Are you feeling hesitant about diving into the world of meditation? It’s normal to be a little intimidated, especially if you’re a beginner. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! My collection of meditation books for beginners can guide you through each step and provide essential tips to make your meditation practice smooth and rewarding. Let’s get to it!
HOW SHOULD A BEGINNER START MEDITATION?
Believe it or not, you don’t have to attend a fancy class or hire an overpriced guru for learning how to meditate properly.
There are many free ways to approach this vague and mysterious subject with confidence. Picking up a book and reading up on the subject is one of them. But…
..CAN YOU LEARN MEDITATION FROM THE BOOK?
Since the practice of meditation can come in many different forms – from mindfulness and breath observation to mantra chanting and walking meditation, reading a few books on the subject can definitely shed light on the entire experience.
According to experts, some books can be helpful in teaching readers the basics of meditation and how to cultivate a practice.
Of course, it’s always best to learn to meditate from someone else in person, providing the opportunity for feedback and adjustment. However, if you’re determined to learn on your own without leaving your couch, picking up a book could be the way to go.
Related: 6 Best Crystals for Meditation
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MEDITATION BOOKS FOR BEGINNERS?
There are plenty of great books on the market that make the learning experience for beginners easier than ever. All you need is to find the right one – and voila! You can experience the benefits of meditation in the comfort of your own home.
In order to explore the basics of meditation, consider delving into a range of book categories that include:
- books on meditation and spirituality
- best books on Buddhism
- best books on meditation and mindfulness
So let me introduce you to my personal top pick of the best books on meditation for beginners.
WHAT ARE THE BEST MEDITATION BOOKS FOR BEGINNERS
Practical | Step-by-step learning how to meditate
About the book: It’s short and to the point. This book is exactly as titled and it is indeed on of the best-selling meditation books out there.
With clear instructions and an introduction to the basics of meditation, Jack Kornfield guides you through how to meditate, sit still, relax and focus on your breathing. He also explains why it’s important for our minds and bodies to practice mindfulness.
Through his easy-to-understand language and careful instruction, you’ll learn how to develop a daily meditation practice that sticks.
“The problem with the “wanting mind” is that even if you get what you think you want, it does not stop. It says, “All right, I have got the nice car, but now I need more money.” It is always something that we do not have in the present moment—something that we want to obtain in order to satisfy our longing.”
― Jack Kornfield, Meditation for Beginners
Practical
About the book: Written by Andy Puddicombe, the founder of Headspace and a former Buddhist monk, this book is perfect for anyone seeking an introduction to both – mindfulness and meditation.
With the main mission in mind to get people to take 10 minutes out of their day to sit in the here and now, this book is perfect for newcomers to meditation and mindfulness. With the sass and humor you’d expect from a meditation guru, Puddicombe takes you on a journey that is both informative and entertaining.
His ultimate goal is to make meditation accessible to everyone, and this book is an excellent guide for getting started.
“we’re so busy remembering, planning and analyzing life, that we forget to experience life—as it actually is, rather than how we think it should be.”
― Andy Puddicombe, The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness: How Mindfulness Can Change Your Life in Ten Minutes a Day
Informative and practical | Beginner meditation 101
About the book: Since 1974, Sharon Salzberg has been a leading figure in bringing meditation and mindfulness to the forefront of American culture.
Her latest masterpiece offers practical guidance on developing three key skills: concentration, mindfulness, and lovingkindness. Rather than focusing on spirituality, her approach is grounded in the practical aspects of meditation.
Throughout the book, Salzberg provides a detailed 28-day program that covers everything from posture and breathing to decluttering your mind. Learning to meditate has never been easier!
“If you’re reading these words, perhaps it’s because something has kicked open the door for you, and you’re ready to embrace change. It isn’t enough to appreciate change from afar, or only in the abstract, or as something that can happen to other people but not to you. We need to create change for ourselves, in a workable way, as part of our everyday lives.”
― Sharon Salzberg, The Power of Meditation: A 28-Day Programme for Real Happiness
Practical
About the book: Chödrön, a revered Buddhist nun, invites readers to explore the benefits of meditation and shares insights on how to make it a part of our busy lives.
