recommendations for your personal study
books, podcasts and more…
Home Book Shelf | pic: JarretWe’re often asked for our favorite writings on topics we explore at Shala. It’s a difficult thing to offer, you know? There are so so many extraordinary things within the very broad range of subjects we dive into. This page is a response to those requests. It will be a dynamic and growing list, so refer back when you’re looking for something new to chew on.
OLD TEXTS
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra of course is considered a bit of a bible and I agree that it’s a very important text for every sincere yogi. But the truth is that it’s written from a particular philosophical vantage point (Sankya) that is specifically ascetic and renunciatory, so it doesn’t exactly resonate authentically with the vast majority of contemporary yogis, who don’t feel called to that sort of solitary and austere (if not, monastic) life. Still though, very important.
The Bhagavad Gita is a foundational text that synthesizes multiple branches of Indian thought - Vedic and Sankhya - and focuses on the yogic branches of Jnyana (knowledge) and Bhakti (devotion.)
The Siva Samhita is a 500 year old text presenting teachings on nonduality, the subtle body, and practices like pranayama and meditation. It blends philosophy and technique to guide practitioners toward liberation.
Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Swatmarama is a foundational manual of hatha yoga outlining practices such as postures, breath control, cleansing techniques, and meditation. It presents the body as a vehicle for awakening, aiming to prepare the practitioner for higher states of consciousness and liberation.
MODERN TAKES
Heart of Yoga by TKV Desikachar is a gem. His father (Krishnamacharya) is credited with teaching the three most influential teachers to the western
world: his son, BKS Iyengar (Iyengar yoga) and Pattabhi Jois (Ashtanga yoga). I read it in my very first teacher training 25 years ago and it landed me into
the heart of the practice.
If you’re interested in diving into the ethical precepts as outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra, try The Yamas & Niyamas by Deborah Adele.
A contemporary piece of yogic writing from Richard Freeman that I think is quite something is The Mirror Of Yoga.
Another one from the vaults is The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice by Georg Feuerstein. It's kind of a like an encyclopedia… pretty scholarly and covers the 5,000 year history, philosophy and practice across many eastern traditions.
The Meher Baba teachings in books like Effort & Grace, Discourses,
Naked Awareness: Practical Instructions on the Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen by Karma Chagme is a concise guide to recognizing the mind’s innate, “naked” awareness. It offers direct, practical meditation instructions aimed at realizing the natural, unconditioned state of consciousness.
Minding Closely: The Four Applications of Mindfulness by B. Alan Wallace is a practice-oriented exploration of the Buddha’s teachings on mindfulness, focusing on body, feelings, mind, and phenomena. He combines traditional insights with modern clarity to guide the reader in cultivating deep, sustained awareness in everyday life.
If you’re interested in exploring the world and teachings of Meher Baba, who’s image is hanging in the practice space, try Discourses, which is a comprehensive collection of teachings on the nature of the self, illusion, love, and the spiritual path. It systematically outlines the journey from ego-bound existence to God-realization. Also, Darwin Shaw’s Effort and Grace,which explores the balance between personal spiritual effort and the transformative power of divine grace. It emphasizes surrender and devotion as essential to realization.
Light on Life by B.K.S. Iyengar explores the deeper, spiritual journey of yoga.
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolleis about cultivating mindfulness and presence - a theme you know is central to the yogic experience.
If you’re interested in personal accounts, try Autobiography of a Yogi by Parmahansa Yogananda, which is astonishing, and considered a classic. Also, 14 Years with My Teacher by John Mann, which is a personal memoir recounting the author’s long apprenticeship with a spiritual teacher. It highlights the challenges, discipline, and transformation of the student–teacher relationship and offers an intimate look at the path of devotion and inner growth through lived experience.
Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judithis a cool book. It’s an integrative look at the chakra system through the lens of Western psychology, linking energy centers with emotional and developmental patterns. It offers a framework for personal growth and healing by balancing physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions.
The Only Dance There Is by Ram Dassis a collection of talks exploring the nature of consciousness, ego, and spiritual awakening, emphasizing the unity behind all experiences. Ram Dass uses stories and insights to point toward surrendering the separate self and recognizing life as a single, unfolding “dance.”
A super sweet and easy one is The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff. It uses Winnie-the-Pooh to playfully illustrate Taoist principles, showing how simplicity, spontaneity, and naturalness lead to harmony with life.
The Sacred Mirror by Alex Greyblends visionary art and spiritual insight to depict the human body as a multidimensional, sacred vessel. It explores the intersection of science, consciousness, and mysticism through vivid imagery and reflection.
The Courage to Teach by Parker J. Palmer focuses on the inner life of teachers, arguing that good teaching flows from authenticity and self-knowledge rather than technique alone. It encourages educators to teach from a place of integrity and wholeness. I recommend this book to all the yoga teachers I work with and it’s been a resource I return to again and again.
