“Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. You may not be perfect, but you are all you’ve got to work with.”
Research consistently demonstrates that meditation is one of the most effective practices for reducing stress, boosting self-esteem and awareness, fostering relaxation and concentration, and helping to overcome negative coping mechanisms. With each study, the link between mindfulness practice and enhanced mental well-being becomes increasingly evident, likely fueling the growing interest and adoption of meditation in the daily lives of many individuals. With a whole slew of books on mindfulness available, we, at What We Reading, thought we would condense things down with the best meditation books in one place. Whether you’re a novice or an expert meditator, there’s something to be learned from all these books on meditation.
Mindfulness In Plain English – Henepola Gunaratana
Author Bhante Gunaratana is one of the world’s most renowned Buddhist monks, and kicks off our list of the best books on meditation with his work, Mindfulness in Plain English. This straightforward and accessible guidebook presents a clear portrait of mindfulness and meditation, providing readers with all the tools they need to begin practising themselves.
Bhante G takes readers through all the myths, realities, and benefits of meditation and the practice of mindfulness. One of the best meditation books for those beginning their journey toward a more peaceful and productive life, the latest edition of Mindfulness in Plain English comes with all the previously published text, plus an additional chapter on cultivating loving kindness.
The Daily Meditation Book Of Healing: 365 Reflections For Positivity, Peace And Prosperity – Worthy Stokes
The Daily Meditation Book of Healing is a year’s worth of daily reflections designed to help readers heal through meditation and embody positive thinking.
Although its primary aim is to be a go-to book on meditation for those looking to address anxiety, trauma, and distress, Worthy Stokes’ 2020 work is beneficial to anyone hoping to heal in any shape or form. As a trauma survivor herself, Stokes’ daily affirmations and reflections come from personal experience, showcasing the potential of meditative practices. The Daily Meditation Book of Healing is especially useful for promoting looking inwardly, approaching themselves with empathy and compassion, and overcoming negative thought patterns.
Mindfulness For Beginners: Reclaiming The Present Moment – And Your Life – Jon Kabat-Zinn
Another one of the best books on meditation for newcomers to the practice, Mindfulness for Beginners is a 2006 work by University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School professor, Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Mindfulness for Beginners, which has developed mindfulness-based stress reduction, urges readers to target what Kabat-Zinn terms their “current default setting” — the innate thoughts and emotional responses that govern our actions. From freeing yourself from limiting perspectives to embracing more of life’s joys and pleasures, Mindfulness for Beginners is one of the best meditation books from a bestselling author who helped bring mindfulness meditation into the mainstream.
Meditations On Self-Love: Daily Wisdom For Healing, Acceptance And Joy – Laurasia Mattingly
Loving yourself is the key to fulfilment, hope, and happiness, but can often be hard to achieve. Author Laurasia Mattingly knows that and her book on meditation, Meditations on Self-Love, focuses on positive mindfulness practices and helps readers work towards greater self-acceptance.
Mattingly refines the prompts and meditations in her 2020 book with concise and sweet entries, aiming to assist in establishing self-love as a consistent practice. Readers are free to use the practices in any order they wish as often as they like as they learn how to combat anxiety and deal with grief. No matter your schedule, this is one of the best mindfulness books for building a daily routine when you’re short on time.
Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, And Body – Daniel Goleman And Richard J. Davidson
For those looking for a book on meditation that sweeps away the misconceptions surrounding mindfulness and presents grounded science-based research, Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson’s Altered Traits is a must-read.
The two-time New York Times bestsellers condense all of the health benefits regular practice brings a person across their 2017 book. Utilizing cutting-edge research, the pair showcase their expertise in mind training and guide readers through how smart practice and targeted feedback are essential components in making real profound and lasting changes that have the power to change us all at the deepest level.
Zen Meditation For Beginners: A Practical Guide To Inner Calm – Bonnie Myotai Treace
For readers looking to take their first steps into Zen meditation, Bonnie Myotai Treace’s Zen Meditation for Beginners is the ultimate guide. This simple, straightforward handbook helps readers destress and find balance at home, work, or wherever life throws them.
Zen Meditation for Beginners educates readers on ten different Zen principles and how to apply them to everyday life. This book on meditation for beginners is a collection of exercises, all easily completed between five and ten minutes, that do not require any previous experience to master. From noticing negative self-speak to embodying kindness always, this 2020 book walks you through the basics and shows how a few moments of calm meditation can significantly impact your hectic life.
The No-Nonsense Meditation Book: A Scientist’s Guide To The Power Of Meditation – Steven Laureys
One of the best meditation books for those who might not consider themselves the most spiritual comes from Steven Laureys in The No-Nonsense Meditation Book.
Laureys chooses to angle this 2019 book on mindfulness around the groundbreaking research conducted that explains the mental health benefits meditation has been bringing for centuries. As a board-certified neurologist, Laureys investigates the effects of meditation on our brains and offers practical and accessible tips for readers eager to begin.
How To Meditate: A Practical Guide To Making Friends With Your Mind – Pema Chodron
Pema Chodron is regarded as one of the most authoritative teachers of meditation, and the American-born Tibetan Buddhist nun combines traditional insights with compelling guidance in How to Meditate.
Through 12 sitting sessions, Chodron teaches readers everything from the importance of proper posture, how gentleness, patience, and humour are key ingredients to a well-balanced practice, to how Shamatha (or calm abiding) stabilizes the mind to remain in the present, no matter what arises. How to Meditate stands as one of the best books on meditation for newcomers looking to take their first steps into mindfulness while remaining aware of the challenges that may arise along the way.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
