The practices of mindfulness and meditation have been enjoyed by people for years. However, they have become more popular than ever as a result of the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. With this in mind, you may be wondering what the five best books on meditation and mindfulness are that you can use on your own spiritual journey?
The five best books on meditation and mindfulness are:
- The Miracle of Mindfulness
- The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness
- Wherever You Go, There You Are
- Here You Are
- The Power of Now
This article will explain the difference between mindfulness and meditation, explain how books can help you learn to practice these disciplines, and give a list of the five best books on mindfulness and meditation that are available on Amazon. So, read on to learn more about how you can start yourself on the path to spiritual enlightenment?
Table of Contents
What Is The Difference Between Mindfulness and Meditation?
Meditation and mindfulness are two spiritual practices that seem similar at first glance, but they are actually distinct from each other. This section will go over each of these practices in detail to explain how they are alike and different.
So, What Is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the mental state of being present and aware of everything around you, as well as understanding your own thoughts and feelings and the impacts they leave on others. Instead of allowing your mind to wander throughout the day, you fully enjoy every moment.
Mindfulness is something you can engage in at any time, no matter where you are. You can practice mindfulness on your own or as part of a class. There is not a defined time limit within which you practice mindfulness, and you can use it whenever necessary. As much as 46.9% of people spend their time thinking about the future or something other than where they are presently, and as a result, are left feeling unsatisfied with their day or even their life.
Mindfulness can help you become more appreciative of where you are and how far you have come.
How Are Meditation Practices Different than Mindfulness?
Meditation is the physical practice of being mindful by participating in a series of breathing exercises while sitting to help you reach an ultimate state of consciousness and concentration. It helps:
- Improve focus
- Allows you to connect better with yourself
- To complete in an allotted time period
With the heightened awareness meditation brings, you can learn to understand yourself and others better and connect to them and yourself without judgment. It helps you calm the wandering mind and be grateful for your present.
There are multiple types of mediation that you can take part in:
- Concentrative meditation – focusing all attention on a specific object to allow yourself to fully experience it
- Mindfulness meditation – therapeutic meditation that focuses on being present in the moment
- Mantra meditation – focusing on a phrase or word and repeating it with a purpose, such as to boost confidence or inspire greater compassion
- Vipassana meditation – using concentration to examine your existence with the goal of enlightenment or positive change
- Chakra meditation – using a meditative state to align the core chakras in the body
No matter what type of meditation you practice, they all carry the same positive benefits, such as:
- Stress relief (Here are some of the best meditations for stress.)
- Greater immunity
- Improved emotional state
- Better memory
- Relief from headaches and other health problem
Now that you know more about each of these practices let’s examine how they are different.
Mindfulness vs. Meditation
Although mindfulness and meditation are similar practices, there are things that set them apart. Here are five differences between them:
Mindfulness: A Personal Quality; Meditation: A Physical Practice
Mindfulness is an awareness that comes from consciously paying attention to the present in a non-judgemental way. On the other hand, meditation is a practice where a person uses an activity such as mindfulness or focusing on a specific item, resulting in training oneself in awareness and obtaining a calm state of mind.
Meditation is Just One Path to a More Mindful Lifestyle
Meditation helps people learn to live in the present and can be used to nurture the human quality of mindfulness. When a person meditates, they are giving themselves a vehicle to pull out the quality of mindfulness whenever they need it.
Mindfulness Can Be Practiced Separately From Meditation
Like meditation, mindfulness also carries important mental health benefits. Although mindfulness and meditation are practiced together, some people are wary of meditation. Thankfully, there are several ways to engage in a mindful and present mind space without entering a meditative state, such as through dialectical behavior therapy.
Mindfulness can be practiced as part of a class or throughout the day as necessary.
Meditation is an exercise in being still, doing nothing to achieve a calm state of mind, and becoming aware of the mind space. Because of this, it is designed to be practiced within a set period of time and can be a much-needed respite from the busyness of life.
Conversely, mindfulness can be practiced formally as part of a meditation session or while doing any daily activity. For example, mindful walking, eating, conversation, bathing, and driving are all ways you can still accomplish important tasks with the goal of being present. As long as you slow down and fully engage in whatever you are doing, you can be mindful.
