100 books like The Mysticism of Sound and Music

By Hazrat Inayat Khan,

Here are 100 books that The Mysticism of Sound and Music fans have personally recommended if you like The Mysticism of Sound and Music. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of The Eye of Spirit: An Integral Vision for a World Gone Slightly Mad

Ib Vindbjerg Author Of The First Book I Wish I'd Had at Art College

From my list on creativity and consciousness.

Why am I passionate about this?

Having graduated as a teacher before undertaking an art degree has made me think that art is not just the kind of stuff we encounter in galleries, but it is about creativity in a much broader sense. Two decades in art education and galleries across London have taught me that as creatives and teachers, we do not only teach others, but we all teach each other on our journeys through life. Creativity is intricately woven into the fabric of our lives and the list of books here are some of my favourite books on the subject.

Ib's book list on creativity and consciousness

Ib Vindbjerg Why did Ib love this book?

Wilber's book contains the essay, "Integral Art and Literary Theory" which was the inspiration for my own book. The essay first appeared in Andrew Wyeth: America's Painter and is sometimes characterised as a formal exercise in art analysis, although it is much more than that. With an integral approach, it seeks to look beyond the trenches of changing academic 'discourse' and aims to integrate fundamentally different vantage points in art. It was a real leap forward when published in 1996. 

By Ken Wilber,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Eye of Spirit as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

One of the most influential American philosophers of our time presents his vision for a fully integrated world—a world that includes body, mind, soul, and spirit
 
In this groundbreaking book, Ken Wilber uses his widely acknowledged “spectrum of consciousness” model to completely rewrite our approach to such important fields as psychology, spirituality, anthropology, cultural studies, art and literary theory, ecology, feminism, and planetary transformation. What would each of those fields look like if we wholeheartedly accepted the existence of not just body and mind but also soul and spirit?

In a stunning display of integrative embrace, Wilber weaves these various…


Book cover of 3x Abstraction: New Methods of Drawing by Hilma af Klint, Emma Kunz, and Agnes Martin

Ib Vindbjerg Author Of The First Book I Wish I'd Had at Art College

From my list on creativity and consciousness.

Why am I passionate about this?

Having graduated as a teacher before undertaking an art degree has made me think that art is not just the kind of stuff we encounter in galleries, but it is about creativity in a much broader sense. Two decades in art education and galleries across London have taught me that as creatives and teachers, we do not only teach others, but we all teach each other on our journeys through life. Creativity is intricately woven into the fabric of our lives and the list of books here are some of my favourite books on the subject.

Ib's book list on creativity and consciousness

Ib Vindbjerg Why did Ib love this book?

An inspiring book about how three artists explore the creative process at the intersection of drawing, consciousness, and healing. Hilma Af-Klint's approach to drawing I can best describe as transpersonal, Agnes Martin's drawings to me appear as visual representations of stillness and Emma Kunz's use of drawing to make healing mandalas are all incredibly inspiring.  

By Catherine de Zegher (editor), Hendel Teicher (editor),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked 3x Abstraction as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

3x an Abstraction presents the extraordinary work of three important women artists whose innovative ideas and approaches to drawing had a significant impact on the history of modern abstraction. Hilma af Klint (Sweden, 1862-1944), Emma Kunz (Switzerland, 1892-1963) and Agnes Martin (Canada, b. 1912; U.S. citizenship 1950) approached geometric abstraction not as formalism, but as a means of structuring philosophical, scientific, and spiritual ideas. Using line, geometry and the grid, each of these artists created diagrammatic drawings of their exploration of complex belief systems and restorative practices. Noteworthy among the 150 illustrations in the volume are a large number of…


Book cover of Dharma Art

Ib Vindbjerg Author Of The First Book I Wish I'd Had at Art College

From my list on creativity and consciousness.

Why am I passionate about this?

Having graduated as a teacher before undertaking an art degree has made me think that art is not just the kind of stuff we encounter in galleries, but it is about creativity in a much broader sense. Two decades in art education and galleries across London have taught me that as creatives and teachers, we do not only teach others, but we all teach each other on our journeys through life. Creativity is intricately woven into the fabric of our lives and the list of books here are some of my favourite books on the subject.

Ib's book list on creativity and consciousness

Ib Vindbjerg Why did Ib love this book?

History has had mixed perceptions of Chogyam Trungpa, yet as is implicit in this book, one should not mistake great art for the artist. It is often said that to make it commercially as an artist, you need to be very assertive, yet Trungpa argues that as we insist on asserting our expectations to what we want from ourselves and others in the creative process we become blind to inspiration. He calls such a mindset one of aggression and instead advocates the creative process as being one of non-aggression. 

