William Altig writes modern Buddhist books on the Lotus Sutra, Tiantai teachings, dreams, suffering, spiritual practice, poetry, wisdom, and awakening.
The books below are grouped by pathway, so you can begin with the question or need that brought you here.
Best First Book
The Awakened State: What Buddhist Enlightenment Actually Means
A clear, grounded introduction to Buddhist awakening for modern readers.
This book is for readers who want to understand enlightenment without fantasy, vague mysticism, or spiritual performance.
Lotus Sutra and Buddhist Practice
Petals of Wisdom: A Companion to the Lotus Sutra
A reader-friendly companion to the Lotus Sutra’s major teachings, parables, promises, and vision of universal Buddhahood.
The Great Teachings of the Lotus of the True Law: Volume 1-Chapters 1 to 6
A modern presentation of the opening chapters of the Lotus Sutra.
The Long Night Series
The Long Night’s Guide: Dream Signs and Spiritual Progress in Buddhist Practice
A guide to dreams, spiritual progress, crisis, and Buddhist practice.
The Long Night: Dreams, Diagnosis, and the Path to Awakening
A scholarly edition with a 90-day practice workbook.
The Long Night’s Workbook: 90-Day Practice Workbook
A practice-focused companion for readers who want structure, reflection, and steady daily engagement.
The Twelve Warning Dreams: A Buddhist Crisis Manual
A Buddhist guide to crisis, dream signs, warning patterns, and the work of spiritual diagnosis.
The Four Peaceful Practices for Modern Life
Lotus Sutra ethics for speech, relationships, work, and digital life.
Pain and Healing
The Vocabulary of Pain: How to Name Your Suffering and Match It to Medicine
A guide to naming suffering clearly and responding with the right medicine.
The Tiantai Teachings Project
These are the most demanding books in the catalog and are best for serious Buddhist readers, practitioners, and students of Tiantai thought.
Mohe Zhiguan: The Great Cessation and Contemplation
A translation of Master Zhiyi’s meditation masterpiece.
Fahua Xuanyi: The Profound Meaning of the Lotus Sutra
A translation of Master Zhiyi’s philosophy of the One Vehicle.
Fahua Wenju: The Words and Phrases of the Lotus
A translation of Master Zhiyi’s line-by-line commentary on the Lotus Sutra.
Poetry, Parables, and Wisdom Literature
The Poet’s Odyssey: A Journey of Wisdom, Transformation, and Enlightenment
A reflective journey through poetry, wisdom, transformation, and spiritual growth.
The Poet’s Odyssey Journal: A Journey of Wisdom, Transformation, and Enlightenment
A companion journal for reflection, insight, and personal transformation.
Maya’s Poetic Odyssey: Awakening the Infinite Self
A poetic journey toward awakening, self-discovery, and inner transformation.
Songs of Awakening: Journey of Enlightenment
Wisdom literature for reflection, spiritual growth, and the search for awakening.
Tales to Live By: Parables of the Good Life
Parables and reflections on wisdom, character, and living well.
Stories of Wisdom: Journeys to Personal Growth
Stories and reflections for readers seeking growth, insight, and a wiser life.
Not Sure Where to Begin?
If you are new to my work, I recommend beginning with The Awakened State: What Buddhist Enlightenment Actually Means.
If you are in a difficult season, begin with The Long Night’s Guide.
If you want to understand the Lotus Sutra, begin with Petals of Wisdom.
If you want serious Buddhist study, begin with Mohe Zhiguan, then continue into Fahua Xuanyi and Fahua Wenju.
Buddhist Wisdom for the Long Night 