The Alliance for Lucid Living is a community of individuals from different spiritual traditions who come together to explore their overhwleming sense of awe at the mystery of existence.
Simon Parke was a priest in the Church of England for 20 years, but now works in a supermarket, where he stacks shelves, works on the till and is Chair of the shop union. His writings are contemplative, direct and, sometimes, very challenging.
Timothy Freke has an honours degree in philosophy and is an internationally respected authority on world mysticism. He has written books radically challenging the accepted historical account of the roots of Christianity. But also, more importantly for me, he writes and teaches beautifully about awakened (contemplative) consciousness. This is only possible from direct, personal experience.
Eckhart Tolle - the teacher who has most influenced me.
Father John Main was a Benedictine monk who taught about the use of the mantra (a word or short phrase slowly repeated in prayer to focus the mind) in the Christian tradition. His ideas have been carried forward by the World Community for Christian Meditation
The writings of Father Thomas Keating on prayer are inspiring. In particular, his advocacy of the method called Centering Prayer has helped many people.
Andrew Cohen is a teacher of spiritual enlightenment rooted in the Eastern tradition. Inspiring, provocative and uncompromising.
"A Course in Miracles" is an astonishing book. It is a radical reinterpretation of the Christian story and theology. It presents the spiritual path as an inner journey, through which one's perception of the world is fundamentally transformed. There are many websites devoted to this teaching. A couple of good ones are The Circle for Atonement (US) and The Miracle Network (UK).
Oriah Mountain Dreamer is best known for her poem "The Invitation". Her writings are a deep contemplation on life, rooted in devastating self-honesty, inspired by Native American spirituality.
Kent Neburn is also influenced by the Native American culture. His book "Small Graces: The Quiet Gifts of Everyday Life" is a wonderful evocation of the beauty and wisdom to be found in the depths of the seemingly mundane.
Theravada Buddhism has influenced me deeply, in particular the writings of Ajhan Sumedho.
Gangaji is, like Andrew Cohen, a teacher of spiritual enlightment rooted in the Eastern tradition - indeed, they had the same guru. Her teaching is more gentle, but no less inspiring.
Buddhist Christian Vedanta Network - The Buddhist Christian Network was formed in 1999 by Elizabeth West. The aim of the network is to provide a link between the many people who are interested in the teaching and practice of meditation as taught in Buddhism and Christianity.