Your Library

[rahma]

In addition to "stuff," I have a strange desire to collect books...lots of books...

What are your top 10 books in your religious library?

 

[rahma]

The Message of the Qur'an - excellent translation done by Muhammad Asad. Has extensive footnotes based on a wide variety of quranic commentaries, as well as the arabic in script and transliteration. The only complaint I have is that it's huuuge, like 10 pounds, making it near impossible to carry around to study circles.

Reflections of Pearls : A Concise and Comprehensive Collection of Authentic Invocations and Prayers - my go to book for quranic and prophetic dua (supplications).

Inner Dimensions of Islamic Worship - by Imam al Ghazali. His ‘Ihya ‘Ulum al-Din is one of my all time favorite books, and this volume is a condenced version of what he wrote about deepening the spiritual nature of muslims' ritual acts of worship.

Purification of the Heart : Signs, Symptoms and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart - By Imam al-Mawlud's Matharat al-Qulub, translation and commentary by Sh. Hamza Yusuf. Examines attitudes and behavior that negatively effect the soul, and how to cure oneself of these diseases.

Muhammad: Prophet of Mercy: Scenes from His Life - emphasizes the importance of kindness, mercy and love in the sunnah that every muslim should be aware of.

Western Muslims and the Future of Islam - by Tariq Ramadan. In addition to discussing a framework to create a western muslim identity, one learns a ton about a wide variety of subjects that are woven into the discussion.

Sufism and Good Character: Prophetic Guidance of the Spiritual Path - by Imam Zafar Uthmani. Not just for sufis, gives a prophetic basis for good behavior that every muslim will benefit from.

Imam Nawawi's Manual of Islam - a good basic resource for shafi'i fiqh (jurisprudence).

Blissful Marriage : A Practical Islamic Guide - a blend of Islam and modern marriage advice that can help muslim couples set a solid foundation for their marriage.

One Thousand Roads to Mecca : Ten Centuries of Travelers Writing About the Muslim Pilgrimage - I pull this out every year around hajj time, and never get tired of it.

 

[sidhe]

1. Liber AL vel Legis: Of course.

2. Liber Aleph: A personal favorite; an extended commentary on Liber AL.

3. Magick in Theory and Practice: This one has heard complaints that MiTP is incomprehensible, and does not understand how one can think that.

4. The Chicken Qabalah: Funny and insightful.

5. Abrahadabra: A Guide to Aleister Crowley's Thelemic Magick: Grounds one in the basics. Useful for reference.

6. Book of Lies: The commentaries in particular are of value.

7. Liber 49: The book of my Lady.

8. Beginner's Yoga: Physical health is important.

9. The Dhammapada: Reminds one of the importance of compassion.

10. The Tao of Pooh: Good introduction to the tao.

 

[Rasta]

1. The Hebrew-English study Bible.

2. The Quran (not sure of the edition)

3. Penguins picture Bible for kids (my personal favorite, I love the pics)

4. The secret Docterine.

5. Evidence that demands a verdict by Mcdowell (horrible book)

6. NIV

7. History of Religion (forget the author)

I guess I only have seven.

 

[morningstar2651]

In addition to "stuff," I have a strange desire to collect books...lots of books...

What are your top 10 books in your religious library?

Nice thread. I have several bookshelves in my apartment, and the one in my bedroom is dedicated solely to books related to my religious practices. Here is a list of a few of them.

My books:
Greek Religion
Liber Aleph
The Book of Lies
Witchcraft Today
Mythology by Edith Hamilton
The Power of Myth
Secrets of Western Sex Magic
Futhark: A handbook of rune magic
A Garden of Pomegranates


My Abridged Wishlist:
Liber ABA
The Golden Bough
The Secret Teachings of All Ages
Liber 777
Magia Sexualis
Kiss of the Yogini
Triumph of the Moon
Stations of the Sun
Liber AL
The Meaning of Witchcraft
Wiccan Warrior
Full Contact Magick

 

[SedjmNeter]

P.E.A.C.E and Blessings...



Tree of Life Meditation System - Ra Un Nefer Amen

Metu Neter Volume One : The Great Oracle of Tehuti and the Egyptian System of Spiritual Cultivation - Ra Un Nefer Amen

The Pert Em Heru (Book of Coming Forth By Day) so called Egytian Book of the Dead. - fully explained by Muata Ashby

Hagakure : The Book of the Samurai - Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Maat : The 11 Laws of God - Ra Un Nefer Amen

Metu Neter Volume Two : Anuk Ausar - Ra Un Nefer Amen

The Bible (Lamsa Version)

Tao Te Ching

The Qur'aan

The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu - Wong Kiew Kit


SHEM HETEP

 

[GeratTzedek]

I'm presently trying to purge and simplify my home -- I collect too much stuff, especially books and music. My choices of what I keep this time around will be different from before. I'm also in the process of accumulating a whole new assortment of Judaica, and it is really too early to tell what my favorites will be with regards to the new library. So let me answer with regards to the old. There was a time in my life when my reading was MUCH broader. I've read so much stuff from practically every major world religion, and quite a few not so major. What were the books that shaped me?

