A Complete Guide to Cynthia Bourgeault’s Books
- The Contemplative Society
- Sep 3
- 10 min read
Updated: Nov 20
Exploring the Heart of Christian Wisdom
For more than two decades, Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault has been one of the leading voices in the Christian Wisdom movement. Through her books, she invites readers into a deeper encounter with silence, prayer, and the transformative path of contemplative living. Whether you are new to Cynthia’s work or a long-time student, her writings open doorways into the rich lineage of Christian mysticism while also engaging in conversation with other great wisdom traditions. On this page, you’ll find a curated collection of her most essential books to support and inspire your journey.
Thomas Keating: The Making of a Modern Christian Mystic (2024)
Eye of the Heart: A Spiritual Journey into the Imaginal Realm (2020)
The Mystery of Death: Awakening to Eternal Life [Introduction and Commentary by Cynthia Bourgeault] (2020)
Gurdjieff Reconsidered: The Life, the Teachings, the Legacy [Forward by Cynthia Bourgeault] (2019)
How I Found God in Everyone and Everywhere: An Anthology of Spiritual Memoirs (2018)
The Heart of Centering Prayer: Nondual Christianity in Theory and Practice (2016)
Love is Stronger than Death: The Mystical Union of Two Souls (2014)
The Holy Trinity and the Law of Three: Discovering the Radical Truth at the Heart of Christianity (2013)
The Meaning of Mary Magdalene: Discovering the Woman at the Heart of Christianity (2010)
Holy Week Liturgies: From the Episcopal House of Prayer (2010)
The Wisdom Way of Knowing: Reclaiming An Ancient Tradition to Awaken the Heart (2009)
The Wisdom Jesus: Transforming Heart and Mind - A New Perspective on Christ and His Message (2008)
The Luminous Gospels: Thomas, Mary Magdalene, and Philip (2008)
Chanting the Psalms: A Practical Guide with Instructional CD (2006)
The Divine Feminine in Biblical Wisdom Literature: Selections Annotated & Explained [Forward by Cynthia Bourgeault] (2005)
Thomas Keating: The Making of a Modern Christian Mystic (2024)
Thomas Keating: The Making of a Modern Christian Mystic by Cynthia Bourgeault offers the first in-depth portrait of Thomas Keating’s late-life evolution into a modern contemplative mystic. Known for co-founding Centring Prayer and shaping a psychospiritual pathway that bridges psychology and Christian holiness, Keating continued to grow well beyond these contributions. Drawing on biography, personal encounters, and a close reading of his later writings, Bourgeault traces his journey from the “false self/true self” framework toward a radical embrace of “no self,” exploring his engagement with nondual practice, interspiritual dialogue, and the profound “dark night of spirit” that shaped his final years. Far from leaving Christianity behind, Keating carried it into new depths, modelling a path of mystical wholeness that speaks to seekers today.
The Corner of Fourth and Nondual: My Theology, 2 (2022)
The Corner of Fourth and Nondual by Cynthia Bourgeault offers a concise yet profound overview of her theological vision, written as part of the My Theology series. Inspired by Thomas Merton’s famous revelation at the corner of Fourth and Walnut, Bourgeault weaves together her contemplative practice with influences ranging from The Cloud of Unknowing to Teilhard de Chardin, Jacob Boehme, Bruno Barnhart, Thomas Keating, and G.I. Gurdjieff. At the heart of her theology is “seeing with the eye of the heart,” a cosmological vision grounded in Benedictine practice, the Incarnation, the Paschal Mystery, and the Trinity as the generative principle of creation. Accessible and deeply personal, this slim volume distills the essence of Bourgeault’s Christian Wisdom teaching.
Mystical Courage: Commentaries on Selected Contemplative Exercises by G.I. Gurdjieff, as Compiled by Joseph Azize (2021)
Mystical Courage by Cynthia Bourgeault was born in the midst of the global pandemic of 2020, when the world was thrust into uncertainty. Instead of turning to endless online activity, Bourgeault drew on a newly available set of Gurdjieff exercises, inviting her Wisdom School Community into six weeks of deep collective practice. The result was a stream of revelations weaving together the Gurdjieff tradition, Christian mysticism, and practical guidance for inner work. With wisdom and clarity, she offers a vision of “mystical courage”: a strength that arises beyond our own making and equips us to navigate both personal trials and global upheaval.
Eye of the Heart: A Spiritual Journey into the Imaginal Realm (2020)
Eye of the Heart by Cynthia Bourgeault opens a window into the imaginal realm—an energetic dimension recognized by mystical traditions but largely forgotten in modern times. Perceived not by the physical eye but by the “eye of the heart,” this realm encompasses dreams, prophecy, and vision, while also pointing to a higher, collective purpose for humanity. Blending personal experience with deep research, Bourgeault illuminates how the imaginal has shaped her own life and relationships, its role within Christian and other mystical traditions, and how its transformative energies shape both inner consciousness and outer events. With clarity and depth, she invites readers to awaken to the imaginal as a guiding force for the well-being of the world.
The Mystery of Death: Awakening to Eternal Life (2020) [Introduction and Commentary by Cynthia Bourgeault]
The Mystery of Death by Ladislaus Boros is a groundbreaking theological work exploring what happens at the moment of death. Boros argues that it is in death that we encounter Christ fully for the first time, attaining complete consciousness and freedom, and ultimately passing judgment on ourselves. This edition includes an introduction and commentary by Cynthia Bourgeault, who highlights Boros as a vital bridge to the radical theology of Teilhard de Chardin. Drawing on her own contemplative insight, Bourgeault situates Boros’s thought within the broader Christian Wisdom tradition, illuminating its enduring relevance for today.
Gurdjieff Reconsidered: The Life, the Teachings, the Legacy [Forward by Cynthia Bourgeault] (2019)
Gurdjieff Reconsidered by Roger Lipsey is a landmark study of the life and teachings of the Greek-Armenian spiritual master G.I. Gurdjieff. Drawing on a wide range of published and unpublished sources, Lipsey presents a balanced portrait of Gurdjieff’s travels, his “Fourth Way” teachings, his teaching institutions, movements, and music, as well as his lasting influence on students like P.D. Ouspensky and Jeanne de Salzmann. Published on the 70th anniversary of Gurdjieff’s death, the book offers both historical context and deep insight into his evolving role as a teacher. This edition features an extended foreword by Cynthia Bourgeault, introducing readers to Gurdjieff’s relevance within the wider contemplative landscape.
How I Found God in Everyone and Everywhere: An Anthology of Spiritual Memoirs (2018)
How I Found God in Everyone and Everywhere is a compelling anthology that explores the shift from viewing God as distant and external to experiencing the Divine as present within all things. Through personal reflections from leading spiritual voices—including Cynthia Bourgeault, Richard Rohr, Deepak Chopra, Matthew Fox, and others—the book introduces readers to the vision of panentheism, or the immanent God who is both within and beyond creation. Accessible and inspiring, it offers a map for seekers drawn to a spirituality of presence, interconnectedness, and deep belonging.
Love is the Answer. What is the Question? (2018)
Love Is the Answer. What Is the Question? (Special Edition, August 2018) is a vibrant collection of Cynthia Bourgeault’s reflections written in direct response to the tender and tumultuous times of 2016–2018. Published by the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC), the book sets the stage with Teilhard de Chardin’s vision of love as a “geophysical force” and Cynthia’s own transformative encounter at Tintern Abbey. From the practical and personal to the mystical and universal, she engages readers in a living conversation about how love can guide, ground, and inspire us in a world in flux.
The Heart of Centering Prayer: Nondual Christianity in Theory and Practice (2016)
Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening by Cynthia Bourgeault is a clear and compelling guide to one of the most transformative practices in the Christian contemplative tradition. Far from being just an act of piety or a Christianized version of Eastern meditation, Centering Prayer is a radical method of opening to God that shifts the mind into a new “operating system,” enabling nondual perception. Bourgeault offers a complete introduction to the practice, then deepens the journey with insights from The Cloud of Unknowing, one of the great classics of Christian mysticism. Both practical and profound, this book speaks to newcomers and seasoned practitioners alike, illuminating why Centering Prayer has become such a vital path for spiritual growth in our time.
Love is Stronger than Death: The Mystical Union of Two Souls (2014)
Love Is Stronger Than Death: The Mystical Union of Two Souls by Cynthia Bourgeault is a profound exploration of conscious love and the bonds that endure beyond death. It tells the story of her transformative relationship with Brother Raphael Robin, a 70-year-old Trappist hermit, which unfolded as a deep yet platonic union lasting until his death—and beyond. Part memoir, part spiritual guide, this book invites readers to consider love as a path of mystical transformation, capable of transcending the boundaries of time and mortality.
The Holy Trinity and the Law of Three: Discovering the Radical Truth at the Heart of Christianity (2013)
The Holy Trinity and the Law of Three by Cynthia Bourgeault reframes one of Christianity’s most familiar formulas (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) as a dynamic key to transformation. Far from a static doctrine, the Trinity emerges here as the “hidden driveshaft” of creation: an endlessly unfolding pattern of divine compassion expressed in the world. Drawing on insights from the Christian mystical tradition as well as the teachings of G. I. Gurdjieff and Jacob Boehme, Bourgeault reveals how the Trinity offers not only a fresh vision of Christian faith but also a practical path for healing, imagination, and the manifestation of divine love in our time.
