Best Books about Meditation: 20 Must Read
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What is meditation?
Meditation is a practice of focusing your mind on one thing for an extended period of time. It can involve deep breathing, clearing the mind of thoughts, and allowing yourself to relax into stillness. It has been practiced for thousands of years in different cultures and religions as a way to cultivate mental clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual growth.
When it comes to finding the best meditation books, there are many different options. It will depend on your individual goals and preferences. Some popular titles include “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle, “The Miracle of Mindfulness” by Thich Nhat Hanh, “Mindfulness in Plain English” by Bhante Gunaratana, and “The Mind Illuminated” by Culadasa.
Each of these books will provide valuable insights into the practice of meditation and how to get the most out of it. Additionally, there are a variety of online classes and guided meditations available for those who want extra guidance in their practice. Whichever way you choose to learn about meditation, the important thing is to find an approach that resonates with you. With practice and dedication, you can reap the countless benefits of this ancient practice. Please check out our list below:
Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health, and Find Peace in the Everyday by Matthew Sockolov
Mindfulness meditations are a great way to cultivate awareness and acceptance of the here and now―Practicing Mindfulness makes it easy and accessible with 75 evidence-based exercises designed to bring calmness and compassion into your day-to-day.
From finding focus with a 5-minute The Power of the Mind exercise to embracing the experience with a 25-minute Open-Awareness Meditation, Practicing Mindfulness provides the tools you need to relieve stress, improve wellness, and practice peace of mind moment to moment and throughout the daily grind.
Practicing Mindfulness includes:
- The daily mind―Discover exactly what mindfulness is, how it helps, and how these proven exercises can bring relief, relaxation, and resilience to your day-to-day.
- Practical advice―You’ll find plenty of help in dealing with distorted or wandering thoughts, how to handle mental blocks, and steps for staying cool and collected in all situations.
- Mind over matter―Ranging from short traditional meditations to longer creative exercises, you’ll find 75 easy-to-follow practices to ground yourself, like breathwork and body scans.
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
There is nothing more essential to our health and well-being than breathing: take air in, let it out, repeat twenty-five thousand times a day. Yet, as a species, humans have lost the ability to breathe correctly, with grave consequences.
Journalist James Nestor travels the world to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it. The answers aren’t found in pulmonology labs, as we might expect, but in the muddy digs of ancient burial sites, secret Soviet facilities, New Jersey choir schools, and the smoggy streets of São Paulo. Nestor tracks down men and women exploring the hidden science behind ancient breathing practices like Pranayama, Sudarshan Kriya, and Tummo and teams up with pulmonary tinkerers to scientifically test long-held beliefs about how we breathe.
Modern research is showing us that making even slight adjustments to the way we inhale and exhale can jump-start athletic performance; rejuvenate internal organs; halt snoring, asthma, and autoimmune disease; and even straighten scoliotic spines. None of this should be possible, and yet it is.
Chakra Healing: A Beginner's Guide to Self-Healing Techniques that Balance the Chakras by Margarita Alcantara
Within all living beings are seven powerful centers of energy called chakras. Every chakra holds the potential for immense healing and restoration, and Chakra Healing can show you how to harness that power with a wide range of simple, beginner-friendly exercises that anyone can do.
This book will put you on the path to healing pain, allergies, indigestion, headaches, fatigue, and even emotional turbulence like loneliness. With practical instruction and guidance, you’ll learn how to identify what’s ailing you and which chakra is causing it.
Chakra Healing features:
- A variety of techniques―Connect with your chakras using everything from meditation to crystals, essential oils, yoga, focused breathing, and even diet.
- Helpful illustrations―Detailed photos and drawings make the tools and exercises even easier to understand.
