r/Meditation • u/mrbundle yogi ॐ • Oct 11 '14
Meddit's Book Recommendations
Time to update the existing side bar list.
If you could recommend a book(s) on meditation—on practice, theory, and/or inspiration for meditating — what would they be?
Feel free to confirm anything which is already there.
If relevant, describe who the book is best for, such as beginner or seasoned practitioner.
It’s helpful if you can link the book and perhaps share a bit about it.
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u/auoar Oct 11 '14
Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening, Joseph Goldstein
http://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-A-Practical-Guide-Awakening/dp/162203063X
It is a diligent explanation of Satipatthana sutta. It is very clearly written and full of wisdom. Has great advice for dealing with hinderances in practice. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who wants to go straight to the source of the teaching and move their practice forward. It's not probably good for absolute beginners.
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u/gemeinsam Oct 11 '14
Full Catastrophe Living - John Kabat Zinn
highly recommended for starters
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u/mrbundle yogi ॐ Oct 11 '14
Yes I am interested in this for my mother who is still grieving my father. Would it suit this kind of thing? Does it have techniques in it?
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u/kilofoxtrot Dec 10 '14
I'm a little late here, but I thought I'd reply since you didn't get a response. I think it could help your mom. I am a beginner and read that book, passed it on to my mother as something she could use to help her live with her depression. For me, it has been a great help and my mom says she has also gotten a lot out of it. She said it was exactly the kind of thing she was looking for. It's easy to read and not filled with fluff. It provides detailed methods for beginners and experienced people looking to get back to the basics. It's a great resource to flip through and I have gone back to it many times. There are examples of clinical trials and of problems people face while meditating. This book (and Jon Kabat-Zinn's clinic) teaches how to live with your pain, whatever it may be. How to accept it and not struggle with it. I think it could be a great resource for your mom. The biggest thing it taught me is that feeling sad or anxious isn't a bad thing (non judgement). I try to remember this when feeling blue and the additional guilt for feeling that way goes away. It makes it easier to experience what I'm feeling and to then let it go. Best wishes.
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u/repulsive_explosion Oct 11 '14
10% Happier by Dan Harris and Waking Up by Sam Harris, in that order. The first will draw in novices and skeptics, motivate people who have been practicing for a short time or without much regularity or purpose, and begin to define a near-term path forward on and off the cushion. The second shows you why the path you thought you were on, while beneficial, was an illusion all along, and offers a refined focus for your new contemplative toolset.
I read the first in April and the second when it came out (and have since read it a second time). I don't think I will ever think about myself, consciousness, or meditation the same way again. The authors actually discussed how the two books dovetail nicely in a discussion on Sam Harris' blog: http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/taming-the-mind
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u/chi_sao Oct 12 '14
I found 10% Happier to be a very cogent exploration of the journey. I also love the title, who wouldn't want to meditate with the expectation that it can make you just a little bit happier at a time :)
I plan on giving this to friends who ask me, "So what's it like? Why do you think meditation is so great?"
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u/grmendez123 Dec 29 '14
I really enjoyed Dan Harris' book. I listened to the audio book on audible and found it really informative and motivating. Its a great read for a skeptic or someone just starting their practice.
I am a big fan of Sam Harris but did find his book a little difficult to fully grasp. Its definitely a book I am going to have to read again.
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u/Healplz Dec 30 '14
Same boat. Just finished _Waking Up_ this morning, and definitely need to go through it again.
Both guys could narrate more things, though, and I wouldn't be mad.
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u/natanbroon Jan 20 '15
How would it change things if I read them in the other order? I am just getting into meditation and have picked up the second book but have not begun to read it yet...
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Oct 11 '14
- Focused and Fearless. A Meditator's Guide to States of Deep Joy, Calm, and Clarity by Shaila Catherine.
Good for beginners with several months experience.
Basically a step by step walkthrough for seeking Jhanic states and insight.
That being said, it has accidentally helped me a lot with zazen which is not seeking much of anything.
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Feb 26 '15
Which book would you recommend first? Focuses and Fearless? Or Wisdom Wide and Deep? I'm not sure which one I should read first.
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Feb 26 '15
I haven't read Wisdom Wide and Deep, so I can only recommend Focused and Fearless.
I also recommend Mindfulness in Plain English, which I read recently and is a much more beginner read than Focused and Fearless I believe.
If you are interested in Zen, then Taking the Path of Zen is really good as well. It is extremely straightforward and simple.
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u/j10jep2 Oct 11 '14
coming out of left field here with Thinking Fast and Slow. Based upon years and years of academic psychology research from a nobel laureate in the subject, it pins a laser focus on the two different "systems" the mind uses to process information. One Fast and Automatic, one Slow and Deliberate. It's not really about meditation per se but damn if it wont help someone know themselves.
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u/eightfold Oct 11 '14
Yoga: Discipline of Freedom: The Yoga Sutras Attributed to Patanjali
Patanjali's sutras are probably the most classic of the classical manuals on meditation, this edition has the most consistent and readable translation/commentary I've encountered.
