THE SUPREME SELF: The Way to Enlightenment (A biographical recounting of my own religious experience and a comparison with the similar findings of various mystics, psychologists and physicists), published by Atma Books in 1984, and reissued in the Spring of 2006 by O Books of London.

HISTORY OF MYSTICISM: The Unchanging Testament. ( A comprehensive treatment of world mysticism from pre-history to the present), published by Atma Books in 1987, 1992, 1997, 2000; republished by Watkins Publishing of London in 2002.  Presently available as a free eBook (Please see my Book Catalog page).

JNANESHVAR: The Life and Works of the Celebrated 13^th Century Indian Mystic-Poet  (A biography and translation of the works of a Maharashtran poet-saint of the 13^th century), published by Atma Books in 1989, and republished in 2000 by Indian Books Centre, Delhi, India.  Presently available only as a FREE eBook (see my Book Catalog page).

THE WISDOM OF VEDANTA  (A collection of thirty-five Lectures given by me at various times over the years on the philosophy of Non-Dual Vedanta), published by Atma Books in 1991, and republished in July of 2006 by O Books of London.

THOMAS Á KEMPIS: On The Love of God (A modernized version of a 15^th century translation of The Imitation of Christ), published by Atma Books in 1992, and reprinted by Watkins Publishing of London in 2004.

DATTATREYA’S SONG OF THE AVADHUT  (A verse translation of Avadhut Gita, a classic Sanskrit text on the identity of the Self), published by Atma Books in 1992.  Presently available only as a FREE eBook (see my Book Catalog page).

THE ORIGIN OF WESTERN MYSTICISM: Selections From The Writings of Plotinus  (A study and anthology of the writings of the 3^rd century Roman founder of Neo-Platonism), published by Atma Books in 2000.  Presently available only as a FREE eBook (see my Book Catalog page).

MYSTICISM AND SCIENCE: A Call for Reconciliation (A proposal for the inclusion of both gnosis and science as complementary aspects in a broader definition of “knowledge”.), recently published in April, 2007 by O Books of London, and currently available at amazon.com.

Let me tell you a bit about my most popular book,

History of Mysticism:

 History of Mysticism, has received numerous honors and glowing reviews; it was featured as a Quality Paperback Book Club and One Spirit Book Club selection in 1997-1998, and it has been adopted as a textbook in a number of undergraduate and graduate university courses around the country, including at the University of Southern California, Cal State University at San Bernadino (“History of Spirituality,” Dr. Lanny Fields, Dept. of History), Ernest Holmes College (Church of Religious Science) in Los Angeles, Montclair University in New Jersey, Webster University in St. Louis, and it continues to this day to serve as a text at the University of Illinois at Chicago (Dr. Neal Grossman, Philosophy Dept.).  In 2001 the rights to all my titles were sold to Watkins Publishing of London, and they republished my History in a new edition in July, 2002. 

Unsolicited Expressions of Appreciation for History Of Mysticism,

From Letters to its author, Swami Abhayananda:

·           “I love your History Of Mysticism.  It is a passionate, poetic, and powerful work.  I hope it does very well.  Destined to be a classic!”

─ Greg Bogart

Richmond, California

·           “. . . You have combined serious scholarship with a very engaging style of writing, which makes your book both interesting and easy to read.  Congratulations on treating such an important subject in a way which makes it accessible to the masses.”

─ John W. White

Cheshire, Connecticut

·          “History Of Mysticism is a masterpiece for the ages.”

─ Steven H. Brown

Ellsworth, Maine

·           “The essentials of the writings of the mystics have been distilled very precisely in your book which should be a must ‘core’ reading for anyone interested in this subject.  For me it has been a sort of reference book as the materials covered are simply not available in this country and one would perhaps spend countless hours fruitlessly in search for them.”

─ Palil Roy, M.D.

Nashville, Tennessee

·           “Your book, History of Mysticism, is the best on the subject that I have ever read.”

─ Elise Hafiz

Naples, Florida

·           “It was a pleasure and delight to read your book, History Of Mysticism.  I plan to read it again a few more times.”

