What are your favourite resources?

[KiMo]

Hi all! I appreciate this is a very, very broad question, but what resources can people recommend around exploring spirituality? Podcasts and YouTube channels would be great as I enjoy listening while I'm working, but also books and websites, etc...

 

Let me attempt to narrow things down and clarify a little.

 

Spirituality was a huge part of my life when I was younger, but over the years that part of my life sort of tucked itself away inside me, for lack of better words. I didn't consciously deny it, but my connection to it just faded and got forgotten about, for various reasons. Over the last year or so I have crashed headlong back into my sense of spirituality (or perhaps it crashed back into me?) and I'm a bit of a mess internally, trying to figure out how to unpick my jumble of ideas, feelings and intuitions. I want to forge my own path and ascribe some sort of form and expression to what's going on inside me, rather than try to find validation or fit myself into a spiritual framework, if that makes sense?

 

I have begun learning the tarot and find it absolutely fascinating, I have started journaling, and am also starting back on a meditation practice. I'm paying attention to dreams and contemplating them (when I remember them!)

 

So far I have enjoyed listening to Donna Woodwell and have touched on Hermeticism, Esotericism and Astrology. I watch videos by Kelly Ann Maddox and Aine Orga and have loved finding out more about contemporary witchcraft / Paganism / Wicca. I would like to go deeper into my understanding of Buddhism, Daoism, and other Eastern philosophies.

 

The list is of course not exhaustive and I suppose what I'm saying is that I want to absorb ALL the stuff and I would like the magic bullet of resources that are grounded, concise, and comprehensive! I struggle with navigating many online resources and communities as I feel that there is a lot out there that I don't quite connect with.
 

What are your favourite go to resources that have helped you along your way?

 

Thank you, and apologies for such a big and directionless question!!

 

[Raggydoll]

As for eastern traditions.. I’d recommend reading the Yoga sutras by Patanjali. There are several contemporary translations available. And for Buddhism, any book by Thich Nhat Hahn would be a good bet. Or Dalai Lamas series for beginner Buddhists. There are many different Buddhist traditions but those give you a broad entry point. You can search for dharma talks on YouTube. And there is also a series on Mahayana Buddhism on YouTube. But starting with Yoga sutra is great since it comes from similar roots as Buddhism and it gives you an understanding for where both Hinduism and Buddhism came from. It also gives you a much better view of what yoga really is (hint: it’s not really about exercises and flexibility 😉). 

[KiMo]

Thank you so much @Raggydoll , this is exactly what I need! Using Buddhism just as an example, there are so many schools and traditions, and therefore so many thoughts and voices, that it's hard to know where to start. I often dip in somewhere online and end up tying myself in knots! Regarding Yoga, I absolutely agree and had always wanted to explore the traditions and philosophies further but never attempted to read the Yoga Sutras. I'm not really sure why, I think it was a question of confidence, I always believed it was too 'advanced' for me... Can you tell I'm an over thinker? 😅

 

Thank you again, some clear pointers is just what I hoped for!

[stephanelli]

I can also second the Yoga Sutras if you want to explore more Eastern philosophies. 

 

I really enjoyed the book "Living the Sutras - A Guide to Yoga Wisdom beyond the Mat" by Kelly DiNardo and Amy Pearce-Hayden as a gentle introduction the sutras.  Its particularly aimed at those with a yoga asana practise, but you might find it interesting.

Another book I enjoyed was "Mind Full to Mindful: Zen Wisdom from a Monk's Bowl" by Om Swami.  Its been a while since I read it so I don't remember a lot of the detail in it, but I do remember enjoying it.  I might have to re-read that one again soon.

 

You could always look for books relating to various subjects in your local library or charity shop.  I've found some interesting books that way and that could be a nice way to explore spirituality.  For me, once I shed my programmed spirituality, the first little while, I wanted to read everything and anything vaguely spiritual.  I'm a lot more precise about what I want now, but I wouldn't have found that if I hadn't read so widely in the beginning.

[Raggydoll]

1 hour ago, KiMo said:

Thank you so much @Raggydoll , this is exactly what I need! Using Buddhism just as an example, there are so many schools and traditions, and therefore so many thoughts and voices, that it's hard to know where to start. I often dip in somewhere online and end up tying myself in knots! Regarding Yoga, I absolutely agree and had always wanted to explore the traditions and philosophies further but never attempted to read the Yoga Sutras. I'm not really sure why, I think it was a question of confidence, I always believed it was too 'advanced' for me... Can you tell I'm an over thinker? 😅

 

Thank you again, some clear pointers is just what I hoped for!

It won’t be too advanced! The commentary is absolutely crucial for everyone who reads it and if you chose a contemporary translation it will be a lovely read! 

[KiMo]

Thank you for the recommendations @stephanelli!

51 minutes ago, stephanelli said:

For me, once I shed my programmed spirituality, the first little while, I wanted to read everything and anything vaguely spiritual.

This is absolutely part of my problem, now that this part of me has woken up again I want to read anything and everything and I want it immediately, so I end up exhausting myself before I've even started!

[KiMo]

I can't wait to read it now @Raggydoll, thank you 😊

[AJ-ish/Sharyn]

You have to know yourself before you can really go forward. If you want to do the work rather than instant gratification try working through Julia Cameron's Artist's Way. You will never regret the effort. Also a couple of years of doing gratitude journal daily can change your life, all for the better. Two fairly simple ways to clear out confusion and allow the well of spirit to refill. Best wishes! 

[KiMo]

Thank you @AJ-ish/Sharyn, great advice 😊 I'd forgotten about The Artist's Way so thank you for the reminder!

 

I think my issue is that there is so much to absorb and I have never been fantastic at taking a breath and assuring myself that I have the time...