The practice of mindfulness has been gaining popularity over the past two decades, creating a passionate community of authors, readers, teachers, and students. Although its roots are believed to originate from Asia, similar concepts have been found on every continent.
Mindfulness is a coping mechanism for life, a self-healing and self-preserving method to maintain physical and mental health, and to feel happy and fulfilled in every moment of life. This section presents the 11 best books about mindfulness for those seeking a happier and healthier life.
1. Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer
Untethered Soul is a spiritual book written by Michael A. Singer that explores how our inner and global consciousness affects our lives, happiness, and success. The author emphasizes the importance of letting go of control and disrupting thoughts in order to live a life full of freedom, happiness, and fulfillment.
Throughout the book, Singer encourages readers to dedicate a few minutes each day to calming down, relaxing, and focusing on the present moment. This simple practice helps to clear out negative emotions that are often trapped in the body.
2. Meditation is Not What You Think by Jon Kabat-Zinn
“Meditation Is Not What You Think: Mindfulness and Why Is It Important” is a highly recommended book by Jon Kabat-Zinn, which focuses on mindfulness meditation, and what meditation actually is, and why it is important to us. In this book, Jon debunks the myths behind meditations and simply shows the health benefits of mindfulness and meditation in the “Real” world.
He emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in our daily lives and how it can help us cope with stress, anxiety, and depression. This book is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about meditation and mindfulness.
3. Our Senses: An Immersive Experience by Rob DeSalle
Rob DeSalle’s book, “Our Senses: An Immersive Experience,” offers a unique perspective on the human senses. DeSalle delves into new research findings and explains how our senses work together to create our perception and consciousness. The book covers a range of topics, including supersenses, diminished senses, synesthesia, hemispheric specialization, diseases, anomalies induced by brain damages, injuries, and hallucinations.
DeSalle’s insights into the wonders of the human brain are particularly noteworthy. He provides readers with a better understanding of how our senses function and evolve. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the human brain and how it perceives the world around us.
4. The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh
Thich Nhat Hanh’s book, The Miracle of Mindfulness, is an excellent starting point for those who want to learn more about mindfulness and meditation. Rather than taking an analytical approach, the book uses storytelling to explain the practice of mindfulness and its benefits on both physical and spiritual levels.
The book is easy to read, with a clear and simple emphasis on basic practice, making it easy for readers to start applying the principles immediately.
It is worth noting that although the book describes mindfulness as a Buddhist practice, it is not exclusively meant for those interested in Buddhism. Thich Nhat Hanh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, peace activist, teacher, and author of over 100 books throughout his life.
The Miracle of Mindfulness is a testament to his deep understanding of mindfulness and his ability to convey its importance to readers of all backgrounds.
5. The Mindful Way Through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness
Depression is a common mental illness that affects people worldwide. The Mindful Way Through Depression is a book co-authored by Mark Williams, John Teasdale, Zindel Segal, and Jon Kabat-Zinn. The book offers a unique approach to treating depression by using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
This therapy helps individuals become aware of their thoughts and emotions and learn to respond to them in a more positive and productive way. By doing so, individuals can free themselves from chronic unhappiness and lead a more fulfilling life.
6. Little Book of Mindfulness: 10 Minutes a Day to Less Stress and More Peace by Patricia Collard
The Little Book of Mindfulness is a small book that promotes mindfulness practice throughout the day. Its size makes it easy to carry and use every day. The book is perfect for people who love The Little Book of Calm. It is a great tool for individuals who want to reduce stress and increase peace in their lives.
7. Resilience: Powerful Practices for Overcoming Adversity
Resilience is a book by Linda Graham that offers a comprehensive guide on how to develop emotional, relational, and reflective intelligence. The book’s primary focus is on how to deal with disasters, difficulties, disappointments, and challenges, no matter their size. The book emphasizes the importance of building resilience in everyday life, so people are prepared when a significant disaster occurs.