─ Ted Pitsis

Los Angeles, California

·           “I think your book is beautiful.  You write with such eloquence.  You have a gift for blending ideas that seem paradoxical into words that are clear and straightforward.  Thank you for writing your book.  It’s been a great help to me as well as a joy to read.”

─ Cindy A. Roode

Franklin, Pennsylvania

·           “When I started reading your book, History Of Mysticism, I was so excited because it had so many lovers of God in one book.  I marveled at the beautiful and simple way you explained things.  . . . I wish I could explain the bond I feel for you; it’s like finding a lost brother or sister after many years of looking.”

─ Lisa Weddle

Camarillo, California

·           “Your book, History Of Mysticism, is one of the most enjoyable books on mysticism that I have ever read.  Your illumined commentary adds the air of loving intimacy and clarity, making it much more than just a history book.  It will continue to be cherished and appreciated.”

─ Jim Bryant

Bay Point, California

·           “I am writing to thank you for having written History Of Mysticism.  You elucidated the concept of God so clearly, that I feel all I am lacking is the benefit of the actual mystical experience.  . . . I remain humbly grateful for the exquisite insight you have so lucidly provided.”

─ Nancy Loret de Mola

Dallas, Texas

·           “Thank you for your monumental work, History Of Mysticism.  It has to be one of the most important books ever written.  . . . Thank you for this wonderful book.”

─ Murray Cohen

Dryden, New York

·           “Allow me to tell you how much I appreciate your book, History Of Mysticism.  It has offered me wisdom and given me strength to keep on the path.”

─ Kelly Zimmerman

Amherst, New York

·           “I want to thank you for writing History Of Mysticism.  It’s a wonderful book that many people will benefit from reading.  . . . Although I read it cover to cover, I still pick it up and read a random section for inspiration.  . . . The legacy you have left us in your History will touch people through generations.  Thank you.”

─ Rick Wedge

Richmond, Ontario

·           “I want to thank you for writing your wonderful book, History Of Mysticism.  I feel I was directed to it by the grace of God.  It was just what I needed at the right time.  Thank you for writing such a wonderful and enlightening book.”

─ Gilbert Everett

Only, Tennessee

·           “I just finished reading your History Of Mysticism, the first book I’ve found that gives a complete overview of the [mystical] teachings, East and West, clearly and compassionately.  . . . Thank you for this inspired book.”

─ Paul Frazier

Cold Brook, New York

·           “For years I have been a member of Book of the Month Club, . . . and suddenly there appeared History Of Mysticism.  . . . When it arrived it looked more interesting than I expected it to, and I started reading.  . . . I read, underlined, spent a lot of time crying tears of unbridled emotion, and often heard myself exclaiming, ‘Oh, THAT’s what it means!’  Whatta book.  Without question, it had to be written from Divine Inspiration and assistance.  . . . How can I tell you how magnificent your book is?  . . . Were I to be stuck on a deserted island, the only book I would need is History Of Mysticism.  I am so grateful the Universe put a copy of it in my hands.”

─ Ann Tomcho

Akron, Michigan

“your book, History of Mysticism, has brought me much joy…..

this joy is the cry of night to day, the loosening of deep

fountainheads, the roar of the sleeper awakening……

your book is providing a much needed resonating echo…..i have read

enough to recognize the marks of a master…..the giants stand on your shoulders….

the joy I find in your book is unity rejoicing to find news of unity experienced,

like a hunter finding the tracks of the prey.

I had to reply and assure you the joy over your book is the same joy your

book tells about, the unchanging testament is alive and well.

my gratitude towards you is infinite.

and after me, and after you

your book shall give joy.”

                                                                                    Ted Johnson (taj)

"This is a note of appreciation for the book titled History of Mysticism.  What a beautiful tapestry of the subject.  I've never read anything like it with such heartfelt explanations and superb researched detail.  I wanted to thank you for writing this book.  It was one for me to read."

