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The Best Books On Mindfulness

In a world that is becoming busier and busier, more and more full of distractions – many of us are turning to the practice of mindfulness. Being in the moment can be a great way to de-stress and improve focus. Other than seeking the best books on mindfulness, there are lots of ways to learn and practice mindfulness, with perhaps one of the most popular ways being the array of apps that are now available. However, here at The Reading Lists – I have a slight bias for awesome books, so of course – I’m focused on compiling a brilliant list of the best books on mindfulness. To do this, I have reached out to some of the world’s leading mindfulness experts; who collectivly have likely read all of the best books on mindfulness. However, I have asked each of them to limit themselves to just the three best books on mindfulness they have read. The result is what I believe to be the best list of mindfulness books on the internet.  Before we discover the best books on mindfulness, we must first meet that panel…

Neil Seligman - best books on mindfulnessNeil Seligman

Neil is passionate about two things: witnessing the unfolding of human potential and the pursuit of excellence. He is the Founder of The Conscious Professional, a qualified Life Coach, Usui and Karuna Reiki Master, and has been practising and teaching mindfulness meditation for over twenty years. Neil is the author of 100 Mindfulness Meditations. He teaches workshops on mindfulness and creativity at leading retreat centres.

Frances Trussell - best books on mindfulnessFrances Trussell

Frances Trussell is a Mindfulness teacher, author, speaker and therapist. Her client base includes high profile stars and CEO’s and has appeared on ITV1’s Sugar Free Farm as Mindfulness Coach and was a main stage speaker at the London Mindful Living Show. Trained to the highest level as an ‘Advanced Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher’, her first book is entitled You Are Not Your Thoughts.

Mark Williams - best books on mindfulnessMark Williams

Before retirement, Mark Williams was a Professor of Clinical Psychology, Director of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre and Wellcome Principal Research Fellow in the University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry. He now teaches for the Oxford Mindfulness Centre in Hong Kong and Mainland China, and participates in the Annual OMC Summer School. His most recent book is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression.

patrizia collardPatrizia Collard

Dr. Patrizia Collard is a psychotherapist, trainer and coach, offering a unique combination of professional qualifications and personal experience. Patrizia Collard completed her undergraduate studies in Oxford (BA Hons.), and her PhD at Bangor University. She co-wrote 3 academic books and 9 books for the general public on Mindfulness and Self Compassion. One of her more recent book is The Mindfulness Bible.

bob stahlBob Stahl

Bob Stahl, PhD, has founded seven Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programs in medical centers in the San Francisco Bay Area and is currently at Dominican Hospital and El Camino Hospitals in Mountain View and Los Gatos, Ca. He is also the Guiding teacher at Insight Santa Cruz and visiting teacher at Spirit Rock and Insight Meditation Society. His most recent book is called MBSR Every Day.

Now, let’s discover the best books on mindfulness.

heal thy selfHeal Thy Self by Saki Santorelli

Patrizia Collard:

This book is beautifully written from the teacher’s perspective and his experience when guiding participants through an 8 week Mindfulness course. It  endeavours to look deeply into the universality of pain and suffering all humans experience.

the power of nowThe Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

Neil Seligman:

Such a compelling and inspiring work by Eckhart Tolle. He is the epitome of a master of presence and a joy to read. I return to his work again and again and really love hearing his teachings on audible. Not necessarily the easiest book to start with, its one to return to when it calls you.