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u/chi_sao Oct 12 '14
- For the beginner: Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante G (runner up: The Experience of Insight, Joseph Goldstein)
- For those interested in concentration: Practicing the Jhanas by Snyder and Rasmussen (runner up: Beyond Mindfulness in Plain English); for more theory, less practice: The Experience of Samadhi, Richard Shankman
- For the experienced practitioner: In This Very Life, Sayadaw U Pandita (runner up: Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha, Daniel Ingram)
- Looking forward to post-'enlightenment': After the Ecstasy The Laundry, Jack Kornfield (runner up: The End of Your World, Adyashanti)
- Biography of a meditator: Hardcore Zen, Brad Warner (runner up: Confession of a Buddhist Atheist, Stephen Batchelor)
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Oct 11 '14
Waking Up by Sam Harris
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u/french_press Oct 11 '14
Great book - this is one I will be re-reading again. For those interested you can find the first chapter online here.
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u/Chridsdude Feb 17 '15
Anyone who wants the free PDF online... It doesn't exist yet... And if you know anything about meditating the first chapter doesn't cover anything new you need to know.
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u/persio809 Oct 11 '14
+1 it's written from a very interesting scientific point of view, it's very well suited for beginners, skeptiks and for everyone else
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u/philosophyguru Oct 11 '14
Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha by Daniel Ingram. No nonsense, intense approach to Buddhist meditation, including very clear explanations of the jhanic states and the stages of vipassana meditation. Recommended for experienced practitioners.
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u/chi_sao Oct 12 '14
Recommended for experienced practitioners.
Agreed.
A lot of the info feels like a bit of a rehash of Sayadaw U Pandita's In This Very Life. If you liked MCTB, do have a read of U Pandita's book, as it addresses this subject in depth and from a slightly different angle.
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u/Paradoxiumm Oct 11 '14
Mindfulnss, Bliss, and Beyond: A Meditatior's Handbook by Ajahn Brahm, great for beginners and seasoned practitioners.
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u/macjoven Dec 18 '14
Everything by Thich Nhat Hanh. Especially Peace is Every Step and Anger: wisdom for cooling the flames.
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Oct 11 '14
'The Power Of Now' by Eckart Tolle.
Not about meditation per se, but about being present in the moment. I always recommend this book because it had a huge impact on my life and brought me back in touch with my spirituality.
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u/french_press Oct 11 '14 edited Oct 11 '14
I second and third this. If a reader is looking for a more concise read to acclimate to the material, "Practicing The Power of Now" is excellent as well - easier to get through, but still conveys the message. And then, read the entire book to really internalize it.
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u/batfan007 Nov 14 '14
I also recommend his "A New Earth" for anyone who has worked/meditated on Power of Now for a year or more and is ready for something different.
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Oct 11 '14
The journey to awakening by Ram Dass.
This book describes meditation from every angle there could possibly be, although it leans more to the spiritual side.
It outlines so many ways to get started that it makes you feel bad for not giving meditation a shot.
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Oct 11 '14
I recommend reading "The Mindful Way through Depression." Even if you wouldn't describe yourself as depressed, it is a fascinating book written by 3 psychologists and a mindfulness teacher that describes how thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and behavior all interact. It teaches you how to use mindfulness to break free of the endless loop between thoughts and emotions and live mindfully in the present moment.
It also comes with a CD of excellent guided meditations that can help you as a beginner. The best $12.40 I have ever spent.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Mindful-Way-Through-Depression/dp/1593851286
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u/Jaja1990 Choiceless Awareness Oct 11 '14
Search Inside Yourself is probably the best book for beginners.
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u/danheap Oct 12 '14
Meditation for Beginners - John Kabat-Zin
Meditation in Action - Chogyam Trungpa
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind - Shunryu Suzuki
Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness - Sharon Salzberg - just finished and starting to follow the exercises.
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u/clickstation Oct 11 '14
Sayadaw U Tejaniya's Dhamma Everywhere: http://sayadawutejaniya.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Dhamma-Everywhere-Ashin-Tejaniya.pdf
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u/godsdog23 Oct 11 '14
Freedom From the Known - Jiddu Krishnamurti, probably the best book I ever read.
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u/throwaway Oct 12 '14
Anything by Thanissaro. Most of them are pretty heavy going, but With Each & Every Breath is a very friendly introduction.
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u/metapatterns Oct 11 '14
So many great recommendations already. One I'm surprised not to see is Buddhism Without Beliefs by Stephen Batchelor. Not primarily a book of instructions (although there are some) but an accessible, secular exploration of Buddhist teachings. Very enjoyable read. Appropriate for any experience level and likely a fit for the many folks who are uncomfortable with more traditional "religious" approaches to meditation.
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u/SometimesImnaked Feb 19 '15
The Untethered Soul by Micheal A. Singer!
