Best Books on Meditation and Mindfulness
By Jonathan Carson
Some people say the best way to learn to meditate is to meditate.
However, I’ve found several books have been instrumental in guiding me on my meditation journey.
Books on meditation are particularly useful if you don’t have consistent access to a meditation teacher.
Through reading books, you can learn from some of the world’s most renowned meditation teachers, neuroscientists, and regular people who have walked the path you’re on currently.
Books will never be a substitute for a regular meditation practice, but they can unlock new insights and techniques that can help you with your practice.
These are some of the meditation books I’ve found most helpful at different stages of my journey.
Best Meditation Books for Beginners
10% Happier — Dan Harris
Ten Percent Happier by Dan Harris was the first book I read about meditation and it provided the perfect introduction.
It’s a refreshing and accessible guide to meditation, blending personal narrative with practical insights. Harris, an ABC News anchor, candidly shares his journey from skepticism to mindfulness after experiencing a live, on-air panic attack.
The book is full of humorous anecdotes as Harris confronts his own resistance to meditation. He breaks down the practice into manageable, realistic steps, emphasizing that meditation doesn’t require a complete personality overhaul but rather small, consistent changes can that yield significant results.
The book is particularly effective for beginners because it doesn’t shy away from addressing the challenges of meditation, such as dealing with a restless mind or overcoming misconceptions. Harris offers practical techniques and insights, making meditation approachable for those who may be resistant to anything that resembles “spirituality”.
It’s the realest book on meditation I’ve come across.
Harris’ follow-up to 10% Happier, Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics, is more of a meditation how-to guide. He also has an excellent podcast and app that go deeper into meditation and related topics, also called Ten Percent Happier.
Quotes from 10% Happier
“When you have one foot in the future and the other in the past, you piss on the present.”
“Meditation is not about feeling a certain way. It’s about feeling the way you feel.”
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Wherever You Go, There You Are — Jon Kabat-Zinn
Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation for Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn is one of the most accessible books on meditation I’ve come across.
Kabat-Zinn has played a significant role in bringing mindfulness practices into mainstream Western medicine and psychology. The book presents meditation as a universal tool for health and happiness, rather than mystical or new age spiritual practice. I think a lot of beginner meditators will appreciate this approach.
Kabat-Zinn emphasizes the importance of mindfulness as a way to reduce stress, enhance well-being, and cultivate a greater sense of awareness. The title itself encapsulates a central theme of the book—wherever you go, your mind is with you, so learning to be present and fully engaged in the current moment is key to a more fulfilling life.
One thing I liked is that it’s not about trying to turn your life into a zen paradise. Instead, it’s about finding some calm in the middle of your regular, everyday chaos. The book’s all about accepting yourself and your situation, which is way more doable than trying to reach some kind of enlightenment.
Wherever You Go, There You Are Quotes
“Meditation is the only intentional, systematic human activity which at bottom is about not trying to improve yourself or get anywhere else, but simply to realize where you already are.”
“Guess what? When it comes right down to it, wherever you go, there you are. Whatever you wind up doing, that’s what you’ve wound up doing. Whatever you are thinking right now, that’s what’s on your mind. Whatever has happened to you, it has already happened. The important question is, how are you going to handle it? In other words, “Now what?”
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The Headspace Guide to… Mindfulness & Meditation — Andy Puddicombe
The Headspace Guide to… Mindfulness & Meditation by Andy Puddicombe, former Buddhist monk and founder of the Headspace app, provides a down-to-earth guide that demystifies meditation for those just starting their journey.
What sets this book apart is its user-friendly structure. It includes practical exercises, guided meditations, and real-life examples that resonate with beginners.
The book covers various aspects of meditation, including breath awareness, dealing with distractions, and cultivating mindfulness in daily life. It addresses common challenges faced by beginners and provides practical solutions to integrate mindfulness seamlessly into your routine.
The Headspace Guide to… Mindfulness & Meditation Quotes
“Meditation isn’t about becoming a different person, a new person, or even a better person. It’s about training in awareness and understanding how and why you think and feel the way you do, and getting a healthy sense of perspective in the process.”