Frances Trussell:

You won’t hear the word ‘mindfulness’ mentioned once, but this book takes readers on a journey right into the fullness of presence. Elements of the Power of Now are challenging, particularly Tolle’s views on the ego and what he refers to as the ‘pain body’ polarise opinion. However, for myself and for so many people I’ve encountered on my own journey into mindfulness this was the book that really woke them up to a mindful way of being.

looking at mindfulnessLooking at Mindfulness: 25 Ways to Live in the Moment Through Art by Christophe Andre

Mark Williams:

A very different mindfulness book is “Looking at Mindfulness: 25 ways to live in the moment through art” by Christophe Andre. I found it a unique and beautiful work. Illustrated throughout, it draws upon art as a source of inspiration, inviting the reader to discover lessons that could change lives – from deepening our understanding what it means to live mindfully, to useful tips for everyday situations.

the long discourses of the buddhaThe Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya

Bob Stahl:

Mahasatipathana Sutta: Digha Nikaya (Long Book Sayings in the Pali Canon) – this is the original teachings from the Buddha on the Four Foundations of mindfulness.

secrets of meditationSecrets of Meditation by Kim Davies

Neil Seligman:

This is a beautifully illustrated full colour book which is an excellent beginner text. I really enjoyed reading it and its a lovely one to return to.

the miracle of mindfulnessThe Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh

Frances Trussell:

The gentle peacefulness of Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh oozes from the pages of this beautiful work. The book itself is an invitation to slow down and allow all that you do become a meditation. The simplicity with which Thich Nhat Hanh points students to shift their mental attitude from one of the present moment being an obstacle to overcome, to that of a ‘wondrous reality’, is stunning.

Mark Williams:

The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh is a modern classic  – a ‘tap root’ for much of the modern mindfulness movement. First published in in the 1970s, I had not known about it until a colleague, Marsha Linehan, introduced me to it in the 1980s. She said she carried around with her to read whenever she had a moment. It is that sort of book – full of wisdom.

Patrizia Collard:

A little treasure book by one the worlds best known Mindfulness Teachers. It is delightfully composed and one of the oldest books on Mindfulness for the general reader. It was initially written as a number of letters which were then combined for the joy of some people who had come across the letters. The author did not set out to write ‘a book’ and yet it probably is one of the most read ones in this field. It is so simple and yet goes so deep.

the heart of buddhist meditationThe Heart of Buddhist Meditation by Nyanaponiker Thera

Bob Stahl:

The Heart of Buddhist Meditation by Nyanaponiker Thera. This is one first contemporary translations of the Four Foundations of mindfulness with commentaries.   This books is a classic…

the little book of mindfulnessThe Little Book of Mindfulness by Dr. Patrizia Collard

Patrizia Collard:

I attempted to select short and practical practices for the reader to integrate into their daily life in order to free themselves from stress and struggle and hopefully feel more at ease by dipping into the book where an opportunity occurs. It has lovely illustrations and may help you start the road of mindfulness so you can lead a more peaceful and calm life.

full catastrophe livingFull Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Mark Williams:

Full Catastrophe Livingby Jon Kabat-Zinn stands at a cross-roads in the application of mindfulness in medicine. It describes the program (Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction) he developed at UMass Medical Center in Worcester, Mass., but does a lot more than this –  giving a compelling reason why mindfulness is not just an idea, but a practice.   The book was a critical part of the process persuading me and colleagues John Teasdale and Zindel Segal in the early 1990s that mindfulness could be taught in a way that might help prevent serious clinical depression, from which came Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).

Frances Trussell:

Moving, wise and poetic. This very in-depth work is a modern mindfulness classic, charting the work of Kabat-Zinn and taking readers through the mindfulness-based stress reduction tools that have lead to the spread of secular mindfulness across the globe. With kindness and humour Jon Kabat-Zinn encourages us to embrace the ‘full catastrophe’ that is life and the human condition.

100 mindfulness meditations100 Mindfulness Meditations by Neil Seligman

Neil Seligman:

Probably cheating to put this one in – but I use my own book more than any other, just because it inspires and accompanies my daily practice every day!


mindfulness in plain englishMindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Gunaratana

Bob Stahl:

A masterpiece written in simple down to earth language on mindfulness…
What do you think are the best books on mindfulness? Let us know which books you’d nominate as the best books on mindfulness, in the comments below! If you enjoyed reading this, you will want to check out The Best Books On Climate Change.
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