Five Spiritual Books

One is too little. Ten is too many. Please list five (or less, if you want) spiritual books that have affected your life. They don't have to do anything with aikido, although that would be nice.

I suggest you exclude the biggies like the Bible, Koran, Sutras, I Ching, Te-Tao Ching, the Kojiki, Five Rings and Upanishads, since most of us might have heard about them already.

My five books, in no particuliar order, are:

The Mysterious Power of Ki: the Force within by Kouzo Kaku ISBN 1-901903-25-7 This book ends with an essay by the late Ueshiba Kisshomaru. Because of this essay, I was finally able to understand what he was talking about when he wrote about Ki.

The Lost Gospel: The Book of Q by Burton L. Mack ISBN 0-06-065375-2 This is about Christian origins utilizing the latest scholastic research. This book is not for a traditional Christian, since some recent scholars are utilizing a gnostic postion for the historical Jesus.

Japanese Yoga by H.E. Davey ISBN 1-880656-60-4 Tempukai was an organization started by Nakmura Tempu. "And since Nakamura Sensei was a friend of the founder of aikido and had a number of prominent aikido teachers as students, it isn't surprising to see aikido influences in 'Shin-shin-toitsu-do, particularly in the art's more recent offshoots.*" pg 35 This is all that mind/body stuff without the aikido.

Bankei Zen trans. Peter Haskel ISBN 0-8021-3184-0 Bankei (1622-1693) was a character, even among the eccentric Zen priests. He stressed Zen's importance in everyday life, emphasizing naturalness and spontaneity. This book is mainly dictations from the many popular meetings he held. In these talks, he answers questions, not only from priests, but also farmers, fishermen, samurai and anyone else who could attend.

Ki: A Road Anyone can Walk by William Reed ISBN 0-87040-799-6 This is 50% a bio on Koichi Tohei and 50% about the Ki Society and their thoughts on Ki. This is the most comprehesive book to date.

So what's your five?

Well, Mr Ehara....

Let's go.

Living Aikido.
It's a lot like Dancing.
Neuromancer.
ANYTHING! by Phillip K Dick.
ANYTHING by Terry Pratchett.

hehe...
speaks 'volumes', eh

The whole universe is there.

My five? How about one.

1. The Prophet, by Kahlil Gilbran.

This one is fantastic. It encompasses all that we strive for as human beings and fellow aikidoka, in my opinion. Pick it up, even as an audio book if nothing else.

Sorry to break the "rules" and only post one....Just thought that if you were serious about wanting something spiritual to read, you would like this.

--jimbo

Though I read The Lost Gospel and found it absolutely rivetting, it was very close to how I felt about Christianity anyway so it didn't really change that much.

My main influence has been:

The Book of Chuang Tzu (which I first happened across in an old library and I found it completely compelling).

The Way of Zen (which was given to me by a buddhist friend when he heard I had read D.T.Suzukis essays on Buddhism - which I barely understood at the time!)

Also, there is a book called "50 Eastern Thinkers" which includes the major eastern philosophers. Even the brief stuff about what Dogen wrote and did made me think - yep, that is zen.

No other books have ever matched these first two for me (Although ALan Watts, the Watercourse Way is very good - it just expands upon mnay conepts in the Way of Zen).

Ian

We all know that you can't learn Aikido from Books but.....

Aikido in Everyday life by Terry Dobson
This is the best book on aikido that I've read. It gives a real insight into the true potential of aikido. It blew my mind away.

Art of Peace by Morihei Ueshiba
Always good for a bit of spiritual rejuvenation

Buddhism Plain & Simple by Steve Hagen
There is a great chapter (nr 8) in this book on mediation, makes things very simple

Angry White Pyjamas by Robert Twigger
Not really a spiritual book more of a christmas present, but an interesting story of the author training japan.

Fat Freddys Cat Comics
Really funny, will cheer up the most miserable of people.

Hi all, just thought I'd add a few books to the very interesting list that you already have. They are in no particular order.

1: The Celestine Prophecy - James Redfield - Actually an adventure novel, but it tackles some fundamental spiritual questions and provides truly astonishing insights.

2: The Art of Peace - Morihei Ueshiba, Translated by John Stevens - Quotations from the founder, gives great insights into the deeper spiritual aspects of Aikido.

3: The Tenth Insight - James Redfield - Another adventure novel that takes what is learnt in the Celestine Prophecy to an even higher spiritual level, dealing with one's purpose in life and how to achieve it.

4: The Secrets of Aikido - John Stevens - An in depth look at the inner elements of Aikido and a guide to using Aikido as a complement to many one's own spiritual growth.

5: The Imitation of Christ - Thomas A. Kempis et al - In my view it's like the Art of Peace, but from the Christian perspective -it's a collection of sayings/teachings and meditations from the bible and gives an idea of Christ's intentions as to how mankind should live as spiritual beings going through a physical experience.

My 2 bits.
L.C.

I'll bite.

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

Because I get so bored of everyone being so earnest about all this philosophy stuff that they forget to have a little fun with it once in a while.

Sean
x

My books:

The Tao of Physics by Fritjof Capra

Aikido and the Harmony of NatureSaotome Sensei

The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. I forget who wrote this one.

The Giza Power Plant I forget the author of this one too.

