"When You Realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you"
-Lao Tzu-
Although meditation and mindfulness are dominantly rooted in eastern cultures, western teachers also have many options for citizens who did not grow up with such traditions. These teachers, although trained in traditional practices; offer understanding to westerners through meditation retreats, videos, audio, podcasts, and books.
Meditation and mindfulness are becoming a trend among westerners because of the value and benefits these practices offer to mitigate the stress of the fast-paced and uncertain time we live in. Meditation accomplishes this through the act of deliberately taking time in the day to be aware and become mindful of the things going on around you, shifting the attention back to the present.
In this article we have put together a list of three of the top-rated and selling books on meditation of all time, these ratings are from varying sources and are chosen on total average.
1. Wherever you go, there you are.
Author: Jon Kabat-Zin
Price: $15.64 Buy Now
Authored by Jon Kabat-Zin who is an American professor emeritus of medicine and the creator of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Kabat-Zinn was a student of ZenBuddhist teachers such as Philip Kapleau, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Seung Sahn and a founding member of Cambridge Zen Center.
Wherever you go, there you are explain what mindfulness is and why it’s not reserved for Zen practitioners and Buddhist monks, giving you simple ways to practice it in everyday life, both formally and informally, while helping you avoid the obstacles on your way to a more aware self.
Reviews
"If I could only have one book, this would be it. Not a novel, but a really great short chaptered book that teaches more than meditation. It asks big questions about life and incorporates a lot from Thoreau's Walden with quotes and passages. A good mix of Eastern philosophy and transcendentalism makes this a great book to read one chapter at a time. It will always be by my bedside". Amazon Review.
Price: $15.64 Buy Now
2. The Miracle Of Mindfulness.
Author: Thich Nhat Hanh
Price: $13.80 Buy Now
The author Thích Nhất Hạnh is a Vietnamese Thiền Buddhist monk, peace activist, and founder of the Plum Village Tradition. Thích Nhất Hạnh spent most of his later life residing at the Plum Village Monastery in southwest France, traveling internationally to give retreats and talks.
In this beautiful and lucid guide, Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh offers gentle anecdotes and practical exercise as a means of learning the skills of mindfulness--being awake and fully aware. From washing the dishes to answering the phone to peeling an orange, he reminds us that each moment holds within it an opportunity to work toward greater self-understanding and peacefulness.
Review
"Thich's writings often seem so simple as to be simplistic or childish, but spend a little quality time with this book (or any of his huge output) and you'll realize that, like other great spiritual teachers, his words have a profoundly life-changing quality. In this classic text, he explains in simple poetic language the basics of meditation practice; what to do, what to expect, and why it's an important and meaningful practice. The operative word in Thich's teaching is PRACTICE, and he really does mean "practice" as if you were learning to play the piano or to play tennis. If absorbed and worked at every day, preferably in the context of daily meditation as well as the normal interactions of daily life, these teachings have the power to create peace and joy for you and those with whom you live and work. This is the beauty of Buddhist teaching in general and the teachings of TNH in particular: they are not complex theological constructs but simple, practical steps designed to make you happy!" Amazon Review.
Price: $13.80 Buy Now
3. Practicing Mindfulness
Author: Matthew Sockolov
Price: $15.63 Buy Now
Author Matthew Sockolov is a mindfulness meditation teacher trained by Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Northern California. Matthew, the founding teacher of One Mind Dharma, leads meditations at One Mind Dharma's center in Northern California, addiction treatment centers across California, and in online groups.
Find everyday calmness and clarity with simple mindfulness meditations and exercises Mindfulness meditations are a great way to cultivate awareness and acceptance of the here and now―Practicing Mindfulness makes it easy and accessible with 75 evidence-based exercises designed to bring calmness and compassion into your day-to-day. From finding focus with a 5-minute The Power of the Mind exercise to embracing the experience with a 25-minute Open-Awareness Meditation, Practicing Mindfulness provides the tools you need to relieve stress, improve wellness, and practice peace of mind moment to moment and throughout the daily grind.
Practicing Mindfulness includes The daily mind―Discover exactly what mindfulness is, how it helps, and how these proven exercises can bring relief, relaxation, and resilience to your day-to-day. Practical advice―You’ll find plenty of help in dealing with distorted or wandering thoughts, how to handle mental blocks, and steps for staying cool and collected in all situations. Mind over matter―Ranging from short traditional meditations to longer creative exercises, you’ll find 75 easy-to-follow practices to ground yourself, like breathwork and body scans. Begin a journey of peace and patience today on the path to a better, more balanced life by Practicing Mindfulness.
Review
"I am a mother of three and am constantly on the go. I have never considered meditation because frankly, the thought of trying to find a quiet spot to sit for a long period of time by myself in complete silence seemed insane. I can't even go to the bathroom by myself lol. However, I did want to find more peace in my life and that's when someone had mentioned mindfulness. So I started reading this book not knowing what to expect. Honestly, I assumed I wouldn't understand half the stuff in it as I've never tried anything like this and thought you'd have to be like a Buddhist level to truly understand it. When I began reading I was super excited! Not only is this book extremely easy to read and comprehend, it's easy to navigate. Depending on the emotion you're trying to work through, you can simply look up the exercise for it! Also, since the exercises are short and range from 5-15 minutes they are perfect for my busy schedule. The best part of all is you can do them just about anywhere. I've caught myself doing some of the exercises in this book while sitting in my car waiting for my kids to come out of karate practice!" Amazon Review.
Price: $15.63 Buy Now
Honorable Mentions:
If you have decided to purchase or already own these books please give us your opinion in the comment section below. Thank you.
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