Books
There are hundreds, if not thousands of books on meditation now. Many of them are very good, but most approach the subject from a religious point of view. Here are just a few recommendations that are mostly free of any particular worldview other than that they believe meditation is good for you.
Meditation For Life: How mind training improves relationships, career, health and happiness – Justyn Comer, Panoma Press, 2018.
Written by one of the co-founders of RWM Education, Inc, the emphasis of the book is on why you should meditate. Many people see meditation as being either a spiritual practice, or as stress relief. It can be those things, but it is so much more. Meditation for Life explores how meditation enhances every aspect of your life including career, relationships, health and happiness. The last couple of chapters also look at different meditation techniques and how to establish a regular practice.
10% Happier – How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works–A True Story – Dan Harris, Dey Street Books, 2014.
Dan Harris is a journalist for ABC News and the host of the awesome 10% Happier Podcast. He is one of the hosts of Good Morning America on Saturdays, and was formerly one of the anchors of ABC Nightline. His memoir details how Harris reluctantly discovered meditation as a help for his anxiety. He applied his journalistic rigor to the sometimes fluffy subject matter interviewing many of America’s so-called experts as he developed his own practice. This is more of a tale of discovery than outright instruction but answers many questions about how and why meditation can be helpful. It is honest, vulnerable, often funny, and inspiring.
Wherever You Go, There You Are – Jon Kabat-Zinn, Hachette Books, 1994.
Definitely one of the classics of modern meditation literature. Kabat-Zinn founded the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. He started teaching an eight week course of meditation and mindfulness instruction that is now taught all over the world as the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course. Wherever You Go, There You Are is a brilliant introduction to the how and why of meditation practice.
The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness – Andy Puddicombe, St. Martin’s Griffin, 2016.
Originally titled Get Some Headspace this is somewhat similar to 10% Happier in so far as it details the journey Puddicombe went through before he started his meditation company, Headspace. However, his journey was very different and the book begins with his escaping from a monastery somewhere in South East Asia. This is another excellent book for beginners as well as anyone else since he has a very clear style that covers even relatively advanced ideas within meditation in an easy, accessible way.