By Chögyam Trungpa,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dharma Art as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"Dharma art" refers to creative works that spring from the awakened meditative state, characterized by directness, unselfconsciousness, and nonaggression. Trungpa Rinpoche shows that dharma art provides a vehicle to appreciate the nature of things as they are and express it without any struggle or desire to achieve.


Book cover of Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity

Ib Vindbjerg Author Of The First Book I Wish I'd Had at Art College

From my list on creativity and consciousness.

Why am I passionate about this?

Having graduated as a teacher before undertaking an art degree has made me think that art is not just the kind of stuff we encounter in galleries, but it is about creativity in a much broader sense. Two decades in art education and galleries across London have taught me that as creatives and teachers, we do not only teach others, but we all teach each other on our journeys through life. Creativity is intricately woven into the fabric of our lives and the list of books here are some of my favourite books on the subject.

Ib's book list on creativity and consciousness

Ib Vindbjerg Why did Ib love this book?

Lynch describes how meditation and the creative process can go hand in hand and offers an interesting insight into his art. 

Lynch's contribution to creativity lies not only in his own artistic output but also notably in the establishment of the David Lynch Foundation that can arguably be said to equal the towering importance of his films and paintings. 

By David Lynch,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Catching the Big Fish as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14.

What is this book about?

Musical verse accompanies a milkman and his cranky kitty as they make their morning rounds. The milkman knows his hometown; he knows who needs ice cream for a birthday party, who just broke a leg, and who has a new baby. He even helps return a lost dog that's hiding along his route. This pitch-perfect, retro read-aloud's gentle sensibility is ideally matched with beautiful art that powerfully evokes an era of classic illustration.


Book cover of The Alpha Νumeric Intelligence of the Hellenic Language

Ruslana Remennikova Author Of Activating Our 12-Stranded DNA: Secrets of Dodecahedral DNA for Completing Our Human Evolution

From my list on soul humming in 12-part harmony.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am inspired and driven by a lifelong curiosity about the larger framework of complexities and interconnectedness of evolution and its impact on our environment. Since childhood, this fascination has fueled my science career and compelled me to explore various viewpoints on the subject. My aim is not merely to grasp the direction of evolution but to unveil aspects of its driving force, empowering us to become more aware of the diverse avenues available for personal development. I appreciate these books for their valuable insights, which contribute to demystifying our evolutionary path and enriching the importance of mindfulness, intention, and emotional awareness as key components of our growth.

Ruslana's book list on soul humming in 12-part harmony

Ruslana Remennikova Why did Ruslana love this book?

This book profoundly shaped my life. I discovered Eleftherios through my astrology community; he’s an expert in mystical connections between number theory, the Pythagorean theorem, and life on Earth. After one consultation, I knew I wanted to explore gematria and its hidden wonders.

What I love most about Eleftherios’ ancient approach is how he effortlessly connects the significance of gematria to various aspects of human knowledge. Eleftherios skillfully reveals the relevance of ideas, historical events, and philosophy through numbers.

I’ve read this book at least 20 times—and plan to revisit it again—and highly recommend it to anyone seeking deeper meanings and correlation between seemingly unrelated concepts by numbers.

Book cover of Meaningful Coincidences: How and Why Synchronicity and Serendipity Happen

Ruslana Remennikova Author Of Activating Our 12-Stranded DNA: Secrets of Dodecahedral DNA for Completing Our Human Evolution

From my list on soul humming in 12-part harmony.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am inspired and driven by a lifelong curiosity about the larger framework of complexities and interconnectedness of evolution and its impact on our environment. Since childhood, this fascination has fueled my science career and compelled me to explore various viewpoints on the subject. My aim is not merely to grasp the direction of evolution but to unveil aspects of its driving force, empowering us to become more aware of the diverse avenues available for personal development. I appreciate these books for their valuable insights, which contribute to demystifying our evolutionary path and enriching the importance of mindfulness, intention, and emotional awareness as key components of our growth.

Ruslana's book list on soul humming in 12-part harmony

Ruslana Remennikova Why did Ruslana love this book?

This is a book that I will undoubtedly recommend to future generations as we collectively expand our consciousness and recognize the importance of synchronicity in our lives. 

