The order for reading these books is very flexible. Allow for inspiration!

Most Phoenesse books can be read online for free, in multiple languages. Keys and the eight volumes of Pathwork Q&A books can be read on The Guide Speaks.

These books are also available in eBook, paperback and audiobook formats from online retailers. See Where to find Phoenesse books

Each chapter from 11 books is available as a podcast on Phoenesse and from major podcast providers.

Some suggestions for Phoenesse book clubs

Books that provide overviews and orientations

GET A BETTER BOAT (270 pages)—33 essays about this spiritual path

DOING THE WORK (95 pages)—a high-level overview of this spiritual path with real-life examples

BONES (175 pages)—fundamental Pathwork teachings about the first phase of the work

SPILLING THE SCRIPT (150 pages)—a comprehensive overview, especially of the parts of the self

Books that are shorter and lighter to read

FINDING GOLD (95 pages)—Pathwork teachings about finding the self

WALKER (240 pages)—Jill Loree’s memoir

SPIRITUAL LAWS (50 pages)—the Pathwork Guide’s comments on basic divine laws

BLINDED BY FEAR (115 pages)—it’s about fear, but don’t be afraid to read this

PEARLS (190 pages)—varied Pathwork teachings, each very interesting

Books that blend spirituality and Christianity*

HOLY MOLY (115 pages)—why we are here and what Christ has to do with it

LIVING LIGHT (135 pages)—various essays about aspects of this path

KEYS (240 pages)—answers from the Pathwork Guide to questions we all have

BIBLE ME THIS (80 pages)—The Guide’s answers to questions about the Bible

Books that are a little meatier

AFTER THE EGO (240 pages)—fundamental Pathwork teachings for the second stage of this path

GEMS (165 pages)—powerful Pathwork teachings about waking up

THE PULL (190 pages)—about why we have relationship and why they matter so much

*These books talk more in-depth about topics that some may consider more religious, or Christian. For those who feel challenged by this, consider reading these books with an open mind to shifting ideas that cast Christ in a bad light.

Pacing

The pace for reading these books will depend on your groups’ appetite for reading and developing themselves, and also frequency for meeting. While many book clubs meet monthly, groups interested in diving deeply into spirituality and personal healing may want to consider meeting every two to three weeks.

In general, it is suggested to read these teachings more than once, as they reveal more each time we read them.

Hosting a book club

Having a host, or leader, for each gathering is recommended. For an established book club, this aspect has probably already been worked out. For a new group, here are some guidelines to consider.

Note, the duties of a host or leader will vary depending on the size of the group, the group dynamics—for example, whether you already know each other—and what feels most comfortable for book club members.

If one person feels called to lead the group and is skilled at doing so, then that’s your leader. Also consider that it may be helpful for each participant to sit in the host chair periodically. This gives a good sense of what is required of a host and may be a good growth opportunity for participants.

Practical considerations

Food

If your book club enjoys sharing a meal together, that’s great. The suggestion is to allow a separate time for eating from the book discussion. If you plan to discuss the teachings and also go more deeply into working with them, consider hosting your book club in a private setting.

Alcohol

It is important to not serve or consume alcohol when studying this material, especially if your group wants to delve in more deeply and begin to apply the teachings to personal experiences. While a “social lubricant” like alcohol may seem like a good way to help participants open up, it does not help people learn to do so in a healthy, organic way. Moreover, it does not help people learn to find and set appropriate boundaries, and to take appropriate risks in sharing honestly.

Time

Perhaps the biggest challenge for any host will be managing time. First, respect people’s time by starting on time. Do not wait for latecomers. If gatherings start on time, people may be motivated to arrive on time. The host should be seated and ready to start five minutes before the stated start time. Lighting a candle can be a good indicator that the start is imminent.

Second, keep the discussion moving by learning to manage the amount of time each person shares. The host may need to learn to gracefully step in (see About Rambling below), or maybe use a bell or hand wave to signal it’s time for someone to start wrapping up.

Third, be sure to end on time. People have other obligations—including family, work and sleep—and we want to respect that. A good length for a book club gathering is 1.5 hours. A start time of 7:30pm allows people time to eat dinner before arriving (assuming there is no shared meal), and then adequate time to travel home and prepare for bed.

