Reading list on Esoteric Christianity

Reading List on Esoteric Christianity

Non-literal and scholarly guide to interpreting the Bible

Before exploring the more sophisticated version of Christianity (such as mysticism or esotericism), it is important to go back to the basics first - the Scriptures from which its belief-system are supposedly based. The following two books explain how the Bible books were compiled and translated, as well as what church scholars think about them or how they view biblical events and stories. These references try to explain, in simple words, how the bible came to be.

How to Read the Old Testament by Etienne Charpentier, SJ
How to Read the New Testament by Etienne Charpentier, SJ

Understanding the viewpoint of Bible-only churches:

The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible by B.B. Warfield

Lives of some popular Christian mystics

Popular historical figures who are Christians, some even recognized as Saints by the churches, did practice some aspects of the Ageless Wisdom. They are called Christian mystics due to their devotion to the inner life and focus on working to directly perceive and unite with Divine realities during their lifetimes. The Christian seeker can learn a lot from studying the lives of these mystics. Some of them are listed below:

Origen (185 - 254 AD)
St Augustine (354-430)
St Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)
St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253)
St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Meister Eckhart (1260-1327) - not in anyway related to Eckhart Tolle
St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
St Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)
St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
St John of the Cross (1542-1591)
George Fox (1624-1691)- founder of Quakerism or Society of Friends
Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968)
Sis. Mary Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938) - Divine Mercy devotion
Thomas Merton (1915-1968)

Foundations of mysticism in Christianity

These are some of the classical writings in this field:

Mysticism by Evelyn Underhill
Religious Experience of Mankind by Ninian Smart
The Perennial Philosophy by Aldous Huxley
The Phenomenon of Man by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ

Canonical Christian Gospels

Gospel according to John, the apostle
Gospel according to Matthew, the apostle
Gospel according to Luke
Gospel according to Mark

Non-Canonical Gospels from extra-biblical sources

Gnostic Gospels from the Nag Hammadi Scrolls

The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures by Marvin Meyer
The Nag Hammadi Library by James Robinson

Channeled Gospels and accounts of the life of Christ

The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ by Levi
On Jesus and His Church by Edgar Cayce
The Mystical Life of Jesus by H. Spencer Lewis
Rudolf Steiner's Fifth Gospel in Story form by Bruce Dickson

Esoteric analysis and interpretations of the Gospels

These are writings coming from esoteric writers with their own perspectives on the life of Christ, and the origin and nature of his teachings:

From Bethlehem to Calvary by Alice A. Bailey
Esoteric Christianity by Annie Besant
The Christ Life from Nativity to Ascension by Geoffrey Hodson
Ancient and Modern Initiation by Max Heindel
Rosicrucian Christianity Lectures by Max Heindel
Christianity as a Mystical Fact by Rudolf Steiner
Christian Mystery: Lectures by Rudolf Steiner
Hidden Wisdom in the Holy Bible Vols I & II (Abridged) by Geoffrey Hodson
The Inner Side of Church Worship by Geoffrey Hodson
Clairvoyant Investigations of Christian Origins and Ceremonial by Geoffrey Hodson
The Science of Sacraments by CW Leadbeater
The Jesus Papers by Michael Baigent
The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth (aka "The Jefferson Bible") by Thomas Jefferson
New Age Bible Interpretations by Corinne Heline:

Old Testament, Vol.1: Five Books of Moses and Joshua

Old Testament, Vol.2: I-Solomon and the Temple Builders /II–Books of Initiation

Old Testament, Vol.3: I-The Promise/II-The Preparation

New Testament, Vol.4: Preparation for Coming of the Light of the World

New Testament, Vol.5: The Christ and His Mission

New Testament, Vol.6: The Work of the Apostles and Paul and Book of Revelation (The Three Degrees of Discipleship)

New Testament, Vol.7: Mystery of the Christos (The Harp of David, The Twelve Holy Days)

Teachings of Christ by Torkom Saraydarian:

Vol.1: The Birth of Christ

Vol.2: The Esoteric Principles of Christ

Vol.3: The Transformative Power of Christ

Vol.4: The Resurrection of Christ

Holistic viewpoints and social engagement

Integral Spirituality by Ken Wilber
The Marriage of Sense and Soul: Integrating Science and Religion by Ken Wilber
A Spirituality Named Compassion by Matthew Fox
Occupy Spirituality (Sacred Activism) by Matthew Fox
A Theology of Liberation: History, Politics, Salvation by Gustavo Gutierrez, OP
(Teologia de la liberacion: perspectivas)
Social teachings of the Catholic church: Encyclicals - "Gaudium et Spes", "Dignitatis Humanae", "Populorum Progressio", "Centesimus Annus", and "Laudato Si'".

Introductory meditation practices for Christians

These are practical instructions on how a Christian seeker can start his/her own inner spiritual journey based on Ageless Wisdom principles.

The Way to Freedom: Meditation,
Oriental Approach and Christian content by Nicolas Caballero, CMF
(El Camino de la Libertad: La Meditacion, Una tecnica oriental y un contenido Cristiano)

This is a complete guide for the beginner, inspired by the Eastern yogic traditions. It contains external and internal preparations prior to the main meditation practice. Seekers can also get benefits similar to those practising TM, like the relaxation response, stress management, and possibly good health, aside from its main goal of inner spiritual development. Also important is the use of English and Christian power phrases or ideas as meditation objects, instead of mantras that seekers barely understand.

Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening
by Cynthia Bourgeault

A step by step guide, from theory to practice in doing centering prayer, within the Christian contemplative tradition.

Sadhana, a Way to God: Christian Exercises
in Eastern Form by Anthony de Mello, SJ

A loose collection of meditation, awareness, and inner work practices, inspired by the Zen & Buddhist traditions.
The Sangreal Sodality Series
by William G. Gray

William Gray's books use Western ritualistic methods (church-like ceremonials) and symbols in attuning to the inner life. The series is composed of 4 volumes:
Vol.1- Western Inner Workings
Vol.2- The Sangreal Sacrament
Vol.3- Concepts of Qabalah
Vol.4- Sangreal Ceremonies and Rituals

Advanced Esoteric Meditation Techniques

Essential reading lists on the Ageless Wisdom

Other useful resources

Gnostic.Org
A resource website of the modern Christian gnosticism movement containing articles, lectures, issues, meditation, prayers, sacramental initiations, and links to holy orders.

Christianity and Esotericism
A Facebook page containing very interesting articles, historical trivia, and inspirational insights on modern Christian esotericism.

The Gnostic Society Library
The site contains a vast collection of primary documents relating to the Gnostic tradition (especially those from the Nag Hammadi find) as well as a selection of in-depth audio lectures and brief archive notes designed to orient study of the documents, their sources, and the religious tradition they represent.

A List of all known versions of Christianity
A list from Wikipedia.