The key to building resilience is to see the good in bad situations. The book provides practical and powerful practices for bouncing back from disappointment, difficulty, and even disaster. These practices help people develop confidence and good feelings when dealing with life’s inevitable challenges and crises.
The book provides a perfect guiding system for individuals who want to develop resilience. It offers crucial skills that help people deal with life’s challenges and crises with confidence. By following the book’s guidance, individuals can develop the necessary skills to overcome adversity and emerge stronger.
8. New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle’s book, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, is a must-read for anyone looking to embrace the present moment. The book’s main focus is on living in the Now instead of worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. Tolle argues that the past and future do not exist from certain philosophical points of view, so why do we spend our lives avoiding the present moment?
In A New Earth, Tolle explores the concept of awakening to one’s life purpose and understanding what is truly going on with the planet we call home. This book is a powerful tool for anyone seeking to live a more mindful and purposeful life. By embracing the present moment, readers can learn to let go of their worries and fears and live a more fulfilling life.
9. The Leader’s Guide to Mindfulness: How to Utilize Soft Skills for Achieving Hard Results by Audrey Tang
The Leader’s Guide to Mindfulness is a recently published book written by Dr. Audrey Tang in 2018. The book provides an overview of several years of research, studies, and publications in the psychology and mindfulness industry. It has been praised for its simplicity and ease of understanding, as it delves into the concept of mindfulness and how it can benefit individuals in leadership roles.
The book emphasizes the habits and rituals of successful entrepreneurs, businessmen, and executives, and how they deal with high-pressure situations in life. It provides practical guidance on how to use mindfulness as a tool to achieve hard results. The book is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their leadership skills and enhance their personal and professional growth.
The Leader’s Guide to Mindfulness is an excellent resource for leaders looking to improve their soft skills. It offers a clear and concise guide on how to use mindfulness to achieve success in today’s fast-paced world.
10. Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Jon Kabat-Zinn is considered a pioneer in introducing mindfulness into psychology. His work has led to a surge of interest in mindfulness practices, with universities, research facilities, and individuals all embracing the concept. Kabat-Zinn’s research has helped to introduce mindfulness and meditation to communities worldwide, and it has become a fundamental practice for stress reduction in both small businesses and large corporations.
Drawing on years of research and practice, Kabat-Zinn developed the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program. This program has helped groups and individuals overcome life’s challenges and difficulties, leading to greater happiness, fulfillment, and overall well-being.
Kabat-Zinn’s book, “Wherever You Go, There You Are,” is a guide to mindfulness and provides practical advice for incorporating mindfulness into everyday life. Through mindfulness, individuals can achieve greater awareness and live in the present moment, leading to a more fulfilling life.
11. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle’s book, “The Power of Now,” is a timeless masterpiece that has been inspiring readers for almost two decades. This book is an insightful guide to mindfulness and teaches readers how to be more present in the moment of now. The principle of being present in the moment is fundamental to mindfulness practice, and this book can help readers get closer to understanding what it means to be mindful.
“The Power of Now” teaches readers how to free themselves from the enslaving thoughts and emotions of the mind, which are often the root cause of mental and health-related problems. Eckhart Tolle shows readers how to quiet their minds and eliminate unnecessary thoughts and mental noise that block positive vibrancy frequencies from emerging. This practice can help readers feel the ease and lightness spiced with unconditional happiness of being alive.
Eckhart Tolle’s life story is an excellent example of how one’s life can be entirely transformed. Through his book, he provides readers with practical tools and techniques to help them achieve a more fulfilling life. “The Power of Now” is a must-read for anyone seeking to live a more mindful and present life.
Summary
The best mindfulness books offer a range of techniques and practices for cultivating mindfulness in daily life. These books provide insights into the benefits of mindfulness, including stress reduction, improved focus, and increased happiness and well-being.
Some of the most popular mindfulness books include “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle, “Mindfulness in Plain English” by Bhante Gunaratana, and “Wherever You Go, There You Are” by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Each of these books provides a unique perspective on mindfulness and offers practical advice for integrating mindfulness into daily life.