Reading Guide for National Meditation Month
Thich Nhat HanhThough May is nearly over, there is plenty of time to learn more about meditation and begin a daily meditative practice, if you don’t have one already. There are hundreds of books about meditation available today; here is just a sampling to start off with.
The Miracle of Mindfulness: A Manual on Meditation: Renowned Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh provides everyday exercises to help you meditate on a daily basis. “Mindfulness is the miracle by which we master and restore ourselves,” says Hanh. From mindful breathing while doing daily chores to practicing Hanh’s methods for just ten minutes daily, this is an easy program for most people to follow.
Meditation: A Simple 8-Point Program for Translating Spiritual Ideals Into Daily Life: Eknath Easwaran’s guide is another that’s good for the meditation beginner, or for anyone wanting a simple meditation program to follow. Easwaran focuses on using an inspirational text or writing selection—chosen by the student, not by himself—as the heart of a meditative ritual. This guide also clearly explains many concepts, making it handy for people who just don’t “get” meditation.
Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life: This popular book by Jon Kabat-Zinn, director of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, is a great study in “being” versus “doing.” A tribute to living in the moment, Wherever You Go teaches meditation not as simply a “spiritual activity,” but an actual exercise for the mind. Another good beginner book, it’s also been used to help prison inmates learn meditation—not a bad idea!
The Book of Secrets: Keys to Love and Meditation: Though its focus is on Tantra, Osho’s amazing 112 meditation techniques need no religion or belief system to be used in everyday life. Describing sex as a mystery of life, a connection to the universe, Osho provides lessons on both self-empowerment and developing a higher consciousness.
Being Zen: Bringing Meditation to Life: Another book about living in the present moment, Ezra Bayda’s text gives specific, personal examples and exercises to develop mindfulness each and every day. Described as a Zen “how-to” book, Being Zen is a clear, concise guide to simply being.
Inner Wisdom: Popular spiritual teacher Louise Hay gives positive affirmations perfect for meditation and daily use in this book on inner wisdom. Based on the belief that by changing your thoughts, you change your world, Inner Wisdom is another fantastic book for those who wish to develop self-empowerment.
