Patheos

BuddhistCatholicContemplativeEvangelicalGeneral ChristianHinduJewishLatter-day SaintMuslimNew VisionsProgressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Patheos

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

carlmccolman

A Christian Mystics Bibliography

Last updated on: February 1, 2018 at 8:40 pm   by Carl "Skye" McColman

A Christian Mystics Bibliography 2018-02-01T20:40:49-04:00 Carl "Skye" McColman

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Christian Mystics

Christian Mystics

In my books The Big Book of Christian Mysticism and Christian Mystics: 108 Seers, Saints and Sages, I suggest a number of books that anyone interested in learning more about Christian mysticism might enjoy.

On this page I’ve gathered together those books (and a few audio recordings). For good measure, I’ve thrown in a few other important titles, and will continue to add useful books to this page as they come to my attention.

I believe this list represents a comprehensive library of Christian mysticism for spiritual practitioners. It is designed for something more than merely the academic study of Christian mysticism — it is meant for those who, by the grace of God, actually wish to enter the mysteries.

Many of these books are expensive and unfortunately some are out of print, so I certainly encourage you to make use of your local library. Also, if you wish to purchase any of these books, please consider supporting your local independent bookstore. If you choose to buy your books online, each title on this page is linked to the book’s page on Amazon (if you click and buy, I get a small commission at no extra charge to you, so thank you for doing that).

This list represents a lifetime of spiritual reading. Happy exploring.

The One Essential Mystical Text

An Important Book to Help You Read the Bible — and the Writings of the Mystics

My Books About Christian Mysticism and Contemplative Spirituality

The Big Book of Christian Mysticism

The Big Book of Christian Mysticism

What is Christian mysticism? Who are the great mystics? What do they have to teach us? My books seek to answer these questions.

In addition to my “Christian Mysticism Trilogy,” I’ve also written the following books that look at how to begin a contemplative prayer practice, and the spirituality of Cistercian (including Trappist) monasteries, respectively.

A Contemplative Reading List (from The Big Book of Christian Mysticism)


Enjoy reading this blog?
Click here to become a patron.

become_a_patron_button


Writings of 108 Seers, Saints and Sages (recommended readings from Christian Mystics)

