The best books to begin a metaphysical awakening

Why am I passionate about this?

My passion for metaphysics was ignited by an odd sequence of events that followed my husband’s death in 2001. He had been profoundly affected by progressive multiple sclerosis. Yet, beginning the night after his death and for the twenty-two years since, he has reached out to me time and again. I take great comfort in knowing that he's still somewhere, and very much his former vibrant, funny, loving self. Even though my life has moved on, and I met the woman who would later become my wife, my late husband remains very much a part of my life and spiritual education. As to who I am—only time will tell.


I wrote...

Walking the Labyrinth

By Lois Cloarec Hart,

Book cover of Walking the Labyrinth

What is my book about?

Loss is one of humanity’s universal experiences. No one gets through life without the loss of a loved one. The desire to know what comes next for that lost loved one, and in doing so, desiring to know what will ultimately come next for one’s self, is also universal. Walking the Labyrinth is about learning to love again, after barely surviving the grief of loss. It is about romantic love, about the love of friends who refuse to give up, and about love reborn, even when it takes every ounce of courage to accept that love.

At its heart, Walking the Labyrinth asks the soul’s most poignant questions: does love survive beyond death, and does a lost loved one still exist…somewhere?

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The books I picked & why

Book cover of We Don't Die: George Anderson's Conversations with the Other Side

Lois Cloarec Hart Why did I love this book?

In October 2004, I tuned the television to the series, Unsolved Mysteries, to provide background noise while I had lunch.

When George Anderson’s story was featured, I was riveted, and ordered We Don’t Die as soon as the show ended. That led me to a myriad of other metaphysical books and experiences, and a fascination that has not waned in the nearly two decades since I first heard of George and his ability to speak with those who have passed from physical life.

As I have learned over the years, it was not by accident that I saw that TV show. It was a soul signal that I’d set for myself before birth, to guide me to a new phase of my life.

By Joel Martin, Patricia Romanowski,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked We Don't Die as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This is the phenomenal true story of the world-renowned psychic medium George Anderson-the groundbreaking book that first brought afterlife experience into the light. For over 12 years Joel Martin documented evidence of Anderson's powers-the ability to reach 'the other side'-and repeatedly astonished believers and skeptics. This is the book of those universal visions, the inspiring messages of hope, truth, and peace, and a glimpse into eternity to answers to the unfathomable questions about life and death.


Book cover of Echoes of the Soul: The Soul's Journey Beyond the Light - Through Life, Death, and Life After Death

Lois Cloarec Hart Why did I love this book?

As part of my metaphysical quest, I had several readings through a medium my sister-in-law recommended.

In the second reading, my late husband came through loud and clear, and I was given a recommendation to read Echoes of the Soul. When I read it, it was as if I remembered it, rather than reading it for the first time. I understand this book, too, was a soul signal I set before birth that kept me moving toward my destiny.

My wife and I had the opportunity several years later to attend a seminar Echo Bodine conducted in Atlanta, and Echo was as impressive in person as on the pages of Echoes of the Soul.

By Echo Bodine,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Echoes of the Soul as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A renowned psychic's soul-stirring odyssey to spiritual realms beyond the material world.


Book cover of Journey of Souls: Case Studies of Life Between Lives

Lois Cloarec Hart Why did I love this book?

During my decades of intensive metaphysical reading, I encountered good, bad, and mediocre books.

The best ones sparked not only intellectual interest, but stimulated my desire to learn more. Such books were difficult to set aside, as they revealed the enthralling experiences of ordinary people who got caught up in unexplained circumstances, all of which pointed the way to eternal life between physical lives.

When I picked Journey of Souls to read, I did not know that I was preparing the way for metaphysical episodes of my own, ie. out-of-body experiences and vision dreams, which would change the course of my life. Copious folded corners, underlined passages, and margin notes indicate how seminal I found this book to my own path.

By Michael Newton,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked Journey of Souls as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

While in deep hypnosis, 29 patients of the author describe their hidden memories of the hereafter, including what has happened to them between their former reincarnations on earth. They reveal how it feels to die, who meets us after death, and what the spirit world is like.


Book cover of Many Lives, Many Masters

Lois Cloarec Hart Why did I love this book?

Many Lives, Many Masters intrigued me.