“It can sometimes feel as though we’re so busy remembering, planning and analyzing life, that we forget to experience life—as it actually is, rather than how we think it should be.”
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Best Meditation Books for Intermediate Meditators
Waking Up — Sam Harris
Unlike your typical meditation guide, Waking Up by Sam Harris blends science, philosophy, and profound meditative insights to unravel the mysteries of consciousness.
The book challenges your perceptions of reality and self, making it an ideal read for those who’ve already dipped their toes into meditation and are hungry for more depth.
As the subtitle of the book suggests, Harris provides a guide to spirituality without the rigidity of religion. While he’s known for his skepticism and religion bashing, Waking Up has a more optimistic air and presents meditation and mindfulness as the path to a more personal experience of spirituality.
Waking Up Quotes
“How we pay attention to the present moment largely determines the character of our experience and, therefore, the quality of our lives. Mystics and contemplatives have made this claim for ages—but a growing body of scientific research now bears it out.”
“On one level, wisdom is nothing more profound than an ability to follow one’s own advice.”
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The Miracle of Mindfulness — Thich Nhat Hanh
The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh stands out among books on meditation due to its unique blend of practicality, simplicity, and emphasis on integrating mindfulness into everyday life. Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, presents mindfulness not merely as a meditation technique but as a way of living.
The book introduces the concept of “mindfulness in everyday activities,” encouraging readers to bring awareness and presence to mundane tasks like drinking tea, washing dishes, or walking.
Unlike some meditation guides that may delve deeply into complex philosophical or psychological concepts, The Miracle of Mindfulness maintains a straightforward and accessible approach.
The book is particularly well-suited for intermediate meditators due to its emphasis on simplicity and integration.
The Miracle of Mindfulness Quotes
“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves—slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.”
“The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.”
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Best Meditation Books for Experienced Meditators
The Mind Illuminated — Dr. John Yates
I was looking for a step-by-step guide to deepen my meditation practice when I came across The Mind Illuminated by Dr. John Yates (aka Culadasa). Yates blends the ancient teachings of Buddhism and the latest brain science to create a 10-stage program designed to accelerate your meditation journey.
While beginners could benefit from the structured approach of this book, I think it’s more suited to those who have been practicing meditation for a while. I found many of the ideas and terms to be quite technically advanced.
This isn’t a book you read from cover to cover. It’s more of a reference guide as you integrate the teachings through each of the stages outlined in the book.
The Mind Illuminated Quotes
“The beauty and significance of a life well lived consists not in the works we leave behind, or in what history has to say about us. It comes from the quality of conscious experience that infuses our every waking moment, and from the impact we have on others.”
“Too often, people approach meditation as though they were taking medicine—it tastes bad, but they grin and bear it because it’s supposed to be good for them. Instead, make meditation into a pleasurable activity. If you’re at ease and happy, you will be more successful than if you’re tense and straining.”
Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening — Joseph Goldstein
Joseph Goldstein is one of the most prominent meditation teachers in the world today and is one of a small group who are credited with bringing meditation to the West. I’ve always enjoyed his teachings on YouTube and various podcasts and was curious to read more of his writing.
Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening was recommended as a good place to start, especially as I was looking to further my personal practice at the time.
Goldstein combines traditional Buddhist teachings with practical insights, offering a comprehensive guide for those already familiar with meditation.
The book stands out due to its nuanced exploration of mindfulness, delving into the impermanence and interconnectedness of all things. Goldstein doesn’t shy away from the complexities of meditation; instead, he provides practical techniques for changing one’s relationship to the present moment.
Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening Quotes
“How does feeling our breath or taking a mindful step help anyone else? It happens in several ways. The more we understand our own minds, the more we understand everyone else. We increasingly feel the commonality of our human condition, of what creates suffering and how we can be free. Our practice also benefits others through the transformation of how we are in the world.”
“What you are looking for is what is looking.”
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