• The Bible
• Pirke Avoth (Sayings of the Fathers)
• The Tao te Ching (Lao Tze)
• The Lord of the Rings (JRR Tolkien)
• Tales of Gletha (Robbenolt)
• Siddharta (Herman Hesse)
• To Be a Jew (Rabbi Hayim Donin)
• The Heart Sutra
• Tao of Pooh (Benjamin Hoff)
• The Singer (Calvin Miller)
• The Fisher King (no author, many forms)
• Night (Elie Wiesel)
• The Farthest Shore (Ursula LeGuin)
• A Concise History of the Catholic Church (Thomas Bokenkotter)
• Man's Search for Meaning (Victor Frankl)
• When Jesus Became G-d (Richard Rubenstein)
• Jesus the Pharisee (Rabbi Harvey Falk)
• Women Who Run With the Wolves (Clarissa Pinkola)

Sorry, but the Book of Mormon, Upanishads, Q'uran, Analects, and the Greek Philosophers etc., were read but just didn't make the list.

 

[Martin^^]

1. The Penguin Krishnamurti reader - the best antidote to Religion
2. I Ching (Wilhelm translation)
3. Tao Te Ching
4. The Bible (NIV)
5. The Story of God - Robert Winston
6. Jonathan Livingston Seagull - Richard Bach
7. Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance - Robert Pirsig
8. Sophies World - Jostein Gaarder
9. An Index of Possibilities (70s book, out of print, sadly, but contained good summaries of many major belief systems and philosophies. And a dirty picture, in the section on ecstasy)
10. Dianetics - Ron Hubbard (perfect size for propping up my wobbly kitchen table)

 

[Montalban]

In addition to "stuff," I have a strange desire to collect books...lots of books...

What are your top 10 books in your religious library?

In my library, I've got the Koran and a Catechism of Islamic faith from the government of Turkey. I've just ordered Defending the West: A Critique of Edward Said's Orientalism by Ibn Warraq. Currently I'm reading "The American Civil War" by Christopher Olsen - I was reading Crisis in Byzantium: The Filioque Controversy in the Patriarchate of Gregory II of Cyprus by Aristeides Papadakis but the Civil War book grabbed my interest. I'll get back to 'Cyprus' next.

However, the top book is 'the Bible'.

 

[Steezie]

I have a rather...eclectic library

These are in no particular order

1. The Egyptian Book of the Dead
2. The Kama Sutra
3. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft (Great book for beginners or the casually curious)
4. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Paganism
5. Hagakure
6. Amulets and Talismans For Beginners
7. A very detailed book on herbs (The title of which escapes me)
8. The Pagan Man
9. Pagans and The Law (Excellent book for any Pagan, highly recommended)

I do have more but I cant remember them off the top of my head

 

[seed757]

* 1. "The Meaning of The Holy Qur'an"- 'Abdullah Yusuf 'Ali translation

* 2. "Purification of the Heart"- Hamza Yusuf

* 3. "The Life of Muhammad"- Muhammad H. Haykal

* 4. "The Vision of Islam"- Sachiko Murata and William C. Chittick

* 5. "Misquoting Jesus"- Bart D. Ehrman

* 6. "A History of God"- Karen Armstrong

* 7. "In the Footsteps of the Prophet"- Tariq Ramadan

* 8. "The Mythmaker"- Hyman Maccoby

* 9. "The Holy Quran"- Maulana Muhammad Ali translation

* 10. "Lost Christianities"- Bart D. Ehrman

To name just a few.

 

[Osiris]

Some, not in any specific order:

• Selfish Gene
• The Elegant Universe
• Candide by Voltaire
• The Universe in a nutshell
• A Brief History of Time
• Plato and Platypus walk into a bar
• Trouble with Physics
• Warped passages

Some of these I haven't even read yet(like warped passages), but sound interesting.

 

[morningstar2651]

I have a rather...eclectic library

These are in no particular order

1. The Egyptian Book of the Dead
2. The Kama Sutra
3. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft (Great book for beginners or the casually curious)
4. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Paganism
5. Hagakure
6. Amulets and Talismans For Beginners
7. A very detailed book on herbs (The title of which escapes me)
8. The Pagan Man

I do have more but I cant remember them off the top of my head

How is Pagan Man? Bonewits has written a few good articles that I've read.