Mindfulness is just one part of meditation.
Mindfulness is just one piece of a bigger collection of meditation activities meant to help the practitioner achieve enlightenment. In order to meditate properly, you also need to concentrate on preventing your mind from wandering. On the other hand, mindfulness does not require any level of concentration, and you can use it whenever you need it.
How Do I Practice Mindfulness and Meditation?
If you feel ready to practice mindfulness and meditation on your own, one of the best ways to do this is through using guided books. The books contain a whole collection of guided exercises to not only help you on your journey but also provide the information to allow you to get the most out of these practices. Other possibilities include attending a class on these practices or using an app that guides you through mindfulness and meditation.
Speaking of mindfulness and meditation books, let’s take a look at some of the best ones in the following section.
The 5 Best Books on Meditation and Mindfulness
These are the most popular or highest-rated books on mindfulness and meditation on Amazon.
1. The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation
This book by Thich Nhat Hahn imparts the principles, stories, and practice exercises to help you learn to be more mindful while being fully active and aware. According to the author, everything we do can be an opportunity to be mindful. Including washing the dishes and answering the phone.
The book is easy to understand, so you can follow along whether you are new to meditation and mindfulness or have been practicing them for a while. Readers have said that the book is intuitive and truly helped them understand the purpose of meditation and mindfulness.
2. The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness
This book is by Andy Puddicombe, who started practicing meditation on his own time and decided to use what he learned to help others. It is an accessible and portable guide to helping you get started with these practices. It is filled with simple yet effective techniques to help you with:
- Positivity and focus
- Stress or anxiety relief (Mindfulness meditation for anxiety is a wonderful thing that you should check out!)
- Even weight loss and relationships
Puddicombe adapts the practice of meditation for the modern world to help everyone live a happier and healthier life. The chapters are full of easy-to-digest tips and advice that you can use to be more mindful every day.
3. Wherever You Go, There You Are
This book by John Kabat-Zinn, a mindfulness expert, has sold over 750,000 books worldwide and has been a bestseller multiple times. It has changed thousands of lives by helping people find and enjoy quiet reflection in order to reduce stress. Wherever You Go, There You Are is filled with exercises and activities to help people understand and practice mindfulness.
The chapters are short, so you can read one whenever you have a few minutes of free time or need a little inspiration. You can skip around to whatever chapter fits your current needs as well so that you can get the most out of the reading experience.
4. You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment
This book by Thich Nhat Hahn uses traditional Buddhist thoughts and practices to teach everyday people to foster mindfulness and be aware of the present. He wants to share the fact that mindful energy can be achieved by anyone, not just meditation masters. Activities such as awareness of breathing, walking, and deep listening can foster a mindful existence.
The book is 160 pages of tips and exercises to teach you how to achieve happiness through mindfulness techniques. It is written in an easy-to-read format and covers everything you need to know to achieve the greatest benefit, even if you have never practiced meditation before.
5. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
This book by Eckhart Tolle teaches you how to leave behind your ego and find joy in the present moment through a question-and-answer format. The questions are the guide used to take you on a journey to embracing yourself. Opening yourself to the power of the present and accepting life as it is can help you overcome stress, pain, and other negative experiences.
The Power of Now is divided into short and digestible chapters so that you can learn at your own pace and get the most out of the experience. Readers have said that this book has helped them overcome and move on from past traumas and be happier with life in general
Whether you choose one of these books or a different title, you are sure to find one that speaks to you. The journey to enlightenment is a personal one, and what works for you may not work for someone else and vice versa. Thankfully, there are plenty of these books to choose from, and you cannot go wrong with choosing one of these first.
Conclusion
Meditation and mindfulness are two activities focused on helping people become more aware and present in their lives. The biggest difference between them is that mindfulness is a mindset that can be engaged at any time, while meditation is a physical activity that requires concentration and must be done within a set time period.
You can practice them by going to a class, reading books, or using a guided meditation app. Meditation and mindfulness books are helpful guides that you can pick up any time you need them.
If meditation is something you are wanting to take to the next level, you can get certified to teach meditation!