- Beginner-friendly approach―Find accessible, bite-size advice that requires no previous knowledge.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
MEDITATIONS (Medieval Greek: Ta eis heauton, literally “to himself”) is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the Meditations in Koine Greek as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. It is possible that large portions of the work were written at Sirmium, where he spent much time planning military campaigns from 170 to 180. Some of it was written while he was positioned at Aquincum on campaign in Pannonia, because internal notes tell us that the first book was written when he was campaigning against the Quadi on the river Granova (modern-day Hron) and the second book was written at Carnuntum. It is unlikely that Marcus Aurelius ever intended the writings to be published and the work has no official title, so “Meditations” is one of several titles commonly assigned to the collection. These writings take the form of quotations varying in length from one sentence to long paragraphs.”
The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman
Why have history’s greatest minds—from George Washington to Frederick the Great to Ralph Waldo Emerson, along with today’s top performers from Super Bowl-winning football coaches to CEOs and celebrities—embraced the wisdom of the ancient Stoics? Because they realize that the most valuable wisdom is timeless and that philosophy is for living a better life, not a classroom exercise.
The Daily Stoic offers 366 days of Stoic insights and exercises, featuring all-new translations from the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the playwright Seneca, or slave-turned-philosopher Epictetus, as well as lesser-known luminaries like Zeno, Cleanthes, and Musonius Rufus. Every day of the year you’ll find one of their pithy, powerful quotations, as well as historical anecdotes, provocative commentary, and a helpful glossary of Greek terms.
10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found a Self-Help That Actually Works by Dan Harris
We all have a voice in our head. It’s what has us losing our temper unnecessarily, checking our email compulsively, eating when we’re not hungry, and fixating on the past and the future at the expense of the present. Most of us would assume we’re stuck with this voice that there’s nothing we can do to rein it in but Harris stumbled upon an effective way to do just that. It’s a far cry from the miracle cures peddled by the self-help swamis he met; instead, it’s something he always assumed to be either impossible or useless: meditation. After learning about research that suggests meditation can do everything from lower your blood pressure to essentially rewire your brain, Harris took a deep dive into the underreported world of CEOs, scientists, and even marines who are now using it for increased calm, focus, and happiness.
10% Happier takes listeners on a ride from the outer reaches of neuroscience to the inner sanctum of network news to the bizarre fringes of America’s spiritual scene, and leaves them with a takeaway that could actually change their lives.
Psychic Witch: A Metaphysical Guide to Meditation, Magick & Manifestation by Mat Auryn and James Anders
Discover how to be a powerful psychic witch with this book on wielding energy and awakening your psychic senses. Psychic Witch explores the relationship between psychic ability and magick, interweaving them to create a strong foundation for accessing the full potential of your mind, body, and spirit.
Mat Auryn reveals some of his most closely guarded tips, secrets, practices, and meditations so that you can master the perception and manipulation of energy. Featuring over ninety exercises and the inner tools you need to perform magick anywhere and at any time, Psychic Witch helps you tune in to yourself and the subtle energies of the world.
Meditations on Self-Love: Daily Wisdom for Healing, Acceptance, and Joy by Laurasia Mattingly
Loving yourself is the key to happiness, fulfillment, and hope―and a positive meditation practice can help you get there. This beautiful book features meditations and affirmations you can do every day throughout the year to get in the habit of thinking positively about yourself and find greater peace and joy.
Meditations on Self-Love offers:
- Short and sweet entries―The prompts are pleasant, easy, and brief, so anyone can find a few minutes to stop and reflect.
- Habitual self-love―Each meditation is focused on anecdotes and teachings that will help make self-love a consistent practice.
- Flexible use―Use these meditation prompts as often as you like or in any order that you like―and when you finish them all, you can revisit your favorites for inspiration.
Make empowering meditation a consistent practice in your life, with 365 simple ways to reflect on self-love.
