Is it just us, or has the idea of mindfulness or living in the present moment gained traction over the past few years?
The far-reaching benefits of mindfulness are now well-documented through credible scientific research. From reduced anxiety and stress to better decision-making, increased cognitive abilities, and an overall better quality of life – adding mindfulness to your routine is genuinely the change you need to turn around your life for the better.
At its very core, mindfulness is actually a pretty simple idea. It is about being more present and conscious of your physical and mental self. It includes feeling peace, stability, and stillness in your surroundings.
However, it is the practice of mindfulness that is difficult. Especially for us, people who have spent an entire life doing the exact opposite of being mindful. We live in a world constantly rushing to reach the next milestone, and being still is not a choice for most of us.
This is exactly where the best mindfulness books of all time come into play.
Mindfulness is a life-changing practice, and there is no better way to learn about it than with the right reading tools. Equipped with the best books on mindfulness, you can master the practice anywhere – no fancy retreats in the hills required!
But there are so many options out there, each claiming to be one of the best-rated books on mindfulness. In the middle of the chaos, how do you find good mindfulness books that actually resonate with you?
Well, we have got you covered. We have sifted through the catalog of mindfulness books across the internet and chosen our favorites for the best mindfulness books of all time.
So, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro at being more present in your life, this list has a book for you. Let’s dive in.
The Best Books On Mindfulness
1. The Headspace Guide To Meditation And Mindfulness by Andy Puddicombe
Who is a better person to tell you about mindfulness than an ex-monk who ended up creating the most downloaded meditation app in the world?
Andy Puddicombe, the founder of the Headspace meditation app, wrote The Headspace Meditation Guide. In the book, Andy documents his journey from a confused schoolboy to a monk to eventually the creator of Headspace.
The Headspace Guide is one of the best books on mindfulness because it explains why the practice is bloody amazing for you in all aspects of your life. It debunks the mainstream image of mindfulness and hits right at the toxic wellness industry. In the middle of all this, it also manages to introduce you to the nitty-gritty of mindfulness practice subtly.
2. The Chaos Antidote: A Fable About Mindfulness by Aimee L. Morgan
One of the best-rated mindfulness books on both Goodreads and Amazon – The Chaos Antidote, is one of the go-to books for mindfulness.
The book follows the journey of a group of women who try to mitigate the chaos in their lives by learning the life-changing practice of mindfulness from their leader, Veda.
Despite being told as a fable, The Chaos Antidote makes it to our list of the best mindfulness books of all time for all the actionable and practical pieces of advice you will gain through this book. It will help you learn how to sit for your mindfulness session, engage all your senses, practice emotional expression, and much more.
3. The Little Book of Being: Practices and Guidance for Uncovering Your Natural Awareness by Diana Winston
The first step to being more mindful is to be more aware of your surroundings and yourself. In that way, natural awareness is complementary to mindfulness. This is why Diana Winston’s The Little Book of Being makes it to our list of the best mindfulness books for beginners.
If the idea of learning how to be more present sounds a lot to you, start with this book. It breaks down natural awareness into easily approachable and action-based steps. Winston breaks down the first mindfulness step for you in concise and exercise-based chapters.
Once you learn to be more aware, mindfulness feels more manageable and achievable.
4. The Best of Me by David Sedaris
Who says that the best mindfulness books need to be boring and serious?
David Sedaris, a legendary humorist, approaches mindfulness through a unique perspective that is both easy, accessible, and extremely fun to read. Using personal anecdotes and rib-tickling humor, David explains the wildness and absurdity of our world.
The Best of Me is different from all other books and in an exceptionally positive way. It makes it to our list of the best mindfulness books of all time for its keen observations of human behavior and unique take on the peculiarities of mindfulness practice.
While you might not find tips on practicing mindfulness in this book, you will learn more about accepting your flaws and being more present in your regular life than ever before.
5. Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff
Mindfulness is more than just learning how to be present. It is also about learning to be more calm and patient with yourself. It means being kind and compassionate toward yourself and the world around you. While kindness for others is nurtured within us from an early age, self-compassion is a skill that most of us struggle to learn.
This is exactly where Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff is one of the top mindfulness books. It helps you learn how to manage regular challenges in life while being kinder to yourself.
One of the best mindfulness books for beginners, Self-Compassion, will help you alter your critical self-thought and leave you feeling more empathetic toward yourself than before.
6. Sitting Still Like a Frog by Eline Snel
While the description of Sitting Still Like a Frog says that it is one of the best books on mindfulness for kids, it is much more than that.
Because let’s be honest; we are all a bit like kids when it comes to learning to be more mindful. (In fact, we feel kids understand mindfulness far better than we adults.)
Mindfulness involves being still and calm – two states that practically feel unachievable with the host of constant mental stimuli that are bombarded toward us. This is precisely what Sitting Still Like a Frog will teach you. Equipped with audio exercises, it will help you navigate the treacherous waters of an over-stimulated world and find moments of peace and tranquility for yourself.
So, whenever you or your little one need some time to rest and slow down – this is one of the best mindfulness books for you!
7. Craft Your Own Happy: A Collection of 25 Creative Projects to Craft Your Way to Mindfulness by Becci Mai Ford
What do you think about when you are told to imagine mindfulness?
A person sitting on the floor with a cushion, having their eyes closed, right?
Firstly, that’s not wrong. Sitting on the floor with your eyes closed is one of the most common forms of mindfulness. However, contrary to popular belief, it is not the only one.
Mindfulness is any activity that helps you relax, and this is exactly what Craft Your Own Happy teaches you. It is one of the best books for mindfulness because it breaks away from the all-too-common traditional image of mindfulness and allows you to craft your meditation practice.
Especially if you are someone who relaxes with crafts – this book is filled with ideas and projects that are the perfect way to practice mindfulness.
With 25 easy and beginner-friendly projects – this book draws your focus away from your phone screens and your anxious thoughts to embroidery and stitching. The end result – a calmer and happier you!
8. Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out by Ruth King
As a life skill, mindfulness does not just transform our lives for the better. It can also become a necessary tool to fight deeply entrenched societal evils. You can effectively utilize mindfulness to break the damaging hierarchy and social structures built in our society.
This is precisely why Mindful of Race by Ruth King is one of the best-selling books on mindfulness. In the book, King describes racism as a social disease that is totally curable if we just take the time to sit with ourselves and understand our collective sufferings. If each of us realizes and corrects our role in the systemic oppression and discomfort we have caused, it can help us eradicate racism from society.
9. Happy: A Beginner’s Book of Mindfulness by Nicola Edwards
Happy is one of the best mindfulness books for beginners. It is a beautifully written and created mindfulness guide that is perfect for introducing the practice in your life.
It touches on the basics of mindfulness and covers various aspects of mindful living, like feeling, smelling, and appreciating the world around us. It is a great bedtime read for your kids to introduce them to the whole concept of mindfulness at a young age.
Conclusion:
In a world where we increasingly stray from our emotions, mindfulness practice allows you to sit with yourself and understand your feelings. It enables you to let go of control and relax.
With that being said, mindfulness is one of those things that might sound easy in words but is tricky to practice. And that’s exactly why the best mindfulness books are the perfect tools to help you uptick your practice. We hope this list of the best books for mindfulness will help you get started in the right direction.
We regularly hear the words mindfulness and meditation being used interchangeably. But do you know that they are not the same? Yes! To read more about the difference between mindfulness and meditation, click here.
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