"50 Spiritual Classics: Timeless Wisdom from 50 Great Books on Inner Discovery, Enlightenment and Purpose"

50 Spiritual Classics continues the tradition of highlighting—for the first time in one book—the most powerful life-changing ideas found in the very best spiritual works that have stood the test of time. From mega-bestsellers to 1st Century writings, stories of personal journeys to biographies of spiritual leaders through the ages, Butler-Bowdon places each work into its historical context and offers insightful commentary on how these classics can help spiritual seekers everywhere bring personal beliefs, values and practices squarely into the center of their every day lives.

A format for each of the 50 chapters: brief representative quotations, an "In a nutshell" section, a rigorous and remarkably thorough summary of the given source's key points, a Final comments" section, and then (in most instances) a brief bio of its author.

50 Spiritual Classics is less about religion or theology than personal spiritual awakening and the expansion of awareness. Consequently, it focuses on the life stories of many well-known spiritual figures, including dramatic conversions or increases in faith, but also the slow discovery of purpose over a lifetime. By finding out what it was that transformed these people, we can begin to understand our own spiritual potential.

The book can be read straight through from the first chapter to the last (i.e.Mahammad Asad to Gary Zukav), or in chronological order, or according to six thematic categories (Great spiritual lives, Practical spirituality, The great variety of experience, Opening the doors of perception, Divine relationship and life purpose, and Humanity's spiritual evolution), or by cherry-picking whichever contributors and/or subjects are of greatest interest.