If you’re looking for a good read and are craving a deeper understanding of the sense of presence and how to achieve mental clarity, I highly recommend these six must read mindfulness books!
From an early age, I devoured books, both fictional and nonfictional. I was and am a bookworm and, luckily, a fast reader, so the number of books I go through in a year is staggering.
But I’m also a devoted notetaker, with stacks of notebooks filled with random ideas, insights and thoughts. A way I desern the quality of any book (fictional or nonfictional), is by the number of notes I make while reading. So, here I’ve compiled some of my most notetaking-worthy mindset and mindfulness books for you, to inspire, provide insights, and encourage personal growth.
These six carefully selected books offer practical wisdom and evidence-based approaches to developing mindfulness. Think of these books not just as reading material, but as guides to becoming more present in your life, and to help you navigate life’s challenges with more awareness and resilience.
My Notetaking-worthy Must Read Mindfulness Books.
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle.
I have to admit this is not one of my favorite books, but I have read it, and include it here as it is a classic and one of the books that has inspired countless people ever since its publication, so I consider it a must-read. Eckhart talks about the spiritual journey you must go on to find your true and deepest self and reach the ultimate in personal growth and spirituality. You get to learn about the need for awareness of being, liberation of the mind, and being able to be in the present (the Now), in order to achieve Enlightenment.
Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Bhante Gunaratana.
If you’re a beginner, this is a classic and one of the books on mindfulness that I would advise you to start with. You get a step-by-step revision of the myths, realities, and benefits of meditation and the practice of mindfulness. It’s written in plain English and contains a host of practical advice. A great resource if you are new to meditation.
Loving What Is by Byron Katie and Stephen Mitchell.
Byron’s book is all based on the concept of questioning our thoughts and beliefs about ourselves and others. With a structured formula of a specific set of questions, you’ll learn a way to open your mind to profound wisdom, and life-transforming insights. I love this book, and it is truly a step-by-step approach to changing your mindset that will completely transform the way you view life.
Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living by Pema Chodron and Jonna Rotte.
This is a great book that I personally have read many times. In this book, Pema focuses on getting to the heart of who we really are and how to make friends with ourselves, in order to be able to live an authentic life. The teaching in this book is framed around fifty-nine traditional Tibetan Buddhist maxims (think like affirmations), to point you to your heart and mind.
Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom by Rick Hanson
Did you know that you can actually change your brain? Changing your perspective, your mindset is all about changing your thoughts. Science has long ago revealed that the flow (and content) of your thoughts actually sculpts your brain. In this book neuroscience is coupled with mindfulness practices and tools, to show you how to rewire your brain for greater happiness, love, and wisdom. This is a great book if you are new to these concepts and want to dive into how it all works.
Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One by Dr. Joe Dispenza
Let me be upfront, this is not a book for anyone new to mindfulness. I kept seeing references to this book for many years before I finally got around to reading it, and I’m actually glad I waited so long. After having read a lot of other great books on mindfulness before this one, it was then a pleasant and enlightening read. Joe’s book is about reprogramming your biology and thinking, in order to break the habit of being yourself so you can truly change your mind and your life.
It is heavy on quantum physics, neuroscience, brain chemistry, and biology and if you’re not already familiar with some of these concepts, you might be in for a hard read. But if you’re up for it, it shows you how to rewire yourself and recondition your body to create better health and measurable changes in any area of your life.
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