Get Out of My Head: Inspiration for Overthinkers in an Anxious World by Meredith Arthur and Leah Rosenberg
Are you an overthinker? You’re not alone! In a world full of deadlines, and technology, and constant stress, anxiety sometimes feels inevitable. But what if you learned to ride the wave of anxiety, instead of getting lost in it? Get Out of My Head is here to help, providing guidance and inspiration for anxious overthinkers of all sorts. This compact, illustrated book offers soothing techniques for understanding anxiety and moving through the traps of overthinking. Aimed at a modern audience looking for support and community, this beautifully illustrated guide offers a joyful, manageable way to deal with anxiety and quiet stressful thoughts through easy exercises, bite-sized takeaways, and calming visuals.
Meditations: A New Translation by Marcus Aurelius and Gregory Hays
Few ancient works have been as influential as the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, philosopher and emperor of Rome (A.D. 161–180). A series of spiritual exercises filled with wisdom, practical guidance, and profound understanding of human behavior, it remains one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. Marcus’s insights and advice—on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity and interacting with others—have made the Meditations required reading for statesmen and philosophers alike, while generations of ordinary readers have responded to the straightforward intimacy of his style. For anyone who struggles to reconcile the demands of leadership with a concern for personal integrity and spiritual well-being, the Meditations remains as relevant now as it was two thousand years ago.
In Gregory Hays’s new translation—the first in thirty-five years—Marcus’s thoughts speak with a new immediacy. In fresh and unencumbered English, Hays vividly conveys the spareness and compression of the original Greek text. Never before have Marcus’s insights been so directly and powerfully presented.
Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day by Jay Shetty
In this inspiring, empowering book, Shetty draws on his time as a monk in the Vedic tradition to show us how we can clear the roadblocks to our potential and power. Drawing on ancient wisdom and his own rich experiences in the ashram, Think Like a Monk reveals how to overcome negative thoughts and habits, and access the calm and purpose that lie within all of us. The lessons monks learn are profound but often abstract. Shetty transforms them into advice and exercises we can all apply to reduce stress, improve focus, improve relationships, identify our hidden abilities, increase self-discipline and give the gifts we find in ourselves to the world. Shetty proves that everyone can and should think like a monk.
Practical Meditation for Beginners: 10 Days to a Happier, Calmer You by Benjamin W. Decker
The key to building a solid meditation practice is in the practice itself. From Zen and Vipassana to walking meditations and body scans, the simple practices outlined in Practical Meditation for Beginners make it easy to build an ongoing meditation routine that is best for you.
Written by experienced meditation teacher Benjamin Decker, Practical Meditation for Beginners offers a clear 10-day program for learning 10 different meditation techniques―one for each day of the program. Newcomers and experienced meditators alike will enjoy the ease and variety presented in Practical Meditation for Beginners.
In the pages of Practical Meditation for Beginners you’ll find:
- Logical chapter organization that sets a daily structure for building your meditation skill set
- Step-by-step instructions to help you fully engage in each of the 10 techniques
- Thoughtful writing prompts for recording daily insights in your Meditation Notebook
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
About Marcus Aurelius Meditations
Meditations is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy.Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the Meditations in Koine Greek as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. It is possible that large portions of the work were written at Sirmium, where he spent much time planning military campaigns from 170 to 180. It is unlikely that Marcus Aurelius ever intended his Meditations to be published and the work has no official title, so “Meditations” is one of several titles commonly assigned to the collection. These writings take the form of quotations varying in length from one sentence to long paragraphs.
I Can Do Hard Things: Mindful Affirmations for Kids by Gabi Garcia and Charity Russell
What kids tell themselves matters! It becomes their inner voice. It can help them connect with their power within.
Mindful affirmations can help children tune out the streams of messages they get about how they should be in the world so they can listen to their own inner voice. Children can learn to tap into their inner strength and find the encouragement they need.
I Can Do Hard Things reflects the beautiful diversity and connection in our world. A wonderful addition to your home or school library.
Star Wars: The Jedi Mind: Secrets from the Force for Balance and Peace by Amy Ratcliffe and Christina Chung
The Jedi Code is focused on peace, knowledge, serenity, and balance—principles that readers can engage in their own lives.