This masterpiece is perfect for beginners, as it is a comprehensive guide to meditation.
Pema discusses how posture and breath impact your mindset and how cultivating an attitude of unconditional friendliness towards your thoughts can foster a sense of harmony.
She also elaborates on effectively handling thoughts and emotions, alongside stabilizing the mind during challenging situations.
This book offers a witty and welcoming approach to the practice of meditation, making it accessible even to those who have never tried it before. Deserving for sure to be one of the best meditation books for beginners, it encourages readers to commit to a meditation practice and reap the lasting benefits of mindfulness.
“In meditation, you are moving closer and closer to yourself, and you begin to understand yourself so much more clearly. You begin to see clearly without a conceptual analysis, because with regular practice, you see what you do over and over and over and over again. You see that you replay the same tapes over and over and over in your mind. The name of the partner might be different, the employer might be different, but the themes are somewhat repetitious. Meditation helps us to clearly see ourselves and the habitual patterns that limit our life.”
— Pema Chödrön, How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind
A perfect how-to-learn meditation guide
About the book: Being definitely one of the best meditation books for beginners this one covers everything you need to know when you are just starting to explore this uneasy subject. It is written in a friendly manner and contains a variety of practices.
This book outlines the basic practices of learning and teaching 10 different meditation techniques, so you can pick yours. It is aimed specifically at beginners and takes you to practice right away.
To facilitate active learning, this book provides thoughtful prompts and step-by-step instructions in a clear, organized format, so you can learn to meditate in no time!
“Every time the mind wanders away from the awareness of the breath, notice that it has wandered and bring your awareness back to the breath. This can be likened to a rep in the gym—every time you bring your mind back, you are building your “muscle” of attention.”
— Benjamin W. Decker, Practical Meditation for Beginners: 10 Days to a Happier, Calmer You
The best-selling introduction to mindfulness | Practical
About the book: Published in 1994, “Mindfulness in Plain English” has since become a perennial bestseller and a significant influence within the field.
Written by Bhante Gunaratana, a renowned meditation master, it is a great guide on myths, realities, and benefits of mindfulness and meditation. Written in clear and accessible language, it covers a range of topics including loving-kindness and concentration.
With his trademark clarity and wit, Bhante skillfully navigates through the tool of meditation, discussing its accomplishments and how to integrate it seamlessly into our daily lives.
Jon Kabat-Zinn referred to this book as “a masterpiece.” This statement underscores the exceptional level of creativity displayed in the work and with no doubt makes it one of the top must-read meditation books for beginners.
“Somewhere in this process you will come face-to-face with the sudden and shocking realization that you are completely crazy. Your mind is a shrieking gibbering madhouse on wheels barreling pell-mell down the hill utterly out of control and hopeless. No problem. You are not crazier than you were yesterday. It has always been this way and you just never noticed. You are also no crazier than everybody else around you. The only real difference is that you have confronted the situation they have not.”
― Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, Mindfulness in Plain English
Short and sweet entries for every day | Practical | Flexible to use
About the book: The above list of books seems to cover every aspect of beginner meditation. It is almost like we don’t miss any pieces to the happiness puzzle – except for one.
While being mindful and aware and living in the present moment are important, they may not be all substitutes for self-love and self-acceptance. That’s why allow me to throw in this beautiful book by Laurasia Mattingly as the list wouldn’t be complete without “Meditation on Self-love”
This book offers a fresh perspective on how to leverage meditation to find not only joy but acceptance and self-love. It provides a series of pick-and-choose daily guided meditations and affirmations that help you achieve peace with yourself and the world around you. It is fun and easy to read!
“I find myself hiding parts of myself that I think others won’t like, but then I begin to notice how I feel caged and not fully myself. We must learn to uncage ourselves and be our full, beautiful, unique, perfectly imperfect selves, unashamed. We won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s okay, but we must remember to be our own!
