Getting Started in Christian Mysticism, Part 1: The Reading List

In this video I give you my honest opinion of Richard Rohr, and a list of some of the books that have been helpful to me in putting together a deeper understanding of the history and practices of Christian mysticism. If I left out any must-read books let me know in the comments!
More short content about getting started in Christian mysticism is coming, so make sure you subscribe.

Here are some links to the books I recommend in the video. None of this is sponsored, and I don’t do affiliate links, so shop around and find which edition suits you best. Have fun!

If you have to have a Bible with study notes, try this one:

Kindle Edition of Life of St. Anthony, other versions are available:

Kindle Edition of the Writings of St. Maximus the Confessor; contains Four Hundred Texts on Love and Commentary on the Lord’s Prayer:

The Ascetic Life by St. Maximus; this is the only translation in English so it’s expensive.

Kindle edition of The Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross:

Thomas Merton’s Seven Storey Mountain, Contemplative Prayer, and A Course in Christian Mysticism:

The Roots of Christian Mysticism by Olivier Clement:

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun:

And here are the Richard Rohr books I mentioned - The Naked Now, The Divine Dance, and Eager to Love:

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[PHDinMeTV]

Like the monks of old, I never imagined trying to practice spiritual disciplines all alone by myself😔. This completely sums up my current Christian ✝️ walk. It feels like it would be SO nice to have company sometimes! 😞. This list is AWESOME! 👏🏾 Thanks Jon!

[mrscream]

Hello and Thank you from Sydney Australia. I've been calling to God and he led me to you and your guideance. Thank you!

[ws]

Never stop making these videos.

I’m quite sure you already know this but if you save even one soul then you have done God a great service, so please, never give up.

I’m rooting for you

[judithaitken]

My first book that started me on this path of mysticism and contemplation (life changing transformation) was Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich. Then I found Richard Rohr et al.

[jackpaterson]

I have become a Catholic mystic. Mary took me to this riad! It's a great wonderful feeling!

[ms.chelleg]

I wish every beginners video, on every topic in the world, was laid out on the manner you just purser you just presented. I have literally written a curriculum for all of my studies. Thank you!!!!

[MikeMorrell]

Such a good conversation, I concur! And I'm glad you enjoy 'The Divine Dance.' It was such a privilege getting to write it with Fr. Richard. One of my contemplative faves: John of Ruusbroec. Another, from the 20th century: Evelyn Underhill. Contemporary, Carl McColman and Cole Arthur Riley rock. And Cynthia Bourgeault, if you're willing to have a heaping side of Gurdjieff with your Benedictine spirituality!

[EsotericNY]

I've read most of these. A friend introduced me to Daskalos (Dr. Stylianos Atteshlis) a few decades ago and I haven't looked back. I'm quite surprised he's not that well known in the U.S. Start w/ "The Magus of Strovolos" by Markides. If it resonates, I'd recommend Markides' two follow-up books (out of print). Even better, however, are Atteshlis' own works which are revivifying. In my mind, Daskalos is one of the greatest contemporary Christian mystic of our time and left a wonderful legacy of meditations and exercises that were given by Christ directly to the His disciples. I don't want to spoil any surprises, but I wish you good luck in your journey.

[ronalda]

Glad to chance upon your channel! This is exactly my path nowadays, mostly contamplative mysticism qnd clCarmelite spirituality. Subbed!

[a.b.]

I already have so much books in my to-be-read list! Lort! I have a book on Mary Magdalene...

[rand]

no mention of jeanne guyon or the cloud of unknowing

[bushka]

Wow, so glad I found this! The amount of coincidences in connections that led me to find this video has been...mystic😂.

A whole heck of a lot of that going on over here, ty. About to update my reading list🙂

[justjosh]

Wow this is all kind of overwheling even here there's so many choices, I do think I need to learn some history to understand better but I also want to jump into it. I guess this learning process will take a long time. Im excited to learn more since I really want to jump into it I may try The Roots of Christain Mysticism or The Seven Story Mountain.

[ademiranda]

I am reading "The Universal Christ" now. It is awesome. I also read "What the Mystics Know: Seven Pathways to Your Deeper Self" both by Rev. Rohr. Excellent books. Next on my list is "Breathing Underwater"; as a recovering compulsive gambler, I look forward to gaining some insight on Rev. Rohr's interpretation of the 12 Steps. Peace everyone!

[justinbirkholz]

Great list! Some of these were already on my radar but others were not. My main area of interest is in practical mysticism so I'm very excited to check out Adele's book.

[neuesjerusalem_]

Hi. Really beautiful. How about Theologia Germania or Augustine? Can you make someday Part 2? Vielen Dank

[timhennessey]

I am Coptic orthodox, the first book I bought was " Sayings of the desert fathers"

[douglasdde]

I was unsure of Richard Rohr and found an overview on line “ primer on Richard roher “ the short answer is that he appears to hold numerous contradictory believes to the Catholic Faith, something along the lines of Teilhard de Chardin who was censored by the Church and his Cosmic Christ, just my opinion as a simple Catholic trying to follow his Church, the foundation of truth, 1 Timothy 3 15

[angelafloodgate]

Start with on cleaving to God by st. Albert the Great