It is Dr. Weiss’ account of his progression through his therapeutic hypnotic practice from scientific skepticism to steadfast belief in survival of the soul and reincarnation. I was so fascinated that I attended two of his seminars, in 2010 and 2013, and for the first time, experienced past life regression for myself.

My initial regression was to a childhood memory, which instructed me how to overcome the writing block I was experiencing. Following the advice of that regression, when I resumed working on my book, the story fairly poured out of me, resulting in a finished first draft in three weeks. 

The second seminar was equally valuable, though in more metaphysical ways that I would not fully grasp until several years later.

By Brian L. Weiss,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked Many Lives, Many Masters as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From author and psychotherapist Dr. Brian Weiss comes the classic New York Times bestseller on the true case of the past-life therapy that changed the lives of both the prominent psychiatrist and young patient involved-now featuring a new afterword by the author.

As a traditional psychotherapist, Dr. Brian Weiss was astonished and skeptical when one of his patients began recalling past-life traumas that seemed to hold the key to her recurring nightmares and anxiety attacks. His skepticism was eroded, however, when she began to channel messages from the "space between lives," which contained remarkable revelations about Dr. Weiss' family and…


Book cover of Your Soul's Plan: Discovering the Real Meaning of the Life You Planned Before You Were Born

Lois Cloarec Hart Why did I love this book?

By the time I read Courageous Souls, I had, through a combination of reading and metaphysical experiences, developed a deep belief in the survival and reincarnation of souls.

So, encountering the ten personal stories contained within the book did not introduce me to anything new. What it did, however, was dive deeper into questions that have plagued philosophers and theologians.

Why do some people stumble through life, and others float blithely above universal chaos? How do we square the concept of a loving Creator with all the evils which escaped Pandora’s Box, and haunt humanity? Is it possible that we truly choose personal adversities to be part of our lifetime? And if so, why?

This book further expanded my growing understanding of the spiritual soul choices that guide all incarnations.

By Robert Schwartz,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Your Soul's Plan as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Would you like to understand the deeper spiritual meaning of physical illness, parenting handicapped children, drug addiction, alcoholism, the death of a loved one, accidents, deafness, and blindness?
 
Your Soul’s Plan (which was originally published under the title Courageous Souls: Do We Plan Our Life Challenges Before Birth?) explores the premise that we are all eternal souls who plan our lives, including our greatest challenges, before we are born for the purpose of spiritual growth. Through compelling profiles of people who knowingly planned the experiences mentioned above, Your Soul’s Plan shows that suffering is not purposeless, but rather imbued with…


You might also like...

Book cover of Benghazi! A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink

Ethan Chorin Author Of Benghazi! A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Story-lover Middle East expert Curious Iconoclast Optimist

Ethan's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Benghazi: A New History is a look back at the enigmatic 2012 attack on the US mission in Benghazi, Libya, its long-tail causes, and devastating (and largely unexamined) consequences for US domestic politics and foreign policy. It contains information not found elsewhere, and is backed up by 40 pages of citations and interviews with more than 250 key protagonists, experts, and witnesses.

So far, the book is the main -- and only -- antidote to a slew of early partisan “Benghazi” polemics, and the first to put the attack in its longer term historical, political, and social context. If you want to understand some of the events that have shaped present-day America, from political polarization and the election of Donald Trump, to January 6, the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Russian expansionism, and the current Israel-Hamas war, I argue, you need to understand some of the twists and turns of America's most infamous "non-scandal, scandal.”

I was in Benghazi well before, during, and after the attack as a US diplomat and co-director of a medical NGO. I have written three books, and have been a contributor to The NYT, Foreign Affairs, Forbes, Salon, The Financial Times, Newsweek, and others.

By Ethan Chorin,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Benghazi! A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

On September 11, 2012, Al Qaeda proxies attacked and set fire to the US mission in Benghazi, Libya, killing a US Ambassador and three other Americans.  The attack launched one of the longest and most consequential 'scandals' in US history, only to disappear from public view once its political value was spent. 

Written in a highly engaging narrative style by one of a few Western experts on Libya, and decidely non-partisan, Benghazi!: A New History is the first to provide the full context for an event that divided, incited, and baffled most of America for more than three years, while silently reshaping…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in reincarnation, spiritualism, and metaphysics?

11,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about reincarnation, spiritualism, and metaphysics.

Reincarnation Explore 67 books about reincarnation
Spiritualism Explore 35 books about spiritualism
Metaphysics Explore 91 books about metaphysics