Meditation's Magical Journey: Must-Read Books To Calm Your Mind

There are thousands of books on meditation, so it can be hard to know where to start. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced meditator, these books are sure to help you learn and develop your practice.

If you're looking for a straightforward, easy-to-use book, try 'Practical Meditation for Beginners' by Benjamin W. Decker. This book covers ten different approaches to meditation and is perfect for anyone interested in learning multiple meditation techniques.

For those who want to explore Buddhist meditation, 'Mindfulness in Plain English' by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana is a great choice. It provides an accessible introduction to mindfulness from a Buddhist perspective.

Another popular option is 'The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment' by Eckhart Tolle. This book focuses on living in the present moment and has helped many people improve their mental health.

Other notable mentions include 'The Art of Happiness' by the Dalai Lama, 'Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind' by Shunryu Suzuki, and 'The Mind Illuminated: A Complete Meditation Guide Integrating Buddhist Wisdom and Brain Science for Greater Mindfulness' by John Yates, Matthew Immergut, and Jeremey Graves.

So, whether you're just starting or looking to deepen your practice, these books will surely enhance your meditation journey.

Books for beginners

Practical Meditation for Beginners: 10 Days to a Happier, Calmer You by Benjamin W. Decker

This book offers a simple, straightforward way to learn ten meditation techniques. It begins with zazen, a practice of observing your breath. Over ten days, you become more confident in your blossoming meditation practice. Decker's writing is clear and concise and walks the reader through easy steps to get started. It is a great choice for someone who is interested in learning multiple meditation techniques.

The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh

Written by the revered Vietnamese Buddhist monk, poet, peace activist, and global spiritual leader, this book is the best mindfulness guide for beginners. It focuses on mindfulness outside of sitting down and meditating. Hanh’s focus is on living in the moment and giving your full attention outside of your practice, even during seemingly mundane tasks such as chores. It is an easy, straightforward, and short read for those looking to introduce themselves to mindfulness.

How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind by Pema Chödrön

If you are having a difficult time getting your practice started, then this is a great book to set you on your path. Chödrön’s down-to-earth manner is refreshing. The book is comprehensive, touching on technique and how to manage thoughts and emotions. Pay particular attention to the “Six points of posture” chapter, which includes exercises.

The Mind Illuminated: A Complete Meditation Guide Integrating Buddhist Wisdom and Brain Science for Greater Mindfulness by John Yates PhD, Matthew Immergut, and Jeremey Graves

This is a beginner’s 10-stage guide to Theravadin Buddhist meditation. Yates’ background in physiology and neuroscience is helpful and evident in the structure of the material. He presents a plan for moving through the stages, including goals, pitfalls, skills to develop, and what mastery looks like.

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki

Despite the title, this classic is not just for Zen enthusiasts! From how to meditate to how to understand Buddhist concepts like emptiness and nirvana, this endlessly readable book covers it all. It includes a guide on how to read and consume the book so that you actually take away the learnings it offers. While the book may be a bit repetitive at times, it’s trying to drill the core concepts into the reader so that they aren’t just remembered, they’re understood.

Books on Zen and Buddhist meditation

Zen and Buddhist meditation are ancient practices that have helped people all over the world to improve their mental health and overall quality of life. Here are some books that can help guide you through your own meditation journey:

Zen Meditation

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to Zen meditation and practice, covering topics such as how to meditate and how to understand core Buddhist concepts like emptiness and nirvana. Despite its title, this classic read is not just for Zen practitioners but for anyone interested in meditation and Buddhist philosophy.

The Way of Zen by Alan W. Watts

First published in 1957, this book is a classic exploration of Zen philosophy and its applications in everyday life.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig

This unique book combines Zen philosophy with the author's experiences during a motorcycle trip across America, offering a fresh perspective on values and self-discovery.

