you know what you want, believe in it and work on it. The book has a hidden meaning – while magic never happens out of nowhere, setting the right mindset will ensure everything you do floats around your goal. It is quite simple.

The Art Of Happiness: A Handbook For Living, by Dalai Lama XIV and Howard C. Cutler (non-fiction)

This spiritual book is inspired by Dalai Lama's attitude towards life. The political aspect in Tibet is not too pleasant, especially for Buddhists. However, Dalai Lama”s nature has always been peaceful and joyful. Howard C. Cutler has taken some of Dalai Lama's attitude and transposed it in a book for western readers.

The book does not hide too many secrets. It helps people understand the importance of small things in life. Happiness can be found in all kinds of small things on a daily basis. What is more important is the fact that happiness is a state of mind. It depends on your mindset, regardless of the circumstances.

The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz (non-fiction)

In his book The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz discusses the importance of being impeccable with your word, not taking things personally, doing your best, and being skeptical of what you are told. He outlines the benefits of adhering to these agreements and provides tips for how to do so. According to Ruiz, when we make these agreements a part of our daily lives, we can make a more peaceful and fulfilling existence.

The first agreement is to be impeccable with your word. Speak the truth, but do so with compassion. The second agreement is not to take anything personally. When someone says or does something that upsets us, it’s usually because they’re struggling with their own issues, not because they’re trying to hurt us. The third agreement is to always do your best. We can only control our own actions, not the reactions of others. And the fourth agreement is to forgive ourselves and others.

Holding grudges hurts nobody but ourselves. If we can live by these four agreements, we can create a more harmonious life for ourselves and those around us.

The Seven Spiritual Laws Of Success, by Deepak Chopra (non-fiction)

Deepak Chopra describes the secret of success and the rules to meet it. You are probably thinking – another book to help you become a millionaire by tomorrow. Terrible misconception! Success is defined as a simple state of personal happiness, as well as the possibility to achieve goals of all sizes. It has nothing to do with wealth.

When you read The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, you will learn about the main laws that govern success. These laws are dharma and karma. Dharma is the law of cause and effect, and it is what determines our destiny. Karma is the law of action and reaction, and it is what determines our experience in life. By understanding these laws and how to apply them, you can create a successful life for yourself.

The Road Less Traveled, by M. Scott Peck (non-fiction)

Released in 1978, The Road Less Traveled is a classic.

It applies today and chances are its teachings will apply tomorrow a well. The book brings in a series of ideas extracted from the author's background – a known psychiatrist. He defines fulfillment as a personal feeling of happiness. Simply put, the book is split into three parts and each of them plays an important role in your happiness – grace, love and discipline.

Although it was written over thirty years ago, The Road Less Traveled is still relevant today. Many of the book's teachings about life still hold true. For example, Peck stresses the importance of embracing change and taking risks in order to find fulfillment in life. He also encourages people to live in the present moment and not focus on the past or future.

Final Thoughts on the best Spiritual Books

Bottom line, these are some of the giants of spiritual and esoteric literature worlds. Some of these books will help you rediscover yourself or achieve happiness, while others will give you a deeper understanding of love and spirituality.

Check out also some of our favorite Christian spiritual books.

Featured on Joelbooks