Atomic Habits by James Clearis a practical guide to building good habits and breaking bad ones through small, consistent changes. It shows how systems and environment shape behavior more effectively than sheer willpower.
What We Say Matters by Judith Hanson Lasaterexplores how mindful, compassionate language—especially in teaching—can foster connection and growth. It offers practical guidance for speaking with clarity, kindness, and intention.
Our friend and mentor, Christina Sell, has a few books out there, including My Body is a Temple which is a deeply thoughtful exploration of embodiment through yoga, emphasizing self-acceptance, discipline, and respect for the body as a vehicle for growth. Sell blends practical insight and philosophy to encourage a balanced, compassionate relationship with physical practice and personal development.
BUDDHISM
Anything by Thich Nhat Hanh will be brilliant. My first book about Buddhism was his Being Peace.
Also anything by Pema Chodron. When Things Fall Apart is a widely loved gem. She writes in such an accessible and non-denominational way.
For writing ranging from Children’s books to the very profound and most subtle teachings, see the catalog of the Dalai Lama, and particularly Genuine Happiness which explores the Buddhist foundations of happiness, emphasizing compassion, ethics, and mental training. It presents happiness as something cultivated through inner transformation rather than external conditions.
The Quantum and the Lotus by Matthieu Ricard and Trinh Xuan Thuan is a dialogue between Buddhism and modern science exploring reality, consciousness, and the nature of the universe. It highlights both the parallels and differences between scientific and contemplative ways of knowing.
One of our favorite contemporary teachers is B. Alan Wallace - he was referenced above already. But just to say, he writes on a wide range of Buddhist subjects and if you find yourself digging into the teachings, he’s an incredible resource for us modern practitioners.
Another super fave is Andrew Holecek. Also quite hard core. Not the “introduction to Buddhism” type material. A personal favorite is Dream Yoga which introduces Tibetan dream yoga practices for cultivating awareness during sleep and dreaming. It frames dreams as a powerful path to insight, lucidity, and awakening beyond ordinary consciousness. If you have an affinity for dreaming and curiosity about the power of your night visions, this book, along with Wallace’s Dreaming Yourself Awake are great explorations.
ASANA, ANATOMY, PHYSICAL PRACTICE
LBKS Iyengar’s Light on Yoga The definitive guide to poses.
Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthewsis a comprehensive visual guide to how muscles and bones work in yoga poses.
Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswati is a classic text from the Bihar School of Yoga - very old school.
Darren Rhondes’ Yoga Resource Manualis a brilliant, comprehensive, practice-oriented guide to yoga poses, sequencing, and teaching methodology. It emphasizes alignment, clarity, and structure. One of the best resources for teachers.
The Yoga Journal website has a huge archive of (among garbage) useful information.
CHRISTIAN MYSTICISM
The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton is a spiritual autobiography tracing Merton’s journey from a restless youth to a contemplative monastic life. It explores the search for meaning, faith, and surrender to a deeper calling.
The Interior Castle by Teresa of Ávila is a classic of Christian mysticism describing the soul as a castle with many inner “mansions,” each representing stages of spiritual development. It maps the journey inward toward union with the divine through prayer and self-knowledge. I read this in the thick of my Buddhist studies and found the similarities astonishing.
The podcast Turning to the Mystics with James Finley. So good!
POETRY & short form writing
Love Poems from God, translated by Daniel Ladinsky includes biographies and writings from 12 mystic poets from both the East and the West.
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilkeis a series of deeply reflective letters offering guidance on creativity, solitude, and the inner life of an artist. Rilke encourages embracing uncertainty and looking inward as the true source of meaning and artistic growth.
Anam Cara by John O'Donohueis a lyrical exploration of Celtic spirituality centered on the idea of the “soul friend,” emphasizing the sacredness of friendship, love, and inner belonging. It invites readers into a more poetic, reverent relationship with life.
Teaching a Stone to Talk by Annie Dillardis a collection of contemplative essays on nature, silence, and the search for the divine in everyday life. Dillard reflects on attention and presence as gateways to encountering mystery.
Brian Doyle’s One Long River of Song contains some of my favorite writing in the world. He was a master of lila, of basking in the extraordinary within the mundane. His short stories and essays remain a balm I turn to again and again.
A Year with Hafiz is a collection of poetic reflections offering daily inspiration rooted in the ecstatic, heart-centered spirituality associated with Hafiz. It emphasizes love, joy, and the divine presence in everyday life.
The Ecstatic Poems of Mirabai is a collection of devotional poems expressing intense longing and love for the divine, often addressed to Krishna. Mirabai’s verses convey a passionate, personal spirituality that transcends social norms and celebrates union with the beloved.