I have Iron John, and was considering Fire in the Belly and King, Warrior, Magician, Lover, but this one looks interesting too.

I've practiced with people that confuse their politics (radical feminism) and their religion, and it wasn't fun.

 

[morningstar2651]

1. Liber AL vel Legis: Of course.

2. Liber Aleph: A personal favorite; an extended commentary on Liber AL.

3. Magick in Theory and Practice: This one has heard complaints that MiTP is incomprehensible, and does not understand how one can think that.

4. The Chicken Qabalah: Funny and insightful.

5. Abrahadabra: A Guide to Aleister Crowley's Thelemic Magick: Grounds one in the basics. Useful for reference.

6. Book of Lies: The commentaries in particular are of value.

7. Liber 49: The book of my Lady.

8. Beginner's Yoga: Physical health is important.

9. The Dhammapada: Reminds one of the importance of compassion.

10. The Tao of Pooh: Good introduction to the tao.

Nice collection.

MiTP makes sense to me. I prefer it to the countless crappy 101 books that are out there today.

On a slightly related note, did you know that Lon Milo DuQuette has a myspace? I loved his THE STUDY OF THIS BOOK IS FORBIDDEN entry in his blog.

 

[Steezie]

How is Pagan Man? Bonewits has written a few good articles that I've read.

I have Iron John, and was considering Fire in the Belly and King, Warrior, Magician, Lover, but this one looks interesting too.

Its an interesting book, definately worth a read. You might want to see if you can get the book from the library before you BUY it.

I've practiced with people that confuse their politics (radical feminism) and their religion, and it wasn't fun.

Ohhh yeah, I've talked to a few of those.

 

[sidhe]

Nice collection.

MiTP makes sense to me. I prefer it to the countless crappy 101 books that are out there today.

Yeah. This one has heard "MiTP is confusing" from some people, and had a Gardnerian swear that it was completely wrong about all things magickal. Also, in "The Dark Muse" (a history of western occultism in literature), the author leveled the charge that MiTP was completely incomprehensible (and that Crowley was a crackpot in general). But it blows those "Magick 101" books completely out of the water, in this one's opinion.

On a slightly related note, did you know that Lon Milo DuQuette has a myspace? I loved his THE STUDY OF THIS BOOK IS FORBIDDEN entry in his blog.

Interesting blog. This one had almost the same reaction upon the first reading of Liber AL, but the librarian in it couldn't bring itself to destroy a book. So it read it again, and again, and again, until Liber AL began to make sense. The rest, as they say, is history.

This one would like to add LMD as a friend, but you must know him to add him.

 

[gwenmead]

Oh, my. I have to pick just ten? Goodness... I have enough books in my apartment that I worry sometimes whether or not the floor will stand up under the weight of them. (Anybody a fan of the anime series Read or Die? Uh, yeah. That's me... )

Here is a random sampling of 10 books from my religion/philosophy library:

A History of God, Karen Armstrong
Atheist Universe, Mills & Sagan
The Demon-Haunted World, Carl Sagan
The Iliad, Homer
The Book of Chuang Tzu
Prometheus Rising, Robert Anton Wilson
The Second Sex, Simone de Beauvoir
Breaking the Spell, Daniel Dennett
I Sold my Soul on eBay, Hemant Mehta
American Gospel, John Meacham

That, of course, doesn't begin to touch on the broad range of religious texts on the shelves - the various Bible versions, the Qur'an, the Tibetan Book of the Dead, the Tao Te Ching, stuff about paganism, the works of Plato, the endless volumes of Greek mythology...

 

[Teshi]

In addition to "stuff," I have a strange desire to collect books...lots of books...

What are your top 10 books in your religious library?

Um. I think some of my religious library is yours, actually

 

[GeratTzedek]

I have Iron John, and was considering Fire in the Belly and King, Warrior, Magician, Lover, but this one looks interesting too.

Iron John was, eh, okay. Worth reading. But Women who Run With the Wolves was truly excellent. I should edit my list.

 

[rahma]

Um. I think some of my religious library is yours, actually

Ha! Well post what you got of your own, and I can borrow that when you return my stuff



I also have quite a few Bart Ehrman and Karen Armstrong books in my collection, although those are on the "comparative religions" bookcase, as opposed to my "islam" bookcase. When the husband and I finally get around to moving into someplace bigger, we're going to designate a room as the library/art gallery. Cuz in addition to "stuff" and books, I wish I could collect religious calligraphy, but alas, no room for it at present.