Opening the Hand of Thought by Kosho Uchiyama Roshi

This book is highly recommended as a guide to zazen, a type of Zen meditation that focuses on sitting silently and following the breath to calm the mind and gain insight.

Buddhist Meditation

How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind by Pema Chödrön

Written by a Buddhist nun, this book presents essential meditation practices for beginners and experienced meditators alike, offering a path to a successful and lifelong meditation practice.

Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

Published in 1992, this classic book made mindfulness accessible to a wide audience and presented it from a Buddhist perspective, emphasising its key role in the dharma student's path.

Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh

Written by the founder of Engaged Buddhism, this book combines the inner path of peace in meditation with the outer path of peace in the world, showing how the two are interconnected.

The Heart of Meditation: Discovering Innermost Awareness by the Dalai Lama

In this book, the Dalai Lama introduces readers to Dzogchen, one of the highest meditation systems in Vajrayana Buddhism, which aims to help practitioners discover their true nature, or "innermost awareness".

Buddha's Book of Meditation: Mindfulness Practices for a Quieter Mind, Self-Awareness, and Healthy Living by Joseph Emet

This book offers a step-by-step guide to integrating mindfulness meditation into your daily life, with tips, techniques, and stories from the author's own experience as a teacher.

Books on mindfulness

Mindfulness is a popular form of meditation, and there are many books available to help beginners get started with their practice. Here are some of the most popular and well-regarded books on the topic:

The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh

First published in 1999, this book by the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, poet, peace activist, and global spiritual leader, remains one of the most celebrated and widely known meditation guides available. The book focuses on mindfulness outside of meditation, emphasising the importance of living in the moment and giving your full attention to the present moment, even during seemingly mundane tasks. It is a short, straightforward, and easy-to-understand introduction to mindfulness.

Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

First published in 1994, this book is considered a classic and is one of the best-selling books on mindfulness. The author, a Buddhist monk, makes the case for mindfulness by explaining its benefits and providing a step-by-step guide to the practice. The book also includes a chapter on cultivating loving-kindness and another on dealing with distractions.

Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Written by the professor of medicine emeritus and founder of the UMass Med School's Stress Reduction Clinic, this book is considered a must-read for anyone interested in mindfulness. Kabat-Zinn explains the power of mindfulness and how it can be harnessed to transform and reclaim our lives by cultivating wakeful awareness. He also provides practical guidance on how to incorporate mindfulness into everyday life.

How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind by Ani Pema Chödrön

Written by a beloved teacher of meditation and Buddhist philosophy, this book offers highly accessible explanations of mindfulness and meditation rooted in traditional Buddhist teachings. Chödrön explains how to connect with well-being and live wholeheartedly by being mindful of the body, thoughts, emotions, and sense perceptions.

The Mind Illuminated: A Complete Meditation Guide Integrating Buddhist Wisdom and Brain Science for Greater Mindfulness by John Yates PhD, Matthew Immergut, and Jeremey Graves

This book offers a beginner's guide to Theravadin Buddhist meditation, integrating the author's background in physiology and neuroscience. It presents a 10-stage plan for moving through the stages of meditation, including goals, pitfalls, and skills to develop.

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice by Shunryu Suzuki

Written by a Zen monk and founder of the first Buddhist monastery outside of Asia, this book is a classic introduction to Zen meditation. It includes a guide on how to read and consume the book to ensure readers take away the core concepts. While the book can be repetitive, it effectively drills these concepts into the reader.

Books on transcendental meditation

Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a natural method of allowing the mind to move beyond thoughts and gain access to the silent inner field of creativity, energy, peace, and happiness. It is widely known and prescribed by physicians for its powerful stress-reducing effects.

Science of Being and Art of Living by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

This book is where TM started. It covers the history and philosophy behind TM and some of its benefits. It is not intended to teach you how to practice TM. Transcendental meditation is best learned from a teacher, according to Maharishi Yogi.