― Laurasia Mattingly, Meditation on Self-Love: Daily Wisdom for Healing, Acceptance and Joy
Easy-to-follow mindfulness book
About the book: Inspired by the profound and impactful effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, this book offers a perfectly packaged 8-week plan for practicing the art of meditation.
The authors take a serious approach in explaining the science behind the practice and how it works to improve our overall well-being. They highlight the challenges that we may encounter while starting out, but also provide useful tips to overcome them.
This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to cultivate mindfulness in their daily lives.
With easy-to-follow exercises and practical advice, this book will have you feeling more centered and focused in no time.
“Mindfulness meditation encourages us to become more patient and compassionate with ourselves and to cultivate open-mindedness and gentle persistence. These qualities help free us from the gravitational pull of anxiety, stress and unhappiness by reminding us what science has shown: that it’s OK to stop treating sadness and other difficulties as problems that need to be solved.”
― J. Mark G. Williams, Mindfulness: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World
An easy and modern approach without spiritual or Buddhist themes
About the book: If you find yourself in a state of confusion and indecisive awkwardness without a clear plan of which direction to head or what to make out of your life, this book is for you. Reading it is like taking a journey through your own mind, discovering the beauty and chaos that lies within.
In his book, Jon Kabat-Zinn explores the practice of mindfulness, the art of being present and fully engaged in the current moment, no matter where you are.
With witty insights and relatable anecdotes, his writing will make you laugh, pause, and reflect on your own journey towards inner peace.
Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or simply looking for ways to improve your mental fog, “Wherever You Go, There You Are” offers something for everyone. Definitely one of the best meditation books for beginners out there!
“look at other people and ask yourself if you are really seeing them or just your thoughts about them…. Without knowing it, we are coloring everything, putting our spin on it all.”
— Jon Kabat-Zinn (Wherever You Go, There You Are – Mindfulness Meditation In Everyday Life)
Philosophical | Spiritual
About the book: While not a typical how-to guide, this book expertly instructs the reader on the art of “becoming the observer of your thoughts.”
Filled with inspiring insights and practical tools to find peace in the present moment, the book shows readers how to live in the moment and leave behind the trappings of their past.
You will learn how to connect with the stillness of being, embrace change and flow with life’s natural cycles while gaining an understanding of our relationship to all living things.
From my experience, this is the best book on cultivating present-moment awareness one can find. It provides a holistic view of how to create space between our thoughts and feelings, allowing us to live in a more conscious, fulfilling way.
“In surrender, you no longer need ego defenses and false masks. You become very simple, very real. “That’s dangerous,” says the ego. “You’ll get hurt. You’ll become vulnerable.” What the ego doesn’t know, of course, is that only through the letting go of resistance, through becoming “vulnerable,” can you discover your true and essential invulnerability.”
― Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
Comprehensive overview of the topic of self compassion
About the book: Self-compassion, which is the practice of treating oneself with kindness, acceptance, and understanding, is a newly growing trend that has gained popularity in recent years. Kristen Neff, who is considered a pioneer in the field, has authored a book that delves into this idea, explaining what self-compassion is, how it works, and providing practical techniques for integrating it into your life.
The book goes over the three main components of self-compassion: self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. It also provides ideas and techniques for cultivating self-compassion in everyday life, such as being mindful of your thoughts and feelings, seeking support when needed, engaging in self-care activities, challenging negative thoughts, and practicing gratitude.
Dr. Neff’s book is an exceptional guide, providing exercises and strategic plans to help readers transform their lives. It is filled with practical tips, exercises, and insights that can be used to help create a healthier relationship with oneself.
over to you
Indeed, exploring the world of meditation can be a transformative journey that brings peace, clarity, and focus to your life. The practice of meditation is an incredibly beneficial habit that can reduce anxieties, strengthen concentration and help improve self-reflection.
By taking the time to explore countless resources available and find the ones that resonate with you, you can begin to unlock amazing powers of meditation and make it a part of your daily life.
I am ahead of time is very happy for you. Good luck in your journey!
P. S. If you are looking for more resources for self-improvement and personal development take a look at this dedicated article.
