I don't read one book at a time. Instead I read thematically. I become interested in a subject area, acquire several books and read through them all somewhat simultaneously. I absolutely love, love, love when I find a conceptual thread woven through multiple works written by authors from different cultures and backgrounds living in different centuries, or even better, Millenia. My Enneagram type is 5w4 and my MBTI is INTP, so I guess this makes sense.
I've listed some of the books I'm currently reading below. I've also included a list of podcasts that I listen to. I'm not a big consumer of podcasts. I mainly listen to select episodes that compliment my reading. I often find interview-style episodes featuring thought-leaders helpful for distilling big concepts, filling in gaps, or answering questions that I have based on my current subject of obsession.
I'm always searching for new material so if you have book or podcast recommendations I would be grateful if you drop them in the comments below.
Currently Reading
This is by far my favorite work of philosophy from the Hindu tradition. The Sutras themselves convey a succinct description of nondual Shaiva Tantra philosophy. They are simple without being simplistic, and present a worldview with implications that might just blow your mind. The commentary by Christopher Wallis is clear and concise, helping to unlock the depth of meaning behind each sutra. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Presents a view of human trauma through the lens of nature. Lays out the signs and symptoms of trauma and outlines the path to healing. I wish Levine would have provided more detail on practical tools that can be used by practitioners or trauma survivors. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The foundational text for yoga philosophy. The source of the 8-limbs of yoga. I return to this one frequently. This particular edition, with commentary by Edwin Bryant, is far more in-depth relative to the more popular translation/commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda, although maybe less approachable especially for someone new to the topic. I'm only giving it four stars because the commentary is hard to follow in some areas. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emmet Fox is an interesting character. He was a Christian minister and was a key figure in the New Thought movement in the 1930s-1950s. I wasn't expecting much from this one, but have been pleasantly surprised. His interpretations of key passages in the Bible are radically different from anything I've ever encountered. He tends to view most of the Bible as being metaphorical and full of symbology, mainly addressing the psychological and spiritual elements of human life. I've found many of his interpretation to boarder on a non-dual worldview. I wish every Christian would read this book or any of his others. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Podcasts
Three Jungian analysts intepret myth, modern culture, and human psychology through a Jungian lens. Each episode ends with an interpretation of a listener's dream.
Hosted by my friend, mentor, and role model Scott Feiberg. This podcasts covers a wide range of topics, many centered on current global issues. His guests offer a unique and refreshing take on these issues that you won't typically find elsewhere, especially within the echo chamber of your average news source.
Hosted by Hareesh Christopher Wallis, Tantra Illuminated is a mix of interviews and lectures on the philosophy of non-dual Shaiva Tantra (imagine that!). Helpful content for anyone interested in learning about the Tantra from the Hindu tradition (the O.G. Tantra, not the stuff that has repackaged as a sexual practice).
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