Books About Non-Religious Spirituality

Explore this curated list of books about non-religious spirituality and find your next read. From books that offer non-religious spiritual rituals, to books about creating your own spirituality, and even books that explore the science of non-religious spirituality, you’ll find recommendations for reading a book about non-religious spirituality here.

1. Hello, Goodbye: 75 Rituals for Times of Loss, Celebration, and Change 

   by Day Schildkret

   IN A NUTSHELL. Ideas for non-religious rituals to honor life’s important moments
   SHORT & SIMPLE. Instructions for non-religious rituals to honor moments of change, loss, and celebration
   GO FOR THIS BOOK IF…you want to read a book about non-religious spirituality focused on rituals.

   In Hello, Goodbye, Day Schlidkret offers 75 non-religious spiritual rituals including rituals for morning, night, changing seasons, and big life moments like moving, leaving a job, retirement, birth of a baby, death, divorce, and national crises, among others.

   nonfiction + self-help

2. Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit

   by Lyanda Lynn Haupt

   IN A NUTSHELL. Explore the spiritual interconnectedness of humanity and nature through science
   SHORT & SIMPLE. Learn about what science says about nature and humanity’s connection and how a deeper connection with nature can enhance your spirituality
   GO FOR THIS BOOK IF…you want to read a book about non-religious spirituality that’s focused on nature.

   Rooted is a beautiful book about the interconnectedness of human life and nature. Through the lens of science and spirituality, the author invites readers to acknowledge and deepen their connection with the natural world. A great read for those interested in a book about non-religious spirituality focused on nature that also includes scientific research.

   nonfiction + science + self-help

3. A Religion of One's Own: A Guide to Creating a Personal Spirituality in a Secular World

   by Thomas Moore

   IN A NUTSHELL. Guide to creating your own spirituality
   SHORT & SIMPLE. Former monk offers options for creating your own spirituality inside or outside of traditional religion
   GO FOR THIS BOOK IF…you want to read a book about non-religious spirituality that will help you develop a spirituality that speaks to your own life.

   Moore is a former monk trained in the Roman Catholic tradition who later developed his own more individualized spirituality. In A Religion of One’s Own, Moore provides examples of individualized spiritual practice from his own life and the life of others while providing readers with a guide for developing their own spirituality to enrich their inner life.

   nonfiction + self-help

4. Religious but Not Religious: Living a Symbolic Life

   by Jason E. Smith

   IN A NUTSHELL. The role of symbol and ritual in psychological development
   SHORT & SIMPLE. Jungian psychologist offers thoughts on the religious importance of symbolism and rituals for psychological development
   GO FOR THIS BOOK IF…you want to read a book about non-religious spirituality from a psychological perspective.

   In Religious but Not Religious: Living a Symbolic Life, Jungian psychologist Jason E. Smith offers his thoughts on the psychological importance of religion and how we can harness the power of religious experience by making space for symbolism and ritual in our lives. This book about non-religious spirituality leaves room for collective traditional religious life, but doesn’t exclude those for whom traditional religion feels inaccessible or painful.

   nonfiction + psychology + self-help

5. Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion 

   by Sam Harris

   IN A NUTSHELL. Neuroscientist discusses his experience with spirituality and mindfulness and the science behind it
   SHORT & SIMPLE. Neuroscientist offers guide to accessing spirituality through mindfulness
   GO FOR THIS BOOK IF…you want to read a book about non-religious spirituality focused on neuroscience and mindfulness.

   Waking Up is a science-based book about non-religious spirituality from neuroscientist Sam Harris. This book about non-religious spirituality is part Harris’ own spiritual memoir, and part a guide to creating your own non-religious spirituality through mindfulness practices.

   nonfiction + self-help + science + biographies & memoirs

6. Thou Art That: Transforming Religious Metaphor

   by Joseph Campbell

   IN A NUTSHELL. Understanding religion as helpful and transformative metaphor
   SHORT & SIMPLE. Exploration of traditional Judeo-Christian symbols as spiritual metaphors that can still hold spiritual meaning without being literally true
   GO FOR THIS BOOK IF…you want to read a non-religious book about spirituality that can help you use the symbols of Judeo-Christianity for personal growth.

   In this book about non-religious spirituality, renowned mythologist Joseph Campbell explores the stories and symbolism of Judeo-Christianity and how these symbols can still serve spiritual and transformative purposes without being accepted as literally true.

   nonfiction + history + psychology + self-help

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