At the end of the Intro to Mindfulness Meditation course, a student asked if I might share a list of books and podcasts that might be helpful. There are so many books and podcasts out there it can be overwhelming! I get that!! So I’ve compiled a small list here, all linked to Rainy Day Books—our local, independent bookstore owned by a couple who inspire me on many levels: Vivien Jennings and Roger Doeren. They have done so much for our KC community and now, with the pandemic, could sure use your support!
Here are the book recommendations, in no particular order. Hopefully, there’s something here that will reach where you are right now:
Habits of a Happy Brain by Loretta Graziano Breuning. Not really a meditation book, but it can be very helpful to understand the chemicals in our brain. A revolutionary approach to enhancing your happiness level! Get ready to boost your happiness in just 45 days!
Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff. This groundbreaking book shows readers how to let go of their constant, debilitating self-judgment and finally learn to be kind to themselves.
Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness by Sharon Salzberg. This practice of lovingkindness is revolutionary because it has the power to radically change our lives, helping us cultivate true happiness in ourselves and genuine compassion for others.
The Wise Heart by Jack Kornfield. Basically, anything by Jack Kornfield is worth reading. I love his down-to-earth writing style and always grow from reading his books.
The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist. This liberating book shows us that examining our attitudes toward money — earning it, spending it, and giving it away— offers surprising insight into our lives.
Awakening Joy by James Baraz. An internationally recognized 5-month course taught by James Baraz on opening to life with appreciation, resilience and an open heart. (I know it says a 5-month course but I started to feel better after reading just the beginning!)
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van der Kolk. The author transforms our understanding of traumatic stress, revealing how it literally rearranges the brain’s wiring—specifically areas dedicated to pleasure, engagement, control, and trust.
Real World Mindfulness for Beginners. Simple mindfulness techniques that take only minutes or seconds to work into your busy day.
Radical Compassion: Learning to Love Yourself and Your World with the Practice of RAIN by Tara Brach. In this heartfelt and deeply practical book, Tara offers an antidote: an easy-to-learn four-step meditation that quickly loosens the grip of difficult emotions and limiting beliefs.
Standing at the Edge by Joan Halifax. In this book, Halifax offers lessons from dying people and caregivers, as well as guided meditations to help readers contemplate death without fear, develop a commitment to helping others, and transform suffering and resistance into courage.
Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Cabat Zinn. Full Catastrophe Living is a manual for helping you to develop your own personal meditation practice and for learning how to use mindfulness to promote improved health and healing in your own life.
The Craving Mind: From Cigarettes to Smartphones to Love – Why We Get Hooked and How We Can Break Bad Habits by Judson Brewer. A leading neuroscientist and pioneer in the study of mindfulness explains why addictions are so tenacious and how we can learn to conquer them.
If you listen to podcasts, Ten Percent Happier is always worthwhile. Entertaining and educational, this down-to-earth podcast is the result of Nightline anchor Dan Harris’ quest to tame his “monkey brain”. He also wrote a very good book.