  1. Abhishiktananda, Prayer
  2. Adrienne von Speyr, The Boundless God
  3. Aelred of Rievaulx, Spiritual Friendship
  4. Albertus Magnus (and Thomas Aquinas), Albert and Thomas: Selected Writings
  5. Angela of Foligno, Complete Works
  6. Angelus Silesius, The Cherubinic Wanderer
  7. Anthony De Mello, Selected Writings
  8. Anonymous, The Cloud of Unknowing and Other Works
  9. Anonymous, The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way
  10. Anonymous (edited by Martin Luther), Theologia Germanica
  11. Augustine of Hippo, The Confessions of Saint Augustine
  12. Beatrice of Nazareth, The Life of Beatrice of Nazareth (Includes The Seven Manners of Holy Love)
  13. Bede Griffiths, The One Light
  14. Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of St. Benedict
  15. Bernard J. F. Lonergan, Method in Theology
  16. Bernard of Clairvaux, Selected Works
  17. Birgitta of Sweden, Life and Selected Revelations
  18. Blaise Pascal, Pensées and Other Writings
  19. Bonaventure, The Soul’s Journey Into God; The Tree of Life; Etc.
  20. Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, The Practice of the Presence of God
  21. Bruno Barnhart. Second Simplicity: The Inner Shape of Christianity
  22. C. S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
  23. Caryll Houselander, The Reed of God
  24. Catherine of Genoa, Purgation and Purgatory; the Spiritual Dialogue
  25. Catherine of Siena, The Dialogue
  26. Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Greeks and Other Works
  27. Coventry Patmore, The Rod, The Root and the Flower
  28. Dag Hammarskjöld, Markings
  29. Edith Stein, The Science of the Cross
  30. Elisabeth of Schönau, The Complete Works
  31. Elizabeth of the Trinity, Always Believe in Love
  32. Ephrem the Syrian, Ephrem the Syrian: Hymns
  33. Evagrius Ponticus*, The Praktikos & Chapters on Prayer*
  34. Evelyn Underhill, Practical Mysticism
  35. Francis de Sales, On the Love of God
  36. Francis of Assisi, Francis of Assisi in His Own Words: The Essential Writings
  37. Francisco de Osuna, The Third Spiritual Alphabet
  38. François Fénelon, Selected Writings
  39. Friedrich von Hügel, Spiritual Counsel and Letters of Baron Friedrich von Hügel
  40. Gemma Galgami, The Saint Gemma Galgani Collection
  41. George Fox, The Journal of George Fox
  42. George Herbert, The Country Parson; the Temple
  43. George MacDonald, Unspoken Sermons, Series I, II, and III
  44. Gerald G. May, Will and Spirit: A Contemplative Psychology
  45. Gertrude of Helfta, The Herald of Divine Love
  46. Gregory of Narek, The Festal Works of St. Gregory of Narek
  47. Gregory of Nyssa, From Glory to Glory
  48. Gregory Palamas, The Triads
  49. Hadewijch, The Complete Works
  50. Henry Suso, The Exemplar, with Two German Sermons
  51. Hildegard of Bingen, Selected Writings
  52. Howard Thurman, A Strange Freedom
  53. Ignatius of Loyola, The Spiritual Exercises and Selected Works
  54. Isaac the Syrian, The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian
  55. Jacopone da Todi, The Lauds
  56. Jakob Boehme, Genius of the Transcendent
  57. Jean-Pierre de Caussade, Abandonment to Divine Providence
  58. Jeanne Guyon, Selected Writings
  59. Johannes Tauler, Sermons
  60. John Cassian, The Conferences
  61. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent
  62. John Donne, Selections from Divine Poems, Sermons, Devotions and Prayers
  63. John O’Donohue, Anam Ċara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom
  64. John of the Cross, The Collected Works of Saint John of the Cross
  65. John Ruusbroec, The Spiritual Espousals and Other Works
  66. John Scotus Eriugena, The Voice of the Eagle: The Heart of Celtic Christianity—John Scotus Eriugena’s Homily on the Prologue to the Gospel of St. John
  67. John the Evangelist, The Writings of St. John found in The New Testament
  68. John Wesley and Charles Wesley, Selected Prayers, Hymns, Journal Notes, Sermons, Letters and Treatises
  69. Julian of Norwich, The Showings of Julian of Norwich
  70. Karl Rahner, The Mystical Way in Everyday Life
  71. Kenneth Leech, Prayer and Prophecy: The Essential Kenneth Leech
  72. Margery Kempe, The Book of Margery Kempe
  73. Marguerite Porete, The Mirror of Simple Souls
  74. Maria Faustina Kowalska, Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul
  75. Maria Maddalena de’ Pazzi, Selected Revelations
  76. Marie of the Incarnation, Selected Writings
  77. Maximus the Confessor, Selected Writings
  78. Mechtilde of Hackeborn, Select Revelations of S. Mechtild, Virgin, Taken from the Five Books of Her Spiritual Grace
  79. Mechthild of Magdeburg, The Flowing Light of the Godhead
  80. Meister Eckhart, Selected Writings
  81. Nicholas of Cusa, Selected Spiritual Writings
  82. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain, A Handbook of Spiritual Counsel
  83. Origen of Alexandria, Spirit and Fire: A Thematic Anthology of His Writings.
  84. Paul of Tarsus, The Writings of St. Paul
  85. Phoebe Palmer, Selected Writings
  86. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Hymn of the Universe
  87. Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, The Divine Names and The Mystical Theology
  88. Raimon Panikkar, Christophany: The Fullness of Man
  89. Ramón Llull, Doctor Illuminatus
  90. Richard of St. Victor, The Book of the Patriarchs; The Mystical Ark; Book Three of the Trinity
  91. Richard Rohr, The Naked Now
  92. Rufus M. Jones, Rufus Jones: Essential Writings
  93. Sarah Grant, Toward an Alternative Theology: Confessions of a Nondualist Christian
  94. Simone Weil, Waiting for God
  95. Symeon the New Theologian, The Discourses
  96. Teresa of Ávila, The Book of My Life
  97. Teresa of Calcutta, Come Be My Light—The Private Writings of the Saint of Calcutta
  98. Thérèse of Lisieux, Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux
  99. Thomas Aquinas (and Albertus Magnus), Albert and Thomas: Selected Writings
  100. Thomas Keating, Invitation to Love
  101. Thomas Kelly, A Testament of Devotion
  102. Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation
  103. Thomas Traherne, Waking Up in Heaven
  104. Walter Hilton, The Scale of Perfection
  105. Wayne Teasdale, The Mystic Heart
  106. William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life and The Spirit of Love
  107. William of St. Thierry, On Contemplating God, Prayer, Meditations
  108. Willigis Jäger, The Way to Contemplation: Encountering God Today

