The pandemic is such an interesting time for our internal lives. It’s given us an abundance of quiet, but it’s also filled that quiet with so many stresses and worries that we’re not used to coping with. Everywhere we look we see messages urging us to make the most of this time but in some ways being able to focus or invest in mindfulness has never been harder. If you’re looking for a way to organize your thoughts or make sense of the chaos of this time in our lives, meditation might be a great way to help make space for clarity in the midst of so many thoughts. On its surface, meditation might seem unapproachable; it can be hard to understand what it’s good for, or we might feel like we’re not “enlightened” enough to try. The good news is that meditation is for everyone, and so many authors have been hard at work trying to prove that anyone can use meditation to help improve their lives, declutter their minds, and be more present even in the face of the unexpected. Here are nine books about meditation that can help you on your path to becoming more present and mindful, whether you meditate regularly or you’re just curious.
1. Strength in Stillness: The Power of Transcendental Meditation by Bob Roth
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If you often have difficulty with racing thoughts or have a hard time keeping anxiety in check, transcendental meditation might be a great place to start. Bob Roth’s methods are easy to follow, simple to understand, and ultimately they’re just about allowing you to clear your mind of nagging worries and experience stillness and peace.
2. Dear Universe: 200 Mini-Meditations for Instant Manifestations by Sara Prout
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If you, like me, prefer books that you can pick up and open to a page at random for a fresh piece of guidance, this book of mini-meditations might be the perfect addition to your life. Between a thoughtful introduction about how meditation can impact your life and a conclusion about how to maintain your momentum going forward, this book has 200 simple, easy meditations to reflect on. Whether you go through them one at a time or enjoy flipping through to find the perfect meditation for your day, Dear Universe will make a great companion as you pursue mindfulness.
3. Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day by Jay Shetty
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Jay Shetty trained for years as a monk before realizing how much his insight into inner peace and happiness could help his friends who were unhappy in their careers and personal lives. In this book Shetty uses his training to help show us the blocks that stand between us and happiness, encouraging readers to pursue self esteem over self image. If you’ve felt stuck in a rut and feel like you need a change of perspective, Think Like A Monk is a great place to start.
4. Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn
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Wherever You Go, There You Are is all about the parts of us that we grow blind to, the assumptions we make about ourselves and the world that we take for granted. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s form of mindfulness meditation is all about seeing through these assumptions that cloud our vision, allowing us to wake up to reality and experience the present in a new way.
5. Practical Meditation for Beginners: 10 Days to a Happier, Calmer You by Benjamin W. Decker
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If you’ve ever had the thought that meditation isn’t for you because you’re too pragmatic or results-oriented, then this book might be the perfect solution. It can be overwhelming to be presented with a book full of information without action points; instead, Benjamin W. Decker lays out daily actions you can take right now to help you gain a bit more control over your thoughts and worries.
6. Total Meditation: Practices in Living the Awakened Life by Deepak Chopra M.D.
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In Total Meditation, expert Deepak Chopra shares the benefits that he’s seen from over thirty years working with meditation as a practice. He emphasizes how unique and personal the process is, meaning that it looks different for everyone. If you’re looking to craft an experience with mindfulness that’s specific for you, Chopra’s insights can help you start to visualize it.
7. A Sloth’s Guide to Mindfulness by Ton Mak
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If you’re looking for a book with a sense of humor, or a little reminder that meditation doesn’t have to be deadly serious, A Sloth’s Guide To Mindfulness might make the perfect addition to your bookshelf. While it is light, it’s also a soothing and earnest look at some of the basics of mindfulness that might help you connect with a few reasons you’re looking to practice meditation in the first place.
With so much uncertainty and a lack of distractions, this might be the most crucial time to start practicing mindfulness through meditation. These books show that meditation can be for anyone, whether you already have a practice you’re looking to grow or you’re just looking for some relief from everyday mental clutter and stress. If you’ve been considering meditation but don’t know where to start, the answer could lie in one of these books.