The philosophical tenets are applicable not just in the galaxy far, far away, but also in our own galaxy, here and now.
• Quoted wisdom offers day-to-day life lessons
• An accessible pop culture spin on the Star Wars universe
• Features 20 color illustrations to illuminate the book’s thoughtful advice
Focused Ninja: A Children’s Book About Increasing Focus and Concentration at Home and School by Mary Nhin
The best-selling children’s book series, Ninja Life Hacks, was developed to help children learn valuable life skills. Fun, pint-size characters in comedic books easy enough for young readers, yet witty enough for adults.
The Ninja Life Hacks book series is geared to kids 3-11. Perfect for boys, girls, early readers, primary school students, or toddlers. Excellent resource for counselors, parents, and teachers alike.
Collect all the Ninja Life Hacks books and box sets!
Sura Flow: 3 Steps to Effortless Meditation & Unexpected Miracles by Sura
In the Sura Flow approach, you don’t have to sit a certain way. Or “control” your thoughts. There are no rules to follow. If you’ve ever felt restricted by traditional forms of practice, you may enjoy a more intuitive, feminine approach — one that is open, nurturing, and healing.
Liberate yourself from all conventional ideas of meditation. Our modern lifestyles today call for fresh, universal practices that are accessible for everyone. Sura Flow offers a simple, effective 3-step practice so you can relax into a state of bliss. It’s a softer, dynamic practice that emphasizes energy flow cultivation.
Sura first discovered meditation when she was in severe pain while working on Wall Street. After receiving profound healing benefits from her own practice, she left New York to study meditation across Asia. In Sura Flow: 3 Steps to Effortless Meditation & Unexpected Miracles, she shares her personal story of how she came to embrace a simple, restorative meditation approach she discovered while in retreat on a small island in British Columbia.
The Mindfulness Coloring Book: Anti-Stress Art Therapy by Emma Farrarons
A simple and straightforward introduction to Buddhist meditation practice from one of the country’s leading authorities on stress-reduction techniques, Dr. Kabat-Zinn has taught this two-thousand-year-old Buddhist method of relaxation to thousands of patients..
The Mindfulness Coloring Book: Anti-Stress Art Therapy by Emma Farrarons
Reinforced binding with strong glue allows you to open and lay this book flat to color with intricate detail without breaking the spine.
In today’s busy world, finding a moment of peace and calm can be a challenge. Mindful coloring is a simple yet powerful practice that combines the proven, time-honored tradition of thoughtful meditation with the growing popularity of adult coloring books, and shows that any activity, done right, can be an exercise in mindfulness.
In The Mindfulness Coloring Book, accomplished illustrator Emma Farrarons presents 70 intricate and beguiling patterns to help you color your way to tranquility. Here are flowers, leaves, butterflies, and birds alongside rolling waves and kaleidoscopic designs.
Zen Meditation for Beginners: A Practical Guide to Inner Calm by Bonnie Myotai Treace
Beginning Zen meditation is a step into the unknown―let Zen Meditation for Beginners be your guide. This simple, straightforward handbook shows you how to embrace the beauty and clarity of the present moment―helping you destress and find balance at home, at work, or wherever you are.
Discover 10 different Zen principles, and find out how to apply their wisdom in your everyday life. This book of meditation for beginners shows you how to bring important principles of Zen to life in your own meditation. When you leave your seated practice, post-meditation exercises help you take that peace with you on your journey.
Zen Meditation for Beginners includes:
- A few minutes of peace―Take a break with these short practices―most take five or 10 minutes, and some can be done while you go about your day.
- Find what you need―Meditate on themes for the modern day, like Embodying Kindness, Noticing Negative Self-Speak, No Big Deal, and more.
- Clear and simple―No previous Zen experience necessary―this book on meditation for beginners walks you through the basics, so you can relax and move forward confidently.
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