TAT Books
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TAT Foundation Press books
Richard Rose books
Recommended books
We are seemingly born on an incoming tide and die with its outflow. What is the purpose of life? Of your life? Of death? What will bring lasting happiness or contentment? What will cure the ache in your heart? Is there a soul, a God, or anything other than this world of carnage and compassion? Let your journey begin, continue, and end with these books.
TAT Foundation Press
Essential books for the spiritual seeker.
Passages: An Introduction and Commentary on Richard Rose’s Albigen System
New! by Mike Gegenheimer and Shawn Nevins
Richard Rose said, "My life isn't about philosophy. It's an experiential story of discovery." Rose's Albigen System was his grand work of translating that story into actionable steps for spiritual realization.
Passages grew out of an earlier collection of passages from Richard Rose’s writing that specifically discussed methods and techniques in the quest for self-realization, awakening, enlightenment. Richard Rose (1917-2005) was one of the most profound and unusual spiritual teachers America has ever produced. Yet, a concise but thorough introduction to his system for spiritual attainment has been missing until now.
As an introduction to the work of Rose, Passages highlights the tools and techniques for self-realization that Rose recommended. It is a concise yet deep plunge into these valuable spiritual teachings.
The book chapters outline the major themes of Richard Rose’s spiritual teaching, quoted and footnoted to facilitate locating the source. Following these extracts are brief commentaries to give context for those less familiar with Rose or approaching his work for the first time.
Order Passages: An Introduction and Commentary on Richard Rose’s Albigen System (softcover) at Amazon.com
Always Right Behind You: Parables & Poems of Love & Completion
by Anima Pundeer and Arthur R. Ticknor [Read more]
Enlightenment is the realization of who you are. There are no questions or doubts left that require assurance or proof.
Looking for love is a path to spiritual completion, and looking for completion is a path to love. The authors chronicle their paths to ultimate wholeness of being and unconditional love with stories in prose and verse. The spiritual cultures of East and West meet and mingle here with these two great friends, one a descendant of Rajput warriors, the other of Plymouth Colony settlers. There is a path to Truth, beyond true and false, to Reality beyond real and virtual, to Self beyond self and other.
Always Right Behind You carries a compelling and inspirational message that evokes the seriousness a spiritual path deserves and requires, and leads the reader’s attention in the only direction where real truth and self-realization can be found—inward.
Sense of Self: The Source of All Existential Suffering? by Art Ticknor [Read more]
Art Ticknor was a long-time student of Richard Rose and is a frequent presenter at TAT Foundation events. Sense of Self is a collection of written exchanges with students, along with poems, aphorisms and short essays. Like all of Art’s books, this one will both provoke and inspire you to look within in search of the nature of the self. “Go back to basics,” Art says, “Simplify. Really simplify. One thing.”
Hydroglyphics: Reflections on the Sacred by Shawn Nevins (poetry) and Phaedra Greenwood (photographs) [Read more]
In this second collection of spiritual poetry and photography from the TAT Foundation Press, Shawn Nevins teams with Taos, New Mexico-based photographer Phaedra Greenwood to present a breathtaking volume that immerses the reader in the sacred, reflective spaces of water.
Falling For Truth: A Spiritual Death And Awakening by Howdie Mickoski [read more]
"...you can't hide from a part of reality just because you may not like it." In this wide-ranging spiritual journey, Howdie Mickoski weaves together Zen, Shamanism, Nonduality, Advaita, Gnostic Christianity, Alchemy, Ancient Egypt, Hollywood films, and the teachings of Richard Rose to tell a story of spiritual awakening with a message for all. Full of practical details as well as wisdom gained from the realities of daily living. Howdie's story is an engaging and surprising read.
Howdie Mickoski's Falling For Truth: A Spiritual Death And Awakening is now available from TAT Foundation Press.
Awake at the Wheel: Norio Kushi's Highway Adventures and the Unmasking of the Phantom Self by Stephen Earle [read more]
Stephen Earle's Awake at the Wheel: Norio Kushi's Highway Adventures and the Unmasking of the Phantom Self is now available from TAT Foundation Press.
