Resource Books for Your Journey
Resource Books for Your Journey
I would counsel you against doing a Google search for “books on meditation.” The vast majority of the contemporary literature out there is simply a wild goose chase of the blind leading the blind. It is a positive virtue to be ignorant of most of these writings. If you will focus your energies on the classic Christian texts on the subject, you will have a much better chance of making progress in meditative prayer. Below are twelve of the better known and most reliable sources. Of course, most of these authors have written other works beyond the one I mention. I have listed these authors chronologically, and their works can be found in various editions.
Julian of Norwich (1342-1416), Showings
Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), The Interior Castle
Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection (1614-1691), The Practice of the Presence of God
Madame Guyon (1648-1717), Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ
Jean-Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751), Self-Abandonment to Divine Providence
Jean-Nicholas Grou (1730-1803), How to Pray
Ole Hallesby (1879-1961), Prayer
Frank Laubach (1884-1970), Letters by a Modern Mystic
Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889-?), At the Master’s Feet
Catherine de Hueck Doherty (1896-1985), Poustinia
A. W. Tozer (1897-1963), The Pursuit of God
Thomas Merton (1915-1968), Spiritual Direction and Meditation