Opening suggestions

The host can get creative in how to open each discussion, but always plan to keep the opening short. Some suggestions include:

• Say a short invocation, either something from memory, like a short prayer, or from what spontaneously arises related to the topic of discussion
• Read a short, meaningful poem
• Have each person draw a card from a bowl and read the word on the card (pre-printed cards are available from bookstores)
• Go around the circle and invite each person to share two words—literally two words—that describe how they are feeling in the moment

Suggested format for sharing

It is expected that each person has read the selected Phoenesse book, or book sections, and spent time considering the teaching(s). This is especially important when reading 1-3 chapters at a time. Encourage participants to read the teachings early in the time period between book club gatherings, so that the teachings can come alive in their life and be explored.

One suggestion is to go around the group three times, with an intention to deepen the discussion with each sharing. Note, you can share “popcorn style”, allowing each person to speak when they feel ready. The downside to this approach may be a lull between speakers. In that case, the host can call on people to move things along. Or you can invite someone to volunteer to go first, and then go around the circle in either direction.

First round: 30 minutes

Ask people to share about something they read that felt particularly important or impactful. What resonated deeply? Invite people to convey this teaching to the group in their own words. This is a good way to help us really understand the teaching and make it our own.

Allow each person to finish speaking without others interrupting them or adding their own comments. Feel free to pass a talking stick around—only the person holding the talking stick is free to speak—if that is helpful. People may want to jot down notes as others speak. Then, after everyone has shared, allow the group to have an exchange of ideas, impressions or perspectives.

For some groups, this may take up the entire time and be as far as they want to go. We will have a richer experience, however, if we begin to apply these teachings personally to our lives and share our experiences with others. If this is our intention, the host or leader may need to indicate when it’s time to move to the next round.

Second round: 45 minutes

In this round, participants take time to share something personal that relates to the teachings being discussed. This is a chance to share honestly about some disharmony or conflict—something that troubles us—without oversharing or rambling.

As the group develops its container, members will naturally feel more comfortable sharing more deeply. If we are willing to wade into the waters of honesty, the group will become a valuable resource for the members. As the host, notice if people are holding back from revealing anything personal, or alternatively, jumping in and sharing too intimately.

Think of the story of the Three Little Bears. We want to find the “just right” place of revealing ourselves in a way that is helpful and appropriate, while also pushing out the edges of our comfort zone a bit.

Third round: 15 minutes

If there is time, consider a final round for sharing any profound insights that have come up. It’s best if these are for ourselves, but they might also be for someone else. Note, however, that this is not an open invitation to give others advice.

Closing suggestions

Holding hands in the circle is a nice way to close. But it may feel too intimate for some groups, and post-Covid, many may prefer to avoid this level of contact. As a no-contact option, have each person hold their hands out in front of them, with thumbs pointing left. Hold lefts hands over the right hands of the person to the left. This allows energy to flow clockwise around the circle.

The host may want to remind everyone that holding people’s personal sharing in confidence is an important part of building a healthy container. If it feels right, ask the group to say together:

“What we say here, what we hear here, when we leave here, let it stay here.”

Consider periodically spending five minutes before you close to talk about what feels most alive for your group.

About rambling

It’s common for some members of a group to be reluctant to talk. By paying attention to this, the host can help draw these people into the discussion, either by calling on them or inviting their perspectives. It’s equally common for some members of a book club to take up more airtime. Encourage such members to allow equal time for everyone.

It can also be hard for a person to know when to stop talking. This is where the host has an important role to play. When we notice that we no longer feel connected with what a person is saying, this may indicate that the person is rambling and has lost their connection with themselves.

The host should then step in and ask the person to pause. There may not be a natural break for this, so the host will just need to gently interrupt the one speaking. Then ask the person talking to check in with themselves: “What is the essence of what you want to share right now?”

Some groups may encourage anyone to speak up if someone goes off topic or rambles. The whole group should understand that this is being done to help the group stay coherent and engaged. For it does not serve either the person or the group when someone rambles.

Group dynamics

The leader or host will always have a co-leader, which is the group itself. In a healthy group, the members of the group are looking out for each other. They not only offer their attention when someone else is speaking, they notice when someone is somehow disrupting the group.

At times it may be helpful for group members to speak up when someone’s behavior is somehow affecting them in a negative way. At other times, it may be better to just stay present with the person and not jump to judgment or blame. At all times, whenever we feel negatively affected by someone else, our work is to look within and try to understand why we have gotten triggered.

Groups, by design, will bring up our inner spiritual work. This is true for families, groups of co-workers, neighbors and book clubs. Challenging dynamics are not necessarily a sign that the group is functioning poorly.

In short, a lot goes on in a group, and it’s all good fodder for exploring the way we relate with others and also with ourselves. Use everything that surfaces in a book club as an opportunity for personal growth.