Subtraction: The Simple Math of Enlightenment by Shawn Nevins [read more]
From fasting to falling in love, teaching kids to 30-day solitary retreats, a Zen master in West Virginia to an Indian guru in Germany, and a dozen other adventures and misadventures, Subtraction presents a wholehearted search for God, the real self, our true nature, or whatever you want to call that splinter in your mind which won’t let you rest until you find the answer.
This Above All: A Journey of Self-Discovery by Tess Hughes [read more]
Tess Hughes' This Above All: A Journey of Self-Discovery is now available from TAT Foundation Press. Tess' story of her spiritual voyage is an outstanding read. The serious seeker will find this book, and the depth of Tess' generosity, refreshing and uplifting. Tess not only openly reveals her own path, but continually supports and encourages ours. It is a rare read.
Order This Above All: A Journey of Self-Discovery (softcover or Kindle) at Amazon.com
A Handyman's Common Sense Guide to Spiritual Seeking by David Weimer [read more]
David Weimer's "Common Sense Guide" is a compendium of his years of spiritual search. This Army veteran, surveyor, reporter, and jack-of-all-trades handyman offers an unwavering portrait of the determination and single-mindedness that led him to experience what he calls completion. Alternating between practical advice and heartfelt exhortations, he inspires readers to pursue their own understanding of existence.
At Home with the Inner Self by Jim Burns [read more]
Jim Burns was the only living person that Richard Rose spoke of as having "made the trip." At Home with the Inner Self consists of transcripts from informal talks recorded in 1984 and 1985. New to the third edition is an interview conducted in 2006 as well as the photographs that evoke the graceful dissolution of the urban landscape that Jim calls home.
Beyond Mind, Beyond Death [read selections]
An anthology of the best essays, poems, and humor from the TAT Forum online magazine. Many are the voices in this volume, from classic to contemporary, yet all point toward a greater reality than that of which we are typically aware—a Reality that can only be hinted at with words; that must and can be discovered by you rather than described by an author.
Beyond Relativity by Art Ticknor [read more]
Ticknor shares his lessons and discoveries - from human failings to transcendent revelations with an insider's view of what it means to be a modern spiritual seeker.
The Celibate Seeker by Shawn Nevins [read more]
An Exploration of Celibacy as a Modern Spiritual Practice. A survey of people's experiences with celibacy as a spiritual practice. Examines the effect of celibacy on intuition and energy level as well as other benefits and difficulties of this practice. Offers a wealth of practical advice and insight.
Images of Essence by Bob Fergeson and Shawn Nevins [read selections]
This second edition of Images of Essence presents this beautiful book of poetry and photographs in an affordable paperback version. Likened to "Rumi with a Nikon," the authors' creative wanderings touch a deep cord of recognition of the profound in everyday life.
The Listening Attention by Bob Fergeson [read more]
How can we re-connect, open the Gateway to Within, and once more gain the Peace and Understanding of our Inner Self? The Listening Attention is our innate ability to observe the world and ourselves without identification. Separate from the world of the mind and action, it points the way home.
The Perennial Way by Bart Marshall [read more]
New English versions of Yoga Sutras, Dhammapada, Heart Sutra, Ashtavakra Gita, Faith Mind Sutra, and Tao Te Ching. These insightful new versions are presented without commentary ... clear and poetic, yet intensely faithful to the language and nuance of the originals, they invite direct communication with the masters, and vibrate with a revelatory self-evidence that resonates in the mind and heart long after reading.
Solid Ground of Being by Art Ticknor [read more]
In sharing the simple facts of his life experience, Art Ticknor takes us on an extraordinary journey, which hopes "to inspire another with a possibly unimagined possibility, and to encourage another to persevere."
TAT Journal [table of contents]
The TAT Journal was published as a "Forum for Awareness" from 1977 to 1986. Weaved through a total of 14 journals, the intriguing stories, practical essays, and the psychological research articles enabled spiritual seekers to develop genuine friendships, share ideas, and understand themselves.
Books by Richard Rose
Invaluable road maps and shortcuts for the spiritual search.
Richard Rose wrote seven books over a span of thirty years. Each deals directly with a specific aspect of the spiritual search. He approaches the study of self, and the study of the human mind, in as scientific a manner as is possible in what must always be a subjective realm. He does not labor to create a paradigm of words and concepts. Rather, he intently and expertly disarms many of the preconceptions a spiritual seeker brings to the table. Although his books are not easy reading, he speaks to the heart and head simultaneously but leaves much unsaid, allowing, or rather forcing, readers to stretch the limits of their mentality. Those who venture into the mind and thought of Richard Rose via his books—or his Albigen System—will come away from the effort changed in an undeniable way.
