10 Best Inspirational Books

Written by Naren on October 27, 2008

After I finished writing My Inner Revolution, I realized that I should mention some books that have been my companions in my journey of self-realization and spirituality. I thought this would be a great opportunity to share these priceless gems that have inspired, motivated, and initiated a revolution in my life. I absolutely adore these books. They are worth millions to me and they have been a great guide and mentor in my personal and spiritual growth. I would highly recommend my collection of some of the best spiritual, motivational and inspirational books to those of you who are about to begin an inner revolution, but just haven’t gathered enough courage to dive in.

Please find some time and read the following books. The order does not matter. You can start with any one of them and certainly you will start experiencing changes inside you. These books on motivation, inspiration and spirituality will challenge you, frustrate you, but in the end I assure you, you will love them. You will be grateful that they exist and they are available for you.

Every individual has his own taste. I have found something beautiful, inspiring and motivating in these books. You may find them as garbage, completely worthless. I love them; you may despise them. It all depends on the way you look at them. But, to those who are truly seeking the real meaning of life, the list of these best spiritual, inspirational and motivational books will definitely prove helpful. I am just sharing my own experience – so please follow your own instincts. As we all know, to understand the importance of water, we need to have a real thirst.

Meetings with Remarkable Men

Meetings with Remarkable Men is G.I. Gurdjieff's second book. The first one is Beelzebub's Tales to His Grandson, which I am going to discuss later. The reason I mention “Meeting with Remarkable Men” on the top of my list is because it is such pleasant reading. I love this book so much that I carry it with me whenever I go out of the town. I have read this book several times; I can’t help it. The more I read this book, the more I love it and each time I find something new and joyful in it.

Gurdjieff spent most of his life travelling in the Middle East and the Central Asia, in search of the truth and esoteric knowledge. In this book, the Master himself takes us on the wonderful journey of his early life and talks about the remarkable people he met on his course. You should read this book at least once in your lifetime.

Beelzebub's Tales to His Grandson -- All And Everything: 1st Series

This is Master Gurdjieff’s first literary work. Unlike “Meetings with Remarkable Men,” Beelzebub's Tales to His Grandson is a difficult read. It is probably the most difficult book I have ever read. The first fifty pages will most certainly kill you. I would salute you if you can go through the first 100 pages. It’s long, painfully long, almost 1250 pages. But, be proud of yourself if you can finish this book. The feat would be even greater than reaching the peak of Mt. Everest.

In fact, it was Gurdijieff’s intention to make this book an arduous ride, but it is totally worth the endeavor. Gurdjieff himself advises to read this book three times. You have to really dive in to grasp the pearls buried in it.

Just like the title, the book is all and everything. It touches almost every aspects of life that can be imagined. I love this book. All I want is to thank Master Gurdjieff for imparting such an immensely beautiful gift full of rare wisdom to humanity.

Gitanjali

Rabindranath Tagore is a great Bengali poet, and one of the greatest ever born. This is undoubtedly his best work, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize. I have read many of his works, but this lies close to my heart. Gitanjali means, “An offering of songs.”

I had heard about this book for a long time, but never gotten a chance to read it. When I found this book lying on a dusty shelf of a used bookstore for a decent price, I immediately bought it. From the moment I read this book, I have fallen in love with it. The poeticism in this book is so touching that it penetrates my heart every time I read it, and makes me cry. It is so beautiful. With Gitanjali, Rabindranath Tagore touches the deepest core of spirituality with so much simplicity, grace and beauty that one cannot help falling in love with his songs.

The Prophet

After mentioning Rabindranath Tagore, I cannot forgive myself if I miss Kahlil Gibran, because he is also a great poet. Kahlil Gibran has written many books, but The Prophet is his first work and my favorite. It’s a rare book, immensely beautiful and poetic.

Tertium Organum or the Third Canon of Thought and a Key to the Enigmas of the World

Once, I heard about Tertium Organum , I instantly bought it , and read it. This is a great book written by Gurdjieff’s disciple P. D. Ouspensky. He wrote this book before he met Gurdjieff. This book is amazing and very insightful.

In Search of the Miraculous: Fragments of an Unknown Teaching

P. D. Ouspensky wrote this rare and extraordinary masterpiece. For those who are on the way, all I can say is that after reading this book, you will view this world and your life differently. In Search of the Miraculous will be your life changing experience.

Crime and Punishment

Crime and Punishment is one of Dostoyevsky’s best works, along with other literary masterpieces such as: Notes from Underground, The Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov . It’s great study of human mind and nature.

Thus Spake Zarathustra

If Friedrich Nietzsche hadn’t written this book, then we would have missed Zarathustra, the laughing prophet. Thus Spake Zarathustra is Nietzsche’s best contribution even though I reject his whole idea of the superman.

The First and Last Freedom

This book is written by Jiddu Krishnamurti, and probably his best work. If you get a chance just read The First and Last Freedom once, it will be a rewarding experience.

War and Peace

What more can I say about this classic masterpiece written by Leo Tolstoy . War and Peace should not just be read, it should be studied even though it is a dense opus of more than 1000 pages.

I had to take off many of my other favorite spiritual, motivational and inspirational books from the above list, but ten should be enough for right now to get you started in your search and inquiry.

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