The topics covered in this book can be complex. It is therefore beneficial to do some further reading in order to fully understand their importance and how they affect our lives. The following list attempts to condense as much knowledge as possible into as few books as possible, favouring works of a synthetic nature that give a clear overview of the big picture.

Books in italic are considered essential reading.

A clear and direct analysis of the problems of the modern world, their spiritual roots, consequences and implications for the future:

• The Reign of Quantity and the Signs of the Times. René Guénon.

• Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future. Fr. Seraphim Rose.

• Nihilism: The Root of the Revolution of the Modern Age. Fr. Seraphim Rose.

Small set of books acting as guidelines on how to implement the esoteric and arcane teachings of Alice Bailey (Theosophy) into every aspect of society (e.g., religion, government, education):

• Service of the Plan Study Course. Arcane School. Lucis Trust/Alice Bailey.

Traditional symbolism and its metaphysical meaning:

• Symbols of Sacred Science. René Guénon.

• Rites and Symbols of Initiation: The Mysteries of Birth and Rebirth. Mircea Eliade.

A good introduction and summary of Jungian psychology, very prevalent in modern popular culture:

• Man and His Symbols. Carl Gustav Jung.

In depth overview of the key metaphysical principles of Hinduism (especially of Panentheism). A fantastic introduction to the main doctrines of Traditionalism/Perennialism and, in general, to the doctrines of the One:

• Introduction to the Study of the Hindu Doctrines. René Guénon.

• Man and His Becoming according to the Vedanta. René Guénon.

A key work to understand the importance of the problem of the One and the Many, including its metaphysical meaning and historical consequences:

• The One and the Many: Studies in the Philosophy of Order and Ultimacy. Rousas John Rushdoony.

A key work to understand the importance of dialectical thinking, how it shaped history, and the metaphysical implications of its introduction in Christianity by the Roman Catholic doctrine of the Filioque:

• God, history and dialectic (Vol I-II). Joseph P. Farrell.

Important Freemasonic “textbook”, analysing the symbolism and metaphysical teachings of the key worldviews that influenced it the most:

• The Secret Teachings of All Ages: An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic and Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy. Manly P. Hall.

Theoretical aspects and metaphysical background behind Western Esotericism:

• The Doctrine and Ritual of High Magic. Éliphas Lévi.

Patterns in ancient mythological and religious beliefs, pointing at the similar worldview behind most of them:

• Patterns in Comparative Religion. Mircea Eliade.

Practical aspects and history of Western Esotericism, explained by a knowledgeable insider:

• The History of Magic. Éliphas Lévi.

Important works that study the subjective experiences of mystics of different traditions, how they interpret them and what that means for our understanding of their underlying worldviews:

• Mysticism Sacred and Profane. R.C. Zaehner.

• Hindu and Muslim Mysticism. R. C. Zaehner.

GNOSTICISM. The main source and template of symbolic popular culture narratives:

• The Gnostic Religion. Hans Jonas.

• Nag Hammadi Library. James M. Robinson et al.

KABBALAH. Jewish mysticism. Its origins, main doctrines and practical aspects, as well as their similarities with other esoteric traditions:

• Kabbalah. Gershom Scholem.

• Universal Meaning of the Kabbalah. Leo Schaya.

• Meditation and Kabbalah. Aryeh Kaplan.

HERMETICISM. One of the most important sources of Western Esotericism:

• Hermetica: The Greek Corpus Hermeticum and the Latin Asclepius in a New English Translation. Brian P. Copenhaver.

The influence of Hermeticism in Hegel´s, supposedly “Christian”, worldview. Including its relationship with modern Freemasonry:

• Hegel and the Hermetic Tradition. Glenn Alexander Magee.

ALCHEMY. A visual tour through Western Alchemy´s main symbols and tenets:

• Alchemy & Mysticism. Alexander Roob.

NEO-PLATONISM. The metaphysical teachings behind one of the most important doctrines of the One, as explained by the master (Plotinus) and the best systematiser (Proclus):

• All From One: A Guide to Proclus. Pieter d’ Hoine and Marije Martijn.

• Plotinus: The Enneads. Lloyd P. Gerson, George Boys-Stones, et al.

THEISTIC AND NON-THEISTIC HINDUISM. Comparison between theistic and non-theistic forms of Hinduism, the latter being the version of Hinduism imported by the West almost exclusively, while the former is the predominant one in India:

• Advaita And Visistadvaita. S.M. Srinivasachari.

ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY. Introduction to Orthodox Christianity and its similarities and differences with other worldviews, including other Christian denominations:

• Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy: Finding the Way to Christ in a Complicated Religious Landscape. Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick.

Introduction to Orthodox Christianity, similarities and differences compared to Protestantism:

• Rock and Sand: An Orthodox Appraisal of the Protestant Reformers and Their Teachings. Fr. Josiah Trenham.

An introduction through concise but precise and in-depth theological works:

• The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church. Vladimir Lossky.

• Orthodox Theology: An Introduction. Vladimir Lossky.

• In the Image and Likeness of God. Vladimir Lossky.

• Religion of the Apostles: Orthodox Christianity in the First Century. Fr. Stephen De Young.

― ORTHOPRAXIS. An explanation and introduction, as well as a practical manual, to Christian practical life and how to better ourselves through mastering our passions:

• Therapy of Spiritual Illnesses (Vol. I-III). Jean-Claude Larchet.¹If it is read with the intention of putting it into practice, it is recommended to follow the advice of an experienced spiritual father.

― THE HOLY BIBLE. Annotated for a better understanding.

• Orthodox Study Bible (including Old and New Testament).

1. If this book is read with the intention of putting it into practice, it is recommended to follow the advice of an experienced spiritual father (e.g., a confessor priest or a monk).