10 Books to Help You Find a Spiritual Practice (That Has Nothing to Do With Religion)
A thoughtful reading list for exploring your inner landscape.
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Spirituality isn’t a doctrine. It doesn’t live in rigid texts or belong to any one belief system. It’s something quieter: a steady undercurrent, a way of moving through the world with awareness and a sense of connection to something larger than yourself.
For some, spirituality lives in the hush of early morning. For others, it shows up in bare feet on warm ground, in the rhythm of the ocean, in the acts of creating or offering care, or in the stillness that allows life to be felt more deeply.
There’s no single way in. And that’s where the beauty lies. Below, you’ll find ten books that may help you explore or expand your own practice, through meditation, time in nature, reflective writing, or simply by noticing more of what’s already here.
“The Untethered Soul” by Michael A. Singer
🌿 Best for: Learning to quiet your inner voice and let go of limiting beliefs.
We all live with that inner voice — the one that narrates, questions, and loops through every moment. The Untethered Soul encourages a different approach: instead of resisting or obeying that voice, you begin to notice it. That act of witnessing creates distance from fears and distractions, making space for a deeper kind of peace. This book offers a powerful shift for anyone ready to feel more grounded within themselves.
“Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer
🌿 Best for: Connecting with nature as a spiritual practice.
Spirituality often begins with the way we interact with the world around us. Robin Wall Kimmerer, a botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, blends scientific wisdom with Indigenous knowledge, offering a deeply moving perspective on our relationship with nature. This book encourages you to listen to the earth, to honor reciprocity, and to understand that every plant, river, and animal has something to teach us
“The Book of Awakening” by Mark Nepo
🌿 Best for: Daily reflections to cultivate mindfulness.
If you’re looking for small moments of spiritual insight throughout the year, The Book of Awakening is a comforting companion. Each entry offers a pause — a quiet reminder to notice what’s here, now, and to let meaning unfold in the everyday. It’s a book that meets you where you are, one page at a time.
“The Wisdom of Insecurity” by Alan Watts
🌿 Best for: Letting go of anxiety and learning to embrace the present moment.
In The Wisdom of Insecurity, Alan Watts explores the tension between our desire for control and the truth of life’s unpredictability. He makes a case for rooting ourselves in the present, because it’s the only place we ever fully exist. For anyone caught in cycles of worry or overthinking, his words offer a steadier way to move through uncertainty.
“When Things Fall Apart” by Pema Chödrön
🌿 Best for: Navigating change, loss, and uncertainty with grace.
Spirituality offers a way to stay present through life’s difficulties, rather than avoid them. Pema Chödrön, a Buddhist nun, gently teaches us how to lean into this discomfort with compassion in When Things Fall Apart. This book is a steady companion for moments of change, heartbreak, or personal struggle.
“Sacred Actions: Living the Wheel of the Year through Earth-Centered Spirituality” by Dana O’Driscoll
🌿 Best for: Practicing spirituality through seasonal rituals.
If you feel most connected when your life mirrors the natural world, this book offers gentle guidance. Through seasonal rhythms and grounded practices, it invites you to shape daily life with greater attunement — whether that means planting with intention, creating simple rituals, or slowing down enough to notice what’s shifting around you.
“The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz
🌿 Best for: Transforming your mindset and embracing personal freedom.
This book distills timeless wisdom into a grounded, accessible guide for everyday life. Its core teachings invite you to speak with care, loosen your grip on others’ opinions, and meet each moment with honesty and presence. Over time, these small shifts can open space for a deeper kind of peace.
“The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle
🌿 Best for: Learning to release the past and future and live fully in the present
When the mind clings to what was or spins into what might be, it’s easy to miss what’s here. The Power of Now offers a way of stepping outside that loop. Through Tolle’s teachings on presence, identity, and awareness, this book opens a door to living more fully in the only place life ever happens — now.
“Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert
🌿 Best for: Embracing creativity as a spiritual practice.
Creativity connects us to something beyond ourselves. In Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert invites readers to approach inspiration with curiosity rather than fear. Through reflections on creative process and inner permission, she makes a quiet case for why making things — anything — can be one of the most spiritual practices we have.
“Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion” by Sam Harris
🌿 Best for: Exploring spirituality through science and philosophy.
If you’re drawn to inner work but not to organized religion, Waking Up offers another way in. Sam Harris blends neuroscience, meditation, and philosophy to explore the nature of consciousness — and how meaning can unfold outside of spiritual doctrine.
What about you? Are there any books that have shaped your spiritual path, or simply helped you feel more grounded in yourself? I’d love to hear what’s stayed with you in the comments.
About the Author:
Hey there! I’m Olivia, the heart behind Petal + Hearth. Originally from California, I relocated to the south of France in 2025. I have a deep love for personal growth, slow living, and finding magic in the everyday. By day, I’m a freelance copywriter, but my passion for all things cozy led me to create this little corner of the internet. Petal + Hearth is where I share my love for seasonal rituals and the art of savoring life’s simple pleasures.
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