The Albigen Papers by Richard Rose [read selections]
The aim of this book is to approach reality. It is an indispensable guidebook to the path of self-knowledge and realization. It contains an examination of spiritual systems, blocks and aids to spiritual progress, and a common sense approach to the spiritual search. Also included is a poetic account of Richard Rose's own spiritual experience — "The Three Books of the Absolute."
The Direct-Mind Experience by Richard Rose [read selections]
This is a recommended introduction to Richard Rose. It is a compilation of lectures, interviews, and discussions addressing such topics as Zen, spiritual systems, dreams, moods, miracles, psychology, perception, intuition, and many more. The dynamism and spontaneity of Richard Rose as speaker and teacher is well captured.
Meditation by Richard Rose [read selections]
A unique, but sensible approach to meditation — a system that advises looking for traumatic instances of the past to bring about an understanding of your true Self. It answers the same questions asked by sages such as Ramana Maharshi and Gurdjieff, not to mention the same questions asked by all honest spiritual seekers.
Psychology of the Observer by Richard Rose [read selections]
A small book packed with information; a road map to interior discovery. It presents the author's examination of perception, levels of mind and spiritual progress, and the method of self observation. The Albigen System contains a formula for mundane man to reach the maximum mental-spiritual experience. Such a book can save an individual a lifetime of random searching. New edition, with Forward, Introduction, and Index.
Carillon: Poems, Essays, and Philosophy of Richard Rose [read selections]
This delightful and enlightening book will carry you from the poetic to the profound. The idealism and romanticism of youth, the realism of maturity, and the wisdom of spiritual attainment are eloquently and poignantly expressed in Richard Rose's poetry and prose.
Energy Transmutation, Between-ness and Transmission by Richard Rose [read selections]
One of Richard Rose's earlier works written for those who have found a direction through his lectures and other books. It is an examination of the role of tension in life, the creation and conservation of human energy, and the use of that energy for spiritual attainment.
Profound Writings, East & West [read selections]
An inspiring collection, selected by Richard Rose, of hard-to-find writings from spiritual traditions around the world. Included are works by Ramana Maharshi, H.P. Blavatsky, Francis Thompson, Richard Rose, and Franz Hartmann, as well as selections from the Upanishads, the Platform Sutra, and Elegant Sayings.
Books, audio, and video recordings by and about Richard Rose are also available at
books/
Richard Rose Teachings.
Recommended Spiritual Books
Books containing invaluable help for the spiritual search.
The TAT Foundation recommends the following books for their unique approaches to understanding our selves and finding a gateway to the Absolute. Each book profoundly affects the reader's perspective on self-observation and the spiritual search.
After the Absolute by David Gold [read selections]
After the Absolute: Real Life Adventures with a Backwoods Buddha is the account of a remarkable, enlightened man with a unique teaching system. And...it is the story of each of us—through the transformation of our being as we glimpse that which is beyond our mere personality and mind. Fortunate are those who have met Richard Rose personally, either in the flesh, or through the pages of this book.
Haunted Universe: The True Knowledge of Enlightenment by Steven Norquist
A serious book for the ripe individual, for those who are ready at any moment to fall from the tree of delusion. This book is made to shake that tree violently, helping such a borderline person fall into the "feeling/knowing" state prerequisite to Final Discovery. Read the book review or visit the Haunted Universe Web site.
The Law of Suggestion by Santanelli [read selections]
Included are detailed instructions on how to hypnotize. Santanelli approached the study of hypnosis as a study of the mind. Through hypnosis, this turn-of-the-century genius explored healing, telepathy, self-suggestion, disease, heredity, and more. Filled with amusing and fascinating case studies.
Magic, White & Black by Franz Hartmann, M.D. [read selections]
This classic work is far more than it appears to be. It addresses magic as the exercise of spiritual power obtained by practicing self-control. Dr. Hartmann considered the spiritual regeneration of Man the highest form of Magic. Hartmann gives the reader a priceless formula for mental power and spiritual achievement.