If you want to get a little surreal and have a real open mind then The Final Message Rael.

Here's five that have kept me up nights...

Zen Mind, Beginners Mind - Shunryu Suzuki

The Book - Alan Watts

Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere - A. Westbrook and O. Ratti

The Demon Haunted World - Carl Sagan

Hagakure - Yamamoto Tsunemoto



James.

ummm ur user name is my second name!
thats all

Originally posted by Trevallion Here's five that have kept me up nights... Zen Mind, Beginners Mind - Shunryu Suzuki The Book - Alan Watts Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere - A. Westbrook and O. Ratti The Demon Haunted World - Carl Sagan Hagakure - Yamamoto Tsunemoto

Well one of those would easily be replaced by Twigger's book. I think Amazon has a lot to answer for.

Five books that have had the most effect on me(I'm not that spiritual) are:-
Protector by Larry Niven
So long and thanks for all the fish by Douglas Adams
On the beach by Nevil Shute
1984 by george Orwell
and any book by William Gibson
Have fun.

My favorite books:

Well, the more I read THE BOOK, otherwise known as the Bible, the less interest I have in reading anything else. However, I do enjoy Gary Larson's "Far Side" collections - they aren't spiritual, but a good laugh is food for the soul.

Other recommendations: "Answers to tough Questions" by Josh McDowell, "The Green Letters" by Miles J. Stanford, and "Calvary Road" by Roy Hession.

"The Book of Five Rings" was pretty interesting, too. (Was that on your "don't mention" list? I know the Bible was, but I just couldn't omit that from my list. Sorry.)

1. The Way of the Peaceful Warrior...(by Dan Millman by the way)

2. The Celestine Prophecy..

3. Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenence

4. The Spirit of Aikido

5. The Alienist by Caleb Carr...(OK, not a spiritual book, but a great book nontheless and gives some great insight into human psychology).

Peace, Kenn

Books that have affected my life:

1.Mutant Message, Down Under - Marlo Morgan.

2. Mutant Message From Forever - Marlo Morgan.

3. Conversations With God - Neale Donald Walsch.

These three have had a profound effect on my life and my aikido.

Regards,
Tom Wharton

"Well one of those would easily be replaced by Twigger's book. I think Amazon has a lot to answer for."

Who is this Twigger you speak of? And what does the comment about Amazon pertain to? Just wondering.

-Jim

Damm I hate explaining a joke.

Sorry Jim for being so cryptic - but my feelings about a certain book are pretty well known so that going down that path is a waste of finger tip skin. I'll only say that quoting a book written by a Shodan with less than six months training in Japan as a definitive book on Aikido philosophy makes me ill. That particular book has its strenghts and obviously filled a need but get real.

Originally posted by Jay Peatee in this threadAngry White Pyjamas by Robert Twigger Not really a spiritual book more of a christmas present, but an interesting story of the author training japan.

I was prepared to ignore the book based on the reviews including one by Michael Kimeda whom I happen to know and is mentioned in the book. He insisted I should anyway and I was happy I did. It's well written, funny, I saw a whole lot of my experience in there, and it does make a great Christams present. By the way Aikiweb reviews are worth looking at. Just click on Books on the top page.

Amamzon does have a lot to answer for. Some pretty poor stuff gets on there and a much wider audience than it deserves. Classic case is Kauffman's translation (????) of the Book of Five Rings.

Originally posted by Trevallion "Well one of those would easily be replaced by Twigger's book. I think Amazon has a lot to answer for." Who is this Twigger you speak of? And what does the comment about Amazon pertain to? Just wondering. -Jim

1. Mere Christianity - CS Lewis. I read this when I was in high school. 15+ years later it still effects the way I think and speak about religion.
2. The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe - CS Lewis.
3. That Hideous Strength - CS Lewis. When Lewis presents spiritual ideas in his fiction it is powerful stuff.
4. Dueling With O-Sensei - Ellis Amdur. Interesting stories from the author's life (or research) which provide insight on many issues that martial artists deal with. I can't recommend it enough - regardless of what art you practice.
5. It's a Lot Like Dancing - T. Dobson. Incredible combination of photography with Dobson's writing. Great stories & great insights. It should be experienced.

Regards,
Brian

1. Mount Analogue, Rene Daumal

2. Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad

3. Treasure of the Sierra Madre, B. Traven

4. Cutting through Spiritual Materialism, Chogyam Trungpa

5. Buddhism without Beliefs, Stephen Batchelor.

6. The True Believer, Eric Hoffer

Half fiction, half essays, and not a standalone list mind you, but each of these is a beautifully constructed work that may also serve as a useful flashlight when you find yourself confused by the shadowplay along the way.

Fred Little

Peter,

Thank you for the explanation, and the information.

-Jim.

Dear All,
Im soory to only post one book but the other favorites of mine have already been posted. A really great book for me was...
*Drumroll Please*

Siddartha by Herman Hesse

It really gave me another look on life in middle school. Hope it does the same for you.
Cheers,
Ben

1. The Hiram Key-can't find my copy for authors but is a Masonic book based on research of two British Masons who while tracing the origins of Freemasonry discovered some interesting facts organized religions don't want us to know.

2. Art of War/Sun Tzu-Absolutely PHENOMENAL

3. Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere