The Universal Gnostic Church: Recommended Reading

Back in John Gilbert's time, the Universal Gnostic Church always had a recommended reading list posted on its website, which was edited from time to time. I've done a little editing and updating of my own, but the books below include most of the titles that John recommended to UGC members and other interested people.  If you're studying the Gnostic Lessons, if you're interested in the Order of the Universal Monk or the Order of the Universal Nun, and especially if you feel a call to the priesthood or priestesshood of the UGC, books from the list below would be worth adding to your bookshelf (or electronic equivalent).

I am interested in expanding this list, within reason. If there's a book you'd like to recommend -- especially if it's in the field of mysticism, which is not my strong suit -- please post a comment explaining why you think it should be included. Books available for free download will get preference, as inflation is making life difficult for so many people.

Please note that this is the last post on the UGC I will be putting up before mid-September. It is not the last post in the sequence, however. I need to make some arrangements and set up some things online before I proceed. There has been enough interest expressed by readers of my blogs and books, and students of the various UGC-related traditions, that I'm going to go ahead with the process of making training for ordination in the UGC available. Stay tuned for the details -- and in the meantime, you know what to do. (Hint:  Practice!)
( Read more... )