library bibliographies

"Physical embodiment has the purpose of Divine Enlightenment."

—Avatar Avatar Adi Da Samraj
from The Scale of the Very Small

Recommended Biographies

Biographies of Spiritual Practitioners

I Am Happiness
A Rendering for Children of the Spiritual Adventure of Master Da Free John (Avatar Adi Da)
Daji Bodha and Lynne Closser
Age level: 3 to 12

The Dawn Horse Press
ISBN: 0-913922-68-4

An excellent rendering of Avatar Adi Da’s biography The Knee of Listening for children, with clear language, spiritual depth, and plenty of photographs and drawings.

The Magnificent Trickster
Molly MacGregor
Age level: 8 to 14

The life of Milarepa, a renowned Buddhist practitioner of 11th century Tibet, retold for children. Milarepa’s life-story is perfect for young readers because it is humorous, fast-paced, and filled with magic and surprises.

5-3/4" x 8-3/4", paperback
66 pages, 16 black and white illustrations

The Dawn Horse Press
ISBN: 0-929929012

Buy this book from the Dawn Horse Press

The Divine Madman
The Sublime Life and Songs of Drukpa Kunley
Keith Bowman
Age level: 14 to adult

The Dawn Horse Press
ISBN: 0-913922-75-7

The life of Tibetan Buddist “Crazy Wise” teacher and monk Drukpa Kunley, who followed the path of Tantra, or the realization of Bliss in the union of opposites. Kunley used desire, emotion and sexuality to grant his devotees insight, which makes this book both interesting and relevant for teenagers.

I loved this book when I was fourteen. It felt true to me, in that its basic lesson was to embrace life and find the Divine in every moment, and I was very into life myself; passionate about art, politics and my social world.

Sai Baba of Shirdi
Sonavi Desai

Indus Source Books

A superbly written book on the life and teachings of Sai Baba of Shirdi, this book is clear and full of details that help readers imagine the scene. Laxmi, one of his closest devotees, narrates the stories, which are factually correct but enriched by fictional details.

Written with children and young adults in mind, this book is highly recommended.

Visit the publisher to read reviews and click to buy this book.

The Buddha
Supriya Rai
Ages 10 to adult

Indus Source Books

Three men narrate the story of the Buddha's life; Ananda, a cousin and disciple of the Master (and eventually his attendant), a fictional character called Triguna, and, most winningly, his son and disciple, Rahula. As the book progresses we see each disciple grow in understanding and devotion.

The child Rahula tells an honest and winning account that is serious, funny, and highly accessible to children.

Visit the publisher to read reviews and click to buy this book.

The Dalai Lama: with a Foreword by His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Demi
Ages 9 to 12

Margaret K. McElderry (2001)
ISBN: 0689841493

In simple language and glorious art, Demi pays tribute to the fourteenth Dalai Lama's remarkable life. She depicts the beauty of Tibetan culture and gives a good sense of the Dalai Lama’s spiritual and humanitarian vision and Teachings.

Exquisite illustrations attract young readers and the story is clear, simple, ad meaningful. Where the takeover by Chinese Communist forces is concerned, you may need to fill your child in on some of the political background.

The Chasm of Fire
Irina Tweedie
Age level: 14 to adult

Element Books
ISBN: 0-906540-01-1

Irina Tweedie’s diary account of her sadhana in relationship to her Sufi teacher is inspiring and real and grants an excellent sense of both the bliss and the tapas (heat of purification) experienced during the ordeal of spiritual liberation.

Bhagawan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri
Swami Muktananda Paramahamsa
Ages 14 to adult

SYDA Foundation
ISBN: 0-911307-45-1

Swami Muktananda’s book on the life and teachings of his beloved Guru, Bhagawan Nityananda is written simply and clearly and is an inspiring example of the love between the Guru and his devotee.

The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge
Carlos Castaneda
Ages 14 to adult

There are many printings of this book, and it is not hard to find, second hand or new. One publisher is:
Washington Square Press; Reissue edition
ISBN: 067-1600419

Carlos Castaneda tells of his meeting with shaman Don Juan, who becomes his teacher, and of all that he learns about “the way of the warrior”. He describes don Juan's perception and mastery of "non- ordinary reality" and how peyote and other plants sacred to the Mexican Indians may be used as gateways to the etheric realms.

A fantastic introduction to the realms beyond the physical, for third stagers, this book is the first in a series of eleven books on the teachings of Don Juan and his student. As young devotees of Adi Da, my brother and I were inspired greatly by these books, which suggest that even materialistic and scientific Westerners (like Castaneda was at first) may learn to live consciously and connect with the Mystery beyond the physical realm. On a cautionary note, reading the books makes you extremely aware of spirits, entities and other psychic phenomena, and young people may need to be guided to deal with this (I speak from experience).

If you are interested it is worth reading the remaining titles about Castaneda’s apprenticeship with Don Juan. They are (in order):
A Separate Reality: Further Conversations With Don Juan
Journey to Ixtlan
Tales of Power

Inspirational Biographies

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Anne Frank
Age level: 12 to 17

Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 0-671-54683-X

Taken from an original diary written by fifteen year old Anne Frank, a Dutch Jew in hiding with her family during the German occupation of Holland between 1942 and 1944, this book is a moving and real account of war, the holocaust, and “man’s inhumanity to man”. Anne responds to the reality and horror of her experience by passionately feeling everything she can.

This list is a work-in-progress. Do check back!
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