The Meaning of Mary Magdalene: Discovering the Woman at the Heart of Christianity (2010)
The Meaning of Mary Magdalene by Cynthia Bourgeault reclaims one of Christianity’s most intriguing figures as a central voice for today. Moving beyond the few biblical references, Bourgeault weaves together scripture, tradition, legend, art, and newly discovered texts to reveal Mary Magdalene as Jesus’s closest disciple and the one who most fully grasped his nondual teaching. With clarity and conviction, she shows how Mary’s witness to the value of the feminine and to the path of conscious love can revitalize contemporary Christianity and inspire seekers of all backgrounds.
Holy Week Liturgies
From the Episcopal House of Prayer (2010)
The Holy Week Liturgies by Cynthia Bourgeault (with Ward Bauman and Darlene Franz) offers a fresh and contemplative reimagining of the sacred journey through Holy Week. Originally composed for retreat use at the Episcopal House of Prayer in 2010, this collection of chants, readings, rituals, and prayers has been republished as an 80-page downloadable PDF for individuals and groups alike. Born out of silence and deep prayer, the liturgies shift the focus from blame and heaviness toward a vision of Jesus’s voluntary offering as the alchemical completion of love and cosmic redemption. With themes of redemptive love, universal compassion, and a stronger presence of Mary Magdalene, these liturgies invite a more spacious, hope-filled experience of Holy Week.
The Wisdom Way of Knowing: Reclaiming An Ancient Tradition to Awaken the Heart (2009)
The Wisdom Way of Knowing by Cynthia Bourgeault is both a guidebook and a lived invitation into the path of Christian Wisdom. Drawing insight from diverse sources—including Sufism, Benedictine monasticism, the Gurdjieff Work, and even modern physics—Bourgeault offers a vision of the contemplative life that balances deep insight with practical spiritual practice. Praised by teachers across traditions for its clarity, depth, and accessibility, this book has become a trusted companion for those embarking on the interior journey and seeking a renewed experience of Christian spirituality.
The Wisdom Jesus: Transforming Heart and Mind
A New Perspective on Christ and His Message (2008)
The Wisdom Jesus by Cynthia Bourgeault invites readers to encounter Christ not only as savior but as a radical wisdom teacher whose path mirrors that of other great spiritual masters. Setting aside conventional assumptions, Bourgeault uncovers Jesus as a guide to the transformation of consciousness and shows how his teachings point toward a deeper way of seeing and being. Blending fresh insights into the Gospels with accessible contemplative practices, she offers a path for experiencing the living heart of Jesus’s message in daily life.
The Luminous Gospels: Thomas, Mary Magdalene, and Philip (2008)
The Luminous Gospels: Thomas, Mary Magdalene, and Philip by Lynn C. Bauman, Ward J. Bauman, and Cynthia Bourgeault brings together three early Christian texts that illuminate Jesus’s teachings as a living wisdom tradition rather than fixed dogma. Sparked by the discovery of the Nag Hammadi Library, these gospels open a window onto a luminous stream of early Christian insight, inviting readers into a way of knowing that is transformative, experiential, and profoundly hopeful: the true “good news.”
Chanting the Psalms
A Practical Guide with Instructional CD (2006)
Chanting the Psalms by Cynthia Bourgeault revives an ancient Christian practice and makes it accessible for today. Far from being reserved for monasteries, psalmody can enrich the prayer life of anyone—whether in liturgy, in groups, or in personal practice. Bourgeault offers both a history of psalm chanting and practical instruction, guiding readers (and listeners, through the accompanying audio) with simple techniques and easy-to-learn melodies. With warmth and encouragement, she shows that chanting is available to everyone, even those who doubt their musical ability, opening a doorway into deeper contemplative prayer.
The Divine Feminine in Biblical Wisdom Literature:
Selections Annotated & Explained [Forward by Cynthia Bourgeault] (2005)
The first of God's creations and God’s endless delight, Wisdom (also known as Chochma and Sophia) is the Mother of all life, the guide to right living. She is God manifest in the world you encounter moment to moment. Her teachings, embedded in the Holy Scriptures of Jews and Christians, are passionate, powerful calls to live in harmony, love with integrity and act joyously.
Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening (2004)
Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening by Cynthia Bourgeault is a comprehensive guide to one of today’s most vital contemplative practices. More than an introduction, it situates Centering Prayer within the classic Christian tradition, highlights its unique method, and explores its revolutionary potential to transform Christian life. Bourgeault also calls for deeper dialogue between practitioners and the wider Church, envisioning a renewed spiritual landscape shaped by this powerful path of prayer.
Mystical Hope: Trusting in the Mercy of God (2001)
Mystical Hope: Trusting in the Mercy of God by Cynthia Bourgeault invites readers to discover hope not as a fleeting emotion or distant promise, but as a steady, living presence at the core of our being. In five interwoven meditations, she explores where this hope comes from, how it is deepened through prayer, and how it can flow outward into the world as strength and renewal. Both practical and profound, this book offers a fresh vision of hope as the very ground of the contemplative life.
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