Having collaborated with Bernie on projects related to synchronicity and consciousness, I have witnessed firsthand his immense passion and keen perceptions derived from his lifelong research on meaningful coincidences. Bernie expertly guides readers through a wealth of data and personal experiences, revealing how we can become more attuned to this critical phenomenon and its role in fostering a stronger collective consciousness.

This book builds upon Carl Jung’s pioneering work and will resonate with readers for generations to come. Bernie’s humor and personal anecdotes make it an engaging, enlightening, and truly delightful read. 

By Bernard Beitman,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Meaningful Coincidences as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A comprehensive exploration of the potential of coincidences to expand our understanding of reality and inspire psychological, interpersonal, and spiritual growth

* Scientific and Medical Network's Annual Book Prize for 2022

* Presents a complete catalog of coincidence patterns with numerous illustrative examples

* Defines the many uses and potential pitfalls of coincidences and highlights the situations in which they are most likely to occur

* Explores the range of explanations for coincidences, including the psychosphere as the medium through which many coincidences take place

Each of us has more to do with creating coincidences than we think. In this…


Book cover of The Secret Intelligence of Water: Macroscopic Evidence of Water Responding to Human Consciousness

Ruslana Remennikova Author Of Activating Our 12-Stranded DNA: Secrets of Dodecahedral DNA for Completing Our Human Evolution

From my list on soul humming in 12-part harmony.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am inspired and driven by a lifelong curiosity about the larger framework of complexities and interconnectedness of evolution and its impact on our environment. Since childhood, this fascination has fueled my science career and compelled me to explore various viewpoints on the subject. My aim is not merely to grasp the direction of evolution but to unveil aspects of its driving force, empowering us to become more aware of the diverse avenues available for personal development. I appreciate these books for their valuable insights, which contribute to demystifying our evolutionary path and enriching the importance of mindfulness, intention, and emotional awareness as key components of our growth.

Ruslana's book list on soul humming in 12-part harmony

Ruslana Remennikova Why did Ruslana love this book?

This book holds a prominent place on my most accessible shelf. Veda’s mesmerizing imagery, engaging descriptions, and exploration of knowledge on water-focused activities involving intention, vibration, and consciousness are truly thought-provoking.

I had the pleasure of participating in one of Veda’s workshops, where I experienced water readings through frozen crystallography firsthand. This technique greatly influenced my research and deepened my fascination with water. The underscoring idea that water holds wisdom and life-giving essences paves the way for a new frontier of knowledge and understanding in the future. 

By Veda Austin,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Secret Intelligence of Water as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Secret Intelligence of Water takes a quantum leap from the spring board of Masaru Emoto's microscopic work with ice crystals. Through macroscopic photography, and a groundbreaking new technique, researcher Veda Austin, allows us to view water as an intelligent force, with the power to respond to human consciousness in ways never before thought possible.

Focused on the stage between liquid and ice, Veda has spent the last eight years photographing water in a state of 'creation'. She uses influences such as words, thoughts, pictures or music pre freezing, and then captures water's liquid crystal response minutes later. For example,…


Book cover of Bottoming Out the Universe: Why There Is Something Rather than Nothing

Ruslana Remennikova Author Of Activating Our 12-Stranded DNA: Secrets of Dodecahedral DNA for Completing Our Human Evolution

From my list on soul humming in 12-part harmony.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am inspired and driven by a lifelong curiosity about the larger framework of complexities and interconnectedness of evolution and its impact on our environment. Since childhood, this fascination has fueled my science career and compelled me to explore various viewpoints on the subject. My aim is not merely to grasp the direction of evolution but to unveil aspects of its driving force, empowering us to become more aware of the diverse avenues available for personal development. I appreciate these books for their valuable insights, which contribute to demystifying our evolutionary path and enriching the importance of mindfulness, intention, and emotional awareness as key components of our growth.

Ruslana's book list on soul humming in 12-part harmony

Ruslana Remennikova Why did Ruslana love this book?

Choosing a favorite book by Richard Grossinger is incredibly challenging, given his extensive and remarkable body of work. As a prolific author, I adore Richard’s exceptional writing and gift of articulating the deepest feelings and mysteries many of us can merely feel. His passion and talent for exploring life’s greatest questions are truly inspiring.

I am captivated by this book’s enrapturing exploration of the universe’s endless riddles. His book, unique perspective, and wealth of knowledge make each of his writings a treasured piece in my collection. This book is no exception. For years to come, I will be fascinated by its thought-provoking topics on thought forms, paranormal phenomena, and reimagining the universe with a poetic and astute approach. 

