Watkins Books, London

By Catherine Moye in London

For five years I worked out of an office in Leicester Square and, whilst food for the body was never a problem, food for the soul was harder to find.

Then I discovered Watkins bookstore in Cecil Court, just off St. Martins Lane. Established in 1879, Watkins specialises in books on mysticism, Eastern religions, Jungian psychology, Yoga & contemporary spirituality.

Back then, in 1995, Watkins best selling book was Paolo Khalo’s The Alchemist, since when it has doubled in size and it’s bestselling book is The I Am Principle by Charles Ogada – it talks about the non-duality of Christian faith.

This year, the shop published a list of 100 “most spiritually influential living people” – a first list of its kind, which they plan to issue annualy in the esoteric magazine Watkins Review.

I still go there regularly to root around shelves that are both a rich cornucopia of alternative ideas and a genuine escape from the modern world.

There aren’t many places in London one can find a sympathetic ear to one’s more arcane thoughts without being thought a complete fruitcake. Yet the staff here have a deep and empathic understanding of their subject and will recommend books they’ve read and loved.

My own recommendation: anything by the Jungian analyst and author, James Hollis. The man is totally for real.

Watkins Books: 19 & 21 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