Audio Recordings of Interest

Some Other Useful Books on Christian Mysticism and Contemplative Spirituality

Note: many of the following books are academic, rather than devotional, in tone.

Special Topics: the History of Christian Mysticism

Special Topics: the English Mystics

Special Topics: the Spanish Mystics

Special Topics: the German/Rhineland Mystics

Special Topics: Jesuit Mystics and Contemplatives

Special Topics: Eastern Orthodox Mystics

Special Topics: Protestant Mystics

Special Topics: Julian of Norwich

Special Topics: Evelyn Underhill


Enjoy reading this blog?
Click here to become a patron.

become_a_patron_button


Special Topics: Thomas Merton

Special Topics: The Song of Songs

Special Topics: Deification

Special Topics: Benedictine and Cistercian Spirituality

Special Topics: Carthusian Spirituality

Special Topics: Centering Prayer and Christian Meditation

Special Topics: Eucharistic Devotion and Popular Piety

Special Topics: The Anamchara (Soul Friend) and Spiritual Direction

Special Topics: The New Monasticism


Enjoy reading this blog?
Click here to become a patron.

become_a_patron_button


Books

Christian mysticism

Christianity

Mysticism

Books

Christian mysticism

Mysticism

Reading List

Previous Post



December 22, 2016

St. Teresa's Advice for Dealing With People Who Cannot or Will Not Engage in Christian Contemplation

Next Post



January 2, 2017 Seven Ideas for a Contemplative New Year's Resolution


Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Activism Announcements Art Books Catholicism Celtic Christianity Christian mysticism Christianity Contemplation Current events Etc. Family humor interfaith dialogue Interfaith Wisdom Interspirituality Lay Cistercians Living the Faith Meditation movies Mysticism Mystics nature Poetry Reviews Scripture silence Spirituality Uncategorized Writing

Select a Month February 2025 January 2025 November 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 March 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 August 2023 June 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 October 2013 September 2013 July 2013 May 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 March 2012 December 2011 September 2011 October 2010 August 2010 March 2010 September 2009 July 2008 January 2008 December 2007 September 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2004


Follow Us!

Follow Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter



TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

I saw the Promised Land from a mountain but was not allowed to enter it. Who am I?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Aaron Moses Caleb Joshua

Support this
Column

Related posts from Carl McColman

Contemplative

"This Loving, Uniting Embrace": the Holy Ordinary

Carl McColman

Contemplative

You don't have to become a monk to...

Carl McColman

Contemplative

If You Worship an Angry God, You'll Be...

Carl McColman

Contemplative

LSD, Anxiety, and Contemplation: Can Psychedelic Therapy Support...

Carl McColman

TRENDING AT PATHEOS Contemplative

Handy Contemplative Practices for Political Spaces

A Spiritually Grounded Presence In order to bring a spiritually grounded presence...

Halloween: The Holiday of Loving Your Neighbor

All Hallows Eve Is Halloween the least Christian holiday in America, or...

Can Love Be Saved? Some Thoughts on the...

Happy Valentine's Day! I recently published a post on Patreon called Can...

"This Loving, Uniting Embrace": the Holy Ordinary

Today's guest post is by Mark Longhurst, author of The Holy Ordinary:...

How Are We Called to Live?: More About...

How Are We Called to Live? Many of us struggle with discerning...

A Spiritual Practice of Reading: Join Us Online

A Spiritual Practice of Reading A healthy spiritual practice of reading is...

view all Contemplative blogs

Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Copyright 2008-2026, Patheos. All rights reserved.

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube