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Looking for the best meditation books to read to start or continue your meditation practice?
You are reading: Best books for meditation for beginners
Meditation brings many benefits. reduces stress and anxiety, improves self-awareness and awareness, increases happiness and life satisfaction, and much more.
but it can also be a difficult activity to start. even experienced meditators find it difficult to continue the process at times.
In this article, we share with you 11 meditation books that you can read to motivate and inspire you to deepen your practice. these books can definitely help you find the peace and enlightenment you’re looking for, and help you achieve a healthier and happier lifestyle.
1. the miracle of mindfulness: an introduction to the practice of meditation by thich nhat hanh
Whether you’re walking, snacking, or just breathing, you need to be able to focus on what you’re doing. the key is focus, awareness and self-examination. This mindfulness book provides candid and helpful steps to help the reader learn the art of introspection.
First published in 1975 by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, this book teaches its readers the art of mindfulness through a series of anecdotes and practical exercises. hanh explains that we should treat our daily activities as a tool to develop the gift of awareness.
one of hanh’s most popular books, the miracle of mindfulness will teach you the importance of living in the present moment with full awareness of reality.
2. mindfulness in simple english by henepola gunaratana
Written by Buddhist monk Henepola Gunaratana, this book is exactly what its title suggests: simple, straightforward, and easy to understand. the author believes that the most effective way to explain something to someone is through the simplest language possible.
gunaratana also believes that people are often afraid to start meditating because they think it is difficult to do so. therefore, they need simplified instructions written in plain language that can teach them how to meditate.
mindfulness in plain language is one of the most influential books on mindfulness and meditation.
3. 10% happier by dan harris
10% Happier was inspired by an incident in the life of Dan Harris, when he experienced a panic attack live on national television. At that moment, she knew that she had to make changes in the way she lived her life.
This book is dedicated to those who are skeptical about meditation. Harris was once a non-believer. he thought meditation was useless or impossible (or both). but after what happened to him in the air, he embarked on a journey that led him to believe in the power of meditation and mindfulness.
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As a New York Times bestseller, 10% Happier brings you a guide to Harris’ meditation practice. In addition, it covers a list of benefits of meditation, backed by scientific evidence and reliable statistics.
4. wherever you go, there you are by jon kabat-zinn
First published in 1994 and with more than 750,000 copies sold to date, this book continues to change people’s lives with its lessons on mindfulness and meditation. is dedicated to both beginners and experienced practitioners.
jon kabat-zinn aims to bring meditation to western culture and wrote his book in a way that would inspire western readers to try the practice. it is not so much a step-by-step procedure as an explanation of the principles of mindfulness.
5. Get Your Mind in Order: How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thoughts by SJ Scott and Barrie Davenport
This is a book I co-authored with my writing partner Barrie Davenport, which I humbly believe belongs on this list. it has sold thousands of copies and received hundreds of positive reviews.
declutter your mind is a book about overwhelming thoughts, daily struggles with anxiety and negative thoughts. is packed with mindfulness techniques and exercises that can help you get into a positive mindset.
If you are looking for inner peace to increase your happiness, I recommend you read this book. It will teach you how to prioritize the most important things in your life and let go of the things that no longer serve you.
6. make peace with your mind: how mindfulness and compassion can free you from your inner critic by mark coleman
mark coleman believes that we all have an inner critic who reminds us that we are never good enough. This voice inside our heads is what makes us question our abilities, doubt our actions, and mistrust our intuition.
In this book, he teaches his readers how to let go and overcome that inner critic through mindful meditation. each chapter discusses what makes and breaks the critic. you’ll find stories of real people who have overcome the voices in their heads.
Coleman has written this book in an informal yet engaging style. she will learn to live a happier and freer life with the simple meditation practices she teaches.
7. zen mind, beginner mind by shunryu suzuki
A compilation of the teachings of Shunryu Suzuki, this book is one of the most beloved American Zen books. it was first published in 1970 and is considered a true spiritual classic.
The book teaches both beginners and experts what Zen meditation is all about. Suzuki starts with the basics (posture and breathing), then moves on to the perception of non-duality and everything else in between. he also explains how the essence of zen meditation should not be forgotten, even when you have mastered it.
Suzuki is one of the sōtō Zen monks who helped popularize Zen Buddhism in the United States. the book shares their insightful personal stories and words of encouragement.
8. meditation in action by chogyam trungpa
chogyam trungpa is a Tibetan master who teaches Buddhist meditation. in this book he explains that meditation goes beyond the formal practice of sitting. he believes that meditation is a combination of awareness, compassion, and creativity.
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trungpa further explains that there are six activities that strengthen the practice of meditation: generosity, patience, discipline, clarity, energy, and wisdom. With all this, one will be able to see things clearly and treat them with maximum efficiency.
Meditation in Action is recommended for both first-time meditators and long-time meditators. develops self-awareness and increases self-awareness and productivity.
9. real happiness: the power of meditation by sharon salzberg
Sharon Salzberg offers a practical and detailed 28-day mindfulness and meditation program in this masterpiece. His focus is on meditation as a technique and exercise rather than a spiritual practice (imagine running and walking instead of Zen Buddhism).
The book covers the basics of mindfulness meditation, from posture, programming, and breathing to concentration and order. In addition to the step-by-step description of how to meditate, it also lists evidence-based reasons why meditation is beneficial for the mind, body, and soul.
A truly remarkable meditation book, True Happiness teaches its readers how to use meditation as a means to become more resilient and creative. It also demonstrates how meditation can give you peace, clarity, and happiness.
10. 10 Minutes of Mindfulness: 71 Habits for Living in the Present Moment by SJ Scott and Barrie Davenport
I am also a co-author of this book with my writing partner, barrie davenport. In it, we don’t specifically focus on mindfulness meditation, but rather list habits you can use to achieve a more peaceful and happy life.
In this book, you can choose from 71 short habits that you may want to add to your daily routine. it is not necessary to complete all habits at once. the book works like a “menu” for you: choose one, some or all.
We understand that most people have busy lives. but despite that fact, we all need to focus on ourselves and the things that can make us happy. this is the purpose of this book: to bring you small habits that can readjust the course of your life and make it happier.
11. why can’t i meditate? by nigel wellings
Before describing the practice of meditation in detail, Nigel Wellings compiles the reasons why meditation is so difficult to achieve, particularly in this modern age. The book exposes all the possible obstacles that could hinder the success of her meditation.
It doesn’t end there, of course. wellings also offers an accessible guide for beginners and experts alike on how to get the most out of mindfulness meditation. furthermore, it explains how one can make meditation a permanent part of one’s life.
Practical yet informative, this book is a transparent approach to meditation. admits that meditation is boring, difficult, and often terrifying, but also provides reasons why people should still consider it as a tool for a more fulfilling life.
conclusion
The practice of meditation is not easy, but that does not mean that it is not feasible. remember that nothing is impossible with a heart and mind that believes.
With the meditation books we’ve shared above, we hope we can help you get motivated and inspired to keep going and continue with mindfulness meditation.
If you’ve already read one or more of these books, we’d love to hear from you! Share a comment or two below and tell us how these books have impacted your meditation practice.
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