By Richard Grossinger,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

An exploration into consciousness, the universe, and the nature of reality

* Draws on transdimensional physics and biology, reincarnation and past-life memories, animal consciousness, multiple identities, thoughtforms, soul pictures, and paranormal phenomena like crop circles and poltergeists

* Explores the riddle of personal identity and how it differs from consciousness

* Reveals that consciousness is more than encompassing all that exists--it also speaks to what has yet to manifest

Scientific orthodoxy views the universe as conceived of matter--protons, neutrons, electrons, down to the smallest particle, quarks. But, when you keep digging, what is "beneath" quarks? The scientific worldview does not…


Book cover of Sufism: An Introduction to the Mystical Tradition of Islam

Juan R.I. Cole Author Of Muhammad: Prophet of Peace Amid the Clash of Empires

From my list on Islam and Islamic history.

Why am I passionate about this?

My interest in Islam was kindled when I lived in Eritrea, East Africa as a teenager, and in my youth fell in love with the mystical Sufi tradition. I went on to live in the Muslim world for over a decade, making many dear friends whose kindness overwhelmed me. I studied the Qur’an in Cairo and exploring various corners of Muslim civilization, including in India. I have taught Islam and Middle East History for nearly 40 years at the University of Michigan and devoted myself to writing several books and many essays on Islam. For geopolitical reasons, the subject often gets a bad rap these days, but it is an impressive religion that produced a beautiful, intricate civilization. I hope you enjoy these books about it.

Juan's book list on Islam and Islamic history

Juan R.I. Cole Why did Juan love this book?

Ernst writes about the Muslim Sufi tradition for the general public with passion and verve, making sometimes complex ideas intimately accessible and conveying the excitement and passion of male and female Muslim seekers after union with their divine beloved. He covers Sufi forms of worship, the role of saints and intercession, and ecstatic poetry, dance, and song. It is a fascinating exploration of a widespread and essential Muslim spiritual tradition that contrasts with the sober, puritanical Salafi strain with which many readers may be more familiar.

By Carl W. Ernst,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

The classic introduction to the philosophies, practices, and history of Sufism, the mystical tradition of Islam

The Sufis are as diverse as the countries in which they've flourished—from Morocco to India to China—and as varied as their distinctive forms of art, music, poetry, and dance. They are said to represent the mystical heart of Islam, yet the term Sufism is notoriously difficult to define, as it means different things to different people both within and outside the tradition.
 
With that fact in mind, Carl Ernst explores the broadest range of Sufi philosophies and practices to provide one of the most…


Book cover of The Garden of Truth: The Vision and Promise of Sufism, Islam's Mystical Tradition

Mohammed Rustom Author Of The Essence of Reality: A Defense of Philosophical Sufism

From my list on Sufi philosophy.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a Professor of Islamic Thought and Global Philosophy at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. Perpetually drawn to ideas and concepts that seek to explain the underlying nature of things, I predictably read and write books on such topics as consciousness, self-awareness, mysticism, God, philosophy of religion, metaphysical poetry, and virtue ethics. The titles listed here are in my own area of expertise (Sufi philosophy). Intellectually rigorous and spiritually informed, they each represent perfect points of entry into Sufism, which is an ocean without a shore.  

Mohammed's book list on Sufi philosophy

Mohammed Rustom Why did Mohammed love this book?

Written for contemporary audiences by a living Sufi philosopher and world-renowned authority of comparative philosophy and mysticism, The Garden of Truth is a must-read for anyone who wants to have an understanding of, awaken to, and joyously live in the present moment. Unlike any book I’ve seen in English, this work explains how the Sufi path of liberation is all about realizing that one can only return to the present moment by proceeding from where we are in the here-and-now. Once we get There, we realize that Here is Now, since Now was always Here.

By Seyyed Hossein Nasr,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Garden of Truth as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Sufism has made significant contributions to the spread of Islam and the development of various aspects of Islamic civilisation. Many conservative Muslims disagree with many popular Sufi practices, particularly saint worship, the visiting of tombs, and the incorporation of non-Islamic customs. Consequently, in recent centuries Sufism has been a target for Islamic reformist and modernist movements. Nasr is the preeminent Sufi scholar in the U.S., and in the tradition of Martin Buber's I and Thou, here provides the beliefs and vision of the mystical heart of Islam. A gentle anitdote to the extremist Muslim fundamentalists who capture the headlines and…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Islam, mysticism, and music?

Islam 128 books
Mysticism 92 books
Music 727 books