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The primary text for the course is Joel's book The Way of Selflessness. During each phase of the course, a particular portion of the text should be read, as indicated below. If you would like to supplement this primary reading from Joel's book with optional additional reading, texts are also suggested below for each phase of the course.
Phase 1
The Way of Selflessness - Part I.
Smith, Huston. The World's Religions. Harper SanFrancisco, 1991. ISBN 0062508113.
Lao Tsu. Tao Te Ching. Translated by Gai-Fu Feng and Jane English. Vintage Books, 1989. ISBN 0679724346.
The Dhammapada. Translated by Ananda Maitreya, edited by Rose Kramer. Parallax Press, 1995. ISBN 0938077872.
Upanishads. Translated by Juan Mascaro. Penguin Books, 1965. ISBN 0140441638.
Phase 2
The Way of Selflessness - Part II.
Campbell, Joseph. The Hero With A Thousand Faces. Princeton University Press, 1972. ISBN 0691017840.
Anandamayi Ma. Matri Vani Volume II: From the Wisdom of Anandamayi Ma. Translator Atmananda. Shree Shree Anandamayee Charitable Socity, 1982. ISBN 9990001758. (Availability as of August, 2008: Blue Dove Foundation. Also available from Anandamayi Ma's Books On-Line.)
Underhill, Evelyn. Mysticism. One World Books, 1999. ISBN 1851681965.
Merrell-Wolff, Franklin. Franklin Merrell-Wolff's Experience and Philosophy: A Personal Record of Transformation and a Discussion of Transcendental Consciousness: Containing His Philosophy of Consciousness Without an Object and His Pathways Through to Space. State University of New York Press, 1994. ISBN 0791419649.
Phase 3
The Way of Selflessness - Part III.
Goldstein, Joseph. Insight Meditation: The Practice of Freedom. Shambhala, 2003. ISBN 1590300165.
Ramana Maharshi. The Spiritual Teaching of Ramana Maharshi. Shambhala, 1988. ISBN 0877730245.
Trungpa, Chogyam. Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism. Shambhala, 2002. ISBN 1570629579.
Nurbakhsh, Javad. The Path: Sufi Practices. Khaniqahi Nimatullahi Publications, 2003. ISBN 093354670X.
Phase 4
The Way of Selflessness - Part IV.
Keating, Thomas. Open Mind, Open Heart: The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel. Continuum, 1992. ISBN 0826406963.
Your Word is Fire: The Hasidic Masters on Contemplative Prayer. Edited by Arthur Green and Barry Holtz. Jewish Lights Publishing, 1993. ISBN 1879045257.
The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way. Translated by R.M. French. Harper SanFrancisco, 1991. ISBN 0060630175.
Chittick, William. The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi. State University of New York, 1983. ISBN 0873957245.
Phase 5
The Way of Selflessness - Part V.
Chodron, Pema. Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living. Shambhala, 1994. ISBN 1570628394.
The Bhagavad Gita. Translated by Juan Mascaro. Viking Penguin, 1987. ISBN 0140441212.
Baxbaum, Yitzhak. An Open Heart: The Mystic Path of Loving People. Jewish Spirit Publishing, 1997. ISBN 0965711226.
Teresa of Avila. Interior Castle. Translated by E. Allison Peers. New Image Books/Doubleday, 1961. ISBN 0385036434.
Phase 6
The Way of Selflessness - Part VI.
Yeshe, Lama. Introduction to Tantra: A Vision of Totality. Edited by Jonathan Landow. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1987. ISBN 0861710215.
Ngakpa Chogyanm, and Khandro Dechen. Spectrum of Ecstasy: The Five Wisdom Emotions According to Vajrayana Buddhism. Shambhala, 2003. ISBN 1590300610.
Eckhart, Meister. Part Two: German Works: 1. Selected Sermons. In Meister Eckhart: The Essential Sermons, Commentaries, Treatises, and Defense. Translated by Edmund Colledge O.S.A. and Bernard McGinn. Paulist Press, 1981. ISBN 0809123703.
Chittick, William. The Sufi Path of Knowledge. State University of New York, 1989. ISBN 0887068855.
Phase 7
The Way of Selflessness - Part VII.
Shankara. Shankara's Crest Jewel of Discrimination. Translated by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood. Vedanta Press, 1970. ISBN 0874810388.
Zen Teachings of Wang Po: On the Transmission of Mind. Translated by John Blofeld. Grove Press, 1959. ISBN 0802150926.
Phase 8
The Way of Selflessness - Part VIII.
John of the Cross. Dark Night of the Soul: A Masterpiece in the Literature of Mysticism. Translated by E. Allison Peers. Image Books/Doubleday, 1959. ISBN 0385029306.
Sengtsan. Hsin Hsin Ming. White Pine Press, 2001. ISBN 189399614X.
Gospel of Thomas: Annotated and Explained. Translated by Stevan L. Davies. Skylight Paths Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1893361454.
'Arabi, Ibn al-. "Whoso Knoweth Himself...". Beshara Publications, 1976. ISBN 0904975061.
ADDITIONAL READING
If, in addition to the list above, you are interested in reading other books, please see our comprehensive bibliography of recommended reading.