                                                                 --email from Thomas

About a week ago, I was browsing around in a used book store and bought a copy of your HISTORY OF MYSTICISM.  I have read many good books on Mysticism, but HISTORY is indeed something special.  A wise old friend of mine once told me that here were people who had the gift of "transmitting Spirit onto paper" when they wrote.  I do believe that you are one of those who has been blessed with that gift.

Thank you for coming into my life.  I will share your teachings with others.

                                                     -- email from Jim

____________________________________________________________

About The Supreme Self

The Preface to The Supreme Self:

     This book was first written in 1983, but over the years I have made a number of additions and revisions.  This edition of The Supreme Self is therefore the fruit of many soul-searching atempts to explain the mystical expeience as it occurred for me, and to clarify as best I can its implications for a consistent religious worldview.  Though the conventional modern reader may be unfamiliar with the mystical experience and its implications, there is a long history of mystical convention that can be found at the core of nearly every religious tradition.  And though my experience and my views may seem radically at odds with modern convention, I believe that they fall very comfortably within the esoteric, but historically universal, mystical convention.

     Mystical experience, that reveals the nature of the Self and the universe, does not occur to everyone, it seems; and so, it is an unfamiliar subject to many.  And, while such experience can be described, it cannot be adequately conveyed except to those who are intuitively receptive to the notion of the divinity of the soul.  For the mystical experience is the direct revelation of that divinity.  It is an inner revelation of Grace that puts the soul in direct contact with the transcendent Reality.  The advanced student of philosophy will recognize the existence of such experience from the writings of Plotinus, Meister Eckhart, St. John of the Cross, and many other "mystics" (Please see my History of Mysticism).  However, for the many who have not studied the writings of the famous mystics throughout history, such an experience may be a completely foreign concept.

     In the ancient religious traditions of India, and especially in the Upanishads, such an experience is widely recognized.  It is described as "the realization of the paramatman, or Supreme Self."  The divine Reality is not referred to as "God", or "Brahman", but as "the Supreme Self", because, in the mystical experience, one expeiences the Divinity as one's Self.  There is a uniting of the soul and God, so that soul no longer sees as soul, but sees as the eternal God, and knows that Divine to be the true Self it has always been.  It knows its own deathless reality, beyond the illusory personality it had previously identified with.  And ever thereafter it bears with it the unassailable certainty of its eternal and unlimited Identity.

     Though this book is essentially the story of one man who, drawn by grace to the love of God, followed his heart and obtained the illumination he sought, it contains as well the reflections on the Self accumulated over a lifetime, aided by a wide variety of sources: mystics, philosophers, scientists, astrologers, and saints.  And, while I have cited these many resources, it is my own subjective experience of the Self which is the core and foundation of my certainty, and the impetus for my effort to communicate it.  It is my greatest hope that, for some few at least, this book will open a door of understanding through which a ray of light may shine upon the eternal verities.

                                                                   Swami Abhayananda

And here are some reviews of

The Supreme Self

"If I had only one word with which to describe The Supreme Self by Swami Abhayananda it would be 'a gem.'  It is a single gem with many facets--so many books between two covers.  It is the story of one man's spiritual quest... But it is more than a spiritual autobiography.  It is also a textbook that outlines the inherent unity of all spiritual systems, from ancient India and China, Buddhism, and the Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, including Gnosticism.  The prose is simple, bordering on sheer poetry.  It is a book meant to be read by oneself by a fireside; it is a book to be read aloud with a class of inquiring Seekers.  The same simple prose grapples with seemingly complex concepts and pins them to the ground. ...I can think of no better book to put in the hands of the serious spiritual Seeker."

                                                                    Phillip Miller

"The Supreme Self is a very authentic book by a very authentic man.  It is not only a personal testament on the importance of pursuing your highest spiritual path with absolute dedication and intent, but it is also a wonderful synopsis of mystical religions and their numinous goals.  Swami Abhayananda is a true teacher."

                                                                     Jack Haas,

                                                                     for The Spiritual Bookstore,

                                                                     Vancouver, Canada

Announcement of my most recently published book,

MYSTICISM AND SCIENCE: A Call for Reconciliation: