Belief Without Borders by Linda A. Mercadante is far and away the best assessment of the "Spiritual But Not Religious" movement, a.k.a. the Spiritually Independents. Mercadante spent five years interviewing people about their views on the sacred, human nature, community, and the afterlife, and she was able to identify common themes in their perspectives.

Beyond Religion by David N. Elkins analyzes the movement away from religion to spirituality over the past 30 years. Elkins covers eight alternative paths to the sacred: the feminine, the arts, the body, psychology, mythology, nature, relationships, and dark nights of the soul.

Emerging Heart by Beverly Lanzetta offers a bold and adventuresome vision of a new global spirituality that is mystical, nonviolent, compassionate, and heart-centered. This vision blends mystical insights with interfaith and feminist perspectives, contemplative practice, and a keen appreciation of the heart's response to a battered and brutal world of injustice, environmental destruction, and violence.

Essential Spirituality by Roger Walsh is the capstone of 23 years of research in and practice of the world's spiritual disciplines. Walsh outlines seven perennial practices — from transforming your motivation to expressing spirit in action — and offers exercises for applying these principles to all arenas of life.

Keeping the Faith Without a Religion by Roger Housden portrays the knowing heart as the core of a secular spirituality. Ten themes provide a foundation for this faith, including a humble acceptance of the Mystery of life and the universe, an embrace of darkness, and a reveling in beauty as "one of the saving graces of being alive."

A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle challenges us to dare to live in the present moment and thereby to transform our consciousness and live in the "joy of Being." Tolle encourages us to travel light: without inner baggage and identification with things, mental concepts, or addictions.

Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent by Rami Shapiro sheds light on the group of spiritual seekers who now comprise 20 percent of the American population. The author shares five core questions which can serve as a starting point for these "seekers without borders " and others who want to explore the wisdom of the ages.

The Power of the New Spirituality by William Bloom, a leader in the mind-body-spirit field in England, defines three key behaviors — connection, reflection, and service — which are present in all traditions and approaches to spirituality. He celebrates spirituality as life's "extra dimension" expressed through values, practices, grand narrative, and wild possibilities.

Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul by Deepak Chopra encourages us to reinvent the body through a more rigorous and expansive connection with our souls. With élan and a deep appreciation for the bounties of the soul, Chopra shows the new possibilities that await us when we remain centered, clear, expectant, and watchful.

A Religion of One's Own by Thomas Moore challenges both spiritual seekers and traditional religious people to create their own personal religion grounded in "an intelligent, openhearted approach to life." Moore shares his own ways of doing this, along with his thoughts about intuition, magic, soul, spirit, and many other subjects.

Spiritual Liberation by Michael Bernard Beckwith is a rousing primer on the path of spiritual maturity and the accompanying practices. It explores how to avoid the myth of perfection, identify who you really are, and spiritualize your livelihood. Each chapter in the book contains both an affirmation and an embodiment practice.

Your Soul's Compass by Joan Borysenko and Gordon Dveirin maps an interspiritual path of wisdom and compassion with insights from 27 spiritual teachers, including Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Rabbi Rami Shapiro, Reverend Cynthia Bourgeault, Father Thomas Keating, and Sheikh Kabir Helminski.