Super Mind: How to Boost Performance and Live a Richer and Happier Life Through Transcendental Meditation by Norman E. Rosenthal MD

Rosenthal explains how the consistent practice of TM can change your state of mind. If you are looking for an overview of the benefits of TM, then this is a useful read.

Transcendence: Healing and Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation by Norman E. Rosenthal and Mehmet C. Oz M.D.

This book offers insights about TM and primarily focuses on its benefits. The practice involves using a word or sound as a mantra. The mantra comes from the Vedic tradition, and the teacher gives it to the student. The expectation is that you will practice your mantra for twenty minutes, twice per day.

Transcendental Meditation: The Essential Teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi by Jack Forem

Like the previous two, this book recounts the author's experience with TM and the benefits of meditation. It does not teach you how to do TM.

The Transcendental Meditation TM Book: How to Enjoy the Rest of Your Life by Denise Denniston

This bestselling book approaches the topic in a playful, humorous way. It does not teach you how to practice TM. The technique is, according to Denniston, "simple, natural, easy, effortless, effective, and fun."

Books on Vipassana meditation

Vipassana is one of the oldest meditation styles in India, revived by Gotama Buddha nearly three thousand years ago. It is defined as a way to perceive things according to their true nature. Here are some books that can help you learn more about Vipassana meditation:

The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation as Taught by S.N. Goenka by William Hart

This book is an in-depth reading of the teachings of S.N. Goenka, created under his supervision and approval. It is effective for people who practice meditation and those who don't. This book was the first copy to be written in English that precisely depicts the way of Vipassana in full length for the average reader. The book covers tales by Goenkaji and, at the same time, sheds light on numerous different questions made by readers, which express a unique sense of his philosophy.

Letters from the Dhamma Brothers: Meditation Behind Bars by Jenny Phillips

This book portrays the significant influence that a life-altering retreat had on a band of prisoners held at a top-level maximum-security state prison in Alabama, USA. The nearly 40 contributors of this first-of-its-kind rigorous, quiet 10-day course was conducted within the premises of a detention center – many of whom were sentenced to life without parole. It describes the extent of their undergoing, the profundity of their knowledge of the principles and ways taught by Buddha obtained through personal experience, and their obstacles and achievements.

Satipathdha Sutta Discourses by S.N. Goenka

This is an abbreviated form of the teachings of S.N. Goenka from a one-week meditation program on the Mahasatipatthana Sutta. Goenkaji recipes and explains the sutta, providing life and inspirational significance to the main manuscript of the Buddha around the meditative exercise. It is primarily designed as a complementary book to people practicing the Satipatthana course as imparted by S.N. Goenka.

An Ancient Path: Talks on Vipassana Meditation as Taught by S.N. Goenka by Paul R. Fleischman

The discourses made by Dr. Paul Fleischman involving Vipassana meditation are based on the teachings of S. N. Goenka and deal with topics like mental well-being, being mindful, and nurturing a sense of peace from within. This book is a helpful primer to Vipassana meditation and an inspirational source of information for people who currently practice it.

Manual of Vipassana Meditation by U Ko Lay

The Manual of Vipassana Meditation is an interpretation of the Dhammacakka Sutta and the Greater Satipatthana Sutta. The book covers interpretations of the three most vital sutta by the Buddha and notaries regarding them. The first two dissertations of Buddha and Satipatthana Sutta are also covered in the book. It is an imperative book if you have undergone some Theravada Buddhist meditation and desire to achieve some powerful ideas on the ways Buddha himself taught meditation.

Awareness Itself by AF Jotiko

Ajahn Fuang Jotiko was a dedicated pupil of the teachings of Ajaan Lee. Following Lee's passing, Ajahn Fuang carried on at Wat Asokaram, the lively monastery of Ajaan Lee situated close to Bangkok. Awareness Itself is an accumulation of the lessons taught by Ajahn Fuang Jotiko, which are gathered and translated by his pupil Thanissaro Bhikkhu. The book outlines short stories and responses that offer powerful messages.

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