Really easy to read through, great for beginners!
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u/dhgrossman92 Oct 11 '14 edited Oct 11 '14
Meditation in Action - Chogyam Trungpa. This is a great introduction to basic principles of Shamatha meditation and mindfulness in action, it is highly practice-oriented. Also, The Sanity We Are Born With, same author. Teachings on basic sanity, wheel of life, and basically a wonderful bit about Buddhist Psychology. This one is slightly more advanced than meditation in action.
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Oct 11 '14
Not to the topic, but I'm looking for a book that can help me become more self-aware. Is there such a book out there? Like tackling all aspects of reality and how to better equip yourself mentally. If there's such a book, please recommend me one!
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u/Oklahom0 Oct 11 '14
Meditation for Dummies. The Dummies is great for any beginner, because it goes into detail of problems, provides outside resources for more research.
In the meditation one, they go into several different types of meditation, how they work, basic ideas behind them, and several troubleshooting questions. Combine that with the links they provide afterwards, and you've essentially got a book version of a meta-analysis of several different techniques to try to find the path you wish to follow.
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u/HazyGaze Oct 12 '14
There are two publications on Open Focus Meditation and I recommend them both. In my opinion, the better of the two is The Open Focus Handbook available on Les Fehmi's website:
A few years ago, he and co-author Jim Robbins, wrote The Open Focus Brain, a mass market publication. It includes a CD with a couple of the guided visualizations.
Open Focus is putting the attention on certain areas of space, e.g. "feel the space betweem your eyes". There's a set of CDs with these exercises, but once you learn how to focus your attention in this manner, their continued use is up to you.
Copthorne Macdonald's review, which includes a brief comparison with his meditation practice, is here:
http://www.wisdompage.com/FehmiBook.html
I'm also a fan of some of Cheri Huber's work, particularly "The Key: And The Name Of The Key Is Willingness".
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u/dedodude100 Oct 29 '14
Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith Is a very interesting, and well written book about Chakra meditation. Worth checking out
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u/batfan007 Nov 14 '14
Sit Like a Buddha by Lodro Rinzler published by Shambala Publications.
A good introductory book by a Buddhist that is written for a general audience, an introduction to meditation, basic practice, and how to apply meditation and mindfulness in general life / integrate meditation practice into life style, and find the benefits outside of the meditation practice itself.
Concise, informative and well written, highly recommended for those who are just learning to meditate, or who have never meditated at all.
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Oct 11 '14
David Lynch- Catching the Big Fish: Meditation Consciousness, and Creativity
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u/batfan007 Nov 14 '14
I've not read it, but listened to the audio version repeatedly, which is read by the Lynch man himself, and I DO recommend the audio book.
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u/mykl66 Atiyoga/Dzogchen Dec 20 '21
I see not many additions to this list in a while. So I thought I would add one:
Awakening The Luminous Mind by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
This is a deep dive into some of the ancient meditation practices of Bön, the pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet. The common theme of the practices is easing suffering in our everyday lives.
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u/LiveLoveLaughGive Aug 21 '22
I did not see A Million Thoughts by Om Swami. I have read this one and tried following instructions. It's been a difficult but productive journey for over 12 months. This book works better for a beginner in my mind given that simple language and explanation of the technique. But the book has a serious tone given the fact that the author has put in 1000s of hours of intense meditation before penning the book. So if you are looking for a fun read, this may be a disappointment.
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u/cakmn Sep 05 '22
There is a wonderful meditation method that has not yet been shared here, and is not yet as widely known as it should be, called Heart Rhythm Meditation. A good book to learn from is Living from the Heart by Puran Bair. This is appropriate for anyone from beginners to experienced meditators who have practiced other methods. More can be learned from this website: www.iamheart.org
The basic method involves coordinating the breath with the heartbeat, as sensed in the chest. One inhales for 4, 6 or 8 heartbeats and exhales for the same number of heartbeats. While learning, as well as for some specific practices, one will also hold the breath at the top of the inhalation for the same number of heartbeats as for the inhalation and the exhalation. During this hold, it is often easier to sense the heartbeat in the chest. There is never any pause or hold at the bottom of the exhalation.
There are many practices that can be used as one is breathing in coordination with the heartbeat to help facilitate particular intents and purposes. While most practices are done individually, there are a few that are designed to be done with a partner.
One thing that happens when coordinating or harmonizing the breath rate with the heartbeat is that other rhythms of the body – brainwaves, organs, glands – will become entrained, meaning that they will also be brought into harmony with each other and with the heartbeat.
Puran and Susanna Bair have developed this meditation method from the teachings and practices of Hazrat Inayat Khan, a Sufi teacher who came to the West from India in 1910. The Bairs have a school where they and others they have trained teach basic Heart Rhythm Meditation as well as many advanced techniques. You can learn more by following the link provided above. They also have other books and CDs from which you can learn and practice.
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u/[deleted] Oct 11 '14
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