Best Books about Spiritual Awakening and NonDuality

I already have a list of the best books about meditation and mindfulness, but I thought I might compile a list of the best books about Spiritual Awakening and NonDuality. It’s a subject I’ve developed an interest in over the past year and I’ve been reading/listening to a lot of books about it.

Perhaps there will come a time when there is no me to read these books (of course there never was a me to begin with) but until then I can’t get enough of non-dualism, Advaita Vedanta, call it what you want. If I’m not watching YouTubes on the subject, I’m reading a book about it.

I’m going to include the books that resonate with me. Whilst I’m still a seeker, I suspect that I’ll continue to lap up books featuring those who have undergone the same search and are writing about it. If you notice this list isn’t updated, perhaps I’ve become self realised and I no longer need to read anything about it. But I suspect that even if that does happen, I’ll still have an interest -the steps of spiritual awakening that people take is endlessly fascinating to me.

What is Nonduality?

NonDuality simply means Not Two. For a more detailed answer, Rupert Spira says it much better than I can.

Non-duality is the recognition that underlying the multiplicity and diversity of experience there is a single, infinite and indivisible reality, whose nature is pure consciousness, from which all objects and selves derive their apparently independent existence. The recognition of this reality is not only the source of lasting happiness within all people; it is the foundation of peace between individuals, communities and nations, and it must be the basis for any sustainable relationship with the environment.

Speaking of Rupert Spira, his book is the first one I’m including.

Being Aware of Being Aware by Rupert Spira

I have attended an online retreat hosted by Rupert, and enjoy his online YouTube talks. He’s precise in his explanations, clear and for me easy to understand.

What Rupert repeats throughout the book is that awareness is our natural state, but we’ve forgetten this. And there’s something about this repetition that my mind finds intuitive, that bypasses the conceptual mind and pierces somewhere deeper. And it becomes easier to become aware, of being aware.

This is a superb introduction to Rupert’s teachings on advaita nonduality. It’s short and compact, and very accessible. I was able to read this in a couple of afternoons (slowly) but it has a deeper wisdom seems timeless.

Awake - It’s Your Turn by Angelo DiLullo

This is one of the most practical and accessible books about Nonduality and Awakening that you will find on this list. Angelo DiLullo writes in such a lucid way that it feels like a manual to the awakening process.

One of it’s strengths is that it doesn’t contain any jargon, so you won’t get bogged down in arcane spiritual terms that you don’t understand. There is work to be done here - on thoughts, emotions and beliefs, and Angelo also covers a number of meditative practices you can try. This is a fairly recent book, but I think it will become one of the leading books on this subject.

Who Am I?/Be Here Now By Ramana Maharshi

Start to investigate the subject of Nonduality and it’s inevitable that you will find the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi. The 20th century Indian guru is famous for his realising his self at the age of 16 (with no guidance) before moving to Arunachala where he attracted a following, with a stream of visitors keen to learn more about his liberation.

These books are in the form of question and answer sessions with Maharshi. One of his most famous ‘teachings’ (he didn’t see himself as a teacher) is self enquiry, and asking the questions Who am ? Who is the one thinking the thoughts? If you’re lucky, this might be the only book you need.

Pouring Concrete: A Zen Path to the Kingdom of God by Robert Harwood

I read ‘Pouring Concrete - A Zen Path to the Kingdom of God by Robert Harwood post retreat and it was the perfect book for me. Bob is an enthusiastic and honest narrator, and his story makes for a fascinating read.

Each person’s ‘steps of spiritual awakening’ story is a personal one, and Bob goes into detail on the ups and downs on his path, such as his Christian upbringing, his marriage and working as a contractor whilst attending zen retreats. He also includes a lot of information on what worked for him, and I personally found it very useful. I really like reading about spiritual journeys and Bobs has been one of my favourites.

Perfect Brilliant Stillness by David Carse

As David Carse writes early on in ‘Perfect Brilliant Stillness,’ this isn’t a self-help book. Instead, it’s the story of his instantaneous enlightenment and his reflections on nonduality. There are no instructions here, and what he is describing cannot be described.

There’s an uncompromising, repetitive, profound, stark beauty to this book. It was the right book at the right time for me, and I’m in no doubt I’ll be returning to it again.

John Wheeler - You Were Never Born

Reading or listening to John Wheeler is the equivalent of getting hit over the head with a non-duality hammer. He is uncompromising and relentless in his message and if it seems incredibly simple, it’s because it is. There is no ‘person’, only awareness. Thoughts, sensations, emotions, sounds, all arise in awareness and that’s all there is.

‘You Were Never Born’ is the closest to an actual book that John produced, and the first thirty pages are a great introduction to his material. The rest of his work is made up of short pointers, and email correspondence. I’m currently working my way through all of them, and he’s the one non-duality writer that I return to daily.

All of John’s material is available for download at his website. He no longer writes or talks about non-duality, and seems to have ‘retired’ and doesn’t have an online presence. Really, he said all he needed to say, dropped the mic, and much like David Carse above, disappeared.

I love some of his talks online, especially his conversation with Allin Taylor or his chats with Charlie Hayes. Some of his audiobooks are on there too, easily found. He’s so incredibly clear, and uses language that is uncomplicated. I can’t praise him highly enough, and if you’re out there John, thank you.